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.
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 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...
KATV STORY: Arkansas group sends support to help Texas recover
15th Anniversary Celebration
Celebrate 15 Years of Impact with Sheep Dog Nation – July 12 at Heroes Ranch!
Join us on Saturday, July 12 at Heroes Ranch as we celebrate everything Sheep Dog Nation has accomplished together over the past 15 years—and look ahead to the mission still to come.
Enjoy a day filled with yard games, ranch tours, water activities, and fire pits—plus burgers, hot dogs, and s’mores for everyone! Bring the whole family and plan to stay a while.
🪑 Don't forget your lawn chairs and towels—we’ll have water activities to help you cool off and have fun!
Why We Do What We Do
Every day, veterans and first responders—our nation’s Sheep Dogs—quietly carry the weight of their service. Many return home or come off shift changed, unseen, and unsupported. At Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA), we believe that no hero should feel left behind after the uniform comes off.
That’s why we exist: to help our nation’s protectors Get Off The Couch...
May 2025 NWA Disaster Relief Mission: SDIA Clears 256 Trees, Helps 88 People, and Earns Citywide Praise
After a powerful deployment in May 2025, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) has once again demonstrated why we’re trusted boots on the ground when disaster strikes. This month’s NWA Disaster Relief Mission resulted in:
✅ 19 properties cleared
✅ 88 people directly helped
✅ 11 Veterans served
✅ 26 dedicated volunteers
✅ 256 storm-damaged trees cut and cleared
These numbers speak for themselves, but the local recognition we received speaks even louder.
City of Greenland Recommends SDIA for Benefit Concert Donations
A group of local musicians recently approached the City of Greenland, Arkansas, hoping to donate the proceeds of their upcoming benefit concert to support disaster relief efforts. The response from city officials was both humbling and inspiring:
“Please give the money to SDIA instead—they were some of the first boots on the ground and they deserve it.”
That endorsement came directly from the Mayor and the City Treasurer—a testament to the trust, impact, and strong relationships our teams continue to build with local communities during their most challenging times.
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