SDIA Celebrates One Year Anniversary of Warrior PATHH Training in NWA!
It is hard to believe that it has been a year since Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) began conducting Warrior PATHH (WP) training courses in Northwest Arkansas. Our first course launched in March of 2021, and it has been an incredible journey filled with excitement, unexpected challenges, multiple locations, some hard lessons, and much healing.
Over these past twelve months, we conducted ten Warrior PATHH courses and facilitated the Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) of 73 Sheep Dogs. They have transformed their struggles into strength by making peace with their past, learning to live in the present, and have started making plans for a great future.
We haven’t done this alone. It has been made possible, not only by the hard work of staff, but by our supporters, donors and the members of the Sheep Dog Teams and Chapters who have acted as keepers of their Sheep Dog brothers and sisters.
Please join SDIA as we celebrate this incredible accomplishment during...
SDIA & GC Partner for Humanitarian DRM
All of us at Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) are troubled by the atrocities taking place in the Ukraine, and our hearts go out to all the people that are unable to leave the territory.
In an effort to do what we can to assist, SDIA has partnered with Gladiator Contracting for a humanitarian disaster response mission (DRM) to Ukraine. SDIA members working with Gladiator will depart for Poland/Western Ukraine this Friday, March 18, to extract specific, pre-identified American and Ukrainian citizens, getting them out of harm’s way and to safe locations outside of the country.
Following this initial mission, the team will establish a humanitarian “safe zone” for supplies, refugees, and volunteer staff as the war in Ukraine continues. SDIA is immediately supporting this effort with donations of survival gear, DRM equipment and other needs.
This mission will be very cost intensive, and we encourage anyone interested in supporting these humanitarian efforts to donate financially via the SDIA website,...
Sheep Dogs Experience Camaraderie While Snowmobiling in Yellowstone
Last weekend, 57 Sheep Dogs returned home after spending five days with Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) in the picturesque wonderland of Yellowstone. The group traveled from all over the United States to experience camaraderie, snowmobiling and other activities while visiting West Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park and Yellowstone National Forest.
While the Yellowstone trip has been an annual SDIA Outdoor Adventure (OA) since 2019, this was the first OA for many of the sponsored Sheep Dogs. Though excited for the adventure, some felt nervousness and anxiety, too.
“Most first-time participants are eager to do something they’ve not done before, but there's usually a bit of anxiety, too, because they typically don’t know much about SDIA yet and don’t know what to expect on the OA,” said SgtMaj Lance Nutt, SDIA’s founder and CEO. “After the first 24 hours, though, they know that they’re with fellow Sheep Dogs who are dealing with many of the same issues and challenges, and...
2-22-22 Donate Today to Fight Veteran & First Responder Suicide
Can our nation’s heroes, our “Sheep Dogs” – Veterans, Law Enforcement, Fire & Rescue, and Emergency Medical Service professionals – count on YOU?
Today, on 2-22-22, we can’t help but reflect on the significance of the number 22.
22 is widely recognized as the average number of Veterans that die by suicide each day in the United States. Add to that First Responder suicides (twice as many as those that die in the line of duty) and our nation has an epidemic that Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) is working to eliminate. And we need your continued support to make this a reality.$0.88¢ of each dollar donated directly funds SDIA’s Outdoor Adventures, Warrior PATHH training, and Continued Service/Disaster Response programs. That means your donation will directly provide a struggling Sheep Dog with opportunities to Get Off The Couch™, reengage in living their best life, and reduce suicidal ideation & attempts.In 2021 alone, SDIA directly impacted the lives of nearly 1,000...
Helping Others is Truly a Way of Life for SDIA!
Happy New Year, Sheep Dog Nation!Over the past few months, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) has been extremely busy with outdoor adventures, Warrior PATHH courses, staffing changes, disaster response missions, our Celebration & Turkey Trot for Heroes 5K, the holidays, and so much more. We are most excited about breaking ground on our dedicated Warrior PATHH Training Facility at Heroes Ranch at Rush Springs!We have much to share...read on for the latest, and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
As you are probably aware, last year SDIA purchased 50 acres of property just over the Arkansas border in Pineville, Missouri. This property - named Heroes Ranch at Rush Springs - was immediately put to use for our Outdoor Adventures as well as the Warrior PATHH training program.Heroes Ranch at Rush Springs has two existing Lodges (LCpl Anthony Darbonne Lodge & Senior Chief Joseph Paul Engleman Lodge) and Heroes Ranch Stables. The Darbonne Lodge is mainly used by Outdoor...
Merry Christmas & Happy 2022!
All of us at Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) are so very grateful for your support of Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) and the brave men and women that we serve. Our Outdoor Adventures, Warrior PATHH training, and Disaster Response Mission/Continued Service programs - and the positive life-change they inspire - would not be possible without YOU. THANK YOU for believing in SDIA and our mission to engage, assist and empower our nation's Sheep Dogs (Veterans and First Responders). A lot has happened for us in 2021, and SDIA's future looks very bright thanks to you.
Outdoor Adventures: nearly 300 Sheep Dogs participated in 21 adventures.Warrior PATHH: As a proud member of the Gary Sinise Foundation Avalon Network, SDIA has facilitated 8 courses teaching more than 110 Sheep Dogs how to make peace with their past, live in the present & plan for a great future through posttraumatic growth (PTG).Continued Service opportunities (disaster response missions & community-level projects) provided...
JOIN US for our Heroes Ranch Open House!
The holiday season is here and we would love for you to join us on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, from 4:30-7:00PM for our Heroes Ranch at Rush Springs Open House, Chili Cook Off and NWA Chapter Meeting. It's been way too long since we've gotten together, and we hope you can squeeze us in your busy schedule to see Heroes Ranch and learn how we are continuing to improve the lives of our nation's Sheep Dogs with this beautiful property.
Everyone is encouraged to attend, and if you've got a great chili recipe to enter into the Chili Cook Off - bring it! We'll provide the fixings (shredded cheese, sour cream, bread, etc.) and beverages (soda, tea, water).
WHO: ALL Members, Volunteers, Supporters, and anyone interested in SDIAWHEN: Tuesday, December 14, 4:30-7:00PMWHERE: Heroes Ranch at Rush Springs, 335 Eternity Lane, Pineville MOWHY: For camaraderie & socializing as you see Heroes Ranch!
RSVP by December 12 so we can plan appropriately for fixings and...
14th Annual Turkey Trot for Heroes is ONE WEEK AWAY!
Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) is thrilled that their 14th Annual Turkey Trot for Heroes 5K is an in-person event this year, with options including a traditional 5K, Wild Gobbler 5K, 1-mile Fun Run/Walk and Virtual 5K. Sponsored by Comstar Enterprises, participants will start and end their Thanksgiving morning event at the Center for Nonprofits at St. Mary’s in Rogers beginning at 9:00AM. Registration is open now at https://cutt.ly/sdiaturkeytrot.
The Wild Gobbler 5K is a step up from the traditional 5K with the addition of five exercise stations along the route; exercises can be modified for any fitness level. Each station is dedicated to a fallen Sheep Dog, and the repetitions correspond to a hero. This year’s Fallen Heroes are as follows.
The Turkey Trot for Heroes 5K & Virtual 5K are just $40 per person and the Wild Gobbler 5K is $48. These runners will receive our exclusive Turkey Trot for Heroes t-shirt with their registration,...
SDIA’s Outdoor Celebration is October 9!
Our Outdoor Celebration is two weeks away, and SDIA's CEO & Founder, SgtMaj Lance Nutt, and Guest of Honor Sgt Noah Galloway have a special invitation for you!
https://youtu.be/GLu-mdEwgHQ
Saturday, October 9, 2021
Village on the Creeks, Rogers AR
4:30PM Doors Open6:30PM Program Begins9:00-10:00PM VIP Reception
Join us for a night of celebrating 11 years of Sheep Dog Impact Assistance and our nation's heroes!
Over the past 11 years, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) has grown into a national 501c3 nonprofit. With your help, SDIA has been able to engage, assist and empower thousands of Sheep Dogs in need by helping them #GetOffTheCouch by participating in our three programs:
Outdoor Adventures to engage them with camaraderie and healing;Warrior PATHH training to assist them in learning to transform their struggle into strength; andContinued Service where Sheep Dogs are empowered to discover the power of "Helping is Healing" as they serve others through Disaster Response Missions and community service.
Thank you for making the...
Don’s Story – How YOU Helped Following Hurricane Ida
Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) and our Disaster Response (DR) Teams have helped many people during our missions following natural disasters. As we assist those affected, we hear their stories, see their pain, and are blessed to have helped them begin to recover in some small way.
During our Hurricane Ida DR mission September 1-10, 236 SDIA Members and Volunteers deployed to the Houma, Louisiana, area for ten days. They cleared 190 trees, tarped 127 structures, delivered 18,597 lbs of water & food and 1,670 lbs of supplies, and assisted more than 3,413 people. On this particular mission, the DR team prioritized helping local First Responders - 550 of them! Many had damage to their homes, but were unable to take care of it because they were out helping their fellow residents. With SDIA attending to their property, those Sheep Dogs could focus on their work knowing their own families were taken care of.
One First Responder that...