From the Paddock to the Office: Picore’s Equine-Led Program Reimagines Workplace Safety

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. – April 29, 2026 – In an era of escalating workplace tension, a California-based security firm is gaining international recognition for a solution that swaps corporate boardrooms for horse paddocks. Picore International, a leader in threat assessment, has secured two prestigious Stevie® Awards for its groundbreaking program, “The Power of Presence,” which uses the principles of equine psychology to proactively prevent workplace violence.

The company was awarded a Gold Stevie® in the Security–Safety category and a Bronze Stevie® for Business-to-Business Services at the 2026 American Business Awards, validating an approach that many might consider unconventional. Rather than relying solely on traditional security protocols, the program teaches leaders to read subtle behavioral cues and de-escalate conflict by observing and interacting with rescued horses and donkeys.

A New Breed of Corporate Training

At the core of “The Power of Presence” is a unique methodology developed by Dr. Dana Picore, the company’s CEO and a former LAPD officer and trainer. The program features a video training series that moves beyond abstract theory and into the real world of animal instinct. By observing rescued horses—prey animals hardwired for survival and acutely sensitive to their environment—participants learn to recognize non-verbal signals of stress, fear, and aggression that often precede conflict.

This approach is rooted in a field known as Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL), an experiential model where horses act as bio-feedback mirrors. Because horses are highly perceptive and respond honestly to a person's energy and intention, they provide immediate, unbiased feedback on a leader's presence and emotional state. If a leader is anxious, aggressive, or distracted, a horse will react accordingly, refusing to cooperate or showing signs of distress. This interaction forces leaders to develop self-awareness and emotional regulation to build trust.

The novelty and effectiveness of this method were not lost on the Stevie® Awards judges. One judge commented, "This is one of the most original leadership entries I've seen. Translating equine psychology into workplace de-escalation is a smart move because animals don't lie—they give immediate feedback on a leader's presence... Using rescue animals adds a layer of authenticity to the trust-building message that really sticks with you."

By translating the dynamics of a herd into human terms, the program equips managers with the skills to defuse tense situations before they escalate into violence, fostering a safer and more cohesive work environment.

Addressing a Rising Tide of Workplace Conflict

The recognition for Picore International’s program arrives at a critical juncture. According to recent industry data, workplace violence (WPV) is a growing threat. The National Safety Council now lists assault as the fifth leading cause of workplace fatalities. Statistics from 2025 show that 30% of workers reported witnessing workplace violence, a notable increase from the previous year. High-risk sectors like healthcare and retail have seen significant spikes in incidents, prompting a broad re-evaluation of safety strategies.

In response, the industry is seeing a paradigm shift, moving away from purely reactive crisis management toward proactive prevention. Regulatory bodies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have long encouraged employers to implement comprehensive violence prevention programs that include training in hazard identification and de-escalation. Picore’s model directly answers this call, focusing on the early warning signs and behavioral undercurrents that traditional security measures often miss.

By teaching leaders to identify these red flags—in their employees and in themselves—"The Power of Presence" aims to stop the chain of events leading to a crisis. It moves the focus from managing an incident to preventing it entirely, addressing the root causes of conflict through heightened awareness and improved interpersonal skills.

Leadership Redefined Through Presence and Empathy

The program is more than just a safety protocol; it's a fundamental rethinking of what it means to be a leader in a high-stress environment. Dr. Picore's background as an LAPD officer and trainer provides a real-world foundation for the curriculum, emphasizing the same de-escalation and situational awareness skills required in law enforcement.

"The Power of Presence is more than a program—it's a leadership model," Dr. Picore stated. "Using equine psychology, we help leaders develop the awareness and skills necessary to identify risk early and defuse conflict before it escalates."

This leadership model emphasizes 'presence'—a state of focused, non-judgmental awareness that allows a leader to remain calm and in control during a confrontation. By learning to lead a 1,000-pound animal through quiet confidence rather than force, executives discover how to apply the same principles to their human teams. The skills honed in the paddock—empathy, clear communication, and emotional regulation—are directly transferable to managing employee disputes, handling difficult customers, or navigating organizational change.

Industry Validation for an Unconventional Method

Securing a Stevie® Award, often called the “Oscars of the business world,” provides significant validation for Picore International's innovative strategy. The American Business Awards® program is one of the most competitive, with more than 12,000 nominations submitted annually to its various programs and a judging panel of over 200 global professionals. Winning a Gold Stevie® signifies that an entry received the highest average score in its category, marking it as a best-in-class solution.

The dual awards—Gold for Security–Safety and Bronze for Business-to-Business Services—underscore the program's dual impact. The Gold award recognizes its specific innovation in protecting employees, while the Bronze award highlights its value as a measurable, human-centered service for modern enterprises. As organizations face mounting pressure to ensure employee safety and foster accountable leadership, solutions that bridge behavioral science and practical application are becoming increasingly vital.

For companies looking to adopt this forward-thinking approach, Picore International offers its training through online modules as well as private executive ranch experiences, allowing leaders to engage directly with the program and its four-legged teachers.