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9/11 Survivor Finds Healing Through Equine Therapy
12 Sep
Summary
- A 9/11 survivor uses equine therapy to help others heal.
- Her father died in the North Twin Tower on 9/11.
- She treats military members and first responders.
Twenty-five years ago, the 9/11 terror attacks irrevocably changed Kayla Smith's life when her father, William Lawrence Fallon Jr., was killed. He worked as an IT manager on the 103rd floor of the North Twin Tower. Smith, only eight years old at the time, later pursued psychology, driven by her personal experiences with therapy.
In August 2019, Smith became a licensed professional counselor and established Trails of Purpose in Chesapeake, specializing in equine therapy. This unique approach utilizes horses, powerful prey animals highly responsive to their environment, to help clients. Her services are primarily for military members and first responders, individuals who have often endured deep-rooted trauma, pain, and loss.
Smith acknowledges she cannot fully comprehend their service experiences but can relate to the profound pain and trauma caused by them. Recently, a photograph taken at Ground Zero weeks after the attacks showed Smith as a child, holding a picture of her father, a poignant reminder of her own healing journey. This experience fuels her work, enabling her to heal as she helps others. Her nonprofit continues to expand, with an additional site in Virginia Beach.
