This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Veterans Find Healing Through Horses

A Bethany farm hosted soldiers on the 4th of July for some riding and bonding.

Brad Bertele believes that nobody understands a veteran’s needs better than an actual veteran. After serving two years in a U.S. Army combat unit, Bertele had a difficult time transitioning back to civilian life.

Though he was never diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, he believes he suffers the effects of being under attack during his time in the military. He also believes that veterans are not getting enough help with the after-effects of war and regaining their life as civilians.

Two years ago, he developed a program at his Bethany farm called Blackhorse 4 Heroes, which provides veterans a chance to understand who they are and how they can succeed in their new mission as civilians after serving in the military. According to Bertele, veterans face a tough transition from the military to civilian life and horses help make that transition easier.

Find out what's happening in Bethwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Yesterday, in honor of Independence Day, Blackhorse 4 Heroes hosted several war veterans from Newington, Virginia who are experiencing post-tramatic stress syndrome. There was a demonstration of driving and talks and then a cook-out for the veterans.

Bertele sees it as a way of honoring our heroes and giving them a chance to heal and find camaraderie.

Find out what's happening in Bethwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

During the event, veterans sit in a carriage and guide a horse with reins, a process that Bertele finds more effective than riding with a saddle. Through the process of guiding the horse-drawn carriage, those with PTSD learn to reduce their stress and relax with the physical exercise. The program relies on communication through body language which provides a calm, non-judgmental platform for veterans to trust and communicate with horses. Since many veterans are physically impaired, the program includes a carriage adapted to accept a wheelchair.

According to Bertele, what makes the driving experience even more rewarding is the team work between driven horse and the driver. In driving there is a much greater demand for equality between equine and human.

“This mutual respect helps with healing and social reintegration,” he says.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Interested in Bethwood’s news, events, community bulletins, blogs and businesses? Sign up for the free Bethwood daily newsletter, "like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

________________________________________________________________________________

Blackhorse 4 Heroes was developed to improve the veteran experience by understanding the various conditions the soldier experiences in combat. Bertele teaches these different facets to veterans of limited function during training sessions.

 “Perhaps it’s because both veterans and horse were prey, perhaps is the communication by body language, perhaps it’s as Winston Churchill said, ‘There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.’ Winston is spot on, he just did not mention the weight on my wallet. One horse can cost $1,000 per month, then there are facility fees, insurance and on," Bertele explains on his organization’s web site.

He is relying on the help of sponsors and contributors to keep this program going. 

There is no cost for the program.

“Our veterans have already paid enough,” Bertele says.

On August 25, he’s having a black-tie formal affair for between 200 and 400 veterans and their loved ones will be held at Sikorsky in Stratford where Volo Aviation will open is new and very exclusive corporate hangar for fine dining, live music, dancing and an opportunity to thank our veterans.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?