When the towers fell on September 11, 2001, 38‑year‑old William Lawrence Fallon Jr. was killed while working as an IT manager for Cantor Fitzgerald. His eight‑year‑old daughter, Kayla Fallon Smith, never saw her father return home. Twenty‑five years later, Smith has turned that loss into a mission of service.
From Personal Loss to Community Service
Smith, now 33, recalls her father’s daily ritual of calling the house phone each morning to wish his daughters well before heading to work. “He would get up early, work out, and then call to say ‘good morning,’” she said. The last words he spoke that fateful morning were, “I’m getting out. I’m coming home,” before the call abruptly ended.
Rather than let the grief define her, Smith pursued a career in mental‑health counseling. While earning her graduate degree, she discovered equine‑assisted therapy, a modality that resonated deeply with her own healing journey.
Trails of Purpose: Free Care for Those Who Serve
In 2019, Smith founded Trails of Purpose, a nonprofit that provides complimentary counseling and horse‑assisted therapy to military members, veterans, first responders and their families. The organization has already delivered more than 30,000 hours of free services, offering a safe space where “the horses can just be with you” when words fail.
“I needed a place where my brain could calm down, and I think I’ve created that for others,” Smith explained. The program’s focus on community, compassion, and faith‑based values reflects her belief that healing is best achieved through supportive relationships and purposeful service.
Impact on the Community
Clients describe the therapy as a “respite” that helps them manage anxiety, depression, and trauma stemming from their service. By removing financial barriers, Trails of Purpose ensures that those who protect the nation can access high‑quality mental‑health care without worry.
Smith also emphasizes the importance of remembering the sacrifices of 9/11 victims. She says, “If we can remember the feeling we had on September 12th, that will be the biggest lesson for the next generation.” Her work honors her father’s legacy while addressing a pressing need for mental‑health resources among those who serve.
Looking Ahead
As the 25th anniversary of the attacks approaches, Smith plans to expand the nonprofit’s reach, adding more therapy horses and increasing the number of counseling slots available. She hopes that the model can be replicated in other regions, providing a template for faith‑centered, community‑driven mental‑health support.
In a time when many still question whether time heals all wounds, Smith’s story demonstrates that purposeful action, rooted in family love and Christian values, can turn sorrow into hope for countless others.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
