Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) is honored to announce that they are a proud member of the Gary Sinise Foundation Avalon Network, a new cognitive health and mental wellness network providing transformative care to veterans and first responders experiencing post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, and substance abuse launched by the Gary Sinise Foundation on February 16. The Gary Sinise Foundation Avalon Network builds on the work of the Marcus Institute for Brain Health and the Boulder Crest Foundation’s Warrior PATHH program. They will establish 20 treatment sites nationwide, including one in Northwest Arkansas where SDIA will deliver the Warrior PATHH program.
“We are incredibly honored to be a member of the Gary Sinise Foundation Avalon Network,” said SDIA founder and CEO, SgtMaj Lance Nutt, USMC (Ret.). “Our mission has always been to engage, assist and empower our nation’s Sheep Dogs (veterans and first responders) to Get Off The Couch™ and live their best lives. Partnering with Boulder Crest Foundation and delivering their Warrior PATHH training program to Sheep Dogs from Northwest Arkansas and around the US completes our “Cycle of Wellness” programming. Being part of the Gary Sinise Foundation Avalon Network will bring to the forefront this crucial topic and program to help our heroes heal from their trauma.”
Gary Sinise Announces Launch of the Gary Sinise Foundation Avalon Network
Warrior PATHH Training Program
Last December SDIA announced their partnership with Boulder Crest Foundation and will offer their first Warrior PATHH training class in Northwest Arkansas this month. Warrior PATHH (Progressive and Alternative Training for Healing Heroes) is the nation’s first non-clinical program designed to assist struggling Combat Veterans and First Responders in learning how to use their past trauma and experiences to achieve Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) and launch themselves into living their best lives. The training program enables students to transform times of deep struggle into profound strength and offers hope to those struggling so that they can again find meaning, purpose and significance no matter how devastating their experiences.
This transformative 18-month Warrior PATHH program begins with seven days of intensive and immersive PTG training that will be held monthly at Camp War Eagle in Rogers throughout 2021 while a dedicated site is developed. Warrior PATHH boasts significant improvement in the lives of its veteran and first responder students, including a 56% reduction in post-traumatic stress symptoms, 50% sustained reduction in depression, and a 56% improvement in posttraumatic growth.
Traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress affect nearly 1 out of every 3 military personnel deployed to war zones since 2001. An estimated 30% of our nation’s first responders also experience symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress. Though dubbed “invisible wounds,” the changes in psychological health that accompany these conditions have very visible manifestations, such as depression, anger, anxiety, addiction and suicidal ideation.
For more information on Sheep Dog Impact Assistance and how to get involved, contact Info@SheepDogIA.org or visit their website at www.SheepDogIA.org.
To learn more about the Warrior PATHH program, contact Program Director Chris Jackson (Cjackson@SheepDogIA.org), or visit www.SheepDogIA.org/WarriorPATHH.