Our mission is to offer a sanctuary where our clients can engage in therapeutic interaction with horses, promoting healing from PTSD, complicated grief, depression, anxiety, and other related mental health challenges. Forepsyt represents not just a service, but a heartfelt commitment to the growth, empowerment, and recovery of those who have courageously dedicated their lives to serving our community and country.

Who do we serve and can this help me?

Law Enforcement

For law enforcement officers who often wear an armor of stoicism and control, Somatic Equine Therapy offers a chance to drop the shield and engage in a vulnerable, yet profoundly strengthening experience. It is an opportunity to heal not just the mind, but the body and spirit as well, leading to improved mental health, resilience, and overall well-being.

Fire & EMS

The intuitive nature of horses allows them to sense and reflect the emotional state of their human partners. This mirroring can help firefighters and EMS workers recognize and process their own emotions in a way that verbal therapy might not reach. By observing and adjusting to the horse's reactions, they learn to better understand and regulate their own responses to stress.

Veterans

The therapy works by engaging veterans in activities that promote mindfulness and bodily awareness, such as grooming, feeding, and leading the horses. These interactions require a gentle focus and present-mindedness that can help redirect attention away from distressing memories or anxiety about the future. The rhythmic, repetitive motions involved in caring for the horse can act as a form of somatic grounding, calming the fight-or-flight response that is often heightened in those with PTSD.

Medical Service Professionals

The physicality of interacting with horses can also provide a respite for the body. The act of riding can improve posture, core strength, and overall fitness, which can be beneficial for those who spend long hours on their feet or in front of computer screens. Furthermore, the somatic engagement required to ride or lead a horse can help retrain the nervous system, providing relief from the chronic stress responses that can accumulate over time.

Loved Ones of First Responders and Veterans

The secondary trauma experienced by these individuals is palpable; they live with the constant worry for the safety of their loved one, and they may have to navigate the emotional aftermath of the harrowing situations their first responders or veterans encounter. The silent strength and empathetic nature of horses provide a grounding and nonjudgmental presence that can be especially comforting for those grappling with these challenges.

Community Collaboration & Partnerships

If you or someone you know may benefit from our services, please contact us. We partner with individuals, companies, programs, and organizations with the shared goal of providing positive change using holistic transformative methods. We seek to provide a sense of community and belonging and foster purpose and connection.

We stand for those who stood for us.

Forepsyt Inc. is a Southern California nonprofit corporation with 501(c)(3) pending status, founded by a group of dedicated and driven law enforcement officers who saw a critical problem in our community and took action to fix it. Each of us has lost loved ones to the job or to suicide due to the immense stressors of the profession and the struggle to balance it with daily life. We come from different states but have identified the same patterns of issues, which are a nationwide crisis that is widely under-recognized and often swept under the rug.

We were tired of seeing our friends leave a once highly respected profession because of the combined stress, ultimately leaving those who stay to fight alone in already understaffed departments. This isn't fair to fellow officers, and it isn't fair to the communities we serve. Officers who stay often get burnt out and jaded due to being overworked and underappreciated, leading to a decline in the quality of policing. Recognizing the importance of our partners in the community, we decided to include all first responders, veterans, and medical professionals—from doctors and nurses to technicians and practitioners—as well as educators and clerical and administrative staff who support these professions.

We also serve the family members of these communities, understanding that the support system we have is sometimes what keeps us going. In these professions, we often miss birthdays, holidays, and special occasions, all to serve others in their worst moments of crisis. This contributes to high divorce rates, trust issues, and overall stress. We believe that their families matter just as much as they do, and we offer services to them to assist with work-life balance and understanding.

Forepsyt Inc. also offers services to families experiencing complicated grief from these professions, whether their loved one completed suicide or died in the line of duty. We started this organization because we identified a problem and found a holistic, life-transforming solution that we wanted to share with our community. We didn’t want cost or stigma to deter our family from getting help. Any client who comes to us for services will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.

Our Mission and Vision

Forepsyt Inc. is dedicated to providing innovative, evidence-based somatic equine therapy services to support the mental health and well-being of veterans, first responders, and public service personnel. Our mission is to empower these individuals through the transformative power of equine-assisted interventions, fostering resilience, healing, and personal growth. We aim to become a leading provider of somatic equine therapy services in the Los Angeles area, recognized for our commitment to excellence, compassion, and positive impact on the lives of those who have served our communities.

Why We Need Your Support

At this point, Forepsyt Inc. is looking for funding to keep our goals alive. We are 100% funded by donations and any money we have personally contributed. We all work actively in full-time sworn law enforcement positions and have dedicated countless hours working together, from video conference calls to on-the-ground efforts, to make this organization what it is so far. We will keep working to launch and grow Forepsyt Inc. to expand our services to the community. We believe in this mission wholeheartedly, from California to Alaska, Illinois to Washington, D.C. The leadership, teamwork, and drive of our executives have made this a priority despite all other commitments. We hope you will too.

Call to Action

We invite you to join us in this noble endeavor. Your support can help fund the launch and growth of Forepsyt Inc., enabling us to provide life-changing therapy to our nation's heroes. This partnership is not just an investment in our organization; it is an investment in the well-being of individuals who have given so much and deserve the chance to reclaim their lives.

Together, we can address the critical needs of veterans and public service members, providing them with the care and support they so desperately require. Let us unite in turning the tide on mental health care and making a lasting difference in the lives of those who protect and serve our communities.

How You Can Help

  • Donate: Your financial contributions will directly support our programs and services.

  • Volunteer: We need passionate individuals to help in various capacities, from administrative roles to working directly with our clients and horses.

  • Partner: Organizations can host awareness events, fundraisers, and promote our mission within their networks.

Recognition and Benefits

At Forepsyt Inc., we deeply appreciate the generosity of our supporters. Our donor recognition program is designed to honor your contributions and the impact you make on our mission. Each level builds upon the previous, offering cumulative benefits as your support grows. 

Donor Recognition Levels:

1. Friend

2. Partner

3. Advocate

4. Champion

5. Visionary

Founders Recognition:

6. Founder

7. Master Founder

8. Grand Founder

9. Legacy Founder

Join Us

We look forward to the opportunity to discuss this partnership further and to welcoming you as a valued ally in our mission. Together, we can create a legacy of healing and empowerment, transforming the lives of those who have served us all.



Meet the Team

  • Dylan Cade Floyd

    Dylan Cade Floyd, PhD Candidate

    FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

  • Pookela Bates

    Po'okela Bates

    CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

  • Jesika Floyd

    Jesika Floyd

    DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Biographies

  • Dylan Cade Floyd, PhD Candidate, is a visionary leader dedicated to healing those who have sacrificed for our nation and communities. As the founder and CEO of Forepsyt Inc., Dylan brings a unique blend of real-world experience and scholarly expertise to her mission of supporting veterans, first responders, and their families. Her distinguished career as a Police Officer and now as a Major Crimes Detective has given her firsthand insight into the challenges faced by those in public service. 

    This experience, combined with her academic pursuits as a PhD candidate in Forensic Psychology focusing on Crisis Leadership Management, has shaped her holistic approach to healing and resilience. At Forepsyt Inc., Dylan has pioneered the use of somatic equine therapy, a groundbreaking approach that combines the healing power of horses with evidence-based psychological techniques. This innovative therapy addresses a range of issues including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other challenges faced by veterans and first responders. 

    Under her leadership, Forepsyt Inc. has become a beacon of hope, aligning perfectly with her personal ethos: to facilitate healing and foster resilience among those who have served our nation. Her commitment is reflected in the organization's mission to provide essential support cost-free, ensuring that every veteran and first responder has access to the help they need. Dylan's academic achievements are impressive, maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA and holding memberships in prestigious honor societies. However, it is her passion for applying this knowledge to real-world problems that sets her apart. 

    Her unique combination of law enforcement experience, academic rigor, and compassionate leadership makes her ideally suited to guide Forepsyt Inc. in its crucial work. Dylan understands that behind every uniform is a human being deserving of support and healing, and she remains committed to her vision of a world where every veteran and first responder can thrive. 

    In Dylan's own words, "You are not alone." This simple yet powerful message encapsulates her dedication to creating a supportive community for those who have given so much. Through Forepsyt Inc., Dylan is not just talking about change – she is making it happen, one person, one horse, one healing journey at a time.  

  • Po'okela Bates brings a unique blend of expertise and compassion to his role as Chief Operating Officer at Forepsyt Inc. With extensive experience in law enforcement and security operations and management, Po'okela intimately understands the challenges faced by veterans and first responders. His approach to operational excellence is infused with empathy, reflecting Forepsyt's mission to support those who serve.

    As someone who has walked in the shoes of those Forepsyt serves, Po'okela sees beyond protocols; he sees individuals, their struggles, and their immense potential for healing. His specialized training, including Applied Suicide Intervention Skills (ASIST), equips him to address critical needs of those struggling with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. At Forepsyt, Po'okela's role goes beyond managing operations - he is a bridge between the organization's innovative somatic equine therapy and the heroes it serves.

    Po'okela's vision for Forepsyt Inc. is to aid in the facilitation, healing, and fostering a safe and resilient environment for all. His cultural and ethnical background as a Native Hawaiian brings a unique cultural sensitivity to his work, creating an inclusive healing environment ensuring the true meaning of Aloha is spread throughout day to day operations from the top down. Po'okela embodies Forepsyt's belief that "no one fights alone," ensuring that every aspect of the organization's operations aligns with this powerful message of support and community.

    Notably, Po'okela has completed Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), equipping him with the skills to handle sensitive situations and provide support during crisis interventions, which is crucial in scenarios involving mental health crises. Po'okela's educational background includes specialized training from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) and numerous certifications in security management, leadership, and threat assessment. 

    His expertise in personnel security, information security, and physical security, including the management of Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs), positions him uniquely to drive operational excellence at Forepsyt Inc. 

     As COO, Po'okela aims to leverage his comprehensive law enforcement and security background to enhance Forepsyt Inc.'s operational efficiency, foster a culture of safety and compliance, and drive strategic growth initiatives. His proven track record in collaborative leadership, combined with his bilingual proficiency in English and Hawaiian, brings a multicultural perspective to his leadership approach, making him an ideal fit for steering Forepsyt Inc. towards new heights of success.  

  • Jesika Floyd's appointment as Operations Director at Forepsyt Inc. marks a significant milestone in her distinguished career. With over two decades of experience in operations management and public relations, Jesika brings a unique blend of expertise and compassion to Forepsyt's mission of supporting veterans, first responders, and their families. Her career began in public relations, where she quickly demonstrated her ability to enhance customer satisfaction and retention. In her position as Director of Client Relations, she spearheaded initiatives that resulted in increased customer satisfaction. Her strategic vision led to a a complete 100% increase in customer management retention rates, showcasing her talent for fostering long-term client relationships. 

    Jesika's tenure as a Public Relations Director has been pivotal in shaping her career. Her expertise in building and maintaining the organization's image, developing strategic communication plans, and managing stakeholder relationships has been instrumental in enhancing brand loyalty and trust. Her skills in crisis management and relationship management have consistently proven invaluable. In her role as Finance Manager, Jesika's financial acumen resulted in increased net income for the organization through meticulous financial analysis and cost-saving measures. Her leadership in financial planning and compliance ensured the company's robust financial health, further solidifying her reputation as a strategic leader. Jesika's dedication to her work is deeply personal. She believes in the power of community and support, echoing Forepsyt's ethos that "no one fights alone." Her compassionate approach ensures that every veteran and first responder receive the care and support they need to thrive.  

    In Jesika's own words, "Every individual we serve has a unique story and immense potential for healing. At Forepsyt, we are committed to walking alongside them on their journey to recovery." This message encapsulates her dedication to creating a supportive and healing environment for those who have given so much. As Operations Director, Jesika Floyd will play a key role in driving Forepsyt Inc.'s mission forward. Her comprehensive experience in customer relations and public relations, combined with her strategic leadership abilities, make her an ideal fit for the organization. Jesika's contributions will undoubtedly support Forepsyt's vision of fostering resilience and healing among veterans, first responders, and public service personnel, ensuring the organization continues to make a positive impact in the community. 

Let’s work together