Army veteran Ray Knell suffered severe post-traumatic stress (PTSD) after his time in Afghanistan. For almost a year, Knell didn’t want to leave his house and struggled with anxiety.
But, that all changed once he participated in an outing with Heroes and Horses. The program takes veterans like himself to Montana’s breathtaking mountains, where they spend time with horses. Equine therapy has helped many other veterans find peace, as we’ve seen at the Boulder Crest Retreat in Bluemont, VA.
“I went on that trip and all of a sudden I found purpose,” he told National Geographic. “And it fundamentally changed my life.”
In turn, Knell embarked on a journey from Colorado to Montana to donate his horses and mules to the program as well as to raise awareness and funds for it. Filmmaker Ben Masters, who had a friend who committed suicide after serving, also joined the veteran through Yellowstone National Park.
At the 4:46 mark, Knell emotionally explains why working with these horses has helped him putting it all into perspective for those who don't have experience with the condition.
"I haven't learned anything new about myself on this trip, I just found things that I had once lost," he adds. "This challenge made me realize that there was nothing wrong with me."
Watch below and please SHARE to spread awareness for equine therapy!
