Post Traumatic Stress Disorder affects millions of veterans but one local non-profit is trying a new approach to helping soldiers overcome this obstacle.

Veterans Back to War Zones, started by a local veteran Herby Hightower, is a group that helps veterans medically certified with PTSD return to the places they served in their military service in an effort to help heal the trauma and pain of war.

“It gives the veterans a chance to go back to the war zone where the problem originated, and it gives them a chance to move the old image they had of the war back to an image of safety,” said Hightower speaking about the benefits of the program. “It gives them a chance to heal and redirect their lives.”

In trips that last between 8-15 days veterans return to what were previously war zones to experience the current environment and culture.

The program works with the Veterans Oral History Committee for the Library of Congress Vets History project and records the soldier’s experiences and observations at College of the Canyons.

For more information on the organization or how to help click here .