Greg

During his career Greg had assignments in patrol, bike patrol, the problem solving unit (PSU), the gang unit, and narcotics. Greg was involved in an officer involved shooting in May of 1999 while assigned on the PSU team, attempting to take burglary suspects into custody.  

After the shooting Greg struggled with depression, anxiety, and anger. He medically retired and continued to deal with those issues. Greg found a local horse therapy program for first responders dealing with trauma. After about a year of sessions, Greg saw the benefit of working with horses and how it had a calming effect, helping him to deal with post-traumatic stress.  

Greg has continued to work with horses and has gotten involved with riding and roping lessons. With receiving this horse from Charlie Five Greg hopes to continue growing in his horsemanship skills and will work with the horse to compete in future roping competitions. He knows that developing a friendship and relationship with the horse will help him with his PTSD. 

Greg's goals with Midnight are to do some trail riding, team rope, and use him as a part of their L.E.A.R.N. Aiken, their family's Equine Assisted Learning Program. 

Midnight is a familiar horse at Charlie Five. In 2019 Midnight was received by Jake Greenlief, a US Marine who wanted a horse that he could do cowboy work on. Over the past few years Jake and Midnight have grown together. In 2021 Jake took a job at War Horses For Veterans and asked if Midnight would be a good fit for Greg. "I honestly don't want to get rid of him, but I would rather see him help someone else the same way he helped me."

Special thanks to Great White Oak Media for capturing their introduction