The sirens wail again across Israel, each blast echoing not just a current threat, but stirring the ghosts of conflicts past. Beyond the immediate danger, a deeper battle is being fought – a struggle for the minds and souls of those who have borne witness to unimaginable horrors.
In a quiet stable, away from the clamor, a man named Danny finds a fragile peace. Called up on October 7th, he spent six harrowing months evacuating the fallen from the battlefields of Kibbutz Kissufim, often under relentless fire. He remembers the weight of loss, the fragmented bodies, the images seared into his memory – wounds that time may never fully heal.
Returning home, Danny found himself perpetually on edge, haunted by every sudden sound. Normal life felt impossibly distant. But once a week, he seeks solace with King, a magnificent dark horse. “There’s something that waits for me here,” he says, a flicker of hope in his voice. “It’s the one day I can truly relax.”
Danny’s experience is far from unique. Israel is facing a burgeoning mental health crisis, with a staggering 40% increase in PTSD cases among soldiers since September 2023, a number projected to skyrocket. A chilling statistic reveals that 60% of all wounded troops now grapple with the invisible scars of trauma.
Alex, a veteran of a previous conflict, understands this struggle intimately. He carries the physical and emotional wounds of a 2009 attack, seven stab wounds that altered the trajectory of his life. “Pain you can get used to,” he reflects, “but post-trauma… you cannot.”
He found a lifeline in the same stable, working with a gentle horse named Donna. “With Donna, I feel the quiet and peace I can’t find at home,” he shares. “The treatment is changing my life, week by week. I don’t want it to end.”
The initiative offering this sanctuary is the Transcending Trauma Project, born from the vision of Dr. Anita Shkedi, a pioneer in equine-assisted therapy. Driven by a profound personal loss – the death of her son, Jonathan, during a rescue mission – she resurrected her life’s work to aid those shattered by recent events.
Jonathan, before his death, implored his mother to help injured soldiers. Now, through the charity Brothers of Jonathan, Shkedi is fulfilling his wish, offering healing through the quiet strength of horses to reservists, soldiers, survivors, and grieving families.
Since its launch, the project has provided over a thousand therapy sessions, with a growing waiting list. Shkedi’s focus extends beyond treatment; she aims to prevent trauma from taking root. Early intervention, she believes, is crucial to saving a generation.
Many arrive in “survival mode,” trapped in cycles of fear and hypervigilance. But Shkedi warns of a more insidious wound emerging alongside classic PTSD: moral injury – the crushing weight of shame and guilt. When combined with trauma, she explains, it can be utterly devastating.
Within the stable’s walls, a transformation begins. “Traumatized people need a safe place,” Shkedi observes. “Sometimes, home is not safe.” The horses offer an immediate, non-judgmental connection, creating an environment where individuals can begin to feel secure, both externally and within themselves.
The therapy is carefully structured, focusing on self-regulation alongside the horse, eventually progressing to guidance and care. It isn’t about erasing trauma, but about building resilience and fostering post-traumatic growth – empowering individuals to move from relying on external support to finding strength within.
For some, the connection with a horse has been nothing short of lifesaving, offering a lifeline to those grappling with suicidal thoughts. Shkedi envisions a future where a sanctuary is available around the clock, a beacon of safety and hope for those in need.
As the conflict continues and more soldiers return home, Shkedi knows the psychological toll is only beginning to be understood. This isn’t simply about riding horses; it’s about helping people reclaim their lives, one step, one connection, one moment of peace at a time.
