Mom Turns Grief Into Free Equine Therapy for Veterans

Gail Doxie founded a nonprofit in her late son's name to help military veterans suffering from PTSD after losing him weeks before his 18th birthday.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 11:08pm

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After Gail and Keith Doxie's son Miles died in a car crash just weeks before his 18th birthday in 2006, the grieving parents decided to make a difference. They founded the nonprofit Miles of Smiles Foundation and opened the 20-acre Miles Ranch in North Fort Myers, Florida, offering free equine-assisted psychotherapy and family counseling to military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Gail, a Realtor, went on to earn a master's degree in mental health counseling to better serve the veterans, using the horses as a metaphor in her therapy sessions. The Doxies' nonprofit has provided over 700 hours of free therapy each year, and Gail believes their work has helped prevent at least 20 veteran suicides.

Why it matters

Veteran suicide remains a major public health crisis, with around 6,400 veterans dying by suicide in the most recent year on record. The Doxies' nonprofit provides a much-needed service to help military veterans and their families cope with the trauma of war and reintegrate into civilian life, using the healing power of horses to aid in their recovery.

The details

After losing their only child, Miles, the Doxies founded the Miles of Smiles Foundation and opened the Miles Ranch, a 20-acre property in North Fort Myers, Florida. The ranch offers free equine-assisted psychotherapy and family counseling to military veterans suffering from PTSD. Gail, who earned a master's degree in mental health counseling, uses the horses as a metaphor in her therapy sessions, helping veterans like a former Marine who had pulled a gun on a plumber learn to better assess threats in civilian life. Over the years, the nonprofit has provided over 700 hours of free therapy annually to around 45 veterans.

  • Miles Doxie died in a car crash in May 2006, just weeks before his 18th birthday.
  • The Miles of Smiles Foundation was founded on what would have been Miles' 19th birthday, July 1, 2007.
  • The Miles Ranch opened in North Fort Myers, Florida, two years later, in 2009.

The players

Gail Doxie

The co-founder of the Miles of Smiles Foundation and a mental health counselor who provides equine-assisted therapy to military veterans at the Miles Ranch.

Keith Doxie

The co-founder of the Miles of Smiles Foundation and the president of the nonprofit.

Miles Doxie

The Doxies' late son, who died in a car crash in 2006 at the age of 17, just weeks before he was set to join the Air Force.

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What they’re saying

“I heard the words, 'Your son isn't coming home.' I didn't ever want another mother to hear that. ... [Our] purpose was so that other parents wouldn't go through pain for no good reason.”

— Gail Doxie, Co-founder, Miles of Smiles Foundation (People)

“We dedicated ourselves to saving veterans' lives and keeping their families together.”

— Gail Doxie, Co-founder, Miles of Smiles Foundation (People)

What’s next

The Doxies plan to continue expanding the services and reach of the Miles of Smiles Foundation, with the goal of helping more veterans and their families in the years to come.

The takeaway

The Doxies' story is a powerful example of how turning personal tragedy into a mission to help others can make a meaningful difference in people's lives. Their nonprofit's free equine therapy program is providing a vital service to military veterans struggling with PTSD and suicidal thoughts, helping them find healing and a path forward.