The horrors of war take a tremendous toll on the mental health of those who serve in the armed forces. When veterans return home from their tour of duty, they’re often haunted by memories of fighting for the life of a soldier or watching a wounded friend bleeding to death.. The untold anguish suffered in combat inevitably leads to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Many of our readers have children who, after bravely traveling far from home to protect our country and way of life, find that, when they return, their need for our help in dealing with the scars of war are greeted with indifference and slow moving bureaucratic red tape. Tragically, sometimes the condition culminates in suicides.
After serving 29 years in the army, including three combat tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Sam Rhodes of Fortson, Georgia, was diagnosed with PTSD, reports CNN Health. He was contemplating taking his life, when he received help from an unexpected source — his stepdaughter’s horse. Cleaning stables and putting up fences calmed his anxieties and made him feel like he had a purpose in life.
The military comes out
in support of Sam Rhodes' project
Consequently, Rhodes wanted to share his source of help with other veterans struggling with PTSD. His aspiration was on the way to becoming a reality when he started building a horse ranch and launched a non-profit called Warrior Outreach in 2008. It provides free access to horses for veterans and their families.
Horses are known for their therapeutic benefits, they have been used to help people with autism and spinal cord injuries, as well as those with depression and PTSD. On Mr. Rhodes’ ranch the wounds of war are soothed through the nonjudgmental empathy and understanding emanating from the animals they are grooming and riding. In addition, the solitude and peace of the ranch trails are undoubtedly a balm for troubled spirits.
Has the horse ranch completely cured Sam Rhodes of PTSD? No, he still struggles with depression, but the horses have made a decided difference for him, his will to live, and interest in life—he has even begun to compose music https://www.facebook.com/100007598259380/posts/2355902714672981?sfns=mo.
Now, Warrior Outreach is more than a horse ranch: It’s expanded into a network where veterans help each other in multiple ways. Fueled by donations and manned by volunteers, the organization does home repairs for veterans in the community. In September they even helped children with disabilities, holding a Camp Dream event. https://youtu.be/py0AtMou7oQ
All of this is offered free of charge to anyone who needs it. The volunteers even give their phone number to those having a hard time, and invite them to call when they need something.
Most importantly, the program is literally saving lives. "Vets come out here and say, 'Hey, you saved my life.' It's well worth it," Rhodes told CNN.
"Vets come out here and say,
'Hey, you saved my life.'"
'Hey, you saved my life.'"
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans, especially those who are homeless, have a higher risk of suicide than that of the civilian population. Each year, approximately 26 out of every 100,000 Americans die from suicide compared to 35 out of every 100,000 veterans. Among homeless veterans, the rate is 81 out of every 100,000.
Warrior Outreach is a beacon of light for veterans in this corner of Georgia but not all of us can build a horse ranch. However, we can emulate the love and caring Mr. Rhodes has shown our veterans. Talk to local farm and stable owners, see if they would run something similar if you get volunteers to help. If not horses, look into some of the other programs that are being run across the country that might be something you could organize. So much more is needed, and our Veteran have certainly earned the right to find compassion and help when they return home.
"Vets come out here and say, 'Hey, you saved my life.' It's well worth it," Rhodes told CNN. What in anyone’s life could possibly be more important than saving a life?
warrioroutreach@gmail.com
6350 GA-219, Fortson, GA 31808 (706) 505-0708
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Horse Ranch Is Beacon of Light for Veterans with PTSD in Georgia
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