Film on Equine PTSD Therapy Wins Award

Screening of Award-Winning Film "Riding My Way Back"
Atlantic Highlands Herald
Written by MC Park System
Published: 07 October 2014

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — The Monmouth County Park System and its partner Special People United to Ride (SPUR) is pleased to announce that the Sunnyside Equestrian Center, 628 Middletown-Lincroft Road, Middletown, will host a screening of the award-winning film “Riding My Way Back” on Sunday, November 9 at 3 p.m. This short new documentary tells the powerful story of how therapeutic riding helped a veteran with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury begin to heal. A suggested donation of $5 can be given at the door.

The film chronicles one soldier’s journey back from the brink of suicide. In 2010, Staff Sergeant Aaron Heliker returned from multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). At his most desperate and isolated, on 42 medications and suicidal, Aaron is introduced to the unlikeliest of saviors: a horse named Fred. Through caring for Fred, Aaron begins the difficult process of reconnecting to the world around him and healing the invisible wounds of war that nearly defeated him.
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