David Vieira is the founder of Veterans K9Equine Alliance, a national nonprofit dedicated to
supporting the dogs and horses used by organizations that help veterans heal. Through nutritional and veterinary support, the Alliance works behind the scenes to ensure these animals can continue serving those who have served our country.
As a veteran, David has seen firsthand that healing doesn’t always come from traditional paths. Horses, in particular, have a remarkable ability to meet people exactly where they are. Their presence demands honesty, patience, and trust, qualities that many veterans struggle to reconnect with after service. Horses don’t judge, they don’t ask questions, and they don’t care about rank or titles. They simply respond to the energy and authenticity in front of them, and that creates a powerful space for healing.
Through his work visiting and partnering with equine therapy programs across the country,
David has witnessed the transformation that happens when veterans step into the arena. Walls start to come down. Confidence begins to return. And for many, it’s the first time in a long time they feel understood without having to say a word.
David believes that the dogs and horses helping veterans heal deserve support just as much as the people they serve. His mission with Veterans K9Equine Alliance is to make sure those animals, and the programs that rely on them, have the resources they need to keep changing lives.
He also led the effort to build Connecticut’s first memorial dedicated to Afghanistan and Iraq
veterans, the Afghanistan Iraq Veterans War Memorial, completed and dedicated in May 2024 in Danbury, CT. The project stands as a lasting tribute to those who served, and a place of reflection for families, veterans, and the community.
In addition to his work in the nonprofit space, David is a novice songwriter who began writing song lyrics in the past year as a way to share his own story and the experiences familiar to so many fellow veterans. What started as a personal outlet has grown into another mission-driven path, using music to give voice to the realities of service, transition, and the journey home.
As a Horses For Mental Health 2026 Samson’s Strength Sustainable Veterans Project, SSSVP Ambassador, David is proud to advocate for the healing power of horses and to help expand awareness of the incredible work happening within the equine therapy community.
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