Every November 11th, we honor the men and women who served our country in the United States Armed Forces. At Equine Advocates, Veterans Day has a more personal and significant meaning this year as we have not one, but two Army veterans at our sanctuary – a retired medic and a retired Caisson Horse!

Melissa Murray, our Equine Care Manager, served six years in the Army, first in the National Guard, and then she was on active duty for about three years. She was an Army Specialist (E-4) who focused on performing medic duties, including providing medical coverage for the 82nd Airborne Division.

“I really enjoyed it, especially doing the medical coverage for the airborne jumps,” said Melissa. “I enjoyed the camaraderie with everyone I served with.”

Melissa was medically discharged in 2012. She says she wanted to use her experience to enter the medical field, but her injuries were still so fresh that she knew she couldn’t make that transition. Instead, she started working in a field she’s been involved with since childhood.

“I think I was like six or seven when I first started riding horses, so I rode my whole life,” she said.

Melissa even owned horses while she was on active duty. When she left, she started training with a farm in Georgia, and a couple of years later, she started her own boarding and training facility. In 2016, she moved back to New York and a year later began working with Equine Advocates.

“Even though humans and animals are quite different, the skillset that you need to treat them tends to be similar,” said Melissa. “So, I was able to easily transfer the knowledge of medicine over into veterinary medicine in a way. On top of that, you take in the fact that I know how to handle myself in emergency situations.”

One thing she didn’t expect to happen while working with horses, though, was caring for an equine veteran. In January of this year, we welcomed Tyler, a former Military Working Horse, to the sanctuary.

Tyler, a gorgeous gray Quarter Horse, worked with the U.S. Army Caisson Platoon for nine years before retiring at Equine Advocates. During his time with the military, he helped lead the caskets of deceased members of the U.S. Military to their final resting places at Arlington National Cemetery. After developing ringbone, a lameness condition that affects the pastern and coffin joints, in both front legs, he, like Melissa, was medically retired. She says she feels a connection with Tyler, with both of them having that experience.

“When I look at him, I’m like, ‘I get it,’” said Melissa.

Tyler has the distinction of being the only equine at the sanctuary who was not rescued. We are extremely honored to provide him with permanent retirement after he performed so many years of faithful service to this country as a Caisson Horse.

Tyler spends his days with Janie, a rescued Thoroughbred, in a pasture named ‘Hope & Glory.’ The two are crowd favorites and often make their way to visitors at the fence line for pets. Melissa says it took a couple of months for Tyler to get used to his new low-key life at the sanctuary.

“Horses are routine creatures, Tyler especially,” Melissa continued. “The military is extremely regimented. We stay on a very strict schedule. Now, he needed to be able to transition and learn a whole new routine.”

We’re delighted to have Melissa and Tyler here and appreciate the positive impact each has had on our operation at the sanctuary.

To every veteran – human or animal – we pay tribute to you on this Veterans Day!