Because We Can, Because We Care, a nonprofit equine therapy organization, is working to support local veterans and children with special needs while rehabilitating rescued horses.

“We have a variety of horses that we’ve rescued,” said David Drulius, president and founder. “Some have been unwanted, neglected, abandoned, beaten, misused, slaughter-bound … because they were just too crazy.”

Drulius created the “TCR Horsemanship” program in an effort to train horses through positivity and by building trust, confidence and respect.

“These animals come back around to the point where they love people and they want to be around people,” he added.

As a part of the “Horses -N- Heroes” program, Because We Can, Because We Care has enlisted the assistance of three groups of local veterans to help “reprogram” the horses so that they are able to partake in the children’s program.

“We’re simply teaching horsemanship or horseback riding lessons, and results have been off the charts,” said Drulius.

Though he started out fearing he would make a mistake or be reprimanded for not handling the horses properly, Brad, a local veteran, found that by the end of his first session, he was much more relaxed.

“Over the years I’ve been trying to get a handle on it, to establish a better relationship with my family … and not be so stressed, so tense in just a general environment,” he said, noting that he was at his wit’s end trying to cope with depression, night terrors and PTSD when he found Because We Can, Because We Care.  

Brad continued, “I went out there right after one of my counseling sessions and I was apprehensive… By the time I was halfway through or towards the end of the session I was relaxed, I was calm. I was just able to be.”

Drulius often receives feedback from vets that working with the horses has allowed them to sleep through the night and feel more calm.

Brad, specifically, has been able to apply the skills that he has learned from interpreting the horse’s movements and presence to people, which he believes is a skill that needs to be re-learned when returning to civilian life.

Horses will externally display how their handler or rider is feeling internally, according to Drulius.

“As I work with people to learn how to change their feelings, the animal responds instantly,” said Drulius. “You get instant clarification if you’re doing it right.”

Residents will have the chance to learn more about Because We Can, Because We Care at the 2017 KHTS Home and Garden Show set for April, where attendees can expect to see a horse or two and learn how to get involved.

“We have come to realize that the most suited individuals are our veterans coming back home from deployment,” Drulius added. “So that bond between the vet and the horse is a miracle every time it happens.”

For more information on Because We Can, Because We Care visit bwc2.org or call 818-640-7952.