Anna Caplan
Veterans are finding the most unlikely solace in the most knowing of animals.
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In central Texas, an organization is working with the Wounded Warriors project to help former soldiers find their way and resume their lives stateside.
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At Healing with Horses Ranch in Manor, near Austin, a program matches the ex-soldiers with horses — to great results.
“It has helped me, like, maybe relax and calm down, you know, I’m not thinking about what’s out there … just live in the moment,” said Manuel Moran Gomez, a former Marine.
Gomez served six years in the Corps, with five deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“You always wonder what ifs or buts, what happened in combat? And I just want to be happy you know. That’s one of the main reasons I like coming here,” said Gomez.
Program director Patty D’Andrea has a simple motive behind her work with the Wounded Warrior Project: she wants to give veterans “a place where they feel safe.”
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D’Andrea should know: Her dad was in the Air Force for more than 30 years.
