Sheep Dog Impact Assistance Hosts Hawaii Outdoor Adventure 2025
The waves of Waikiki set the stage for an unforgettable week as Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) hosted its Hawaii Outdoor Adventure 2025, culminating in the prestigious Na Koa Wounded Warrior Regatta. For the 10th year in a row, SDIA proudly fielded canoes in the Regatta, joining teams from across the U.S. to celebrate resilience, camaraderie, and healing on the island of Oahu.
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...
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,...
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,...