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August’s issue of FireWatch Magazine is a cheerful salute to veterans’ service animals. In three feature articles, we explore how these wonderful companions are raised and trained, and we examine the impact they have on the lives of the veterans they serve.
Animals are not just companions. To some people—veterans especially who suffer from PTSD and other disorders—they are miracle workers. They bring joy into our lives, a sense of purpose, caring, safety, and they show us unconditional love and affection. Indeed, they lift us up meaningfully in body, mind, and spirit.
For my part, a U.S. Navy veteran myself, I am owned by two furry companions: “Gandalf the Grey”, a Russian Blue that resembles a small puma; and “Atticus Oberon”, a black Bombay with the sweetest temperament—unless you’re a stranger (there is a reason friends of mine have nicknamed him, “Attack Us”).
Mine are not service animals but, having known a number of people whose animals are in service, I know just how important a role they play in their humans’ lives.
FireWatch is proud to salute our furry friends alongside the veterans they serve! And, given this chance, may I also say what a privilege it is to be a part of FireWatch Magazine’s editorial team.
The benefit of human-animal bond for Veterans has a long history in the United States. Animal-assisted therapy dates back to at least 1919 when dogs were part of therapeutic interventions for psychiatric patients. Since then, dogs have assisted physically disabled veterans, participated in a variety of animal-assisted programs, helped rehabilitate soldiers while training service dogs for others, and provided stress control for deployed combat units.
Dogs have a predetermined willingness to observe human faces and make eye contact. As a result, both dogs and humans pay attention to others in social interactions using their tactile-kinesthetic, visual, auditory, and communication abilities. Cognition studies show that dogs are able to interpret complex social interaction cues such as cross-pointing, reverse directions, and different arm extensions. Even when a person is unaware of his or her involuntary movements, the dog is watching the non-verbal signals, considering them a priority - higher than a consciously spoken word or manifested gesture.
An excerpt from A Randomized Trial of Differential Effectiveness of Service Dog Pairing, published by Department of Veteran Affairs, Office of Research and Development, January 5, 2020.
By Mary Peter
I had a for-profit dog training business for 27 years when suddenly, there was an influx of veterans showing up. I saw they were struggling, and as I worked with them, I found they all had PTSD at different levels of severity.
I realized then that our veterans need another way to cope with symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and that service dogs could be the answer.
My for-profit business was established and successful. However, the more I interacted with veterans, the more I understood that God had a bigger plan for me. I knew I couldn’t change the world, but I knew I could make a difference. I observed challenges associated with veterans training alongside non-veterans. So, I closed my for-profit business and began a non-profit organization focused on providing service dog training for veterans.
I was a scent-detection dog trainer who had worked in body recovery with law enforcement for over eight years. I understood the power of a dog’s nose. Not only could a dog help a veteran with mobility, but they could be trained to recognize the scent of adrenaline when produced by nightmares, flashbacks, or panic attacks.
I started out with one veteran, then two, and now, we have more than 750 veterans while rescuing 262 dogs. Sometimes, a veteran will come in with their own dog, and as long as the dog meets the training criteria, we will put them into the service dog training program.
The Service Dog Training Program is a six-month course. There are a maximum of ten veterans per class, each with four trainers.
While the Master Trainer is training, the other trainers work one-on-one with the veteran and their dog. We start with basic obedience training, then move into canine CPR, followed by twelve weeks of service-level training.
The final portion of the program includes public access training, during which we visit restaurants, stores, grocery stores, and other places veterans will need to go with their service dogs.
The six-month course requires class time once per week. Each veteran and their dog will be assigned homework to do each day in between classes.
Our training gives veterans a mission. We don’t train their dog; they do.
“Your mission is to be a stellar trainer who has trained their dog to the highest standard possible,” I tell them. “You will be part of an exceptional canine team and, ultimately, a walking billboard for K9 Partners for Patriots.”
The ten-person class becomes a real unit. Even though they only have class once per week, they will often visit for personal one-to-one training; they are welcome any time.
After graduation, the graduate and their service dog must return once per year to recertify, but they come to visit much more often than that, and we love it.
This place is a second home because “Through these doors lies hope and healing.”
The cost for a veteran and service dog to complete the training course is approximately $18,000- $20,000, depending on various factors. However, the cost to qualifying veterans is FREE.
The first step is to visit the facility to learn more about the program and how to get started. Anyone can make an appointment or visit our facility to learn more about the program.
To find out more about K9 Partners for Patriots, visit us online at www.K9partnersforpatriots.com
EDITOR’S NOTE: Mary Peter is a Certified Master Dog Trainer (CMDT) and is the founder of K9 Partners for Patriots, where she works as Executive Director of Training Operations.
By KeishaMarie Douglas
Surrounded by negativity growing up, adapting to a lifestyle focused on nothing but bad things was easy. All through elementary and high school, even my time in the military, I was angry, frustrated, and judgemental. I’d get upset because of changes in my schedule because I might have to cover someone who had to leave work early to care for a sick child. I was angry because we had to go to physical training (PT), but I already knew that PT was scheduled three times a week at 1600.
Experiencing a childhood filled with negativity, anger, and judgment toward others posed significant challenges for me, especially as a young airman. This mindset hindered numerous opportunities for personal growth. Witnessing fellow airmen being selected over me only fueled my frustration further. My short temper and tendency to become hot-headed when things didn’t go my way made me question how I maintained any friendships.
Looking back, I would have told myself to calm down a lot sooner, but if I had, would I be the person I am now? Fast-forward to today, and I realize that my anger, negativity, and self-entitlement were sure ways for me to get nowhere fast. My stubbornness made things so much harder than they needed to be.
The proverb says, “If you want to go fast, go alone, and if you want to go far, go together.”
I recall a former supervisor who often said, “You attract more bees with honey than with vinegar.” Despite her own negativity, I now understand the wisdom in her words, realizing that she and I should have taken that advice to heart.
Life experiences have definitely calmed me down a lot. If I had the chance to speak to my younger self, I would recommend treatment sooner to find calm. The experiences I went through were either a lesson or a blessing.
With everything going on in the world now, instead of being angry with decisions someone else makes or a circumstance beyond my control, I don’t give energy to it. I am aware of a lot of things happening, and there are a few that I’m passionate about, but looking from a 30,000-foot aerial view, it is going to take a miracle to make everything right in this world. Because of it, I don’t involve myself in anything negative anymore. Yes, I have my opinion about things; however, there is no need to force my opinion on someone else because we all know what they say about opinions. I now focus on being positive and seeing the good in everything. Because everything happens for a reason, and as cliché as it sounds, there is a lesson to be learned in everything.
Every state has its type of natural disaster. In the Sunshine State, our enemy is the hurricane. Hurricane season lasts from June 1st through November 30th.
Wikipedia reports that Florida has had more storms hit than any other state in the U.S. From 2000 until now, 79 tropical or subtropical cyclones caused more than $236 billion in damages. 2022’s Hurricane Ian contributed a lot to that number.
According to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, four hurricanes have made landfall recently, including Hurricane Michael, the first Category 5 hurricane to land in the U.S. since Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
Hurricanes arrive as early as June, but the most active months for hurricane activity are September and October. Nevertheless, acquiring preparedness early in the season is crucial as a precaution. Don’t take it lightly! Even a category 2 storm can be frightful, causing downed power lines, trees, flooding, and other dangers. Always respect evacuation directives when given. Yes, sometimes a storm is less damaging than anticipated; however, ensuring your safety is worth the hassle of evacuating.
this QR Code or visit qrco.de/bf9oT4 to download a PDF version of the Florida Hurricane Guide for 2024.
By Kristy Verde
There is nothing as cute as a Labrador puppy. Their soulful eyes and soft ebony or yellow-gold coats make them irresistible to dog lovers.
It is a great challenge to obey the “Do Not Pet!” on the guide-dog-in-training vest. But these precious pups are preparing for their future careers and the puppy raiser holding the leash has accepted the responsibility of getting them ready. That fuzzy, playful puppy will one day be a highly-skilled service animal, lauded by their owners as agents of freedom, security, and dedicated companionship. The puppy raiser plays an integral part in the process.
Cheryl got her first puppy through Southeastern Guide Dogs (now Dogs, Inc.) in 2016 shortly after losing her dog, Jake. She began raising puppies for SGD and “swore off” pet life, never wanting that heartache again. …But remember those soulful puppy eyes!
Georgie, her first assignment, was a slender, silky black female lab. At the time, Cheryl was a teacher at an all-boys middle school, so Georgie became an unofficial school mascot.
As new puppy raisers, Cheryl and her husband Dave were in training as well. They joined a group to learn new strategies for teaching the puppy basic commands and to acclimate Georgie to all possible environments and situations.
At the end of the year, puppies go In For Training (IFT) to determine what happens next. Cheryl learned that only 30% of puppies make it as a guide dog. The others become service dogs for veterans with PTSD, bomb, arson, or skilled companion dogs for Gold Star Families, children with vision loss, and sometimes adopted back to their raisers. Regardless, the puppy raiser must say goodbye.
Many people ask Cheryl how she can give up a dog after a full year of connection.
“I never understand that question. How could I not?” says Cheryl. “It’s the opportunity to help another person get their life back. How lucky am I to be able to do that for someone AND get puppy kisses for a whole year?”
After Georgie came Frankie, Chenille, Sully, Hope, and Maggie. Each dog left a unique paw print on her heart, but she knew someone else needed them more than she did. Only one of Cheryl’s pups made it through advanced seeing-eye dog training. Sully is now the proud companion of a visually impaired veteran.
Cheryl is beyond grateful to the veterans who sacrificed so much and raising these little superheroes is her way of saying, “thank you.”
Cheryl recently had a Zoom call with Chenille and her handler, a veteran.
“It was amazing!” said Cheryl, cheerfully. “There was no doubt they were meant to be together and together they will be unstoppable.”
Georgie, Frankie, and Hope all transitioned to therapy assignments.
Then along came Maggie. Sweet, sassy, smart. Cheryl was certain she would find the perfect career with someone.
Maggie had other plans. At the end of the year, she went IFT. She was released within a month after going to advanced training. Cheryl and Dave, now living in Kansas, decided to adopt Maggie.
Maggie is training to work with students in the school district. The couple will soon be raising puppies again, but this time with KSDS (Kansas Specialty Dog Service).
Many organizations need puppy raisers. Locally, Southeastern Guide Dogs, now Dogs, Inc., is the most well-known. If interested in becoming a puppy raiser, visit Dogs, Inc. and go to the “Get Involved” tab.
By Toni Hedstrom
Sophros Recovery’s first location opened in Jacksonville, Florida, in 2021, and its new Tampa location also serves central Floridians.
Sophros Recovery is a treatment center for addiction and mental health challenges that started with founder Nick Padlo’s own experience with recovery. Nick, a West Point graduate and Army Veteran with deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan, battled his reintegration processes that led to addiction after leaving military service.
Sophros Recovery strives to address underlying conditions related to drug and alcohol addiction, but also the reasons people begin to use in the first place. For
veterans, Padlo recognizes, “We learn a lot of stuff in the military, but we don’t learn how to navigate emotions.”
Sophros Recovery utilizes a recovery toolkit that teaches how to manage and work through life. This series of tools and skills helps one learn how to navigate life and relationships better. For some veterans, separation from service is a separation from the military’s hardline core values, leaving veterans to wander without a sense of purpose or mission. Having lived in a state of hypervigilance, veterans find themselves in a passive world; This can be a challenge.
For Padlo, who “lost more friends to
suicide than to IEDs,” understanding a veteran’s mindset through personal experience has helped him identify the differences between mental and physical pain, “You can’t just run through the pain when it comes to mental health like you could a sprained ankle.”
“I get it,” exclaims Padlo, “It’s hard not knowing where to go, to carry too much pride, and to believe you should be able to handle whatever is going on. I always ask fellow veterans considering help, “Would you ever run away from an enemy in combat? Then, why are you running away from this one?” I remind them that the only way out is through.”
Join Veterans and our families on the 4th Monday of each month
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FOR TRAINING, ENGAGING, AND EXPLORING CAREER AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP ADVANCEMENTS
Who would have thought that a birthday present could ignite a passion and set a career path in motion?
It was my son’s 13th birthday when my husband and I decided to give him private pilot lessons. His enthusiasm was palpable, and his performance was remarkable.
But the one thing that exceeded our expectations: his competence. It was not purely due to my husband’s military flying expertise, or our son’s innate talent. Microsoft’s Flight Simulator played a crucial role in honing his skills.
With my background in educational entertainment, and my son’s neurodiverse way of thinking, I realized that gamification could assist in career development.
Gamification is a strategy that applies game design techniques to non-game contexts to motivate individuals and solve problems. It’s about taking the essence of games: fun, play, transparency, challenge, and applying it to real-world objectives.
In many ways, we’ve always relied on games to learn. Whether it’s a toddler learning shapes through a puzzle or a business trainee using a simulation to learn project management, games have always been tools for learning.
What has changed now is technology has enabled gamification to evolve and become more immersive and interactive.
Gamification isn’t just limited to education; it’s making its mark in various industries, such as health, finance, and transport. It is successfully persuading people to change their behaviors, develop skills or solve problems. From apps that reward you for meeting your daily step count to corporate training programs that use leaderboards and badges to foster healthy competition among employees, gamification is everywhere.
In the corporate world, companies are incorporating gamification in their training and development programs.
It’s not just about making learning fun, it’s about making it effective and efficient.
And the results are promising. Companies are reporting increased engagement, better retention, and improved performance.
The Microsoft Flight Simulator wasn’t just a game for my son, it was a tool for learning. He gained skills and knowledge that would have otherwise taken years to acquire. The intricate details, the precise instructions, the realistic flying experience, everything demystified the world of aviation for him.
His competence didn’t go unnoticed either, as his pilot instructor was impressed by his knowledge and aptitude. The simulator gave him a sense of purpose and direction and reassured him of his capabilities.
Whether you are a parent, an educator, a trainer, or someone exploring career paths or transitioning from the military, I encourage you to consider gamification in your lessons for exciting, engaging, and effective learning experiences. Because at the heart of it, gamification is about harnessing the power of play for learning, for improvement, and for success.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Kat Mahoney is the visionary leader and executive producer of Katnip & Coffee Work Life Balance and is, among many other distinctions, former National Military Spouse of the Year, and Chair of the Greater Brandon Chamber Military Affairs Committee. To learn more about her program, visit www.katnipandcoffee.com.
By Josh Porthouse
Ben Franklin said, “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
While his objection was meant for the Pennsylvania Penn family who were trying to buy their way into a mid-18th century tax abatement, in modern times, it has come to more colloquially symbolize a balance between security and freedom in the name of convenience. If by no more coincidence than application, his point certainly holds merit today.
In one corner, we have Technology, the newcomer from Silicon Valley revolutionizing every aspect of our lives and having a permanent and irreparable impact on global industry and society.
In the other corner, we have freedom, our reigning champion of truth, justice, and the American way, with its declarations of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Some people say that relying more heavily on technology gives us freedom and autonomy over our time and lives. Others claim that inherent within that system, nefarious actors are bent on dismantling American hubris worldwide.
Turns out, both schools of thought are true. With generations of experience and insight into terrorism and counterinsurgencies, many veterans understand how easily threat organizations can blend into the crowd intent on gaining political, religious, or ideological control over noncombatants.
Preparedness, not paranoia—that’s what we bring to the conversation. Wars throughout history have incited catalysts for societal change. If indeed art mimics life, then the style of warfighting, the art of war, will continue to teach what may yet be the appropriate lessons.
Here’s how these veterans view this risk management continuum within cyberspace.
How do we address the digital trend of trading security for convenience?
This, unfortunately, is just part of the ever-changing world we live in. From an OPSEC perspective, all the tenets of having good security “hygiene” still apply, and following the basics will always be the best initial line of defense. Additionally, we need to ensure that we remain ever vigilant (not typically an issue for most veterans) and pick and choose how we use technology / what information we share is sterilized and safe for public consumption.
— R. Lee, USMC
Realistically, we can address and discuss the issues of convenience versus inconvenience regarding physical security all day long. However, it boils down to one thing: the willingness of the individual and the organization to properly ensure the safeguarding of the property they are responsible for.
As military police, our primary concern is the safeguarding and security of the installation, including all personnel, property, and critical infrastructure associated.
Having areas with digital forms of security, such as alarms and digital access devices, can make things easier to monitor. They also come with higher risks because those areas can be accessed by people with malicious intent who do not have proper authorization.
Areas such as locked gates with security fencing are just as susceptible. However, it goes back to the lengths the individual is willing to go to to commit a serious offense. So, how do we ultimately address this? The simple answer is to eliminate all possibilities of mixing technological errors with human errors. Finding the common ground between these two is the starting point for understanding proper physical security.
— W. Grissom, USN
EDITOR’S NOTE: Josh Porthouse is currently a Marine Corps Reservist with 14 years on active duty. As a Team FireWatch Veteran Voices Contributor, Josh works alongside other veterans to bring a personal perspective to relevant topics for today’s active-duty and veteran service members.
Contribute your voice! Send your story to us at VetVoices@FireWatchMagazine.com. Submit topic ideas or answers to past questions and join the conversation at #vetvoices.
BY CHRIS “RANGER” GAY
As we near the end of summer, most of us are looking forward to the cooler months ahead and if you are anything like me, you are looking forward to getting back out to the range.
Yes, we can train indoors in the AC, but if you like to shoot as much as I do, you know it is not the same and the outdoor ranges are just flat out more enjoyable.
Air Force Veteran Beverly Sheffield’s biggest gift was the gift of giving. She had dreamt of opening a Christian Preschool. Through her generosity, Harvester Sheffield Christian Preschool is here with a pledge to teach the love of God to our children and to strengthen our community spiritually through the families we serve.
As we prepare for our range days, it is always good to have a plan. I mean anybody can just go out and fire off some rounds, but are you improving? Are you practicing good fundamentals? Are you practicing with likely scenarios?
If you cannot answer yes to those questions, are you really getting the most out of your firearm, and more importantly, your expensive ammo? When Ted and I go to the range, we try to focus on two-to-three things that we want to work on while we are there and keep it simple.
First, we decide what type of weapon we are going to focus on. It is easy to take every single firearm you own to the range, but if you are not planning to shoot the shotgun, why take it? Keep it simple.
Ask yourself these simple questions:
1.) Concealed – am I going to work on my concealed carry, drawing from the holster, or threat assessment?
2.) Speed – am I working on my trigger reset, recoil control, or target acquisition speed?
3.) Accuracy – am I working on my accuracy at distance or at defense distances?
4.) Zero – do I need to sight in a new sight system (irons, red dot, scope, etc.).
Second, I need to prepare for that type of training. What type of range do I need? What type of ammo? What type of gear, and what type of targets? For instance:
Range: Long distance, short distance, can I draw from a concealed? Is the firing line sufficient for my needs? Do they allow fast shooting there? What type of target systems do they provide/allow? Some ranges have rules against some of these things, so it is always a good idea to research before you go.
Speed Training: Do I know how to improve my speed? Do I have a shot clock? Will the range allow for rapid fire (not full auto, just rapid trigger pulls)? Do I need some instruction on techniques, should I complete some dry fire drills first, etc.?
Accuracy: are my fundamentals sound? Do I have good trigger control, breathing control, consistence sight picture, maybe a friend with a spotter scope?
Zero: Does the range have the correct distance (preferably 1-100yds)? Does it have a target retrieval system or do I need to move down range each time? Does it have acceptable platforms to be comfortable for me and the
firearm? Do I have the proper sight adjustment tools with me? Will the range allow sight adjustments while the range is hot?
These are all particularly important as you prepare because range time and ammo are not cheap. There is nothing worse than getting everything loaded up and ready then arriving to find out you’re not allowed to do what you want.
Getting ready for range day is just as critical as range day itself, so hopefully I have helped you in preparing to get the most out of range day. In the meantime, happy shooting! And remember, we are only as good as out tools.
If we do not practice, then we can never be good. And you do not ever want to miss the perfect shot in hunting, or God forbid, not be prepared to defend yourself and your loved ones, so get out there and prepare!
EDITOR’S NOTE: Chris “Ranger” Gay is a U.S. Army veteran and the owner of 2nd Amendment Armory in Brandon, Florida.
By Toni Hedstrom
This story is about green beans, a veteran and his family, and a dog, or dogs, to be more precise.
The story starts in the desert warzone of Iraq with soldier Sean Brown. Sean joined the U.S. Army in 2006 and served in the Intelligence and Quartermaster Corps. Sean followed in his parents’ footsteps, both of whom had served: his dad for 28 years and his mom for 14 years.
The U.S. Army eventually sent Sean to Iraq three times, where some bad things happened, causing Sean’s medical
and the bills paid. “At the end of the day,” Sean says, “I was struggling just to find life, to find success.”
Like many service members, Sean had a story about the bad thing, but he kept that story inside, leading to recklessness and indulgence. Life seemed to take some dark turns after service.
Sean was living in Savannah, where “everyone loves their troops,” Sean says, “but where no one would hire me because I would wake up in the morning with no feeling in my legs.”
Sean worked four or five part-time jobs to keep the lights on
Sean had a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), a dead spot on the left side of his brain. He had been through more than nine surgeries on his left knee, including total knee replacement, and he suffered from a degeneration of the spine. Waking up and starting the day was physically difficult; in addition to that, loss of purpose and hope can be dangerous.
An adrenaline rush is addictive, and sometimes, Sean finds himself on a motorcycle he can ride fast and recklessly to feel alive again.
Sean found a camaraderie he had been missing with a motorcycle group in Savannah. “We rode a lot, partied a lot, and mostly all suffered from PTSD,” he explains.
Sean’s Harley Davidson had become his outlet and tool for escape, but it was only a matter of time.
“With the injuries I have, I knew it was a ticking time bomb,” Sean says. “I knew my leg would ultimately give out. I just waited each day for it to happen.”
One day, Sean stopped at a stoplight while on his Harley, and
his left knee gave out. The bike was falling, and he couldn’t stop it. “I had to decide to put away the bike before I hurt myself or somebody else,” he laments.
Sean had met the woman he would marry after his medical discharge from the service. With many military spouses, she rode the waves of emotion alongside her husband with every challenge, disappointment, and loss.
His attempts to feel better, both physically and emotionally, depended on a massive number of pills prescribed by his doctors. He was filled with hostility and anger, most of which he kept from his wife until the green beans.
It was a day like any other, and Sean had prepared dinner for his wife, who was pregnant then. The meal he prepared included green beans; his wife liked green beans. However, she had read
that green beans were unhealthy while pregnant, so she chose not to eat them.
Something at that moment, in that simple event, triggered Sean, who flew into a rage, pounding a hole into a wall of their home. He loved his wife and would never hurt her, but the bottled-up emotions were just too much to hold back.
“My wife turned to me and said, ‘Sean, you need help.’” Sean admits with a grin, “Happy Spouse, Happy House – Happy Wife, Happy Life.”
The two began researching available programs for veterans. It wasn’t long before they realized that a service dog was the answer.
By Kurt Waterstradt
There’s a special bond between a person and their pet(s). They become family, but not like the family that only visits on the holidays or sends the obligatory birthday card. Pets become the stalwart family member that’s always there for you. No matter what’s happening, happy or sad, rain or shine, they are steady and faithful.
We can learn a lot from animals. While their life might not be as complicated as yours, they have an inherent quality everyone appreciates. They don’t ask themselves whether or not a person deserves their empathy and affection. In the purest way, pets are completely magnanimous in their displays of empathy and affection.
If you grew up with a pet, you know how effortless the empathy and love they share is. Whether you had a good day or bad, they instinctually support you in the moment.
While different animals have amazing physical abilities, they all have this empathetic devotion in their DNA. I am grateful for service animals because they’re a living reminder to live with empathy, especially when life is challenging.
You might be experiencing challenging times. Others closest to you might be going through some challenges. The world feels challenging. You probably pass legions of people struggling every day. However, unlike our furry friends, our empathy gets dialed up or down based on reasons that, in the end, don’t really matter.
Instead of natural empathy for the other person, we trivialize the differences. These demographics—that we created by the way—are factored into whether we choose to express empathy for another human. This isn’t accusatory, as I’ve done this before too. And I am sorry for it.
It’s our shared humanity that makes us stronger, not our differences. We need to remember that. At our core, humans are good and kind. Regardless of the reasons why we might disagree—and I know we’re good at finding those—it’s time to put them aside.
Take a cue from the service animals and pets you see every day. Allow your empathy to be unrestrained, and uncompromising.
Judith Orloff, a psychiatrist and best-selling author, said, “Empathy is the medicine the world needs.”
You are the medicine. You can choose empathy and help someone else and yourself. Anytime you help someone, you inherently feel better, right?
Every action, from opening the door for a stranger to dropping some money into a person’s cup that’s suffering, is medicine with incalculable positive ripple effects.
The next time you see your pet, pass a person walking their dog, or encounter a service animal helping a person in need, think about their heroic empathy, and choose to honor them by following their example. The world, and you, will be better for it.
By Stephen J. Del Castillo
I took about four hours out of my Sunday this weekend to take some business training. Sure enough, the investment didn’t disappoint.
I learned some things and was reminded of other things about business, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
I love learning. So as I verify with the three questions at the end of every Krav Maga Martial Arts class: Yes, I did have fun, do my best, and learned something new or made something better.
One thing jumped out in the training that I would like to share with you, as I think this is relevant to whatever you do.
The teacher said that there are only a handful of things that every successful business leader has in common and that the one that he’s sure everyone shares is the growth mindset.
This reminder was edifying to me in two important ways:
1. This is a strength for me and the single thing that has allowed me to improve myself in every way from year to year.
2. This is one of the important attributes that we develop as Blackbelt Leaders at Krav Maga Martial Arts.
The teacher, Vishen Lakhiani, talked about how rare the trait is, though common to the most successful people, and how the very decision to invest a part of a weekend to grow personally is a foreign idea to most.
He also explained that the most successful business leaders he knows have a growth mindset and that, contrary to what we may think, say, or believe, these don’t compete but are synergistic.
For example, health, fitness, and good relationships don’t compete with but rather work together to multiply one’s career success.
Like so many leadership truths, I think the premise is about as true as we make it to be. It will work as well as we work it. I plan to make it true for me. I hope you do as well.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Stephen J. Del Castillo is a Krav Maga Grand Master and Founding Master Instructor of Krav Maga Martial Arts (KMMA) school in Lutz, Florida.
BY: KEN SMITS
“We’ve got an interesting one this time, guys.” Sergeant Billings’s face is filled with trepidation.
We gather around the picnic table behind the barracks as Billings pulls out a small notebook. I look at my watch; it’s 0700 hours.
“Heavy enemy contact was made ten kilometers from our operation area,” he goes on. “Intelligence reports divisional-size NVA activity. Gentlemen, this could be a bad one. Enemy contact is possible. There are no friendly forces in the immediate area. Three companies of ARVN and four companies of Korean soldiers are engaged in heavy fighting with enemy units near Binh Khe Pass.”
We are further informed that an American Cavalry Battalion is being airlifted to support the ARVN units that are pinned down and taking heavy casualties. An additional American Armored Battalion is moving up Highway 19 to support the battle. Two companies of American Airborne units are being held in reserve to support our operation or the battle at Ninh Khe Pass.
As for fire support, we have both field artillery and air available, but only on priority mission. All available fire support is engaged in the skirmish near the pass.
“The mission is to find and destroy a USAF OV-10A Bronco aircraft that was shot down early this morning. We’re to blow the plane in place; location 773891.
“Execution: Smitty, you’ll blow the aircraft and equipment on board with comp C-4 and electrical delay fuse. Clint, your boys will provide perimeter defense at the site. You’ll also provide point and rear-guard during movement and at danger areas. Primary route Yellow, alternate route Red.”
Ration lists, signals, and radio call signs are given, but Billings appears nervous as he completes the orders. He seems to be struggling to appear relaxed. I wonder if he’s not telling us something.
The USAF Kaman HH-43 Huskie helicopters descend out of the clear blue sky, dropping A-Team off one element at a time. The LZ is a small clearing large enough for one chopper to land.
The security element disembarks first to set up a protective perimeter at the landing zone. Within seconds, the demo element exits their slick. As the wap-wapwapping of the Huskie’s rotors drift away, the team’s already moving south along Route Yellow.
Tex takes point, followed by Loverboy, then me. The demo element is next, trailed by the rear guard of Worm, Stoney, and Frenchie.
As the sound of the choppers fades away the exploding sound of bombs, rockets, and mortars can be heard off in the distance reminding me of thunder. The team of eleven men moves carefully and quietly along the trail. The foot path follows the course of the river through the long winding valley.
The jungle is too quiet and still. I pass the word through the use of hand signals to stay alert. The tension builds inside my body, my heart rate increases, pounding in my chest. With the death of Willie less than a week ago, these strolls down jungle trails take on a new frightening dimension.
The team stays close together. The interval between each man is fifteen feet. Tex, the cowboy wannabe from Pawnee, Texas, looks out of his element as he walks point. His slow leisurely pace keeps the team moving cautiously along the trail.
He’d never been more than one hundred miles from his hometown prior to joining the Air Force. Now he leads A-Team through the jungle—a world away from Pawnee.
Being on point is the most nerve-racking duty. Looking for booby traps, you have more area to cover with your eyes, including the ground in front of you. Plus, there’s always a chance that if we run into the enemy, you’ll be the first to see them. Or they’ll be the first to see you, which can mess up your whole day.
Out of nowhere, the silence is broken. Hell has come to this trail in South Vietnam. TO BE CONTINUED…..
Ryder Gason spent 16 years in service; 10 years in the Air Force, and 6 years in the National Guard.
“I had some phenomenal mentors when I got out,” Ryder says. “I was blessed. A lot of our veterans nowadays don’t have that.”
What mentors couldn’t help with were the migraines. For more than 20 years, Ryder woke every day with a migraine, living in a “dull roar” and taking pills nonstop.
“I had taken pills for so long, and so consistently I would forget how many I was taking,” he explains.
The decades of pain and pill-popping had taken its toll when he was given an ultimatum by his doctor: stop taking the pills, or your kidneys and liver will fail, and you will die.
“I was at a point in time when the pills were killing me, and I couldn’t live with the headaches. I felt I had no other option but to take my own life,” says Ryder.
Remembering his own desperation is what drives him to reach out to other people and share what helped him pull through.
Ryder’s first introduction to cryotherapy was through a coworker who convinced him to try this “new age” wellness program.
“It wasn’t like the migraines were gone after the first session,” says Ryder, “but something was different. I remember walking outside the center and getting 20 feet before I realized I hadn’t put on my sunglasses.”
That one glint of hope sent Ryder to research everything he could about cryotherapy. He committed to continuous treatments, and after about six weeks, he woke for the first time in 20 years without a headache.
“It’s not a cure-all,” he explains, “but if you stay on top of it, it can help.”
For Ryder, it not only helped eliminate his migraines, but he also noticed his anxiety and depression exiting, “There were things I had never dealt with that I was finally able to process,” he says.
Cryotherapy for veterans
Ryder began to think about veterans who struggle with their military experiences and transitioning into the civilian world.
“I understood veterans were not provided a way to get their brain and bodies working right to heal their physical and moral injuries.”
Ryder had his own experiences but was also very aware of the incredible amount of people being lost to suicide.
“The number people know is 22,” says Ryder, “but the actual number is more like 40 veterans per day are lost to suicide.”
“I became a better member of my family and household through Cryotherapy,” he goes on. “Not waking up with a headache and being able to communicate first thing in the morning altered every aspect of my life. I quickly understood that we had to figure out how to bring this to veterans in a way they can afford.”
It was then that Ryder and his wife sat down to formulate a plan to introduce Cryotherapy to the veteran and first responder communities. Now, through Ryder’s non-profit organization, CRYOEEZE 22, veterans and first responders can explore Cryotherapy at no cost.
To find out more about CRYOEEZE 22 visit them on the web at www.cryoeeze22.org.
Do you have a small budget but want to have a BIG TIME? You should visit one of our local Pasco County Parks and spend the day Kayaking. What we love about kayaking is its connection to nature. Kayaking is an activity suitable for beginners. Each kayaker determines their own speed and distance without pressure. You can choose whether to explore a winding river or make your way into the Gulf of Mexico. Some parks require an entry fee. On average, you may spend $5 per carload.
If you don’t own your own kayak, no worries! Local kayak rental companies offer 2, 4, and 8-hour rental rates for both single and tandem kayaks. They most likely also provide life jackets. Save $$$ Pack your lunch and bring plenty of water. Google Search > Kayak rentals in Pasco County
Anclote River Park in Holiday, Florida, is at the north end of the Anclote River, where it meets the Gulf of Mexico. It is home to the busiest boat ramp in Pasco County. Kayakers and Canoers have access to a private dock for safe and easy water access. Some visitors choose the white sand beach to launch from.
Eagle Point Park in New Port Richey, Florida, provides easy access to the Gulf of Mexico via Trouble Creek. The Eagle Point Park launchpad is located next to the parking lot. Hop out of the car, and into the kayak people!
Middle Lake Park in Dade City, Florida, offers 200 acres of freshwater lake abounding with nature and tranquility.
Robert J. Strickland Memorial Park in Hudson, Florida, also known as ‘Hudson Beach,’ offers a convenient launch at the south end of the park with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico.
Robert K. Rees Memorial Park in New Port Richey, Florida, is a bird watchers paradise, and a quiet place to launch.
Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City, Florida, where the Withlacoochee “River Runs Through It”. This “local favorite” features an abundance of wildlife, including bald eagles.
The first few organizations they approached required thousands of dollars to get a dog.
Then they found Southeastern Guide Dogs where, if Sean qualified, he could get a dog for zero dollars, yes, zero!
Sean put in his application. “I was coming out of a pretty bad appointment at the VA when I received the call that there was a dog for me, and my life changed forever.”
Pella, the angel with four legs and a tail.
On the Southeastern Guide Dogs Campus, there are many buildings. Each has a specific purpose, and we will get into that. For now, I want to share the rooms guests stay in and the chairs they sit in when they first meet their dog.
During our visit to the SGD Campus, we took a tour of the entire facility. Sean shared each and every aspect of the Campus, as well as exciting future plans for the organization to grow its service dog footprint. When we reached the guest rooms, he smiles a big smile and points to the chair where he met Pella.
The joy in his memory spread to all of us in the room, and we learned about the incredible, happy, and life-changing moments in these comfy chairs.
“Pella knew when I was upset or anxious,” Sean said. “She would immediately come to me and calm me down. I had spent so many years behind a mask, pretending to be okay, but I didn’t have to lie or hide from Pella; she just knew.”
Sean, and his family alongside him, had been struggling with his avoiding public places.
“I didn’t like to be in crowded places and would avoid going to restaurants and stores,” Sean says. “Now, with Pella, I know she has my back.”
Sean and Pella’s relationship grew to where they knew what each other was thinking.
“Pella had a command that she would do without me having to say a word,” Sean says. “It was ‘find the door.’ She could sense a large crowd. If it was too compacted and too much for me, she would pull on the leash and drag me to the nearest door.”
After several years, Pella let Sean know that she was done working.
“There is a way to tell when a service dog needs to retire. Pella had developed an adverse reaction to noise, which was a clear sign she was tired and ready to enjoy retirement,” he explained.
Service dogs must retire before age 11, but SGD performs annual follow-ups with the dog and its person to ensure everything is good. Sean didn’t waste any time and quickly applied for his successor dog and was happily paired with Nick.
“We all live happily together,” Sean says. “We now have Pella, Nick, and another small puppy we are raising.”
Everything started in a small farmhouse with three dogs and a station wagon in 1982.
Within the last six years, the Campus has been built with completely paid-for buildings that are all category four hurricanerated. The entire Campus sits on 33 acres of land in Palmetto, Florida. Recently, SGD acquired 30-plus neighboring acres that will be used for growth expansion.
Sean credits SGD CEO Titus Herman, who ensures all programs and infrastructure are paid for before construction or implementation. “We don’t start a project unless it is completely funded. This allows us to put 100% of our proceeds towards the mission,” Sean explains.
Southeastern Guide Dogs began as a guide dog center for the visually impaired.
Sean recalls Michael Jernigan, one of the first veterans to get a dog from Southeastern Guide Dogs. He was the first post-9/11 injured Marine with visual impairment who had come through the program. “We realized that our dog was helping him to mitigate PTSD, thus becoming the cornerstone of our service dog program,” Sean says.
The Puppy Academy building has 12 wings. The mom dogs come here for labor and delivery and are treated to aroma therapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, music therapy, and more.
The building is one of the cleanest places we have ever seen—you could eat off the floor!
Sean points us to a wall of thick windows where we can peak
in on newborns, just like in a human hospital nursery, minus the little cribs. Sean explains that many puppies are born at night, so someone is always there to care for them.
There is care and incredible science that goes into the breeding of these exceptional dogs. SGD uses a breeding cooperative, a natural program where two dogs are paired and given the opportunity to mate.
sophomore, junior, or senior class dogs. They have roommates and even dorm parties.
“They have a blast!” Sean says.
He points out the silence around the building and lets us know that the dogs inside the university have been trained not to bark. “It is called the quiet protocol. They know they won’t get a treat if they are barking.”
“There is a honeymoon suite in the back,” says Sean. “We match up two dogs, play a little music, and Wala.” (In my mind, I am imagining the scene from Lady and the Tramp with the spaghetti.)
SGD has relationships with other guide dog schools nationwide to remain biodiverse and genetically diverse. The key is to have the healthiest dogs with the right temperament. The science behind SGD has managed to breed hip dysplasia down to 3% of its Labrador Retrievers, when 30% of all Labs typically suffer from the disease.
The newborn pups will stay with their moms for the first six to eight weeks of life. During that time, Mom gets breaks, including spa days.
Pre-K starts at just two days old in a room full of novel objects and training tools.
As they grow, the puppies have a daily training plan. They practice “dress up” with their harnesses, work on becoming desensitized to loud noises such as vacuums, and they are taught to look up and see things above their heads.
If there is a dog with special educational needs, they implement protocols for them to learn and excel. Service dogs and guide dogs must have confidence, thus becoming a highly targeted trait.
The Puppy Academy includes an operating clinic for X-ray machines, estrogen machines, and cryo chambers for stored semen, called “sperm vision.” There is a canine ophthalmologist on site and just about any other medical service you can imagine.
A canine fitness center is complete with a splash park for pool parties. The fitness center has essential training tools, such as a room with airline seats so dogs can be trained to operate on an airline, on buses, and in other tight places.
The Canine University is an X-Wing building that houses the class-ready dogs. Each wing of the building is for the freshman,
The Veterans Courtyard is an outdoor area that had a Grand Reopening in 2023 hosted by the Armed Forces Family Foundation. It is a place where attending veterans can come out and relax, have fun, and connect with each other.
In addition to the significant buildings and amenities for the guide and service dogs, the campus has a fully functional student center and dormitory, including a gym, lounge areas, laundry facilities, and computer rooms for its guests.
When Sean received his dog, his family also decided to move to Florida after Sean was offered a position at Southeastern Guide Dogs. He is currently the acting Associate Director of Philanthropy for the organization. Sean spends three to four days a week on Campus, and he has the flexibility to work remotely when he needs to.
“One of the things we talk about in the military is taking care of the troops. We take care of each other,” Sean says. “I get to do that again, working here at Southeastern Guide Dogs.”
He has found a place and a purpose at SGD in his five years with the organization.
He remembers where he was before Pella.
“It’s rare as a veteran that lives with what I’ve lived through, the pain that I live with daily, to be able to sit down on most days and say, I’m okay. I’m home. I’m making progress.”
There is so much more to this story. We encourage you to watch for an expanded feature in an upcoming edition of FireWatch Magazine. As for Sean, he continues to witness the changing of lives with Nick by his side, and for him, that is a very good thing.
Pork chops offer a lower-cost meat option than beef. You can normally find great sales on bulk pork chops and freeze them for later use. But that does not mean they are cheap. So, if you spend money on quality pork, you should know how to make the perfect juicy pork chops.
The method of grilling is the same for pork chops as it is for the perfect ribeye steak, but with one very different step for pork chops. Dry aging in the refrigerator is the method for rib-eye steaks. The secret to a perfect rib-eye is salting it and placing it on a wire rack in the refrigerator for four to 24 hours. But it is just the opposite for pork.
The secret to a juicy pork chop is brining. Brining is not just for the Thanksgiving turkey. Brining is the process of submerging a cut of meat into a solution of salt and water. It not only adds flavor and seasoning from the inside out, but it also changes the meat’s physical nature. The salt in brine denatures the meat’s proteins to allow the cells to retain more moisture. Brining is easy and takes no work. It just takes planning to include brining time in your preparation process. There are numerous brining seasonings methods, from salt only to salt and spices combined.
The brining process takes at least four hours, but twentyfour hours is ideal for best results if you have the time. Place your pork chops in a container that you can seal. A zip-lock bag works well, too. Pour the brine mix over the chops and completely cover them. Place them in the refrigerator for four to 24 hours.
Scan the QR Code above for the full recipe.
Estate Planning • Probate • Elder Law Tampa, Florida
DebBaker@LondonBakerLaw.com 813-586-1DEB (1332)
Welcome to all things finance. I will be writing monthly to discuss a range of financial topics including terminology, options, and strategy.
You can expect segments on budgeting, credit, vehicles for retirement savings, qualified vs. non-qualified funds, tax implications, risk tolerance, investing, compound interest, and the zero floor.
If you can’t make heads or tails of all the acronyms, 401K, 403B, IRA, TSP, ROTH, you are not alone. Understanding the lingo and what these various products do will give you a head start on your journey to financial wellness.
We will tackle the financial psychology that shapes our views and attitudes about money. Financial psychology is the study of beliefs about money and how it influences behavior.
Why is this important? The deep-seated financial beliefs established in earlier years drive our financial decisions and habits.
How our beliefs about money develop fit into four categories.
1.) Developmental. Our beliefs are influenced and shaped by our upbringing. Our parents’ behavior and beliefs often become our own.
2.) Generational/ intergenerational. Behavior & beliefs about money are passed down from one generation to the next.
3.) Societal. Beliefs about money are influenced by the people we hangout with, friends, coworkers, and neighbors.
4.) Systemic. Beliefs about money are influenced by our socioeconomic status, race ethnicity, gender, etc.
We can function from an abundance or a scarcity mindset and that depends a lot on whether we have experienced financial trauma. Financial trauma results in signs that show up in our behavior including financial avoidance, overspending, underspending, and lack of financial boundaries.
As we move through the topics I’ve outlined we will discuss how financial psychology impacts our decision making. Come back for more in the next issue of FireWatch.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Sara Bachelder is a retirement planning specialist trained under Shirley Luu, a nationally recognized expert in financial planning. Sara provides personalized guidance on maximizing military retirement benefits, optimizing TSP investments, and integrating other sources of retirement income. Her goal is to empower veterans with the knowledge and strategies necessary to achieve true financial freedom.
The Hope and Action series aims to serve our veterans, active-duty personnel, first responders, and their families through (MICA) MOBILIZE – INQUIRE – CONNECT - ACT
Date: Thursday, August 8, 2024 | Time: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Sunshine Health 200 West Waters Ave. Tampa, FL 33604
Join #TeamFireWatch, Veterans, First Responders, Families, and Friends at Mulligans Irish Pub located at the Plantation Palms Golf and Country Club in Land O’Lakes, Florida, for networking, good food, and camaraderie. Enjoy giveaways from your favorite businesses.
Date: Thursday, August 15, 2024 | Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd. Land O’Lakes, FL 34639
Featuring an outdoor Sand Volleyball Tournament (4 Player Teams), a Giant Pong Tournament (2 Player Teams), and an indoor Corn Hole Tournament (2 Player Teams). Prizes are awarded to tournament winners. More info and tickets: BubblesforVets.org
Location: The Rec Dec of St. Pete 380 105th Terrace NE St. Petersburg, FL 33716
Date: THURSDAY
August 15, 2024
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location:
Mulligan’s Irish Pub
Plantation Palms
Golf Club
23253 Plantation Palms Blvd.
Land O’Lakes, FL 34639
Veterans and Service Members: BRING YOUR FireWatch Magazine for a $1 Beer at Mulligan’s Irish Pub in Land O’Lakes! (see coupon page 13)
Join #TeamFireWatch on the open-air patio at Mulligan’s Irish Pub for an evening of networking and friendship. Come meet FireWatch advertisers, contributors, and community members as we celebrate veterans, service members, and first responders.
FireWatch magazine will highlight local businesses supporting our area’s veteran community each month. Scan the QR code to learn more about each of the Team FireWatch classified advertisers.
ACKERMAN FAMILY ENTERPRISES
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REAL ESTATE FOR VETERANS
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VETERANS FUNERAL CARE
Serving the entire Tampa Bay area. Veteran family-owned. Crematory on premises. We help you with all VA claims. Clearwater (727) 524-9202.
SARA B. & ASSOCIATES
High-quality financial products through A-rated companies. Life Insurance/Annuities. (813) 997-1947 i nfo@iamsarab.com
LUTZ CEMETERY
Rest with Dignity and Honor Managed by The American Legion 108 Lutz Seeking Applications for Legion HONOR GUARD Contact Bob 908.655.7927
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
BARRACKS BRAWL
Secure Your Shelter & Future Keller Williams Realty New Tampa. Be a Real Estate professional today! FREE licensing prep course Josh Porthouse (352) 978-2265
MARTIN SECURITY SERVICES
Specializing in home/business complete security systems. No long-term contracts. Free consultation. 10% military & FR discount. (813) 352-6398
