BOONE, N.C. – Caleb Waters joined the Marines in 2008. 

"I can’t say it wasn’t an enjoyable time in my life. It definitely shaped me into the person I am today," Waters said. 

He served for eight years, went on five deployments and later became a combat instructor. 

"The Taliban kind of ramped up their attacks and fighting got heavier. Our battalion blew up like 86 trucks. I have been involved in three IED explosions myself, one directly in my truck," Waters said.

Those things stuck with him, and after his two daughters were born, he knew he needed to get help.

Waters went to therapy, but it was never a long-term solution.

One day, he had an idea and reached out to his friend Jennifer Bandy. Bandy was using a special kind of therapy involving horses through a program called Walk With Me.

The program was focused on helping at-risk children and women, but he thought it could be tailored to help veterans.

"It’s a good distraction from the actual therapy. Half the time you’re doing work, and it doesn’t feel like so much work as sitting there, talking to someone on a couch," Waters said.

Veterans build a bond with one horse, and then they go for a walk. They use rhythmic brushing to help with breathing.

Everything that is done is to make each veteran connect with a horse on a deeper level. Waters says it’s an instant gratification that has helped him to move forward.