Horses Healing Heroes

by Tami Raco photos by Karen Fien

Daniel Jobin, of Brockport, spent his early childhood growing up around horses in the North Country until his family moved to the Rochester area when he was a teenager so he could pursue a career in hockey. He never gave up his love for horses, but after many hockey-related injuries, he had to give up the sport.

Daniel became a firefighter at the Bushnell’s Basin Fire Department. During his 17 years as a first responder, he fell in love with helping others in their time of crisis. In the back of his mind, he dreamt of having an opportunity where he could combine his passion for helping others with his love for horses.

In September 2019, Daniel was in a near-fatal motorcycle accident. He was riding his motorcycle in a 9/11 ride with the Laddermen MC when the driver of the car did not see him and ran him off the road. His survival from this accident was uncertain and his family was told that even if he did survive, the prognosis of ever walking or having full capacity of his brain function was bleak.

Daniel not only survived, but after more than 20 surgeries and rehabilitation, he is able to walk and ride horses again. Throughout the recovery process, his dream of opening an equestrian therapy program began to ruminate in his thoughts, reigniting his desire to finally launch this dream into a reality. He used the tragedy that nearly killed him and took him from his career as a first responder, and turned it into something positive where he could help others.

He began to envision and prepare for what he would like to do continued on page 5 continued from page 4 with his second chance at life. “My goal while I was recovering was to bring this dream of helping horses heal heroes to life,” Daniel said. Over a series of events and meeting the right people at the right time, his dream to have an equine therapy facility in western Monroe County has come to fruition.

In May, Daniel graduated from the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) as a certified Equine Master Specialist and in Mental Health Equine Therapy. He officially opened Before The Last Call Equine Therapeutic Program on June 10. It is an equine therapy program that specializes in helping those who spend their lives helping others.

Before The Last Call is located at Lone Oak Stables in Kendall, which provides a tranquil setting to help those suffering from trauma and PTSD. The connection occurred with Lone Oak Stables when Daniel took his stepson to ride there.

“Ellen and Dave Robinson, the owners, are amazing people,” he said. They saw Daniel’s gift with horses and invited him to work with a horse that was left at the stables and needed some “rescuing.” While working with this horse, Daniel had the opportunity to share with the Robinsons his dream of bringing an equine therapeutic program to the area. Ellen, a retired nurse, and Dave, a Navy veteran, graciously opened their stables to house this unique program. Lone Oak is a 55-acre property with beautiful pastures and peaceful trails through the woods. Before The Last Call has eleven horses at Lone Oak that are being used in equine therapy.

Daniel has a team of experienced volunteers who have helped him get this program open and running.

Donna Gouger, of Hamlin, has 32 years of experience as an EMT in the area. She met Daniel Jobin on one of his medical emergency ambulance calls. “In the middle of his medical crisis, he starts pitching his program to me,” laughed Donna. She grew up riding horses and is also a volunteer at the Hamlin VFW. “Before The Last Call took all of my passions and threw them into one big bucket,” she said. Donna helps coordinate volunteers, and organizes the fundraising and event planning. “Critical incidents don’t go away. You can’t outrun ghosts,” Donna said. “They follow you, and we are here to help heroes find a healthy way to deal with their trauma.”

Rachel and Mike Sullivan are also on the team. Mike has a career as a first responder and is in the process of also being certified at PATH. He will be helping with the instruction. Rachel helps with the administration and social media.

Cody Coopenberg, of Hamlin, is also part of the Before The Last Call team. Cody is an Army Veteran who was severely injured on a deployment in Afghanistan in 2012 that nearly took his life. He has served as a firefighter in the Holley and Hamlin/Morton Fire Districts. Reflecting on the trauma associated with his devastating injury while being deployed and the help he needed, Cody said, “Things as simple as a baseball bat falling or fireworks can really be trauma triggers to veterans.”

“The tranquil setting at Lone Oak Stables provides a safe place continued on page 6 continued from page 5 to turn the world off, find peace in the bonding with horses, and develop a deeper sense of purpose,” Daniel added.

The team is very cognizant, both professionally and personally, of the epidemic that veterans, police officers and first responders face. Nearly 100,000 veterans and first responders suffer from PTSD, leading to a significant number of them ending their own lives. The invisible wounds of their jobs have left emotional scars most will never understand. Before the Last Call’s mission is to help these men and women with their ongoing fight and try to heal them through the healing power of horses.

Before The Last Call had it’s grand opening June 10. Retired Senator Joe Robach attended on behalf of Senator Ortt and The Veterans Outreach Center. At the event, he spoke of the importance of supporting our local first responders and veterans with programs like Before The Last Call.

The organization is in the process of acquiring its nonprofit status and has already begun providing equine therapy to local heroes. “There is no payment to participate,” said Daniel. This program is offered free to the veteran or first responder and is entirely supported by fundraising activities.

Several fundraisers are planned in the coming months. The Hamlin VFW will be holding a Cornhole Tournament and Food Truck Rodeo fundraiser on Saturday, August 20. There will also be a car and motorcycle show at the Hamlin’s Fireman’s Field on September 23. All proceeds from these events will go to helping local heroes seeking healing from horses.

For more information on fundraising events or to learn more about horses healing heroes, visit the Before The Last Call Facebook page.