A Cortez couple battling Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is planning a therapeutic and educational tour of Western Colorado with their three donkeys.
Wolf and Rachel Karneffel will soon embark on “Donkey Trek 2015 — Trekking for Troops,” a combined mission advocating for working donkeys and support for war veterans.
Their educational and fundraising journey will take them from Cortez to Colorado Springs and then Grand Junction.
“Along the way we will stop in towns and present to whoever we can the working qualities of donkeys and their therapeutic power to help veterans,” Rachel said. “These animals can help heal warriors like they are doing for my husband.”
Wolf, 30, suffers from PTSD after serving three combat tours in the Army during the Iraq War from 2004 to 2011. Working with donkeys has become his salvation.
“All my memories are from the Army and the violent battles I was in,” he said, while adjusting saddle bags on his donkey, Raymond. “PTSD has robbed my mind, but being around these guys has created new memories that are positive. They’re amazing animals, very intelligent, and you have to earn their trust, like soldiers do with each other.”
Wolf was a combat engineer in the Iraq War, one of the most dangerous positions in a firefight.
“As a gunner we cleared the route, looked for bombs, and in the process got shot at and blown up a lot,” he said.
Donkeys are often forgotten or discarded, Wolf said, a parallel he sees with some veterans who come home from war.
“We are tossed aside, stubborn, just like them,” he said. “On this tour, we want to change the perception that donkeys are worthless. We want to connect with veterans who are suffering, and show them non-traditional therapies work better than all the pills.”
Equine facilitated therapies are gaining in popularity, explained Rachel, who works at the Medicine Horse in Mancos. Like all animals, donkeys act congruently, meaning their inner feelings and desires line up with how they act in that moment, a useful trait for therapy.
“They are very intuitive and empathetic animals and act like mirrors to people, reflecting our inner feelings despite what we show on the outside,” she said. “When we work with donkeys, they force us to be in the moment and not think about past trauma or future troubles.”
Wolf, who is Lakota and Mayan, said the trip is giving him renewed purpose, and he is eager to share his experience.
“I’ve tried all the therapies. Until I discovered a bond with these animals, nothing could ease the trauma I keep re-living everyday. I’m looking forward to a life affirming experience, creating new memories with my wife, leading our donkeys across the state and promoting our cause,” he said.
The couple will lead three adopted donkeys — Charlie, Pippa, and Raymond — and camp along the way. The friendly, sturdy animals, dubbed “the original ATV,” will carry all the provisions. They’re saddled trained and can be ridden from time to time as well, Rachel said. The entourage plans to depart weather permitting, probably in May.
“Watch for us in Cortez as we get them acclimated to roads and traffic, and being swamped by people,” Rachel said.
Fundraising will go towards starting a veterans program at Medicine Horse to help those suffering from the physical and mental wounds of war.
To donate, go to http://www.gofundme.com/jlc8g8. Get information on the mission and track the couple’s progress at www.donkeytrek.wordpress.com or on their Facebook page at bit.ly/DonkeyTrek
jmimiaga@cortezjournal.com