The EquiCenter has given
to me a whole new meaning
and reason to live.
My name is Skip and Id like to share with you my story and pains that come with post traumatic stress. At the same
how I became involved with the EquiCenter. My name in time, I was introduced to the Heroes and Horses program,
the past was Master Sergeant Ralph W. Baker. I joined the a Veterans program at the EquiCenter. Right from the
United States Air Force right out of high school and served beginning I found the EquiCenter family to be warm and
my country for 26 years prior to being discharged in June welcoming. As I began to learn more about caring for
2011. For most of my career I was a loadmaster on C-130 the horses, I found a peace with them I didnt know was
aircraft. As a flyer I have been all over the world and back possible. The more that I came to the EquiCenter the more
several times. One of the benefits of my career was to have I felt wanted and a warmth that I hadnt felt in a very
celebrated my birthday on six separate continents. On long time. The EquiCenter has given to me a whole new
the other hand, my job had me away for many holidays, meaning and a reason to live. Over time I was able to open
anniversaries, family and friends birthdays and other up those parts of me that war had shut down; to enjoy the
occasions when it would have been nice to be home. friendships, relationships with the horses, the beauty of
the land, and the joy and success of our students. Staff at
As a flight crew member on the C-130 aircraft the
the EquiCenter helped me apply for a Mission Continues
most utilized airframe in the military, nicknamed The
Fellowship, which I received.
Workhorse- our mission would vary from carrying
passengers, VIPs, cargo, airdropping of equipment and I hope someday to be able to start a horse farm of my own,
converting the aircraft into a flying hospital. Many of these but right now my life is here at the EquiCenter. Im learning
missions were very rewarding such as during the Bosnia on a daily basis and my mentor, Lindsay Alberts, goes out
conflict, when we were airdropping food to starving people, of her way to teach me more about the management of
and hay to starving animals. Or carrying used medical a horse ranch. Here I am able to use many of my skills, to
equipment to third world countries where they had none. combine my love of giving to others with my love of horses.
I am riding, too, which I love most of all. My goal is to be
But there were other times that youd like to forget but
able to go trail riding as an exercise rider. The way I see it, if
the things you do, and the things you see, stay with you
I can do my part for the EquiCenter and I can gain so much
long after the mission. In 2011 I had to leave the military
from it, its a win-win for all of us.
because of symptoms of post tramautic stress. I tried
to cover it up and stay in because the Air Force was my There arent enough ways for me to express my
life. But my nightmares and flashbacks were too intense appreciation to the EquiCenter family of staff, volunteers,
and I couldnt sleep. After losing the love of my life I had horses and supporters. I want all of you to know, being
a nervous breakdown, and thus began a path of self- here has changed my life. In order for the EquiCenter to
destruction. Over a two-year period, I squandered my continue to help all who come here, including Veterans
life savings, gave away all my worldly possessions, and like me, your support is essential. Wont you please take
drove my vehicle through two telephone poles. Although a moment to help by sending your gift of support to the
I was ready to give up, I decided to fight one last time. In EquiCenter today, so we can offer other Veterans the
September of 2012 I entered the VA hospital in Buffalo helping hand and new life that is being given to me?
where I stayed for 30 days before being transferred to
Canandaigua where I spent four and a half months. With gratitude,
While there I learned about the Warrior Salute program and
decided to contact the program manager Tom Tartaglia.
Tom was extremely helpful in enrolling me into their
Skip
program, which is based on intensive prolonged exposure
therapy. This was very beneficial to me in reducing the