Richard Casper co-founded CreatiVets after experiencing firsthand the healing power of art and music. As an infantryman, Richard served in Iraq with the United States Marine Corps where he lost a close friend while on patrol, survived four separate IED attacks, suffered multiple concussions and was ultimately diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury.

On his journey to wellness, Casper discovered the therapeutic benefits of art and music, and realized that creative expression was the only thing that really helped him. Richard took ceramics and painting courses and was amazed at how quickly he began to experience a positive impact. Says Casper, “It was like I’d found this loophole—I found a way to talk about it, without talking about it.” The benefits continued when he learned to play guitar and write songs, opening another outlet for creative expression through which he could heal by telling his story.