Saving horses and helping people—that's the mission statement for the nonprofit Because We Can, Because We Care (BWC2), created in 2009 by Dave Drulias of Simi Valley.
Dave DruliasDave Drulias and BWC2
Filling an empty space left by his daughter as she grew into adulthood, Drulias found a meaningful way to help others and save horses at the same time, creating many miracles over the years.
"We rescue and rehabilitate horses. We then use those animals to help with special needs and disabled children, veterans with maybe PTSD or anxiety,” he tells Heroes Host Heather Jordan. “It seems to be the horses that we rescue have had some horrific past where they are full of anxiety and PTSD, and the veterans get to participate in bringing these horses what I call 'back to normal,' where they're just chill."
Dave Drulias and BWC2
Drulias says it all started with a mother who had an autistic son who wanted to ride a horse. Seeing the power of connection between the two, Drulias started BWC2, which now has an entire staff of volunteers.
He even has a special horse named Yupia, who loves music and is trying his hoof at learning the guitar and piano.
BWC2 volunteer Mikayla and YupiaDave Drulias and BWC2
"He's turning out to be the little spokesperson or the face of BWC2," Drulias said. "He's a complete ham."
You can check out Yupia's piano skills in a video shared HERE.
Changing lives, our KNX Hero of the Week, Dave Drulias of the Horse rescue organization Because We Can Because We Care.
Check out all our KNX Heroes here.
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