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WHITEHOUSE, Texas (KETK)– After two years of partnership, CampV and Starbrite Therapeutic Equestrian Center has helped many veterans cope with mental health issues.

“If you’ve got a problem, the horse knows it and the horse connects,” participant Kitty Pool said.

The class is designed to help military members heal with horses began with a handful of veterans and their families. Starbrite said 50% of their riders are veterans.

“It’s been proven to reduce PTSD scores by as much as 87% within a month,” Starbrite Therapeutic Equestrian Center program director Dr. Melissa O’Reilly said.

Chuck and Kitty Pool were part of that first class in 2023. Chuck had some reservations after having bad experiences with horses. Fast forward to today and he has made a complete 180.

“I have seen him grow, and for him to not have to take his anxiety medicine, it’s just been miraculous,” Kitty said.

Despite being uneasy around horses, Chuck is now totally comfortably in the saddle even though it wasn’t easy his first time.

“When I got on him, I’m going, wait a minute, this is more than six feet high, it’s going to hurt when I hit the ground,” United States Marine Veteran Chuck Pool said.

The Pools never believed two years ago they would be riding horses again. Kitty is beyond proud of Chuck’s progress and said that because of equine therapy Chuck is a new person and he agrees.

“I don’t lose my temper as much as I used to. I mean, I still lose it, but not as bad. But I’ve had more fun with Rose and all these horses out here than I ever had before in my life,” Chuck said.

Chuck’s incredible progress prompted Starbrite to offer Chuck a spot on their mounted color guard team. This is a full circle moment for the veteran who has reclaimed his sense of freedom with help from a horse named Rose. Starbrite and CampV said the Horses for Heroes program has been a huge success and they can’t wait to begin a new class soon.