Thank a veteran, equine therapy and the Huffington Post

So, I have been busy taking photographs and writing for a not-for-profit business that works for the healing of veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as well as Traumatic Brain Injury.

It has been such a blessing to me to be surrounded by such strong men and women and an honor for me to be able to be witness to moments of healing as well as to listen to stories that have made my heart break into more pieces than I knew it had.

The statistic published by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is that 22 men and women - veterans who have served our country - take their own precious lives every day. It is literally gut-wrenching for me.

I can hardly imagine there are any veterans left in our beautiful country - 22 veterans' lives taken by their own hands each and every single day. I wish I knew what I, an ordinary citizen, could do to make a difference. I have resolved to say, "Thank you," to each and every veteran that I can. Though it once sounded trite and too simple, I have learned that perhaps, it isn't. Perhaps it is something that anyone can do - and it costs nothing.

There are men and women who donate hours upon hours of time to offer assistance in therapeutic horse riding facilities around the country.

I, myself, am not a horse-lover nor am I from a military family. I was here on assignment, but I have stayed to offer my services - in whatever capacity - when I can. There is something special and almost breathtaking about being surrounded by these men and women - brave men and women who, beneath a gruff and sometimes scary exterior, are some of the most compassionate and most hurting individuals you may ever meet.

I was afraid that I would not be welcomed - that I would be an outsider writing and taking photographs of something about which I knew nothing.

Instead, I was warmly welcomed - my heart forever changed.  

The Huffington Post ran this article by Robert Piper and used my photographs!  It is a well-researched article about equine therapy.

I encourage you, even if it seems awkard (which it did to me), to go out and thank a veteran. Shake a hand. Tell him or her that you appreciate what he or she does.  It just may save a life.