LHI STORY: Picking Up The Pieces
Originally published in Liberty Hill Independent Aug 20, 2025 by Rachel Madison Owner/Publisher. View the story on their website here.
When disaster hits, it’s often the brave – military veterans, first responders and volunteers – who jump into action. But what happens when those heroes themselves need help? That’s where Sheep Dog Impact Assistance steps in.
Founded by retired Marine Sgt. Major Lance Nutt, the Arkansas-based nonprofit helps veterans, first responders and their families dealing with PTSD, physical injuries and the challenge of reintegrating into civilian life. Their solution? Get them active and engaged through adventurous activities and meaningful service.
One of their key missions is disaster response. When floods swept through Central Texas, including Liberty Hill, over 80 volunteers from 17 states answered the call to help clear debris, clean homes and provide hope.
Dallas resident Giovanni Palavicini, a disaster response ambassador with Sheep Dog Impact Assistance, said his group based themselves at River Ranch Inn in Liberty Hill on County...
KNWA STORY: Sheep Dog veterans to climb Mount Kilimanjaro this week
Originally published/aired on KNWA July 14, 2025 07:39 AM CDT; reported by Makyla Oviedo-Rodriguez. View the story on their website here.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Northwest Arkansas-based Sheep Dog Impact Assistance is rising to new heights for a cause with people across the nation.
“Kili Climb for a Cause,” part of Sheep Dog’s outdoor adventure program, set off to Africa over the weekend for its fourth year, as a selected team prepares for what could be described as a bucket list summit for many — to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest peak on the continent.
The purpose behind the climb is to prove that the challenges service members faced and the fights they’ve experienced don’t end with trauma, as the organization says, but begin with transformation.
Sergeant Major Lance Nutt, founder & CEO of the organization, said these sheep dogs are climbing the mountain for everyone who’s ever felt stuck in a valley.
The name “sheep dog” represents military veterans, law enforcement,...
5NEWS STORY: Local volunteers deliver supplies to Texas after deadly floods
Originally published/aired July 13, 2025 6:06 PM CDT; reported by Claire Everbach. View the story on their website here.
Volunteers with Sheep Dog Impact Assistance headed to Texas with emergency supplies to aid July 4 flood victims.
ROGERS, Ark. — Volunteers with Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) loaded up emergency supplies Sunday and headed to central Texas to help victims of the July 4 floods.
The Rogers-based nonprofit deployed four vehicles and three trailers full of water, canned goods, pet food, and outdoor items. The team is traveling to Liberty Hill, Texas, where communities are just beginning the recovery process.
Raffy Morales, an SDIA first responder and manager at Sheep Dog Heroes Ranch, said the group received an outpouring of donations almost immediately.
“All we got to do is send out a message and the community responds,” Morales said.
In total, 95 volunteers are involved in this deployment, and the...
SDIA DRM TEAM DEPLOYS TO CENTRAL TEXAS
This morning at 9:30am, the Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) Disaster Response Team (DRT) of 18 volunteers from Arkansas, Missouri and Wisconsin departed from the Center for Nonprofits in Rogers, AR. This team will meet up with 85+ volunteers from 17 states when they arrive in the Kerrville/Liberty Hill area this evening. Prior to the mission briefing, Lance Nutt, Founder & CEO of SDIA, read an email that he received last night that drove home the meaning of this mission. In part, he read:
“I'm reaching out because I saw you have teams deploying to Texas tomorrow morning from Rogers. Last week on July 4th, I lost my parents and 11-year-old niece in a Hunt, Texas flood…they were just down river from Camp Mystic… I'm sure tomorrow morning is a bit hectic and I don't know if you have a...
Female Veterans Conquer Challenges in the Black Hills of SD
Recently, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) took a group of 20 female Veterans on an unforgettable Outdoor Adventure (OA) to the Black Hills of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore and the surrounding area.Packed with activities and challenging experiences, all our Sheep Dogs were excited about the events, and looked forward to connecting with fellow Sheep Dogs to find the camaraderie that many were missing. “Visiting Mount Rushmore opened my eyes to the power of human creativity and the stories carved into history, inspiring me to seek out new experiences beyond my comfort zone. That spirit of adventure has transformed my life, making me braver, more curious, and eager to explore the world’s wonders. Every journey with SDIA feels like a chance to discover new places, meet other great Sheep Dogs, and heal my mind and heart."
OA Participant The group went on the Big Thunder Gold Mine tour and...
KHBS STORY: SDIA deploys volunteers to help flood victims in Texas
Originally published/aired Jul 10, 2025 6:20 AM CDT; reported by Ka'Tani Gouch. View the story on their website here.
ROGERS, Ark. — Sheep Dog Impact Assistance, a Rogers-based nonprofit, is sending more help to Texas after deadly flooding devastated communities over the holiday weekend.
A few ambassadors are already on the ground, focusing their efforts in northern central Texas—areas like Liberty Hill, Georgetown, and Marble Falls, which they say were hit hard but have received less attention than other regions.
“This is an opportunity for them to heal by helping others,” said Sgt. Major Lance Nutt, CEO and founder of Sheep Dog Impact Assistance.
The team is helping clear roads and remove debris from homes and businesses.
“We're planning on doing quite a bit of muck out, which is where we'll go into homes and help again, cleaning out the houses of mud and debris,” Sgt. Major Nutt said.
One volunteer described the San Gabriel River rising more than 30...
Yahoo News: SDIA to celebrate 15th anniversary; veteran speaks on impact
Originally published July 8, 2025 at 8:11 PM CDT; reported by Lauren Motley. View the story on their website here.
ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — As Sheep Dog Impact Assistance nears its 15th anniversary celebration, a veteran member speaks on the impact the organization has had on his life.
Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) is a nonprofit organization that gives veterans, first responders, and active military members opportunities to serve their communities and reconnect with a sense of purpose. This includes disaster response missions and programs such as the Warrior PATHH and Outdoor Adventures.
“We treat the wounds that you can’t see when people come back from combat or they retire after a life of service,” said Makenna Hudson, Marketing Manager for SDIA, “We can’t see the mental and the emotional wounds that they’re left with, and an organization like Sheep Dog treats those and focuses on those, and asks the questions that maybe you don’t want...
KFSM STORY: Sheep Dog Impact Assistance deploys to Texas to help with flooding crisis
Originally aired/published on July 8, 2025, at 7:14AM CDT; reported by Jacob Luthi. View the story here.
While not involved in active search and rescue operations, Sheep Dog will deliver supplies to flood victims, clear debris, and provide support to first responders.
ROGERS, Ark. — A group known for running toward the storm is heading south to help flood-stricken communities in Texas.
Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA), a Rogers-based nonprofit made up of military veterans and former first responders, is mobilizing this week to provide relief in the aftermath of devastating flooding across the Lone Star State.
While the group won’t be involved in active search and rescue operations, they are playing a vital support role: delivering supplies to flood victims, clearing debris, and providing relief to overwhelmed first responders.
“Us having boots on the ground to begin helping sometimes in those outlying areas where they're not getting a lot of attention, is where we specialize best,” CEO...
THV STORY: Arkansas volunteers assist victims of Texas flash floods
Originally aired/published on THV11 July 7, 2025 7:09 PM CDT; reported by Maya Ellison. You can view the story on their website here.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Deadly storms in Texas over the weekend have many people in Arkansas looking to help — and for some, the catastrophe hits home.
"It was heartbreaking and gut wrenching," Kelly Franklin, an alum of Camp Mystic, said.
These past couple of days have been the hardest for her to face.
"I went to Camp Mystic starting in '98 and then all the way up to '03," Franklin said. "It's just devastating to see how it looks right now."
Camp Mystic is one of many locations in the Texas Hill Country affected by "catastrophic" flooding over the Fourth of July weekend.
Officials reported that at least 27 campers and counselors lost their lives, adding to the rising death toll.
"I want to keep having hope, but it feels like somebody's gripping my heart and squeezing it...
Yahoo News: SDIA deploys dozens to Texas to help with flood recovery
Originally published on July 7, 2025 at 6:42 PM CDT; reported by Gabriella Phelan. View the story on their website here.
ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Local organizations from Northwest Arkansas, including Sheep Dog Impact Assistance, are sending resources to Texas following catastrophic flooding.
As Monday’s death toll rises to over 100, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance says it is one of the many groups sending volunteers to help out.
“We had members on the ground within 24 hours,” said Sgt. Major Lance Nutt, the founder and CEO of Sheep Dog Impact Assistance.
Sheep Dog regularly assembles teams to send to disaster relief areas all across the country.
“We’ve got a total of five staff members on the ground assessing now and leaning into doing what they can while they’re there, especially to identify supplies and equipment that we can bring into the area. The objective, probably going into next week, will be to have 30 to 40 members on the ground,” said Nutt.
He...