Man Helps Fellow Vets Heal Through Horses

Here's another great healing tool available to veterans. It takes longer than EFT but can be a very powerful lifelong aid. Anybody who has animals can attest to the fact that they can really help make a bad day better. The list of studies with animals in care facilities, homes for the elderly, childrens hospitals all show very positive results. Thanks to CBS 4 Denver for the article.

Written By Tom Mustin

ELIZABETH, Colo. (CBS4) ― A local Vietnam veteran is using "horse power" to help his fellow soldiers recover from post traumatic stress disorder.

John Nash is using a practice called equine assisted psychotherapy. The treatment uses a horse's instinctive bond with humans to help the veterans heal emotionally and physically from life on the battlefield.

"Now there's hope. We're creating hope," says Nash.

CBS4's Tom Mustin spent the day at Nash's moon fall ranch in Elizabeth and watched the therapy in action.

"This is my passion. This is the only thing I want to do for the rest of my life," says Nash.

Two months ago Nash started "Combat Veterans Cowboy Up." The non-profit program includes classroom training and trail riding for veterans suffering from PTSD and other mental illnesses associated with combat. A certified psychotherapist is also on hand.

"The program will help them to trust again, help them integrate into society again," explains Nash. "Just increase their whole quality of life. That's the goal. The wounds that soldiers have with PTSD, you can't see but they are just as much a wound as a physical wound and in cases worse because it's unrelenting. It doesn't leave."

Nash has a special bond with his fellow veterans. He served in Vietnam with the Army's 1st cavalry. Three years ago he was diagnosed with severe depression and PTSD.

"I was at the very lowest I ever was. Pretty much ready to check out," he says.

Nash wandered into his barn and sat there for hours comforted only by his horse.

"The horse stayed by me with her head over me like she was protecting me, eventually she would nudge me like she was saying it's ok now you can go to bed."

Nash says he experienced right then the healing power of horses. He says it's a form of therapy that's become more and more accepted nationwide. He decided to use his experience to help his fellow vets.

Right now there are five veterans in the program including Navy veteran Denny Romero.

"This gets us away to where we feel we're free again and don't have to deal with any of the other stuff that goes on," says Romero.

Nash is planning to build a new arena and riding area to accommodate 50 veterans at a time. He says the group is running on a shoe string budget so any donations are greatly appreciated.

Meanwhile John Nash and his horses have "cowboyed up" to change lives.

"I am so proud to have fought for our country. I always was," he says. "This is my purpose. We wonder why we survived. I know now why I survived. It's to run this program and help as many as I can."

Additional Resources:

http://combatveteranscowboyup.org/