In a world full of well-meaning programs and support services, one organization stands out as the gold standard for true, transformative healing: Can Praxis.
What began as the vision of Steve Critchley, a Canadian Armed Forces veteran and professional mediator, has become one of Canada’s most effective, respected, and sought-after recovery programs for veterans, first responders, and their families living with PTSD and Operational Stress Injuries (OSI).
Steve didn’t just imagine a solution—he built one.
A Vision That Became a Lifeline
Steve Critchley understood something most didn’t: that communication breakdown, relationship strain, and emotional disconnect are often the most damaging—and least addressed—effects of trauma. And he believed the healing needed to be practical, experiential, and grounded in trust.
So he partnered with psychologist Dr. Sue McIntosh and co-founded Can Praxis, where evidence-based, horse-assisted therapy became more than just a novel idea—it became a breakthrough.
Today, Can Praxis offers 9-day intensive retreats, peer-led programs, and trauma-informed workshops that have helped over 1,000 participants across Canada, with a 93% success rate in restoring relationships, improving communication, and reducing emotional distress.
More Than a Program—It’s a Standard
From the moment veterans and first responders arrive at Can Praxis, they know they’re in the hands of people who get it. They’re not treated as clients—they’re treated as humans. That trust is the result of Steve’s commitment to one thing: putting the people first.
Every program, every horse interaction, every peer group session is part of a carefully designed process built on empathy, evidence, and shared experience. This is not therapy from a distance—this is healing shoulder to shoulder.
In a country with no shortage of services, Can Praxis is the program others should measure themselves against.
A Legacy in Motion
Steve Critchley’s vision lives on through the thousands of families who are still together, the veterans who’ve found their footing again, and the first responders who feel understood—some for the first time. His legacy is not just a program; it's a movement.
And while it’s a shame that programs like this are even necessary, it’s a blessing beyond measure that Can Praxis exists—and that it works.
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