Finding Purpose in the HERD
From a hundred-pound four-legged friend to a one thousand-pound four-legged friend, U.S. Air Force Veteran Scott McLean, has always found peace in the eyes of animals.
It all began with his military service as a Police Officer, where he often spent more time with his canine partner than in his very own home. He refers to his patrol canine as his “therapist”, the one he could share his thoughts with while cruising around in his police car at the Air Force base.
While serving, it was not always a joy ride with the windows down. It was a time where the youthful, invincible Scott, witnessed traumatic events that years later would lead him to checking boxes off a symptoms list for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Dipping into his alcoholism and with the loss of his wife, his routine meet with the military crew was a bit different. So different that his fellow airman told him – “You have more issues than Sports Illustrated.”
From one military service member to another, Scott’s wingman urged him to take a visit to the VA.
The Air Force Veteran says, “I used to think if I go to the VA, that I am taking money away from a kid who lost his leg or something. Now, I owe the VA my life.”
Getting connected and beginning his therapy sessions was just the start of him finding what he refers to now as his “purpose.”
Located in Delray Beach, Florida, Scott knew of the many perks of the small city but had yet to discover a hidden oasis known as the HERD Foundation.
Following a deep, emotional session, his therapist referred him to the Foundation, where he discovered the tranquility horses can bring.
With tears streaming down his cheeks, he says, “For the non-spiritual guy that I am, I cannot deny that my heart and soul opened. It gave me a sense of freedom, uplifting, and release that I had not felt since before my service days.”
The VA laid the steppingstones down for him to follow, where he found bonds and connections among the Mental Health team and the barn of horses. So much so that he is the HERD Foundation Veteran Ambassador.
He says, “I never would have done this if I did not go to the VA. I promise you; I always knew I had something to give, but I did not know how or where. The VA was that game changer, and now I know my purpose.”
Over thirty years sober and happiness spilling out from him, his story is one he hopes Veterans use as inspiration to find their own story.
Scott is now the one urging Veterans to seek the support of the VA.
He encourages Veterans to pick up a pen and write their own VA story, “Be your own Veteran and get the help you need. It is there, just like getting sober, you have to want to get sober, no one can force you. The VA is the first step.”
Get connect with the local Mental Health team: Mental Health Care | VA West Palm Beach Health Care | Veterans Affairs.