The Guardians Jiu-Jitsu Club
At Kindle Hill Foundation in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, we are deeply committed to supporting the men and women who serve and protect our communities. Through our First Responder Equine-Assisted Programs, we provide sworn law enforcement officers with a powerful, proven pathway to improved mental health, emotional resilience, and overall well-being.
Our Connection to the Law Enforcement Community
Since 2025, Kindle Hill Foundation has been honored to partner with The Guardian's Jiu-Jitsu Club, which was founded in a garage at the East Norriton Township Police Department and now trains at our facility every Wednesday and Friday from 6:00 to 7:00 a.m. The club's 45 (and growing rapidly) members represent local, county, state, and federal agencies spanning Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Philadelphia counties. All membership fees are reinvested directly into our Equine-Assisted Therapy program for police officers by Kindle Hill Foundation owner Saly Glassman.
This partnership reflects what we see every day: law enforcement professionals thrive when they are supported holistically, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Why Equine-Assisted Therapy for First Responders?
The Guardians Jiu-Jitsu Club has demonstrated the transformative power of physical training, camaraderie, and trust-building within the law enforcement community. Members consistently report positive impacts on both their professional and personal lives. Our Equine-Assisted Programs build on this same foundation, offering first responders a unique therapeutic experience that complements their physical training with emotional and psychological support.
Working with horses helps officers develop and strengthen the very skills their profession demands:
Calm under pressure. Horses respond to emotional cues in real time, giving officers immediate, non-judgmental feedback and helping them practice self-regulation, a critical skill both on the job and off.
Trust and communication. Just as the Guardians club fosters trust among officers on the mat, our equine-assisted sessions build trust between participants and their equine partners, reinforcing healthy relationships and communication skills.
Stress relief and emotional processing. Policing carries unique stressors that are difficult to address through traditional channels. Time with horses in a peaceful, supportive environment gives officers a safe space to decompress, reflect, and heal.
Camaraderie and connection. Our group sessions bring officers together in a setting far removed from the demands of duty, strengthening the same bonds and professional networks that the Guardians Jiu-Jitsu Club has cultivated so successfully.
If your organization serves first responders, whether in law enforcement, fire, EMS, or related fields, we invite you to explore what Kindle Hill Foundation's Equine-Assisted Programs can offer your team. We have seen firsthand, through our partnership with The Guardians Jiu-Jitsu Club and their extraordinary membership, the difference that intentional wellness programming can make in the lives of those who dedicate themselves to public safety.
To learn more about our First Responder Equine-Assisted Programs or to schedule a visit to Kindle Hill Foundation, please contact us directly.