Homeland
Resources Support Inspiration
Vol. 2 Number 8 • August 2015
What’s Next? Military Personnel Transitioning to Civilian Life
The Benefits of Education Jobs After Military Service REBOOT Workshop Helping Vets Transition FREEDOM - A Living Symbol Women Veterans In Justice System
Dog Days Of Summer A Tribute To Service Dogs
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Welcome to Military Auto Center Where Everyday is Military Appreciation Day!
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Be sure to visit our virtual showroom of inventory available for purchase. There you will see detailed information about each vehicle, a picture gallery, as well as convenient ways to contact us for more information about that vehicle. Come see us if you’re looking for a vehicle and if it is not in our inventory we will do our best to locate what you are looking for. Poor Credit ~ Active duty military only.. ~ give us a call.. we can help even if your credit score is below 500 ~ only $500 down Call us today!!!! (Active Duty only.... Rates from 8.99% to no more than 19.49%)
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HOMELAND / August 2015
VA Home Loans for Veterans by a Veteran As a homeowner myself using my VA loan and as a multiple home investor, I understand purchasing a home is one of the biggest and most important purchases someone will make in their lifetime. Being a 10-year active duty Veteran as an Airborne Paratrooper, I know what it means to sacrifice your time away from civilian life and the abuse your body takes in the military. That’s why I’ve made it my mission as a Loan Officer to reach out to other Veterans to assist with their Home Purchases. From pre-qualification to closing, I will be there to ensure that the loan process for your home goes as smoothly as possible. You will find that I strive to keep in contact with my clients throughout the entire process and to be easily accessible. In addition to VA home loans, I also specialize in FHA and Conventional home loans. BRE# 01147747 NMLS# 9873 Top Producer 2008 through 2013
HOMELAND / August 2015 3
EDITOR’S LETTER
Homeland Publisher Michael J. Miller Contributing Writers Linda Kreter Rick Rogers CJ Machado Vicki Garcia Vesta Anderson Mark Baird Keith Angelin Scott McGaugh Justin Constantine Christopher W. Diem Sonia McClister Stephanie Sickler Judy Keene Graham Bloem Kelli Schry Katie Malatino Jessica Gercke
Greetings and a warm welcome to HOMELAND Magazine! Please take some time to get to know the layout of our magazine. Homeland Magazine focuses on real stories from real heroes; the service member, the veteran, the wounded and the families that keep it together. Our magazine is driven by passion, vision, reflection and the future. The content is the driving force behind our magazine and the connection it makes with service members, families, veterans and civilians. Homeland is about standing your ground, resilience, adaptation, inspiration and solidarity. HOMELAND is inspirational, “feel good” reading; our focus is on family, military and civilians alike. I believe HOMELAND is where the heart is, and our publication covers a wide variety of topics, and issues about real life and real stories. We are honored to share the work of so many committed and thoughtful people. They say San Diego is a military town, I find that San Diego is a HOMELAND town, where military and civilians work and live together. We appreciate your support and are so happy to have you as a reader of HOMELAND Magazine. With warmest thanks, Michael J. Miller, Publisher 4
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Public Relations Linda Kreter CJ Machado Graphic Design Trevor Watson
Homeland Magazine is published monthly. Submissions of photographs, Illustrations, drawings, and manuscripts are considered unsolicited materials and the publisher assumes no responsibility for the said items. All rights reserved. Homeland Magazine 9750 Miramar Road, Suite 315 San Diego, CA 92126
858.240.0333 Contact Homeland Magazine at: info@homelandmagazine.com
Inside This Issue
Homeland
6 A Living Symbol Of Freedom 8 Jobs After Military Service 10 REBOOT – Helping Vets Transition 12 The Benefits Of Education 16 Women Veterans In The Justice System 17 Enlisted To Entrepreneur 19 One Marine’s Story 20 Hogan’s Hero 22 Injured Veteran Receives Free Service Dog 24 Shelter To Soldier 30 Orphan Pets Raise Patriotic Paws 32 Spice: Fact VS Fiction
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Faithful Service To Mankind
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A Living Symbol of
Freedom
What is “freedom?” It seems like an easy question. But ask ten people in a room and you’ll likely get ten answers. A retired Navy captain’s answer likely will be far different than that of a twelve-year-old, or a teacher, or someone who doesn’t know anyone who has served our nation in uniform. And it’s a question the USS Midway Museum’s board of directors and senior staff have begun to address.
By Scott McGaugh, Marketing Director USS Midway Museum
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Why? Because the museum’s vision is to become America’s Living Symbol of Freedom. It’s an audacious goal for an aircraft carrier museum whose mission is to preserve the legacy of those who service, inspire, educate, and even entertain. All in a naval aviation context. But think about it for a moment. What great monuments to American freedom and the American spirit do we have west of the Mississippi River? Of course, the Statue of Liberty, Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall all have their place in the great American landscape. As well they should. Where on the West Coast do we gather to reflect and honor? Why not in San Diego, the birthplace of naval aviation? Where much of the Navy’s worldwide command structure is based. Where hundreds of thousands of American men and women have trained for service in uniform. Where one of the largest veteran populations in the nation has retired or returns to civilian life. Perhaps San Diego should be nicknamed “America’s Most Patriotic City.” Certainly it is worthy of a national icon—a landmark— that represents American freedom and the great sacrifices necessary to preserve it. But, exactly, does freedom mean? As noted above, it all depends upon who you ask. That’s what the USS Midway Museum will be doing in the coming months. Collecting various perspectives of freedom; how it relates to service to country and community; and how the unparalleled legacy of the USS Midway can evolve to capture and represent this nation’s fundamental freedoms. Indeed, it is an ambitious goal. It also is a worthwhile and even necessary one. For if we are to inspire future generations to give of themselves—both in and out of uniform—to invest their precious time and passion in the name of freedom, there must be a symbol, an icon, from which they can draw inspiration. The USS Midway Museum hopes to become exactly that on the West Coast in the future. Indeed, it will not be accomplished tomorrow. Perhaps not for a decade. Because Midway will not become America’s Living Symbol of Freedom simply by proclaiming it. It will develop over time as we incrementally forge exhibits, programs, and activities that bring the concept of freedom to life. Our museum guests from around the world someday will leave Midway concluding it represents more than naval aviation. That it represents freedom on the backs of young men and women who serve America. They will depart with a newfound respect and appreciation for freedom, perhaps without even realizing it. And it begins in 2015, as the museum begins to seriously contemplate the many dimensions of freedom; how they relate to serving America; and how we can make these insights relevant and inspiral to future generations in this fast-changing world. It promises to be a major investment of time, energy, and attention. But if San Diego is to take its place alongside New York City, Philadelphia, and even Washington, D.C. as bellwethers of American freedom, what better place to begin that journey than on the flight deck of the longest-serving aircraft carrier of the twentieth century? Aboard the only ship that served the length of the Cold War and beyond. On the flight deck of a ship and crew that influenced much of the world’s international affairs in the latter half of the twentieth century? This quest promises to be a marathon. But, given San Diego’s remarkable support of the USS Midway Museum in the 11 years since it opened, it promises to be a fruitful journey. One in which we look forward to the San Diego community’s input and continued support.
FREE for San Diegans
70TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
EXTRA! SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2015 - ONBOARD THE FLIGHT DECK OF THE USS MIDWAY MUSEUM FREE
70th Anniversary of the End of WWII Mayor Kevin Faulconer invites San Diegans to a celebration of a lifetime in honor of the
70th Anniversary of the End of WWII
August 15, 2015 Onboard the Flight Deck of the USS Midway
Meet World War II Veterans In Person Relive the joy that swept the city when Peace was announced 70 years ago! Watch, Thanks for the Memories: Bob Hope and His All-Star Pacific Tour, Live Musical Review An unforgettable evening featuring: Bob Hope, Judy Garland, The Andrews Sisters, Betty Grable and More! Plus dance the night away to the nostalgic sounds of SWING!
6pm Doors Open 7pm-8pm Show 8pm-10pm Dance 10pm Fireworks
Presented by North Island Credit Union
(619) 544-9600 • www.midway.org 910 N. Harbor Dr. • San Diego, CA 92101
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HOMELAND / August 2015 7
JOBS AFTER MILITARY SERVICE By Vesta M. Anderson
Injured veterans seek civilian employment through Wounded Warrior Project
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ccording to the Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) 2014 Annual Alumni Survey—a survey that has been completed annually since 2010, making it the most comprehensive and statistically relevant sample of this generation of injured service members—it is estimated that the unemployment rate for WWP Alumni is 13.9%; for non-active-duty Alumni the unemployment rate is reported to be 19.7%. After military service, many injured veterans have difficulty transitioning into the civilian workforce. Often, the career transition is unplanned, and it becomes daunting for the warrior to believe they will be able to care financially for themselves and their families without the military. Typically, retired veterans who incur a service-connected medical injury will require resources beyond their post-military benefits. As a result WWP focused data-driven attention on its Economic Empowerment pillar – one of the four pillars the nonprofit’s 20 free, programs and services are divided among, the others being Engagement, Mind, and Body. The Economic Empowerment pillar is centered on the belief that every injured veteran has the right to be successful in every aspect of their lives. It owns four programs—Education Services, TRACK™, Transition Training Academy (TTA) and Warriors to Work®—designed to help warriors accomplish their education and training goals by expanding their skills, experience and training in pursuit of a rewarding civilian career that will lead to financial stability. This year, Education Services has empowered more than 750 wounded veterans and their family members by helping to identify skill sets and passions and by connecting those skills and passions to occupational goals. As is often the case, these occupational goals can be best realized through a formal academic experience, which WWP helps the warriors and their family members identify. WWP assists the warriors in their transition from the highly structured military routine to the largely unstructured landscape of a college or university campus. Once enrolled, WWP continues to empower the injured veteran through regular check-ins to offer advice and advocacy as needed. More than 292 injured veterans have been enrolled in the TRACK program, and its overall graduation rate is 84%. TRACK takes a holistic approach to achieving personal, academic and professional success. All components of the curriculum are meant to heal, develop and train the mind, body and spirit of each warrior. The program includes two semesters of college, peak performance training, health and wellness curriculum, personal finance curriculum, adaptive sports, and a cohort experience. TTA empowers wounded veterans with the specific tools they need to return to life,
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competitive with others in the American workforce. More than 2,200 warriors have experienced TTA instruction, a high-touch blended learning model where instructors engage personally with each student with “learn-by-doing” teaching techniques that increase the potential for student success. This learning model is of great benefit to the injured veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While TTA was originally created as a hands-on program that helps warriors explore the information technology field as a possible career choice, a new and exciting expansion beyond the information technology industry has everyone talking. TTA is piloting curriculum in the medical industry. The newest addition to the TTA program is the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) curriculum, which is expected to create more exciting opportunities for warriors and their families and caregivers. Medical coding uses a series of numbers and letters to designate diagnoses and procedures in hospitals and clinics. It helps these medical facilities comply with federal patient privacy laws while providing employees with the information they need to care for patients. More importantly, medical coding and billing is a fast-growing field in the medical industry. This year, Warriors to Work® has provided career guidance and job placement assistance to more than 2,000 injured service members seeking a civilian career after their military service. With Warriors to Work® injured veterans can: (1) understand how military service translates in the civilian sector; (2) build a strong, competent and competitive resume; (3) learn and practice vital interview skills; and (4) build confidence in an unfamiliar civilian work environment. The Economic Empowerment pillar works in conjunction with the other three pillars—Engagement, Mind, and Body—to help foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation’s history. The Economic Empowerment pillar defines “well adjusted” as having the opportunity to pursue and attain a meaningful career that will provide long-term financial stability for warriors and their families. For more information on Economic Empowerment and its free programs, visit woundedwarriorproject.org or call the Resource Center at 888.WWP.ALUM (997.2586), Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
About Wounded Warrior Project The mission of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP’s purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org. www.homelandmagazine.com
HOMELAND HOMELAND / August / August 2015 20159 9
A REAL TRANSITION PROGRAM REBOOT, a free, 15- day intensive cognitive-behavioral educational program, is the only program in the country that takes a holistic approach to transitioning. Focusing on the whole person rather than a resume, we are able to help overcome numerous reintegration obstacles. “This was the best class I have ever gone through in the Navy. It helped me personally and it helped me open my eyes to my future. It has helped me realize what I have to offer and what I can do.” — Debora Goldbeck REBOOT Graduate “REBOOT is a three-week program that reengineers service members and veterans for return back into civilian life while keeping their military core values intact.” says Jim Wong, NVTSI Chairman and former Marine.
Helping Vets Transition to Civilian Life
Week I: Personal Transition
Addresses personal effectiveness and wellbeing spanning 13 multi-media modules. Phase I uses video and audio sessions, written materials, exercises, practice interviews and self-assessment tools. In Phase I participants will learn how their mind works for-and-against them, and how to manage positive and negative thoughts.
By Vicki Garcia
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ach year throughout San Diego County over 15,000 service members transition from military service. Another 237,000 live in the area seeking a new life. The government-operated transition program focuses only on info about their benefits and resumes, falling short of mentally preparing our troops for the battle to return home. Most struggle to enter the civilian job market despite the skills they developed in the military. Countless reports cite the gaps in transition are mostly associated with the “transition experience” more so than finding the job. In fact, of the 200,000 service members who transition from the military each year, 53% or 106,000 go on 22 weeks of unemployment insurance. The reason: many have not defined their next career move or “feel fully prepared for the process of entering the job market.” A a big number feel lost after living the in highly structured and disciplined world of the military and struggle to overcome anxiety, self-doubt , and negative thoughts. Enter the REBOOT WorkshopsTM. An intensive transition/reintegration program that takes transitioning service members, veterans and spouses through a 21-day reverse-boot camp to REBOOT their brain. The brainchild of Maurice Wilson, MCPO USN (Ret) who serves as President/ National Executive Director, REBOOT is a response to the need to fill the gaps in transition. “REBOOT has been carefully designed to address reintegration issues at their root cause by focusing on positive attributes and teaching attendees how to understand and control thoughts,” states Wilson. “The workshop works through numerous scenarios and guides them through various situations, providing them with peer-to-peer advice and sound cognitive education. We validate their experience and teach them how to manage thoughts and develop social cohesion for their return home.” says Wilson.” Making the transition back to civilian life and civilian work environments after serving in the military can difficult, especially for the younger generation of servicemen and women who were deployed several times to Iraq and Afghanistan. The lack of access to adequate transitional services presents many with daunting challenges, such as finding employment, adjusting to the social environment of the civilian world, and rejoining civilian society. It can seem impossible to our nation’s heroes, as many are ill-equipped to handle and, in most cases, are unwilling (or don’t know how) to seek assistance.
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Week II: Military-to-Civilian Lifestyle Transition
Addresses living situations and community-life functioning. Focused on building family and community networks, Phase II brings the participants closer to a successful transition through a series of discussions and exercises that enables them to identify the personal aspects of values, talents and strategies to develop a plan to achieve a meaningful purpose and vision in life.
Week III: Military-to-Civilian Career Transition
Going beyond the 3-day workshops offered by TAP at the time of separation, during Phase III participants are given in- depth assistance on job preparation, resume writing, interviewing techniques, job searching, and career planning. Ninety-eight percent (98%) successful in helping over 1300 transitioning service members to date and veterans win the battle Reboot helps vets create a new identity; discover their purpose and passion; and align their goals with a new life. To apply for REBOOT for free, visit http://www.nvtsi.org/enroll/
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AmericA’S beSt deServe the beSt. After all you’ve done to protect our country, you deserve the best. That’s why we created the Nissan Military Program—to help you get the best offer on a new Nissan. As part of this program, all active and reserve U.S. military, retired U.S. military, U.S. veterans discharged within the past year, and their spouses and partners can get the same pricing we give our Nissan friends and family. Just visit NissanUSA.com/military, grab your qualified proof of military service and your VPP Claim ID, then head to your local Nissan store1. Our best savings and most exciting innovations are waiting for you.
For more details, visit: NissanUSA.com/military
1
The Department of Defense does not endorse any company, sponsor or their products or services. Always wear your seat belt and please don’t drink and drive. Nissan, the Nissan Brand Symbol, Innovation That Excites, and Nissan model names are Nissan trademarks. ©2015 Nissan North America, Inc. All rights reserved.
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The Benefits of Education During and After the Military By Christopher W. Diem, CWO3, USMC (Ret.), MA, PMP
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ust in case you were wondering, everyone has to leave the military at some point during their career. When a person decides to leave the military really does not matter. I will say, having post-secondary education can help make the transition and job search a bit easier.
The military’s attitude towards education has changed greatly over the past decade, or so. When I was a young Marine, enlisted leaders usually asked , “Why are you going to college?” Happily, a positive change took place and now they often ask the question, “Why are you NOT going to college?” A Look at How Education Played an Important Role in My Career – I started my Marine Corps life in the summer of 1991. I had already completed a semester of college before joining the Corps, and I was a contract Private First Class. I spent my initial years as a Marine kicking boxes in a warehouse. I moved to my third duty station CA in 1995, and I went back to college in 1996. Unfortunately, like many young Marines going to college, I did not have a true direction. As the time for me to re-enlist approached, I spoke to the Career Planner and started looking at jobs outside of warehousing. I applied to become a Criminal Investigator. The interview and background process was quite thorough. I believe, whole heartedly, part of the reason I was accepted into the program was because I was pursuing my education during my off-duty hours. Learning a new job and attending a formal training school put college on the back burner for many years. A few years after becoming a Criminal Investigator, I was selected to be a Marine Special Agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Eventually, I was transferred to Parris Island, SC, and deployed to Iraq in 2004. When I returned from Iraq, I made a commitment to school and decided to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice (it just made sense and gave me direction). I dropped the other activities filling my free time and instead focused on schoolwork. I realized finishing school could help me earn more money down the road. Please keep in mind, my return to school this time was about 8 years after I returned to college the first time. I was taking online classes at the school where I was pursuing my degree before I moved to the east coast. I was transferred to MCAS Miramar in 2005, and was able to return to the classroom at the same school. I sat down with a counselor and realized, over the years, I had completed so much school (one or two classes at a time) I only had five classes to complete my Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. I finally graduated in October of 2006. I was also selected to Warrant Officer just before completing my degree; I believe completing so much off-duty education was a significant factor to my Warrant Officer selection. I completed the Warrant Officer Basic School in 2007, and was stationed at the Pentagon in my first position as a Warrant Officer 1. I knew I wanted to continue my education and earn a Master’s degree, and I began the process in 2008. Note, I did not wait several years to start my next educational pursuit. I also knew I did not want to pursue a law enforcement career after the military and had to change my educational focus from criminal justice to something else. Ultimately, I completed my Master of Arts degree in Management: Organizational Leadership in December of 2010. Subsequently, I also earned my Project Management Professional certification from the Project Management Institute (look for my article next month on project management in Homeland Magazine). Overall, I served 22 ½ years and retired a Chief Warrant Officer-3. I truly believe many of my advancements and opportunities in the Marine Corps were a direct result of my educational goals and accomplishments.
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So, how does my story apply to you? It is simple. If you read my story carefully, you will see where I had pitfalls and where I had advancements. Each of these is a lesson to avoid or to follow. I hope the following lessons learned help you.
Tips and Advice – 1. When you start your education does not really matter … just start. The sooner you start, the sooner you can finish and reap the benefits of your efforts. 2. Figure out what you like to do and pursue your passion. It can change as time passes, but it will give you a foundation. Once I knew I liked being an investigator, it was logical for me to pursue my Criminal Justice degree.
How My Education Helped Me – I have put my education and training to work for me. Currently, I am an Adjunct Professor at California Miramar University (CMU) (I knew I wanted to teach college after retirement). This is my second teaching position. I also taught college while I was on active duty. I teach in several programs at CMU and my ability to teach in a variety of programs is directly due to my education and experience. If you are looking to take your first step in pursuing an education, I recommend taking a look at California Miramar University. We are a military friendly institution and work hard to accommodate active, reserve, guard, former, and retired military members (and their families). Currently, CMU is offering several fully funded scholarship certificate programs in Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, and Human Resources. A benefit of the certificate programs is they count towards classes in our Business Bachelor Program. We are also an approved institution for Tuition Assistance and Veteran Affairs Educational Benefits. So make the decision and give CMU a call today (858-653-3000 ext 12) or visit us online and request information (www.calmu.edu)
3. DO NOT QUIT or GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!!!! 4. Put your military transcripts to work for you (SMART). 5. Realize playing video games, participating in sports, or watching television will not likely pay you after you leave the military. So, stop wasting time and go to school. You have to sacrifice time in order to improve your knowledge base and move forward. Plus, all of these things will still be around after you finish school. 6. DO NOT USE your GI Bill while you are on active duty. If you have to pay for part of your classes out of pocket, pay out of pocket. The GI Bill benefits are better kept for when you are off of active duty. 7. Take the first steps by going see your Education Office and talking to service members who have already started going to school.
When I was a young Marine, enlisted leaders usually asked , “Why are you going to college?” Happily, a positive change took place and now they often ask the question, “Why are you NOT going to college?” California Miramar University, in San Diego, CA is committed to supporting our military and veteran students. The university is VA Approved and Accredited by Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges & Schools (ACICS). The university is committed to offering very affordable tuition. At California Miramar University faculty are known both for their excellence in their chosen field and passion for teaching. Students may complete their courses 100% online from anywhere in the world or attend hybrid classes on our San Diego campus. Visit www.calmu.edu or call 858-653-3000 for more information. www.homelandmagazine.com
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A CALL TO VETERANS
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he Veterans Museum at Balboa Park will host two significant events for veterans and families throughout San Diego County, in August, showcasing the greatest generation as well as the latest generation to answer America’s call to serve. The first event, on Sunday August 9, is the Spirit of `45 Day, a national day of remembrance, marking the 70th anniversary of the ending of World War II. “Spirit of `45 is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the World War II generation,” said Dan DeMarco, coordinator for the event. The second Sunday in August is traditionally observed as the day President Truman announced, in 1945, that WW II was officially over. “Thanks to Honor Flight San Diego, more than 200 veterans and their families have been contacted and are planning to attend,” DeMarco said. “We encourage everyone with a connection to, or interest in our country’s greatest generation, to join us.”
The event is free, and will feature music, food, and a full slate of activities, including Stories in the Shade as told by the Greatest Generation. Remember Our Fallen from California, a travelling photo exhibit, will arrive at The Veterans Museum at Balboa Park on August 15th. “This is a powerful tribute to those from our state who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice since 9/11,” said Sheldon Margolis, a retired Navy captain and executive director of the museum. The dramatic exhibit of more than 700 men and women will be on display through August 29th. A special grand opening and unveiling of Remember Our Fallen from California will take place at The Veterans Museum at Balboa Park on Wednesday, August 19th at 6 p.m. The Veterans Museum at Balboa Park www.veteranmuseum.org
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE ! OPEN TO ACTIVE MILITARY, TRANSITIONING, VETERANS AND MILITARY SPOUSES
Made possible through a grant by the Frank M. and Gertrude R. Doyle Foundation
$5,000.00 scholarships to each recipient for the following degree programs: q Bachelor of Science in Business Administration q Master of Business Administration q Master of Science in Strategic Leadership
Check out our already low tuition and save your benefits!
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• Online and hybrid programs available • Hybrid students meet once per week for 4 hours and complete remaining assignments using our online learning system! Hybrid is a perfect blend of in class and online!
Located across from MCAS Miramar California Miramar University 9750 Miramar Rd. San Diego, CA. 92126 * Accredited
Call admissions now to reserve your scholarship.
858-653-3000 ext 12 admissions@calmu.edu
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HOMELAND / August 2015 15
Women Veterans in the Justice System
By: Stephanie Sickler
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emale veterans are a growing, understudied, and highly trauma-exposed group. Increasingly, women coming back from war are being diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Military Sexual Trauma (MST). The syndromes of PTSD/MST and substance abuse appear to be strongly linked. Unfortunately, female veterans tend to dissociate from their veteran status once they leave the military. This dissociation prevents a lot of women from using and obtaining FREE available benefits that can help. Because, where there is substance abuse there is a high probability of criminal activity leading to incarceration. Women Veterans Engaging the Nation (WoVEN), is a group of female veterans that want to create a path that aids their service sisters’ transition from military to civilian life thus avoiding any type of substance abuse or incarceration. Additionally, the women of WoVEN aim to address the inequality of women veterans within the justice system.
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About 15% of the U.S military’s active duty force is compromised of women. The contracts are the same, the uniforms are the same, the training is the same, but the jobs, treatment and recognition are vastly different between men and women service members. Today’s female service members are serving in combat zones, flying fighter jets, and occupying almost every job/ MOS/rate that a man does. Women are being exposed to and experiencing the same combat type traumatic events traditionally seen by men at war. Therefore, women are returning home and leaving military service with a diagnosis of PTSD. However, men are traditionally seen as the ones suffering from this debilitating disease and so when a woman shows symptoms of this disease they are often ignored or misdiagnosed with depression. In addition to being exposed to combat related trauma, women veterans are combating an even greater epidemic now classified as Military Sexual Trauma (MST). As women service members fight for equality in their jobs, they are fighting to not be recognized for their body. Roughly 1 in 4 female veterans have reported experiencing MST during their military service, keeping in mind these are only female veterans who have been seen by a VA provider. Unfortunately many incidents of sexual assault or rape go unreported for fear of further sexual abuse or fear of punishment for standing up to someone often higher ranking. It has been widely recognized that survivors of sexual trauma do not disclose their experiences and when/ if they do it is only because they are asked directly. Therefore it is imperative that EVERY veteran be asked whether he or she experienced any sexual trauma during their military service so they can be made aware of available treatment options. Continues on page 18 www.homelandmagazine.com
enlisted to entrepreneur
KEEP YOUR PHONE - KEEP YOUR NUMBER - KEEP YOUR CASH
By Vicki Garcia
Is Incorporation Right for my Business? Let me say from the get-go that this is not legal advice. It’s worth an hour with a knowledgeable attorney or tax advisor to investigate all of the issues that affect your decision to incorporate. It’s always frustrating to see a small business owner that has spent all their funds incorporating, leaving little for the expenses that every business has…like say, marketing…without which you will dry up and die. Rather than rush out to file your articles of incorporation, step back and determine if incorporation is right for you.
The Facts Many business owners start out as sole proprietorships, where one person is liable for all business debts and obligations. The word “corporation” derives from corpus, the Latin word for body. Despite not being human beings, corporations, according to the law, are legal persons, with many of the same rights and responsibilities as real persons Incorporation often takes place after the business has grown, and you need protection from liability, want the tax benefits, and want a business entity that is legally separate from you as the owner and your assets. So, you may want to wait a few years before you incorporate, freeing up your funds to get off the ground.
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If you want the advice of an attorney, I recommend either Lindsay Junck or Darity Wesley at Lotus Law Center, which offers a discount to vets. 619.358.9211. For a low cost DIY alternative, try www.legalzoom.com. Visit the SBA’s guide at http://tinyurl.com/l5ndpey. Vicki Garcia is the Co-Founder of V.E.T. and the CEO of the marketing firm, Marketing Impressions, with 30 years helping small business owners succeed. Learn about and apply for V.E.T. at http:// veteranentrepreneurstoday.org. www.homelandmagazine.com
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Once a week, Veterans Affairs (VA) sends Veterans Justice Outreach Coordinators to the jails to assist veterans with their benefits. However, there are a fraction of incarcerated female veterans in comparison to the males and so the Coordinators don’t make a trip to the separate women’s facility. Therefore female veterans often go weeks at a time before seeing someone from the VA, if at all. Currently the women veterans who are incarcerated at the Las Colinas Detention facility have all experienced combat trauma and/or MST during their time in service. As a result all of them had disassociated themselves from the military. Disassociation of military service is one of the leading reasons female veterans are not seeking the free, available help for their service related traumas. Because of women’s disassociation from military service they fail to recognize the benefits that are available to them. This is why it is absolutely imperative that Veteran Advocates reach out to female veterans and make sure to make contact with them while they are in jail. This type of outreach will help reduce recidivism in female veterans and ultimately allow the female veterans to become successful in the civilian world and gain the recognition they deserve. Veteran jail programs are an excellent example of the difference between the needs of female veterans compared to their male counterparts. In San Diego County, the Sheriff’s Department created and developed the “Veterans Moving Forward” program within the Vista Detention facility. This is an exceptional program designed to address the needs and issues of veterans who are incarcerated. The problem with this program is that only male
veterans have access to it. There is no identical or comparable program available to female veterans who are incarcerated. As there is no program for any female veterans in jail WoVEN aims to visit the female veterans in Las Colinas once a week to help those female veterans re-associate with their military service and be made aware of the benefits available to them as veterans. In fact, WoVEN’s She’s Worth It program is the first and only program offered for women veterans incarcerated in the state of California. Today, only about .5% of the American population volunteers for military service. These men and women are heroes and each one of them deserves recognition and assistance in combating those traumas experienced during service. WoVEN will keep pushing until the very last female veteran receives the same treatment and assistance that her male counterpart so readily receives.
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had done a few minutes earlier while saving me, Lance Corporal Buehler put his own life on the line for me - he drove 70MPH so that we would arrive at the hospital within the “Golden Hour” (a rule of 9 thumb for surgeons which stands for the principle that if a patient can get to an emergency room within one hour after injury, their chances or survival increase dramatically.)
By Justin Constantine 3-part series (July, August, September) Continued from July Issue…
I cannot think of two greater examples of teamwork than Lance Corporal Buehler and Corpsman Grant doing everything they did in conjunction with the other members of our squad that day – providing cover fire, operating on me, lifting me into the vehicle (no easy task with me weighing 200 pounds and carrying 65 pound of protective gear!), driving fast under incredibly dangerous conditions and then transporting me into the aid station from the vehicle without further injuring me.
Leadership Lessons Through Recovery:
One Marine’s Story
On October 18, 2006 I was shot in the back of the head by a sniper. I can no longer see out of my left eye, and I am now missing most of my teeth and the tip of my tongue. I cannot run anymore because the doctors removed several bones in my legs to use in reconstructing my upper and lower jaws. Nor can I speak perfectly clearly, and I suffer daily from Post Traumatic Stress and a Traumatic Brain Injury. Lesson # 2: Teamwork is Critical For Success for you and for those around you. Many of us are probably already aware of this, but I think each of us can sometimes forget how important this principle is. Whether you are playing on a sports team, patrolling the streets of Ramadi with with a squad of Marines, or putting together a major project at 8 work, you simply cannot do it all by yourself. And a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, so if you aren’t pulling your weight and striving for your group’s success, are you really practicing good teamwork? I worked closely with our Battalion Commander in Iraq, and we were on the same patrol when I was shot. At that point he was faced with a tough www.homelandmagazine.com
choice – call in an emergency airlift and wait for the helicopter, without knowing how long that would take because of the competing priorities all over the battlefield, or risk the roadside bombs and drive me to the nearest aid station in an effort to stabilize me quickly. He opted to have Lance Corporal Buehler drive me, and told him to drive as fast as possible. We drove 70 MPH to the aid station that was approximately 15 miles away. While for Americans this may not seem like a difficult endeavor, in Iraq because of the ubiquitous roadside bombs, we never exceeded 15 MPH wherever we went. We had learned the hard way that driving faster than 15 MPH dramatically increased the chances of the vehicle flipping over upon impact with the IED, and thereby putting everyone’s lives even more at risk. However, just like Corpsman Grant
Their teamwork saved my life, no question about it. When I arrived at the Naval hospital at Bethesda a week later, my life was turned upside down and inside out. But the main person who held everything together for me was Dahlia. It is important to note that in 2006 Dahlia and I were not yet married – that didn’t happen until two years later. We had met earlier in 2006 at a Spanish immersion course in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Dahlia was there from California, and I came from Virginia. We were in the same small class, and although we were only there for 3 weeks, we made an incredible connection. We dated during that summer back in the States, and then when I deployed to Iraq in August, Dahlia left to pursue 10 her PhD at Cambridge University in England. Unlike in other wars, we were able to communicate practically every day with email, and letters and packages and the occasional satellite phone call. When I was initially airlifted out of Iraq, they took me to the military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany. Although it was pretty unusual for the service members there to get personal visits, Dahlia was able to get there quickly because she was already in England. I was only there for four days, and when they sent me on to the Bethesda National Naval Medical Center in Maryland, Dahlia decided to drop out of her doctorate program to be with me in the hospital. Never mind that studying at Cambridge was a lifelong dream of hers. Never mind that she didn’t know anyone in Maryland or Virginia near the hospital. And never mind that at that point the doctors didn’t even know if I would survive. When I awoke from my coma one week later however, Dahlia was there and together we seem to have incorporated every aspect of teamwork into our relationship – and it has taken every bit of that strong teamwork to help me reach my successful recovery
HOMELAND / August 2015 19
Hogan’s Hero: A Veteran with PTSD by Judy Keene
D
o you know the myths and realities of PTSD and service dogs that help? Here is a special glimpse into that world.
“ I grew up with a passion to serve in a significant way and knew it would be in the military, law enforcement, or medicine.…”
Myth #1:
“ When I was deployed to Iraq, I was in a small outpost of 30 men in a platoon, helping villagers every day, looking for IEDs every day, seeking to drive out the bad guys every day. There was no day off there. Daily foot patrols in 120 heat wearing 80+ lbs of gear, knowing that today could be the day you’re seriously injured or killed, can really have a profound effect on you and the life you live later.”
People with PTSD cannot hold jobs or be contributing members of our community. The reality – there are many degrees of PTSD, from moderate to severe, and the vast majority cope with quiet courage, going to school, getting jobs, pursuing careers, and caring for their families.
Myth #2:
If service dogs are a huge benefit to veterans with PTSD, it should be easy for a veteran to get a service dog; there are millions of dogs available. The reality Research suggests that fewer than 200 psychiatric service dogs are trained and certified annually, at a cost of $10,000 to $50,000 per dog. A service dog must be very well-trained for public access and for the specific needs of a veteran, and meet the requirements of the American Disabilities Act.
Myth #3:
“After I left the military to go to college, I eventually realized that the things I experienced over there would probably be with me forever. You see 95-year-old veterans who still suffer the anxiety and tears from World War II 70 years later.
“Hogan brings joy to my children, and a sense of safety to our home.”
Service dog training is probably very easy, no big deal, just sit, stay, heel and no barking – the dog just needs to comfort you. The reality -“This service dog training is not just about training a dog, it is about training yourself with the dog, learning to refocus your mind AND it is therapy just to be around other veterans dealing with the same issues. It empowers you when you finally realize that you are not alone, that there are more people just like you. “
From a veteran with PTSD, Hector Hogan, A PTSD Service Dog A San Diego native and Army veteran, Hector, shares his story to speak to other veterans and to those who are passionate in helping veterans:
“My advice to other veterans about PTSD – embrace it now, seek all the tools possible to help you, and make the best of your life. A service dog is not a cure, it is just another tool, perhaps one of the best, to add to your arsenal of aids... “
“My research and meeting a veteran who had a Next Step service dog persuaded me that a service dog would be very beneficial. At first it was a struggle to go to the three or four training sessions each week, and to learn how to handle and train my assigned dog Hogan. “ “It took three months before I realized how valuable Hogan was, how connected we had become, and how much he calms me. Hogan keeps me grounded when I’m away from home. He does a two-touch at my feet during classes, blocks others from getting too close, is in the passenger footwell of my car for me to touch when in traffic, does a search-and-clear rooms when I return home, barks on command and checks the perimeter around my home if I hear something at night. And, I sleep much better with him near my bed – this is huge. “
A leader in PTSD service dog training, Next Step Service Dogs invites you to make a difference, help veterans with PTSD and their families, and donate or volunteer at www.nextstepservicedogs.org. 20
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HOMELAND / August 2015 21
Combat-Injured Veteran Receives Free Service Dog By Katie Malatino
G
nome is a yellow Labrador Retriever with an important mission: to make everyday life easier for a combat-injured veteran. Canine Companions for Independence matched Marine Corps Veteran Justin Crabbe of Yucaipa with Service Dog Gnome in February.
Today, Justin walks on two prosthetic legs. He spent 13 weeks in the hospital following his injury. He was on a ventilator for 19 days. He recently had surgery on his hand and he hopes it will be his last. It will be four years ago this summer that he was injured.
“We were deployed to Afghanistan,” Justin recalls. “It was a regular day and we were doing a normal mission. I stepped on a pressure plate IED (Improvised Explosive Device). I lost both legs just above the knee and multiple fingers on both hands.”
“I haven’t let my injuries slow me down,” says Justin. “I still try to do everything I did before. There’s nothing I can do to change the past. It’s not going to bring my legs back. I’m not going to sit around and mope about it. That’s what Gnome’s for - to help me move on and strive to do my best.”
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Justin’s rapid recovery and positive attitude are remarkable. Still, he struggles. “It’s hard to balance,” he explains. “These knees (on my prosthetic legs) don’t bend and I have to spread my legs really far to reach the floor. My wrists are really bad. I have arthritis, so putting any pressure down on them is super killer on me. Having Gnome to pick things up saves me a whole lot of pain.” Gnome provides emotional benefits, as well. “When I feel stressed out, I just look at him and start petting him and he makes me feel better,” says Justin. “He’s my best friend.” Justin also www.homelandmagazine.com
Canine Companions for Independence is celebrating its 40th anniversary of providing highly trained assistance dogs to children, adults and veterans with disabilities. Established in 1975, Canine Companions has six training centers across the country and has placed nearly 5,000 assistance dogs. Canine Companions is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs, and the quality and longevity of the matches it makes between people and dogs. There is no charge for the dog, its training and a lifetime of ongoing follow-up services. To apply, volunteer or make a donation, please visit www.cci.org or call 1-800-572-BARK.
Gnome provides emotional benefits, as well. “When I feel stressed out, I just look at him and start petting him and he makes me feel better,” says Justin. “He’s my best friend.” Justin also appreciates that strangers’ stares are now more often on his dog than on his legs.
photo credit to Stephen Wallace, MD, JD appreciates that strangers’ stares are now more often on his dog than on his legs. Canine Companions relies on volunteers to raise the puppies in their program and provide socialization opportunities and basic training. Coincidentally, Gnome was raised by a couple who are both military veterans themselves. “Words cannot adequately describe how happy we were to find out that Gnome was being paired with Justin,” recalls Gnome’s puppy raiser, Tony Spiridigliozzi of Colorado. “My wife, JoAnn, and I were overwhelmed with Justin’s story and the sacrifice he made for our nation. He’s an amazing young man and shows incredible courage. We were grateful that we could help make a positive difference in someone’s life. In this case, it happened to come in the form of a furry, four-legged friend who will be a companion for a lifetime.” www.homelandmagazine.com
HOMELAND / August 2015 23
Shelter to Soldier “Saving Lives, Two at a Time”
S
an Diego based CA nonprofit, Shelter to Soldier, rescues dogs from local shelters and trains them to become psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 combat veterans. “Myself, my wife Kyrie, and our close friend Krystyna Holc daydreamed about this program and the impact it could have on the life of a rescue dog with no voice and a veteran in desperate need of change and assistance. Today, it is a reality,” says cofounder Graham Bloem. “While our goal is to touch millions in time, every single life saved is a victory,” says co-founder Kyrié Bloem. There are over 4 million homeless pets in shelters in our nation every year and of that number, 2 million dogs never find their way out due to a number of reasons including the lack of space, behavioral issues and medical cases that often pervade the shelters. What many do not realize is that these dogs not only make wonderful pets, but many have the potential to become emotional support dogs and even service dogs. Twenty-two veterans and one active duty service member commit suicide everyday. While our troops need our support while deployed and fighting for our freedoms
overseas, it is equally important for us to support them on the homefront. One out of every five returning service members is affected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and many others suffer Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) during their combat deployments. Each one of STS’s service dogs is matched and placed with a post 9/11 combat veteran that has been approved through their application process. The value of a service dog trained at this level is about $25,000.00. Thanks to the generous support of local companies, individuals and fundraisers, Shelter to Soldier provides each veteran participant a service dog to help them with their needs, free of charge. “While we understand a service dog isn’t the only form of therapy and treatment our veteran recipients need to work through their diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and/ or Traumatic Brain Injury, it is one incredibly powerful tool to assist in the process,” says Graham Bloem. The
program has gained support from organizations like Schubach Aviation, Griffin Funding, Integriv, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, and Plato Pet Treats among others. The only way to continue this mission is through private donations, which allow the organization to rescue more dogs and match more veterans. For as little as $10/month, you can help Shelter to Soldier “save lives, two at a time” in their monthly giving campaign. How has STS impacted the lives of our veterans? These quotes sum it up very well: “Thank you for what you are doing for me and other fellow combat veterans. You have a special place in heaven saved for you. “I can’t thank you enough for what you have done for us, I seriously think Ty saved my life”. – James Norvell, USMC (Ret.) “My time with STS has been life changing. Meeting Tank was that little piece that I was missing to help aid in my reintegration to civilization. In my short time with handling training, I have already seen some changes. I have smiled more and now feel more motivated than ever to get better. I am excited to see Tank every week to train, especially if I am having a bad couple days, he can pull me out of anything. Thanks to STS for taking me under their wing and giving me hope to become better with my PTSD. I wouldn›t know what I›d do without them! Thank you for everything!” - Ben Kilhefner, US Navy (Ret.)
Shelter to Soldier saved my life on more than one occasion. – Vic Martin, US Navy (Ret.)
By Graham Bloem
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hope on the horizon By Kelli Schry San Diego Humane Society www.sdhumane.org
W
hen Major C. Albin was medically retired from the Marine Corps after a decade of service, the reintegration process back into civilian life was particularly difficult. In a matter of months, he watched his health, marriage, and career evaporate. Harder still, was the traumatic emotional toll his years in the service had taken on him. “For more than 11 years the Marines had been my life, and war had followed me home, plaguing me with flashbacks in my waking moments and nightmares in my sleep.” To help stay afloat during this transition, he visited San Diego Humane Society in hopes of finding a furry friend to help him start a new life. It was then that he found a brown-eyed puppy (now named Daisy) waiting for him, and he knew he found his match. “As soon as I saw Daisy, an energetic and friendly black lab mix, I knew I had found my match.” Albin tells us that Daisy has adapted wonderfully to life aboard his boat, the Phoenix Rising, appropriately named with the hopes of beginning life anew. They’ve been on many trips and adventures together, and through it all Daisy has been a loyal companion to him and his family. “I would not have made it this far without Daisy the Dog. She has been more than my best buddy; she has been the one consistently positive part of my life.” “After three tours in Iraq, the best night’s sleep I’ve had since then has been on my boat with my loyal companion. I see Daisy’s devotion every night as she settles into bed at my feet. Her friendly and protective nature is a great source of comfort for a combat veteran trying to find his way in civilian society. She is truly a wonderful friend and I couldn’t get by without her.”
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Faithful Service to Mankind While many dogs are simply our loving and faithful family pets, dogs have helped us since they first entered our service as a sheepherder’s companion. By CJ Machado
T
hroughout history, dogs have been our loving and faithful companions. As early as the tale of Gilgamesh, dogs have been a part of our daily lives. That relationship between human and canine culminates in the service dog. Working dogs have been working side by side with mankind as sheepdogs, sled dogs and hunting companions. Today’s service dog has an even more defined role. There are many different types of service dogs from “Official dogs” to Therapy dogs. Military and Police dogs are considered “Official” since they are Military enlistees or Police Officers. Service dogs may be a guide dog that helps the blind, hearing dog to assist the deaf, where as other service dogs may be trained to be aware of seizures, diabetes or immobility helpers. Another type of “helper” dogs are therapy dogs that provide emotional support for their owners. In severe cases of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), these dogs have assisted in suicide prevention, where the owner has admitted to not taking their life, because of the comfort their companion provides. The training and loyalty of service dogs for their human companions can take years for a dog to learn. Each different type of service dog has different requirements.
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Official dogs require the most training and obedience of all the service dogs. During their daily routine, they not only provide companionship, but also may stiff out drugs, victims, bombs and go on a regular patrol. An Official dog is considered a member of his unit just as any human team member. The loyalty between dog and officer is a bond of a lifetime. Official dogs will go through great lengths to protect their handlers. As shown by “Lex“, a Belgian Malinoise , USMC bomb sniffing dog, who served two tours of duty in Iraq. He was wounded in action at the side of his fatally wounded handler, Corporal Dustin Jerome Lee. Lex stayed and protected CPL Dustin until help arrived. In the past, official dogs have been awarded service medals for their heroic acts. Seeing Eye dogs for decades have been the most common type of trained aid dog. They are trained to be very obedient and to “look” for the owner who is need of a working set of eyes. The term “seeing eye” is really not accurate since they actually guide there human though their daily life. Over the years, other types of dogs have been trained. The hearing dogs will alert sounds to help their deaf masters. Medial dogs have a more specific role. A diabetic dog can tell if the blood sugar level is at risk simply by smell. Seizure dogs have been trained to detect a new episode and help protect their master. In the past, the emotional support companion/therapy dogs were not as commonly recognized as they are today. The benefit of therapy dogs were recognized during World War II when Corporal William Wynne had a Yorkshire Terrier companion dog named “Smoky“ that helped comfort the wounded soldiers. In 1976, an emotional support dog study was conducted. The study proved that emotional support dogs lowered blood pressure, relieved stress, raised spirits and helped overcome physiological disorders. Later, pet therapy programs were started with all levels of life from children to prisoners. The research shows that not only dogs, but rabbits and cats can help as well. In the past few decades, several laws have reinforced the rights of the disabled to have their service and emotional support dogs with them in public places. The Air Carrier act, Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities acts have been written to allow them to be with their owners as they travel, where they live and in any public building. While many dogs are simply our loving and faithful family pets, dogs have helped us since they first entered our service as a sheepherder’s companion. The values that make them great pets also make them loyal police officers, guides and medical helpers. Make sure the next time you are petting your furry friend, to thank them for their faithful service to mankind.
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HOMELAND HOMELAND / August / August 2015 20152727
The Center for Family Health
Supporting Our Service Members, Veterans & Families By Sonia McClister
W
e at Center for Family Health wholeheartedly support our service members and veterans both past and present. As a physician’s office who has helped care for veterans, we have seen first-hand how much our heroes have sacrificed for us. It is our goal in ensuring our heroes get the first-class medical care, benefits, and services they deserve. We accept Tricare, and most all-major insurances. The Center for Family Health was established in 1997 by some of the best physicians in San Diego. We wanted to create a family practice doctor’s office that provides excellent, state of the art medicine. While at the same time creating a medical office that was reminiscent of the personal care that physicians offered decades ago. The Center for Family Health house call service is available to all of our patients. The process is as simple as calling us to schedule an appointment with our house call doctor. Our physician will arrive at your home for your physical. Once there, they will also be able to perform any blood work that may be required without you going to a lab.
Health Care Tips: Learning how to prevent and deal with depression can be an important step in maintaining a healthy and vigorous lifestyle. Depression is not a sign of personal weakness. It can be a reaction to external events, internal emotions or even brain chemistry. Depression is treatable, with or without medication, through diet and exercise with the assistance of your physician.
Center For Family Health (619) 464-1607 www.center4family.com
The Center for Family Health also offers the state of the art technology; Computerized cognitive testing to assist in detecting depression, sleep disorders, anxiety, and PTSD. Cardiac Event Monitors that assist in detecting Arrythmia, Bradycardi, AFib, and Pacemaker Malfunctions. Areolase Laser that can treat Nail Fungus, Spider veins, Decubitus Ulcers. The Center for Family Health is working to ensure all service members and veterans get the benefits they have earned.
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ORIGINS
Dog Days of
Summer
W
hy is this time of year, approximately forty days from early July to early September, referred to as the ‘Dog Days’ of summer?
We have all heard the myths about Dog Days, most of which focus around our canine friends, which is why the old folks say this time of year is called Dog Days. Some of the myths that I have heard are-hunting dogs will not hunt, dogs go mad and foam at the mouth for no apparent reason, snakes go blind at strike at anything that comes near them, (dogs in particular), no use in going fishing because the fish will not bite, wounds and sores will not heal, if it rains on the first day of Dog Days, it will rain every day for the next 40 days, or the opposite-if it does not rain on the first day of Dog Days then it will not rain for 40 days, and the list of myths goes on. The above-mentioned myths are just that, myths. Handed down from generation to generation, but the real origination of this time of year being dubbed Dog Days, is based on a partial myth also. The term Dog Days was coined in ancient Rome, and was named after the star Sirius, the Dog Star, which is the brightest star besides the sun. It was thought that due to the rising and setting of Sirius at around the same time of the sun each day this time of year, that Sirius added its heat to the sun›s heat, thereby making the days hotter. Hence the term Dogs Days. Our modern day usage of the term has little to do with Sirius or his alleged wrath. We use the term Dog Days to refer to anything that is slow, lazy or languishing. I think the best way to appease the wrath of Sirius is to gather up my canine friends and go stagnate on the couch in front of the air-conditioning or hit the beach and enjoy the cool San Diego breeze. www.homelandmagazine.com
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ORPHAN PETS RAISE PATRIOTIC PAWS IN SALUTE TO OUR MILITARY! Helen Woodward Animal Center’s WAGS FOR WARRIORS EVENT United Orphan Animals with Heroes of our Armed Forces! By Jessica Gercke
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his 4th of July, as celebratory fireworks flew through the air, celebratory cuddling took place in homes across the city. Despite the “Independence” day holiday, Helen Woodward Animal Center knew that the patriotic day was also about uniting family - human and furry alike. Military families were invited to find their forever friend at the Wags for Warriors Adoption Event, where their adoption fees were covered by a very special donor.
The special day was arranged thanks to Jim Kuden a longtime supporter of the Center, animallover and patriot. Like Helen Woodward Animal Center, Kuden, believes that uniting military families with orphan pets makes a uniquely positive impact on the lives of both the animals and their new families. The 4th of July military adoption special applied to active duty, Reserve and Veterans of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard, and/or immediate family members. The day was a very happy one for military heroes and orphan pets alike.
WHY UNITE MILITARY WITH ORPHAN PETS? The road can be tough for rescue pets and no one understands trying times like military families. Furry companions are known to add unconditional love, comfort and devotion like no one else can in the lives of their owners. These benefits often prove most crucial to military families whose members have dedicated themselves to lives of service. Additionally, the joy and sincere friendship they provide may aid with transitions military families regularly experience. Moving can mean new houses, jobs, schools, friends and sometimes even cultures. A pet might be the only constant in a service member’s life. A furry friend can make the transition from one place to another less stressful and less lonely. For wounded veterans they often become an important part of healthy, active daily routines and partners in new hobbies or adventures. The families, in turn, are lifesavers to orphan pets longing to find their forever homes. Helen Woodward Animal Center sees this symbiotic relationship between pets and people daily in both its Pet Encounter Therapy program (providing animal-assisted therapy to wounded veterans and civilian ailing and elderly paitients) and its AniMeals program (providing no-cost pet food to keep pets with their families). Both programs serve the military and have made an enormous impact on the pets and people they serve. “We are so grateful to Jim Kuden for sharing our belief that the pairing of orphan pets and military families is a win-win relationship,” stated Helen Woodward Animal Services Manager Ed Farrelly. “The wonderful men and women who serve our country protect the lives of our citizens and by adopting, they save the lives of an orphan pet. In return, that pet gives them a lifetime of love, devotion and gratitude.”
About Helen Woodward Animal Center Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where people help animals and animals help people. Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 57,000 people and thousands of animals annually through adoptions, educational and therapeutic programs both onsite and throughout the community. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the international Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, the International Remember Me Thursday campaign and The Business of Saving Lives Workshops, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world. For more information go to: www.animalcenter.org.
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Spice: Fact vs. Fiction Schedule I substances. It is illegal to sell, buy or possess them. But, that hasn’t stopped manufacturers from running a shell game, whereby different chemicals are substituted in and out of the mixture. The result is a product that isn’t supported by testing and doesn’t conform to any standards. Each manufacturer uses its own “custom blend” (what does that mean!) of cheap plant matter which is doused with who knows how much chemical. Afterward, it’s packaged and sold as “Incense.” What a racket.
By Keith Angelin
According to NIDA, the active compounds in Spice bind to the same receptors as THC. However, some of the compounds bind more strongly, which could lead to a more powerful and unpredictable effect. So, when you smoke spice, you are never certain as to the effect. Unfortunately, Spice is a recent phenomenon. It’s effects aren’t well-documented yet. Preliminary studies suggest negative effects such as increased agitation, vomiting, a rise in blood pressure, heart attack, convulsions, withdrawal and even acute psychotic events. I have personally witnessed some clients go through horrible withdrawal symptoms, lasting for weeks afterward.
Number 3 - Spice is Detectable?
I
f you think that synthetic marijuana - also known as Spice, K2, fake weed and herbal incense - is all-natural, harmless, or flies under the radar when it comes to testing, you are in for a very big surprise.
Regardless of what name it goes by, Spice is a psychoactive designer drug that produces effects similar to Marijuana. Clients I work with tell me it often feels more like marijuana with a little bit of the hallucinogen PCP thrown in. Lovely. Spice is available at smoke shops, packaged as “Incense” with the warning: “NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.” According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA Drug Facts: Spice {Synthetic Marijuana}, April 2012, www. drugabuse.gov), Spice is now the second most used illegal drug by High School seniors, next to marijuana. Despite the meteoric rise of this substance, most people know very little about it... even when they are using the product! Let’s look at the top three things people believe about Spice, and see if they are fact or fiction.
Number 1 - Spice is All-Natural? Fiction. If you see a package of synthetic Marijuana with all-natural claims on the label, then that manufacturer is lying to you. Spice is created by spraying dead plant matter with synthetic chemicals. The plant matter typically consists of various dried herbs. In truth, it could contain anything that burns. The organic stuff is inert and does not contribute at all to the mindaltering effects. Instead, manufacturers use the herbs as a delivery system, by spraying them with synthetic chemicals that mimic the effects THC has on the body. The result is a product that may look and burn like natural marijuana, but couldn’t be more different.
Number 2 - Spice is Safe?
Fact. Test kits are really inexpensive now. Recently, I purchased a dozen synthetic marijuana instant test kits on Amazon-dot-com for $4.95 each! Gone are the days when you could fly under the radar by smoking Spice in place of marijuana, and pass a random drug test.
Who Do You Trust? Before becoming a counselor, I spent twenty-years working with some of the largest nutrition companies in the country. I’ve seen what really goes on in board rooms and factories. Manufacturers can be unscrupulous. I’ve seen expiration dates changed on old products, and products made with questionable ingredients or unsafe amounts of some ingredients. Believe me, it happens. But the companies I’m talking about are in the minority. In the case of Spice, 100% of the manufacturers don’t give a damn what happens to you, so long as you pay in cash. In a way, I can’t blame them. After all, they tell you right on the package; “Not for Human Consumption.” What kind of idiot would ignore a warning like that?! KEITH ANGELIN, MBA, CADC-II, CNDAI, is a Masters level, Board-Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor and Nationally Certified Intervention Specialist. Prior to entering the field of substance abuse counseling he spent two-decades as a marketing executive in the health and nutrition industry where he worked with numerous professional athletes and celebrities including Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Clint Eastwood and the Dallas Cowboys. A ten year battle with drugs and alcohol nearly ended his life on three occasions. His recovery compelled him to re-evaluate his life and share the miracle with others. He can be reached at (949) 939-9222 or Keith4Counseling@gmail.com.
Fiction. The Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 2012 banned synthetic compounds commonly found in synthetic marijuana, designating them as
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