WNC ranch set to help combat veterans with PTSD

CULLOWHEE, N.C. (WLOS) — More than 20 acres in Cullowhee will become a healing place for combat veterans who are dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. Equinox Ranch will allow veterans to get treatment outside the confines of a hospital and immerse them in a positive environment surrounded by nature.

Dr. Margo Rita Caparelli purchased the land in February 2017. She has worked for the National Veterans Crisis Line and helped veterans and families on military bases overseas. She said starting the ranch is her way of helping those who have served this country.

"I listen every night to people and their problems and veterans and their families. I think there is more that we can be doing," Caparelli said.

The ranch is being renovated to house up to 10 combat veterans at a time. Caparelli said veterans will stay two weeks and engage in a variety of therapies with fellow veterans. Once the 14-day process is complete, the ranch will aid veterans in connecting to the Veterans Administration or civilian followup care to ensure they have the social support to continue their recovery when they return home. They will return to the ranch in six to 10 months for a second 14-day session. The program is free to combat veterans.

"People get out of the military and get their homecoming, and we often forget about them. There is a lot of people suffering out there," Caparelli said.

Caparelli said because veterans are taught to be strong, they often keep the affects of PTSD to themselves.

Veteran Roy Burton agreed. He said it's the internal, invisible wounds that can be so detrimental.

Burton spent almost 20 years in the military, and, once he arrived home, he had trouble readjusting to civilian life. Burton said he missed the structure and often felt he wasn't fulfilling a purpose.

"You're lost, completely lost, and felt like no body cared. You get to that point, it's like, 'why am I here?'" Burton said.

He has suffered from PTSD and was once homeless. Now, he is helping make other veterans get the help they need.

" I just don't want to see a veteran go through the same thing I've gone through -- the guilt, the anger, the loneliness the feeling that nobody cares. A person can handle so much of that before they snap, and there is not enough help.

According to a study done by the Department ofVeterans Affairs, roughly 20 veterans commit suicide each day. Burton said he's lucky not to be part of that statistic.

"For me, suicide was what I thought was an answer, and then I slowly came around and saw that it wasn't. It breaks my heart to see other veterans, they don't have any where else to turn. And I want to be there when they turn and say, 'we are here to help,'" Burton said.

Because the program will be a free service to veterans, the ranch is raising funds for renovations and program costs.

For more information on how you can donate,click here.

They are also looking for volunteers to assist with renovations.