As Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Center celebrates 50 years of changing lives through the healing power of horses, the organization is marking an exciting new chapter with the opening of Hope Arena, a purpose-built covered round pen designed to expand equine-assisted services for veterans, first responders, trauma survivors and others facing emotional and behavioral challenges. Created as a space for groundwork and relationship-based experiences between horses and people, Hope Arena will help even more participants build confidence, develop emotional regulation, strengthen communication and begin the healing process alongside Pegasus’ horses.
Few people understand the impact of that mission better than Steven Deastis. After serving 25 years in law enforcement, including with the New York Police Department and the Greenburgh Police Department, where he retired as a sergeant and second-in-command of the SWAT team, Steve came to Pegasus while struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a SWAT shooting incident in 2019. He completed the organization’s resilience program in 2021, an experience he describes as life changing. Inspired by his own journey, Steve has spent the past four years with Pegasus and now serves as a facilitator, helping veterans, first responders, nurses, EMTs, firefighters and others experience the same healing and personal growth that transformed his own life. Today, he shares how Pegasus changed his life, the remarkable lessons horses continue to teach, and why the opening of Hope Arena represents an important step forward in expanding healing opportunities for those who have dedicated their lives to serving others.
I started my career in law enforcement with the NYPD at the age of 23. After four years I transferred to Greenburgh Police Department in Westchester County, where I grew up. Some of my assignments over the years before being promoted to Sergeant were with our community policing unit (10 years), explorer program (10 years), child seat technician (10 years), SWAT team member (17 years) and firearms instructor (15 years). After being promoted to Sergeant in 2015, I held a position of commanding officer of records (2 years), commanding officer of the traffic unit (1 year), and X.O. of the SWAT team (2 years) before retiring in 2023 with 25 years of service.
The experience I had was profound, and after it was over, I realized it had a major breakthrough with empathy and understanding of my emotions.
The horse that drew me in was Duke. His power and muscular build was amazing. He could also be soft and reserved at times, which showed me how to regulate my emotions.
I remember as a participant being hands-on during quiet time. Standing still, staying present with Duke, I got very emotional and teared up. Duke stayed with me and for the first time, and maybe ever, I allowed myself to feel that emotion and just worked through it with Duke.
I’ve always been wanting to grow and learn new things. My PTSD gets in the way of that, but Pegasus is my safe place. Even though I was nervous about this new role as a facilitator, I know from the resilience program that at times I have to just be vulnerable in order to have growth in my life.
Helping others at Pegasus not only gave me purpose, it gives me a front row seat to the greatest show on earth: watching how our herd shows the participants a range of self-help tools, like being present. The point where the participants put it all together in weeks three and four is exciting to watch.
What makes Pegasus so special is how our horses show the participants things like how to regulate. Having a 1,200-pound horse show participants these key points without speaking is amazing to see.
Having Hope Arena will allow us to reach more veterans and first responders. Equine-assisted programs are rare in our area, so expanding is much needed for this community.
What would you say to someone who may be considering an equine-assisted services program but isn't sure if it's for them?
I tell them, ‘Your job always gave you the physical tools to get the job done. Give yourself the emotional tools to enhance your life going forward.’ Everyone I have encountered has taken one or two main things, like being present, back to their work and private lives.
I hope they understand the importance and need for this resilience program in the lives of our veterans and first responders. They gave on the front lines for our safety and freedom, and now it’s time for them to see how this program will positively affect their lives afterwards.
As someone who has experienced Pegasus as both a participant and now a facilitator, what has that journey taught you about the healing power of horses?
To watch how a big biofeedback 1,200-pound animal can show so many life tools is fascinating to me. Time and time again our herd doesn't disappoint, having participants make breakthroughs during their time here. One chief put it best: "It's therapy without having to talk."
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