This shawl was handmade by Sandy Joy Goldstein of Federal Way. She used a medium weighted yarn and the shawl is secured with a sterling silver knot pin. May its warmth remind you of the safety provided by Vetetans and First Responders, above the call of duty

You can help support Veterans and First Responders by generously participating in this Auction:

Every dollar raised helps to facilitate horse sessions for Veterans and First Responders managing PTSD.

Why Horses?

Equine-based experiences include activities such as learning about herd dynamics and how they communicate and build relationships with each other, as well as individual interactions with a horse or horses where the individual gains insight through somatic (felt/experienced) activities. Through this connection, the individual finds a relationship with the horse which can be translated to how they relate to and show up in their daily environment.

How Does it Help Me?

As a prey animal, horses rely on their senses and awareness of their surroundings to stay alive, and therefore are excellent at communicating their comfort/discomfort with how we show up in their space as a predatory animal. Their calm awareness is an excellent tool to help us learn how to be fully present without anxiety or additional stress on our body. They are also masterful at returning to a balanced state after a threat has passed, and therefore act as an example which we can draw from for our own experiences.

These experiences can help build stronger coping skills with regard to managing stress, anxiety, PTSD, and when faced with real-time work-related traumas which are part of the role of those in public service such as our military, first responders, and healthcare workers.

Who Can Participate?

Veterans, Firefighters, Law Enforcement, EMS/EMT, and Dispatch are our primary focus. We hope to expand our offerings in the future to include medical personnel, active-duty military, and others.

Auction Test May 2026