Service Before Self Podcast Colonel (Ret.) Sam Whitehurst

Today we tackle the challenges of veteran homelessness with our guest, Danielle Applegate, chairperson of National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV). Danielle will share a personal story of how homelessness impacts both veterans and non-veterans alike but also how there are resources and strategies available that can provide a way out. She will also share the work of NCHV and if you are part of an organization that may be tackling homelessness in your community, how NCHV can help. You can connect with NCHV at their website, NCHV.ORG.

Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services hosts a conversation with Jennifer Grubb--combat veteran, veteran advocate, registered nurse, wife, and mother. Jennifer shares her candid, raw, and thought-provoking experience of reintegration following military service. She pulls no punches but also demonstrates her resiliency and the potential of our military-connected community. Listen more than once and encourage others to listen as well.

A conversation with Secretary Patrick J. Murphy, former Under Secretary of the Army and a leading advocate for veterans and their families. Secretary Murphy is the Chairman of Task Force Movement, www.taskforcemovement.org, an organization that is creating successful careers for the military-connected community in transportation, cybersecurity, and healthcare.

A conversation with Robin Kelleher, Co-Founder and CEO of HOPE FOR THE WARRIORS, recipient of the 2023 Eugene and Ruth Freedman Leadership Award.

Psych/Armor educates and trains organizations on how to better understand and connect with military-connected individuals: transitioning service members, military spouses, veterans, and their families. Listen to Tina explain how her family’s history of military service and her experiences as a military spouse created opportunities to ensure that veterans and their families reach their full potential.
 
Key Takeaways:
[3:30] Tina shares what motivated her to assist and support veterans and their families.
[9:51] Tina explains how she started Psych/Armor, a nonprofit organization.
[11:17] Psych/Armor’s primary mission is to help connect the military and civilian communities in various ways.
[14:08] Tina shares more about the work accomplished by Psych/Armor.
[16:08] Psych/Armor was funded by a licensed mental health counselor in San Diego who was a civilian.
[17:14] At Psych/Armor, there is a cultural competency requirement to understand the people that they serve.
[18:44] Tina comments on the vast ecosystem that forms Psych/Armor.
[21:46] Psych/Armor’s primary focus is on health equity.
[23:17] Colonel Sam expands on the two common narratives from our society’s perspective on veterans: Veterans are either super soldiers or broken soldiers.
[25:20] Psych/Armor is made by a cross-generational Team.
[29:43] Tina received an award from SAMHSA (The Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration).
[30:17] Tina discusses the concept of wellness and its importance for the veteran community.
[33:51] Tina shares her call to action with anyone wanting to help the veteran community.
 
Mentioned in this episode:
Dixon Center: Reaching America
At Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, we believe our veterans and military families can succeed where they live.
Dixon Center is named after Staff Sergeant Donnie Dixon, who was killed in action on September 29, 2007, in Iraq. Staff Sergeant Dixon was a father, husband, and Soldier who always placed the mission first and the safety of his fellow Soldiers above his own. Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services stands as a testament to his example and leadership.
Dixon Center on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
 
Visit Psych/Armor
 
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Wellness Initiative envisions a future in which people pursue health, happiness, recovery, and a full and satisfying life in the community. Below are brief descriptions of each dimension of wellness. Being able to balance these eight dimensions is a foundation for positive outcomes for veterans and their families. To learn more, visit Creating a Healthier Life.
Physical Wellness: A healthy body. Good physical health habits. Nutrition, exercise, and appropriate health care. These make up the physical dimension of wellness.
Intellectual Wellness: keeping our brains active and our intellect expanding … reading, taking a class at your local community college, and engaging in debate/discussions.
Financial Wellness: proactively managing your income, debt, and savings, as well as increasing your understanding of financial processes and resources.
Environmental Wellness: being in a safe, supportive environment, having a place that you can call home. An environment where you can live, learn, and thrive.
Spiritual Wellness: a broad concept that represents one’s personal beliefs and values and involves having meaning, purpose, and a sense of balance and peace.
Social Wellness: involves having healthy relationships with friends, family, and the community, and having an interest in and concern for the needs of others and humankind.
Occupational Wellness: involves participating in activities that provide meaning and purpose and reflect personal values, interests, and beliefs, including employment.
Emotional Wellness: involves the ability to express feelings, adjust to emotional challenges, cope with life

In today’s episode, Col. Sam Whitehurst (Ret.), your host, is joined by 
Carl Cricco, the CEO of K9 For Warriors, and John Tappen, a Navy veteran who has directly felt the impact of K9 for Warriors in supporting veterans and their families.
K9 for Warriors is the largest provider of service dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or military sexual trauma. Carl shares K9’s history, approach, and impact, and John, as someone who has a service dog from K9s for warriors, shares his inspiring story and how his dog, Henry, made all the difference in the world for him on his journey of healing with honor.
 
Key Takeaways:
[2:03] Col. Sam Whitehurst (Ret.) explains what Heal with Honor is about.
[4:02] Carl shares the background for K9 for Warriors.
[6:15] Carl talks about 9/11 being the second worst day of his life.
[8:03] John shares his perspective about K9 for Warriors.
[12:38]  How are dogs selected? What kind of training do they go through?
[14:24] John talks about his experience with a service dog.
[15:51] Carl describes the K9 for Warriors program.
[17:58] John talks about the science that backs up the importance of the connection between veterans and service dogs.
[19:26] Carl talks about the legislation that helps to connect a service dog to a veteran.
[21:02] John shares his words with all those struggling veterans: Ask for help; you are not alone.
[25:07] John and Carl share their call to action with all military veterans. 
[27:14] Donate to K9 For Warriors,
 
Mentioned in this episode:
Dixon Center: Reaching America
At Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, we believe our veterans and military families can succeed where they live.
Dixon Center is named after Staff Sergeant Donnie Dixon, who was killed in action on September 29, 2007, in Iraq. Staff Sergeant Dixon was a father, husband, and Soldier who always placed the mission first and the safety of his fellow Soldiers above his own. Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services stands as a testament to his example and leadership.
Dixon Center on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and  Instagram
 
Learn more about Heal with Honor. 
 
Tweetables and quotes:
“K9s prevent veterans to fall into suicidal ideation.”
 
“When you are not seeing any progress, suicidal ideation is inevitable.”
“My scars were not visible, I thought I didn't deserve a service dog, but getting one saved my life.”
 
“It takes 6 months for a dog to get the proper training to become a service dog.”
 
“82% of veterans with service dogs had a reduction in their suicidal ideation, and 90% have a reduction in their medication dependency.”