SDIA Team to Run in NYC’s “Tunnel to Towers Foundation Race”
Over the past few months, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) Members have been coming together to form a team to run/walk the "Tunnel to Towers Foundation Race" (T2T) in New York City on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. In addition to our Members, we have over 35 combat wounded veterans joining us in this race! We would love to have more of our members, volunteers and supporters from across the United States participate in this event as we prepare to launch a nationwide PTSD Awareness Campaign in 2016.
With SDIA members from all disciplines – military, law enforcement, fire & rescue, and EMS – we are more aware than most organizations of the devastating impact Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, can have on the life of a veteran or first responder injured in combat or the line of duty. Our members and their families have first-hand knowledge of the difficulties associated with PTSD. SDIA’s team running the Tunnel to Towers race will...
Don’t Miss SDIA’s 5th Annual Patriot Day Event on Sat., Sept. 12, 2015
We all see children watch with excitement and fascination when emergency vehicles race by, sirens blaring and lights flashing. To them, First Responders and Military are larger than life and true heroes. Imagine how excited they would be to sit in a First Responder vehicle, put on some Military gear and learn first-hand what their heroes do on a regular basis. Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) is honored to give them this opportunity at their 5th Annual Patriot Day event on Sat., Sept. 12, 2015, from 9:00AM to 4:30PM at the Bentonville Municipal Airport. Proceeds from the event will provide funding for SDIA’s Thanksgiving Outreach program, which provides a full Thanksgiving dinner to identified Sheep Dog in Need families.
The Northwest Arkansas 2015 Patriot Day event is free to the public – thanks to Sponsors like Walmart, Propper, Zantac, Heritage Indian Motorcycles of NWA and Tyson – and will be a fun, educational day for...
SPARTAN BEAST RACE – Breckenridge, CO
On June 13th, a Team of 13 Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) members and supporters participated in the Spartan Beast Race in Breckenridge, CO. SDIA was honored to sponsor, with the support of New Creature and Spartan, two combat wounded veterans, Sgt Matt Spang (US Army) and SSgt Jose Sanchez (USMC), as they both pushed their limits on this 13-mile course.
While in Afghanistan, Sgt Spang suffered severe injuries and lost both legs below the knee. SSgt Sanchez lost one leg and suffered major injuries to his other leg while serving in Iraq. To see these young warriors push themselves through the grueling Beast course was an inspiration to everyone on the race trail.
Prior to the Beast, the furthest Sgt Spang had gone on his prosthetic legs in one outing was 200 yards. But that Saturday, he surpassed all expectations. The steep snow-covered descents were especially difficult, but with the entire team working together, all made it safely down...
Operation Texas Mud Bug – June 2015
During the first week of June, SDIA deployed three Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) to the Wimberley, Texas, area to assist with recovery efforts for those affected by flooding.
“It was a privilege and honor to help the people of Wimberley,” said SgtMaj Lance Nutt. “We met so many gracious people, all of whom touched our members’ lives as they worked hard to help these families recover from the devastating flood waters.”
The 14 SDIA members traveled from Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, and around Texas to lend a hand; it was the first disaster response deployment for many. On Days 1 & 2, the DRTs worked to clear trees and debris from 7 homes, using chainsaws and manpower. Day 3 focused on muck-out work, clearing three homes of water, mud, debris, and stripping water soaked sheetrock and insulation. In addition to the work completed, the DRTs distributed 35 cases of water to those in need.
For Sheep Dogs, assisting people and communities in such tangible...
SDIA to Participate in NYC’s “Tunnel to Towers Foundation Race” and Announce 2016 PTSD Awareness Campaign
Last week Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) announced that we are putting together a team to run/walk the "Tunnel to Towers Foundation Race" (T2T) in New York City on Sunday, September 27, 2015. Our hope is to have as many of our members, volunteers and supporters from across the United States participate in this event as we prepare to launch a nationwide PTSD Awareness Campaign in 2016.
With SDIA members from all disciplines – military, law enforcement, fire & rescue, and EMS – we are more aware than most organizations of the devastating impact Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, can have on the life of a veteran or first responder injured in combat or the line of duty. Our members and their families have first-hand knowledge of the difficulties associated with PTSD, including its misconceptions and stigmas. SDIA’s team running the Tunnel to Towers race will first and foremost honor Stephen Siller and the military and first responders who gave their...
SDIA & FLEOA Join Forces to Strengthen Assistance to Officers
As a nonprofit organization founded to give back to our nation’s “Sheep Dogs” – the men and women who bravely make up the ranks of our military and first responder professions – Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) is honored to announce a new partnership with the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA). “It is a natural alliance,” said SDIA’s founder and President, SgtMaj Lance Nutt. “Our mission is to provide assistance to all those who have served or are currently serving our country and communities to keep us safe on a daily basis.” That includes military personnel as well as first responders – law enforcement, fire & rescue, and EMS. “We couldn’t think of a better way to align ourselves with the federal law enforcement community than to partner with FLEOA,” he added. Nathan Catura, FLEOA’s National Executive Vice President, agrees. “Our members look to us to provide them with assistance with legal matters,” he said. “It seems fitting to join...
New SDIA Teams & Chapter
We are thrilled to announce that our Kansas Team officially launched as an SDIA Chapter on Sat., April 11! The Team was formed in April 2014 and has steadily increased their membership and dedication to helping their fellow Sheep Dogs, earning them the opportunity to become a full-fledged SDIA Chapter. To learn more about them, visit their new website and their Facebook page. Congrats, Kansas Chapter!
Equally exciting is the news that two SDIA teams recently held interest/informational meetings to help attract members to get their teams rolling – and there are more coming! If you are in the North Texas area and are interestedin joining the team, please contact Jeff Grubb at jeff@jlgrubb.com or 817-239-3759.
For those interested in SDIA in the Arkansas River Valley, please contact Ron Redding at ronredding66@gmail.com or 479-438-0768.
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SDIA Spring 2015 Hunt
Another great bi-annual Sheep Dog Hunt is in the books! Hunting at Turkey Ranch in NW Texas never disappoints, and our hosts (Broadway Contracting and ProTrucks of Siloam Springs, Arkansas) always deliver one of the best experiences around. But for our sponsored combat wounded vets and first responders injured in the line of duty, it's more than just a hunt for wild boar and other critters. Participating in the hunt allows them the opportunity to relax and be themselves around others who have survived similar experiences, and that’s hard to find for most of them. Whether hunting, target shooting, or another unique adventure, the chance to bond with fellow Sheep Dogs and supporters is priceless. During this hunt, we honored the service and sacrifice of SSG Zach Pryor (US Army), CPL Sebastian Gallegos (USMC), SGT Matthew Melancon (US Army), and MAJ Drew Gilchrist (USMC). Their dedication and commitment to our nation is to be commended, and the blood, sweat, and limbs...
SDIA Deploys Disaster Response Team to Northern Illinois
Tornado season is upon us, and for Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) that means being ready to hit the road with chainsaws, tarps and able bodies to assist communities in need at a moment’s notice. On Friday, April 10, at 4:00PM, that’s exactly what happened. SDIA deployed a team of six Northwest Arkansas members and volunteers who headed north to Illinois to help the community of Kirkland, one of a few areas ravaged by tornadoes. Once in northern Illinois, the NWA team met up with other SDIA members from Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri and Tennessee and went to find people to help. Following the path of the tornado, the team saw areas that were virtually untouched – like a mobile home park in Rochelle – as well as areas with larger homes that were completely destroyed. Finding the Kirkland neighborhood gave the SDIA team the opportunity to assist residents by clearing downed trees, covering leaking windows and roofs, and talking with its...
SDIA Presents PTSD Service Dog to Bentonville Veteran, Dan Moss
Since returning home after serving 24 years and three combat tours in the U.S. Army, veteran Dan Moss has struggled in his transition to civilian life. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, has had a dramatic negative impact on his day-to-day life. But that is beginning to change. In the ten days since Moss was presented with Justice, a rescued 1-1/2 year old German shepherd trained as a PTSD Service Dog, improvements have occurred at a regular rate. Moss’s wife, Judy, noticed that after only a few days with Justice, her husband showed fewer signs of hyper vigilance at the presentation ceremony. “Dan was able to stand almost the entire ceremony with his back to the door,” she said. “That NEVER happens.” Moss has noticed other ways Justice is helping him. “It hasn’t been without some stress [adjusting to each other],” he explained. “That in itself helps because it gives me a single focal point, so I’m not constantly surveying the environment –...