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...
Sheep Dog Nation Podcast, Episode 8: The Importance of Resiliency with Adele O’Rourke
Hear from our 2022 Law Enforcement Sheep Dog of the Year, Adele O’Rourke of Renton Police Department. Adele is a law enforcement officer and PATHH Guide for Sheep Dog Impact Assistance Warrior PATHH. She specializes in investigating crimes against children, and works tirelessly to protect our most vulnerable population: our children. Both at work and outside of work, Adele is on a continued journey advocating for our nation’s first responders and military, regarding mental health.