Recovery doesn’t stop with one person. Operational Stress Injuries affect partners, children, and family relationships in ways that often go unseen.
Breaking the Cycle brings the entire family together to strengthen communication, build understanding, and create healthier patterns that carry into everyday life.
Available to participants who have completed the Those who Serve & First Responders Program, Breaking the Cycle welcomes children aged 8‑24 into the learning process alongside their parent or caregiver.
Led by registered psychologists and experienced facilitators, the program combines classroom learning with equine-assisted activities that help families practise emotional regulation, problem solving, mindfulness, and healthy communication together.
Strong families aren’t built through one conversation.
They’re built by learning, practising, and growing together.
Children often experience the effects of Operational Stress Injuries without fully understanding what their parent is going through. This program helps families replace confusion with understanding, improve communication, and develop healthier ways of supporting one another.
Breaking the Cycle is the only program of its kind in North America where the entire family participates together. Its approach is grounded in neuroscience, trauma-informed practice, and real-world application, with ongoing evaluation supported by Veterans Affairs Canada.
Breaking the Cycle is available to participants who have completed the Those who Serve & First Responders Program and wish to continue their journey alongside their children.
If you’re unsure whether this program is the right next step, our team can help determine eligibility and answer your questions.
Breaking the Cycle is available to participants who have completed Phase One and return with their children or young adult family members.
Participants: Those who serve or first responder with their children
Ages: 8 To 24
Experience: Guided learning and equine-assisted activities focused on mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, problem solving, and family communication
Approach: The whole family learns together so children can better understand their parent’s injury and know that difficult moments are not their fault
Whether you’re exploring the program for your family, referring someone you support, or helping another family access this experience, we’re here to help.
We acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional territories of Treaty 7 in southern Alberta and the homeland of the Métis Nation. We honour the people who have stewarded this land and recognize our shared responsibility to move forward with respect.
