Getting Marriages "Back in the Saddle"

Big Sandy—

Oftentimes when couples see their relationship is in trouble they'll seek-out marriage counseling.

One counselor here in East Texas is using a unique approach to get couples back in the saddle again.

Michael Lowe reports.

Wesley and Swaynee Mccasland have been married for 57 years.

Wesley says; "At this point in our lives we have a loving and wonderful relationship."

But it hasn't always been like this. A while back, Wesley, struggling with bouts of depression, left Swaynee alone on their 90 acre ranch.

Wesley added; "My lowest point I went off the deep end, left home, stayed gone for 5 years lived in a tent, didn't want to have anything to do with anybody."

When Wesley did come back, the couple knew they were hanging on by a thread. They agreed to find help. And what they found turned out to be a very unconventional form of therapy.

Enter Dr. Lew Sterrette.

Sterrette said; "The real joy in my life is seeing the light bulb come on in other peoples lives"

Sterrette grew up training horses, and says "Before I knew it I was beginning to illustrate what I was learning at the barn with the people I was working with."

Sterrette says horse training and couples therapy go hand in hand; "Wherever there are people there are relationships and the horse allows us to see and connect with things that we may not hear from a platform or a powerpoint presentation."

Dr. Sterrette says his method , however strange, works. thousands of folks have sought his help over the years and he's more than willing to saddle up and show them the ropes.

He said; "When I can help them understand the problem, that gives me a great bit of joy to see people pick up their lives and go on with them."

Swaynee and Wesley say horse back therapy took from them years of pain and has replaced that pain with something else.

Swaynee said; "I feel some hope now, what I felt before was just hopeless, and now I see that there is some hope."