For Anyone Reading This: Alliance 180 Can Help

We had the recent opportunity to speak with Alliance 180’s Executive Director, Denise Romeo, about the organization and what they have to offer.

All Those on the Front Lines of Trauma are Welcomed

“So far, we have spent a lot of our time connecting with entities that serve or work with veterans, EMS, state police, hospitals, etc.—making sure that they know us, our mission, and that we are here with this free and confidential service anytime they decide they need it,” said Romeo. 

She went on to explain how the process works: “Many of those who have gone through the program have been recommended to us by loved ones,” said Romeo. After being recommended, or by finding it on their own, the organization will listen to an individual’s backstory and current state, and extend an offer to them to come to New York (anyone in the US is eligible for the program) to join the program.

The only stipulation? They must choose of their own volition to attend the experience. “This is not a forced experience. Those who come must do so because they want to; because they are truly ready for a change,” said Romeo. 

From there, the rest is all taken care of by Alliance 180. “Our effective three-day experience offers peer-to-peer interaction, private accommodations, classroom training to learn the language of the horse, and a round-pen interaction with the horse as the final culminating event… Through the lens of the horse, participants learn to communicate with another powerful, but very different species, most often resulting in a heightened awareness, changed perspective, and renewed outlook,” states the group’s website. 

Someone Said Horses?

For those not familiar with horses and their calming presence, you may be wondering: “How exactly does leading a horse around a fenced dirt patch do much of anything?” Turns out, there’s a whole scientific theory behind this process — a theory on which Alliance 180 is substantially built. 

“Alliance 180 is different because it’s not just an equine program… We have connected with a Doctor named Stephen Porges, PhD, and what we have determined while working with him is that when we bring someone into the round pen with the horse, the polyvagal theory kicks in,” said Romeo.

According to Porges’ website, the Polyvagal Theory is a “theory that links the evolution of the mammalian autonomic nervous system to social behavior, and emphasizes the importance of physiological state in the expression of behavioral problems and psychiatric disorders.” 

When applied to Alliance 180, it’s the idea that when a connection with the horse is made, it does something to the autonomic nervous system, kind of like a switch is flipped. In doing so, the whole autonomic system is returned back to a state of balance. The organization’s website quotes their own Program Creator and Facilitator of Equine Engagement, Melody Squier, who described the experience: “Horses require you to be in the moment to fully communicate.The release felt when the horse accepts your offer to bond, breathing, touching and following… It’s so empowering. There is no judgment, only acceptance.” 

Planning for the Future 

Starting in January, the organization will be starting a “a pre-event and a post-event experience analysis portion… This portion will be executed by sending assessments to individuals that have attended the program at predetermined times. These assessments will be analyzed by Dr. Porges, and will hopefully contribute to his overall work that will be published in journals across the country,” stated Romeo.

In the meantime, Romeo says, “Spreading our values and mission is key. Our main goal, always, is to really educate our communities. The rule is easy: if you see something, say something.”

Connecting to Alliance 180

For those who would like to recommend the services of Alliance 180 or make a contribution to their efforts, please email their Executive Director, Denise Romeo, at Denise@alliance180.org, or call (518) 301-1663.