March/April 2025 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN March/April 2025 Page 57 a behavior scientist specializing in law enforcement and public safety. He says that it’s not real- istic to expect first responders to never be challenged by the things that they see, hear and experi- ence. While human beings adapt to profound losses and bearing witness to tragedies, these events are, for most people, thankfully comparatively rare—perhaps three or four in a lifetime. But Glassman says that first respond- ers might experience 800 of these in their careers. “You can’t unsee or un-experience these things,” she says and so their aggregate impact builds up, continuing to challenge the paramedic or the police officer or the emergency room staff to keep saying things are fine. “If you think you’re fine and you want to be fine, but you’re really not fine, how’s that all going to end up?” She says it’s not a pretty picture. “The way it ends up is very easily demon- strated. Just take a pot of spaghet- ti, put it on boil put the lid on it and then go do some laundry or something.” Soon the spaghetti volcano erupts and proves that you’re not fine after all. Incorporated in all the training for all first responders— including paramedics, firefighters and police officers—is de-escala- tion. “De-escalation is one of the skills that is critical for survival,” Glassman says. Explaining that it’s a skill that everyone should cultivate, she cites the example of bad service at a restaurant. “If you order pasta at a restaurant and specify gluten-free, and the waiter brings regular pasta, you should feel safe to complain. It’s not likely that the waiter will take out a gun and shoot you.” For law enforcement, it’s different, she says. “We are not dealing with violence and repeated trauma in our jobs. The risk for law en- forcement is greater. The failure to de-escalate could be fatal.” Going Out on a Limb As she was developing her program, Glassman first reached out to Whitpain Township’s Police Chief, Kenneth Lawson. “I said I wanted to develop a program for the first responder community with a strong em- phasis on law enforcement,” she told him. “Will you work with me and kind of go out on a limb here on an out-of-the-box idea?” She told him that she knew there was a possibility that the pioneers in this venture might suffer some criticism and even possibly ridicule. He told her it was a great idea. “You know I am your guy and I’m going to help you.” He connected her to officers in Mont- gomery, Bucks, Chester, Dela- ware and Philadelphia counties. “As a result,” she says “I was able to develop relationships with a lot of different officers. Working together we developed a training program that focuses on de-esca- lation.” Glassman says that since the program began, she and her team have worked with more than 700 individuals. David Duffy, Chief of Police in Upper Gwynedd, says the program has made a big difference in his organization. “The officers enjoyed spend- ing time together in a type of environment and training that was very different than typical police courses,” he says. “Com- munication among the officers improved.” The Kindle Hill team has been trained in Active Bystand- ership for Law Enforcement (ABLE), Integrating Commu- nications, Assessments and Tactics (ICAT), and Resiliency Training for Law Enforcement. Glassman is an associate mem- ber of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association and has additional training in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). The training, creden- tials and experience of the team translate into better outcomes for participants. “The staff makes the training relatable to police work and the stress- ors of the job, as well as ways to realistically manage those stressors,” Duffy says. (Continued from page 48) And the horses? As therapy partners, they are both icebreak- ers and guides. “Even officers who were unfamiliar or not particularly interested in horses,” Duffy says, “enjoyed interacting with them and learning about their different traits.” Horses, as Glassman has been reminding everyone who is willing to listen, have a wealth of inspiration to share. Inspiration that can motivate, encourage and comfort. Author Ilan Shamir wrote “Advice from a Horse.” It’s an elegant, wise summary of what horse people know well. “Take life’s hurdles in stride. Loosen the reins. Be free spirited. Keep the burrs from under your saddle. Carry your friends when they need it. Keep stable. Gallop to great- ness.” A Different Cohort for Equitherapy: Saly Glassman’s Focus Is First Responders November 2024 Marks 48 Years Family Owned