2024-11-10 15:23:00
In Mirabel, in the Laurentians, Canadian Army veterans participate in therapies where horses are used to treat psychological injuries.
Posted at 10:23 a.m.
Stéphane Blais The Canadian Press
Since he underwent equine therapy last June, Christian regularly returns to see the man he helps him “to be at peace” at the Equi-Sens stable in Mirabel.
“I named him Christian, because we are the same, he is a horse who has suffered trauma, like me,” the veteran explained to The Canadian Press while stroking the mane of the rescued stallion. from an environment where animals were mistreated.
Caring for the horse calms his anxiety and helps him heal psychological injuries suffered during his years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Christian suffers from depression and has difficulty connecting with others.
“By succeeding in establishing a relationship with the horse, I am less afraid of entering into a relationship with humans,” summed up the veteran when asked what the beast gives him.
“Since that time, I have felt that I am not alone on the planet. The horse brings me peace. Now I’m less afraid, before I was afraid of everything. When I passed someone on the street, I changed sides to avoid talking to them,” explained the former soldier, referring to his fear of social interactions.
Equine therapy is based in particular on the fact that horses quickly detect if a person is disturbed.
The animal will not be easily approached by someone who is anxious or nervous.
Veterans who perform equine therapies must therefore listen to their symptoms and manage their emotions to successfully interact with the horse.
“The horse is a tool that we use in intervention” and which will allow, for example, “to better equip veterans to manage their post-traumatic shock”, because “the horse allows you to better connect with yourself and requires awareness of physical and physiological symptoms,” summarized social worker Marie-Pier Dusseault, from the organization Le Sentier, which supports veterans.
The enemy from within
During the Cold War in the 1980s, Christian was part of a battalion of 5,000 soldiers stationed in West Germany who had to monitor the border as well as Russian soldiers who were in the German Democratic Republic (GDR).
But never, during his deployment which lasted 8 and a half years, did Christian have to fight against the Russians.
The violence and the adversaries were more likely to be found within his own camp.
“I was a scapegoat” and “I got beaten every week,” the veteran told The Canadian Press.
I weighed 117 pounds, so in the army they thought I was gay, because I was short and skinny as a stick, so I got beaten up once a week and over time I became very aggressive.
Christian, Canadian Army veteran
“Alcohol and coke were part of the army” and “I became an alcoholic” and “depressed during my time there,” the veteran summed up.
He explained that one evening, another soldier “left him for dead” after beating him.
But “luckily I was drunk” and “my body was limp”, because “otherwise he would have killed me”.
Nearly 40 years of suffering
Christian was discharged from the Armed Forces 38 years ago and the psychological wounds have never been healed.
A year ago, while he was in a meeting for alcoholics, an Afghanistan veteran told him about the services offered by the organization Le Sentier.
This organization is dedicated to the support and reintegration of veterans and offers psychosocial, as well as administrative, support.
“The main mandate of the Sentier is to make known all the services that are offered to veterans,” explained Marie-Pier Dusseault, adding “that often, when they leave the army, they do not know about the services to which they are entitled.
The social worker helped Christian obtain “compensation for pain and suffering” from Veterans Affairs Canada, 38 years after leaving the forces.
She also accompanied him in equine therapy, one of the programs offered by Le Sentier.
The purge
Marco, a veteran who also does not want to say his last name, has a similar background to that of Christian.
He served between 1982 and 1989, and it was only last year that he contacted The Trail.
In his case, it is the viewing of a documentary, called The Purgewhich triggered “a shock” and led him to seek help.
The Purge refers to internal institutional policies, including Administrative Order CFAO 19-20, which aimed to exclude LGBTQ+ people from the Canadian Armed Forces from the 1950s to the 1990s.
In 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau officially apologized to Canadians who were criminally charged or dismissed from Canada’s military or public service because of their sexual orientation.
“They prohibited the presence of sexual deviants, according to the terms of the time,” Marco summarized.
“In my case, criminal actions were taken against me, but we couldn’t go to the military police, because if you told the military police that you were a faggot, you would get kicked out,” said difficult to explain Marco.
He added that one of his friends, a victim of the purge, had taken his own life.
“Imagine, you are 17 years old, you join the army to serve your country, but there are rules that tell you that you do not have the right to exist,” said the man who is now grown up -father.
For several years, he had “integrated the idea that it was normal to be attacked in the army”, but after watching the documentary, he realized the extent of the violence to which he and his friends had been victims. .
Equine therapy is one of the tools that helps him heal.
“The horse is an instrument, a tool” which “brings us back to our humanity”, confided the veteran, adding that “the State should invest more in this type of service”.
Despite the violence he suffered, Marco proudly wore the poppy, the national symbol of Remembrance, and a veteran’s jacket in early November when The Canadian Press met him at the Equi-Sens center in Mirabel.
“I have always been proud to have done my military service, but before, I did not say that I was a veteran. What makes me say it now is because Veteran recognized that what I experienced [le trouble de stress post-traumatique] is related to my military service. »
Since this recognition, and because of the care to which he is entitled, his life “starts to take on a little meaning again”.
Marco explained that he was now dedicated to the cause of veterans, particularly teenage soldiers, who suffered moral or physical injuries during their time in the forces.
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This revelation prompted him to seek help and connect with organizations like Le Sentier, which provide vital resources and support for veterans grappling with the lasting effects of their service.
Finding a Path to Healing
Both Christian and Marco’s journeys highlight the ongoing struggle many veterans face after their service. The stigma surrounding mental health and the challenges of reintegration can make it incredibly difficult for them to seek the help they need.
Le Sentier and similar organizations are crucial in breaking this cycle of silence and promoting awareness about mental health care available to veterans. Programs such as equine therapy and peer support groups offer alternative therapeutic avenues for those who might feel alienated from traditional mental health services.
“It’s important for veterans to know they’re not alone and that help is available,” Marie-Pier said. “We’re here to ensure they understand their rights and the resources they can access.”
As both men continue their healing journeys, they emphasize the importance of speaking out about their experiences and advocating for others in similar situations. Their stories serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans and the ongoing battles many face long after their uniforms are put away.
Marco’s relationship with his family has also been impacted by his past experiences. “It’s a work in progress,” he admits, “but acknowledging my struggles has brought me closer to my loved ones.”
Christian echoes this sentiment, sharing that by opening up about his experiences, he has not only found healing for himself but has also inspired others to confront their own challenges.
A Call to Action
The stories of Christian and Marco are just two among many in a broader narrative of veterans seeking understanding, compassion, and healing. More awareness and action are needed to support veterans and ensure they know that their service is honored and that their struggles post-service are acknowledged.
As society progresses, it is vital to continue dismantling harmful stigmas and to advocate for comprehensive mental health support for all veterans, underscoring that they deserve every opportunity to heal and thrive after their service.
For Christian, Marco, and countless others, the journey toward recovery is a testament to resilience and the power of community support in fostering hope and healing.
