Joe, the Combat Medic

This chapter tells the story of a combat medic named Joe, who served for many years in Iraq, Afghanistan and other war zones. As a result of his job, Joe developed a severe case of PTSD. He comes to the park at the request of a friend, and slowly begins to heal. He becomes one of Patrick’s super volunteers, eventually becoming so good that he lectures visitors. Over time, he feels better and begins working in a hospital as a military surgeon.

New Adventures

This last chapter traces Patrick’s journey from working at the Narrows as a volunteer to deciding he needs a new chapter in his life. He struggles with the bureaucracy at the Narrows and soon finds a home as board member of the Owls’ Nest, a non-profit he worked with before. His dreams are finally coming true after many years of interesting jobs and experiences. He is now planning seminars and courses for anyone that wants to learn about wild birds of prey, finding land to build a larger and more comprehensive Owl’s Nest program, writing this book, and finding peace and happiness with Carol and all of the volunteers and wounded birds of prey he loves.

Epilogue

SITTING BULL, THE Hunkpapa Lakota leader and holy man, once said: “It is through … mysterious power that we too have our being, and we therefore yield to our neighbors, even to our animal neighbors, the same right as ourselves to inhabit this vast land.” Very few people live their lives according to Sitting Bull’s belief that we must respect and protect our animal family’s right to live and thrive on planet Earth....

A Star Is Born

In this chapter readers meet Sarge, a wounded bald eagle left for dead and brought to Patrick for rehabilitation. They have an instant connection. Sarge suffers from a broken wing, so she couldn’t fly or be released into the wild. Soon, Patrick and Sarge develop an amazing bond, and he trains her to do things he never thought possible. Over time Sarge beomes comfortable in her new life at the park, and Patrick begins taking her to events where she seems to thrive.

Bay Pines VA Hospital’s Gamble

After the success Skyler has with his red tail hawk, Patrick has an idea. He decides to see if Bay Pines might be interested in bringing patients to the park so they can walk with some of the wounded birds of prey. By this time, Patrick has moved to the Narrows, another nature park in Largo Florida. The hospital agrees, and soon they were sending patients to the Narrows to walk with screech owls, red tail hawks, and other birds of prey. The program was a huge success and to date more than 4,000 veterans with severe PTSD have taken part in the program.

Carol

Patrick begins working in a theme park in Florida called the Lost River Ride where he not only helps rehab wild animals but also puts on shows for the visitors. Guests travel by boat and watch Patrick from the dock as he works with wild panthers, mountain lions and other animals. It was there that he meets a young woman, Carol, who also works at the park. After his divorce from two previous marriages, Patrick is committed to making their relationship work.

The Unlikely Healer

This chapter introduces Patrick Bradley and his family to the readers. It traces his childhood as an Army brat through his time in Vietnam. After he is injured as a Green Beret, Patrick suffers physical wounds as well as severe PTSD.

Skyler’s Demons

Patrick talks to Skyler about getting more professional help with his PTSD. When his son is an out-patient at the Bay Pines VA Hospital, Patrick has an idea. At the time Patrick is heading up the birds of prey program at Boyd Hill in Florida and suggests Skyler come to the park and take a walk with a wounded red tail hawk. Skyler is also a lover of birds of prey and decides to take his father up on the offer. He begins taking long walks in nature with the wounded hawk on his arm and finds his symptoms improving.

Back to Civilization

In this chapter Patrick is picked up by plane and flown back to Arkansas. All he wants to do is eat a cheeseburger and see his mom and brother. Patrick decides to go back to college. He received his BA Degree in Zoology and is about to embark on his career as a wildlife expert.

Love Birds That Met the President

Patrick and the others are invited to President George H. W. Bush’s home in Kennebunkport Maine for the official launch of the book, Vets and Pets. Patrick, Kaleigh, and Telia bring two screech owls to meet the President and Mrs. Bush. Also, the two screech owls, that wanted nothing to do with one another before they went on the long trip to Maine, become an item when they return and now live happily together in their own habitat.