Congratulations to Our Sheep Dog University FY25 Q3 Ambassador Class Graduates!
Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) is proud to celebrate the incredible graduates of Sheep Dog University (SDU) Class 003! These dedicated Sheep Dogs came together from across the nation for a three-day, intensive training at our headquarters and Heroes Ranch. Through classroom instruction, hands-on facility engagement, and practical field exercises, they sharpened their leadership, communication, and outreach skills to serve as powerful SDIA Ambassadors.
We are thrilled to welcome them to the team and can’t wait to see the impact they will make in their communities and beyond.
Epic Outdoor Adventure in Yellowstone National Park Inspires Veterans & First Responders to #GetOffTheCouch
Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) brought together over 25 Veterans, First Responders, and their spouses for an unforgettable Outdoor Adventure in one of America’s most breathtaking landscapes, Yellowstone National Park.
For many of our participants, this trip was more than a vacation; it was a vital step in their Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) journey, a chance to connect with others who share similar experiences, and a way to reclaim their sense of purpose and joy.
Whatever It Takes: Honoring the 2025 Kilimanjaro Climb for a Cause Team & Our Sponsors
At Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA), we believe in doing whatever it takes to help our nation’s Veterans and First Responders rise from the struggles of trauma and service and step into a life of purpose, growth, and resilience.
In July 2025, a group of incredible Sheep Dogs did just that by climbing Africa’s tallest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, as part of our annual Climb for a Cause. Through the support of our generous sponsors, Sam’s Furniture and Uncharted Supply Co., our team embarked on a life-changing expedition rooted in courage, community, and Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG).
Epic Marine Reunion at Heroes Ranch: A Week of Brotherhood, Adventure, and Camaraderie
At Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA), we are deeply committed to helping veterans and first responders connect, heal, and find their next adventure through our Outdoor Adventures (OA) program. Last week, we were honored to host a group of Marines at Heroes Ranch for an unforgettable reunion and a week filled with outdoor exploration, camaraderie, and shared experiences.
FVC STORY: Farmer Veteran Coalition Responds to Texas Flooding with SDIA
When disaster strikes, communities often look to their heroes, military members, veterans, first responders, and their families to help rebuild. In the aftermath of devastating floods across Central and Southwest Texas, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) has continued to engage these brave individuals, providing vital disaster response missions that foster camaraderie and promote post-traumatic growth. Recently, SDIA teamed up with the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) Texas Chapter, led by President Dan Legereit, to support flood cleanup efforts in Kerrville, TX.
Texas Flood Disaster Response Mission: Impact and Purposeful Volunteering
From July 6 to July 19, 2025, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) organized a large-scale Disaster Response Mission (DRM) in Texas to provide essential support to those affected by severe flooding. The event brought together 190 dedicated volunteers who contributed 1,900 man-hours, assisting 53+ individuals, including 4 veterans and 49 civilians. The mission's impact was profound: 13 properties were cleared, 588 trees were removed, 14 structures were mucked out, and 617,600lbs of debris were removed from affected areas. Volunteers also assisted with salvaging 150+ items, which included locating, cleaning, restoring, and cataloguing these items, which held high sentimental value. Donations during this time played a critical role in supporting these efforts and restoring hope to the community.
Dr. Adrienne Heinz, a clinical research psychologist at Stanford University, explains the healing power of volunteering in times of adversity: “When something awful happens, a powerful human response can occur called 'purposing.' This is when we rise to meet moments of sorrow...
15 Years of Impact: Sheep Dog Impact Assistance Celebrates a Legacy of Service and a Future of Growth
Founded in 2010, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) is a national nonprofit led by military and first responder veterans committed to transforming hardship into healing. For 15 years, SDIA has empowered our nation’s heroes, our Sheep Dogs to Get Off The Couch and discover renewed purpose, connection, and posttraumatic growth (PTG) through community, service, and outdoor adventures.
Celebrating 15 Years at Heroes Ranch
On Saturday, July 12, 2025, SDIA proudly hosted our 15th Anniversary Celebration at Heroes Ranch near Northwest Arkansas, in Jane, MO. A joyful evening of reflection, gratitude, and community connection.
More than just a celebration, the event marked a powerful milestone in the mission to serve those who serve. To date:
Over 3,800 Sheep Dogs have been sponsored in SDIA’s core programs.
7,000+ Sheep Dogs have volunteered in Disaster Response Missions, assisting more than 300,000 disaster survivors.
Through Warrior PATHH, our innovative, peer-led mental wellness program,...
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...
SDIA Deploys to Texas Flood Zone
After devastating floods swept through Kerr County, Texas over the July 4th weekend, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) answered the call with a plan to put boots on the ground, tools in hand, and hearts ready to serve.
As Ambassador Josh Duggan shared:
“We work from sunup to sundown getting sleep and food when and where we can. We don’t stop until it’s time to rotate out… and then, if necessary, a second round of Sheep Dogs takes our place and picks up right where we left off.”
SDIA team members and ambassadors have begun to assess the situation this week, so when we as an organization deploy, we have a clear plan of operations and can maximize our impact. SDIA is not a search and rescue mission; however, when the search and rescue efforts conclude, there will be a need for assistance with clean-up work, and that's when we activate. Our focus is on supporting those hit hardest, especially local first responders...