First annual Side-by-side Ride: Combating PTSD with outdoor activities

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The first annual Side-by-Side Ride was held in Yuma last week to combat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other traumas with the great outdoors.

Johnny Torres, the event's organizer, starts off by saying, "What's the greatest healer? Each other."

Torres has partnered with several organizations nationwide to help those dealing with PTSD, mental illnesses, and addictions.

One organization in particular is Cast & Hook, a non-profit that provides safe and supportive environments for first responders and veterans to heal and connect through fishing.

This all led Torres to create the first annual Side-by-Side Ride in Yuma last Friday.

"It takes your mind away from everything else and you have to focus on what you're doing whether you're fishing or side-by-siding. It's nice that you don't always have to go back to the past, and outdoors is the best way to do it," says Torres.

Side-by-sides were eager getting ready to embark on their 26-mile adventure.

Angel Rodriguez, U.S. Army veteran shared, "The suns out. It's beautiful here in Yuma. It's a great place for this ride and experience for all veterans and law enforcement and it makes you feel like family again when you get together with a group."

Neil Pope, a retired Sheriff, adds "The idea behind it is to take their mind off whatever they might be struggling with and anything you can do to facilitate that is obviously a positive thing,".

Jack Gerritsen, a Veteran & retired law enforcement, finishes by saying, "Just a relaxing feeling you get out there. You go up in the hills and you're just kind of on your own and you don't have anything to worry about except falling off a cliff, so it's cool."

It's important to mention that event was free for the 60 participants, many of them residents of the Carefree Village Resort.

Torres shares, "The biggest question is how and why. When you get together with a group and you see that people are so bonded, that's your answer right there. We're all trying to help each other and help each other heal."

30 year retired veteran of the United states Army, Rodriguez says unfortunately, those affected by PTSD often suffer in silence.

"I just think it's important that everyone look into taking care of law enforcement, veterans, and their needs, especially when it comes to PTSD because they kind of get forgotten," adds Rodriguez.

Organizers say that next year's event is already in the works and they plan on hosting it annually moving forward.