OTTAWA, ON – Can Praxis, a national not-for-profit organization specializing in equine
assisted therapy for veterans, first responders, and their families has developed North
America’s first veteran-led, whole-family, multi-day program to break the generational
cycle of Operational Stress Injuries (OSIs), including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
In Canada today, hundreds of thousands of veterans and first responders are struggling
with their mental health, with many facing debilitating physical and mental health
problems. Daily life with PTSD and other OSIs is incredibly challenging, and marriages and
family relationships suffer greatly as spouses and children are often anxious, hyper-vigilant
and show signs of secondary PTSD.
Can Praxis saw a gap in the way families were being treated for OSIs, with the diagnosed
family member being treated separately from their spouse and children. Their unique
“Breaking the Cycle” Program invites individuals who have completed Phase 1 of their
equine assisted therapy program to return with their spouses and children aged 8-24 to
learn to improve family function.
“Operational Stress Injuries is a family affair,” says Warrant Officer (retd) Steve Critchley, a
28-year member of the Canadian Armed Forces and Founder of Can Praxis. “Our goal is to
help veterans and first responders who are suffering with OSIs to better communicate their
experiences and challenges with their families. And to help their children better
understand what their parent is going through. Because if you’re not talking, you’re at a
greater risk of losing your life to OSIs. It’s that simple.”
Can Praxis’ program facilitators are registered trauma-informed psychologists and veterans
and first responders trained in interpersonal resolution. The “Breaking the Cycle” Program
is the only program in North America where an entire family attends at the same time, with
approaches and outcomes rooted in neuroscience and peer-reviewed research. The value
of this groundbreaking program continues to be recognized across the industry and in
particular by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) via financial support through their Veteran and
Family Well-Being Fund and an evaluation to further amplify and encourage the program’s
success.
“When families learn to better function in the face of an OSI diagnosis, like PTSD, the path
to healing really opens up for everyone. We’re keeping families together. We’re saving lives,”
says Steve.
Since 2013 Can Praxis has helped more than 1,000 participants and families with a 93%
success rate. Current demand for their programs is vastly exceeding resources with wait
times stretched at 1-2 months.
Steve and members of the Can Praxis team are in Ottawa from October 20-22 participating
in the 2025 CIMVHR (The Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research)
Forum. For more information on the forum visit cimvhrforum.ca. To learn more about Can
Praxis or to donate to support their life-saving programs visit canpraxis.com.
ABOUT CAN PRAXIS
Can Praxis conducts programs for Veterans, First Responders, both serving and retired, and
their families living with Operational Stress Injuries (OSI) such as Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD). It is the only organization in the world that conducts a multi-day,
complete family therapy program where an entire family attends together for treatment.
Through equine assisted therapy, veterans learn (or re-learn) how to build trust and how to
be confident in themselves again – imperative tools to build relationships with family,
colleagues, and their community. Together with the horses, program attendees increase
emotional awareness and the ability to regulate their emotions.
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Can Praxis
Steve Critchley CD, Founder
403.631.2489
steve@canpraxis.com
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