THESE CANINES SAVE LIVES. Your support helps transform them. COURAGEOUSCOMPANIONS.CA
November • 2023
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Healing Paws: Supporting Veterans and First Responders with Service Dogs “When I was partnered with K9 Bennie in September of 2020, I can’t say it was love at first sight…it was so much more,” Michelle Suess said. “For a long time, I couldn’t do or be anything I loved. Bennie started the hard work of chipping away at the walls I had built around myself for protection.” Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental illness stemming from traumatic experiences, casts a deep shadow on the lives of those affected. Whether triggered by a single harrowing event or prolonged emotional trauma, PTSD can lead to intrusive and distressing symptoms. Victims may find themselves haunted by vivid nightmares and flashbacks and often avoid anything reminiscent of the traumatic event. Feelings of constant nervousness, irritability, and detachment from reality become all too common, making day-today living challenging. However, like in the case of Michelle, service dogs trained specifically to aid individuals with PTSD can make a profound difference: “They truly are man’s best friend,” Michelle said. “They are sent here to work with us to help
MSAR K9 MOLLY AND SAM DUBAS © ALL COURAGEOUS COMPANIONS
K9 MADDIE AND EDMUND FORRESTALL
K9 NOVA AND STEVE GLOADE
make the world a better place.” Since 2016, Courageous Companions, a non-profit charitable organization and an Accredited Service Dog Organization, has been on a mission to provide service dogs to military service men and women, veterans, and first responders diagnosed with an operational stress injury. These remarkable canines are not just companions; they are trained to perform many helpful tasks. A service dog can provide grounding, distraction, or gentle guidance when faced with dissociation or panic. They can offer tactile stimulation and deep pressure therapy to soothe their handler
during distressing moments. With a keen ability to sense panic before it overwhelms their handler, they can provide vital alerts, preventing potential disruptive behaviour. Beyond these specialized tasks, service dogs can also assist in practical ways, like finding objects for their handlers or ensuring safe personal space in crowded public places. When night terrors strike, the service dog is there to wake and comfort their handler, making the transition back to reality more manageable. Sometimes, all it takes is knowing that someone has your back to start the healing process. A service dog can cost anywhere
from $20,000 to $30,000, depending on the type of disability the person has and their location. Each Service Dog undertakes specialized training to provide for the needs of their individual. The two are then trained together to become a service dog team. Training can take up to one year, and travel is often required for training and testing. Donations are crucial to the placement of service dog teams. “I am a retired member of the Canadian Armed Forces after serving for 27 years with the Military Police and the RCMP,” shared Pat Fisher. “In 2013, I was diagnosed with PTSD. After receiving
four years of therapy, I contacted Courageous Companions about getting a service dog to help me cope with everyday life. On May 20th, 2017, I finally had the pleasure of being introduced to my K9 Sadie, a female German Shepherd. As of today, K9 Sadie and I are pretty much inseparable.” As of 2020, Courageous Companions has provided over 212 trained service dogs, saving lives in the process. These service teams have helped to decrease depression, need for medication, aggression and suicidal thoughts, and increase confidence, sense of belonging, patience, and emotional stability. All donations go directly to improving the quality of life of service men and women by providing them with specially trained service dogs. “K9 Sadie has helped me out of my shell and allowed me to go out in public once again,” said Pat. “Thank you, Courageous Companions, for our new life.” Your support makes a world of difference. Learn more and donate today at courageouscompanions.ca
Keeping History Alive for Generations to Come With a rich history like Canada’s, there are many stories that do not get the attention and honour that they deserve. The Battle of Hong Kong, a pivotal moment in Canadian history, is one such story. Marked by a 17-day struggle against the Imperial Japanese Army, 1,975 soldiers were dispatched, 290 of whom lost their lives during the battle, while an additional 267 endured harsh
captivity as prisoners of war. Today, only one Hong Kong veteran remains, underlining the urgency of preserving their legacy. Founded in 1995, the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association (HKVCA) recognizes that the loss of living veterans means a loss of history for future generations. The association has taken up the task of not only preserving history but rewriting it, honouring the Indigenous veterans
© RICHARD LAWRENCE PHOTOGRAPHY
of the "C" Force, who played an essential role in the Battle of Hong Kong during World War II.
Beyond education, the association has placed commemorative plaques at over 50 Legion branches and other locations across Canada, serving as enduring tributes to the soldiers who fought in Hong Kong. Additionally, the Memorial Wall in Ottawa is a national symbol of remembrance for all 1,975 veterans.
who contributed to Canada's armed forces. The information gathered will be used to update the HKVCA's database, create DOCUMENTING HISTORY a dedicated section on their website, and generate educational The HKVCA's comprehensive database houses detailed records materials highlighting the stories of Indigenous veterans. of each of the 1,975 soldiers. This trove of information includes While these records are vital to birthplaces, enlistment details, building a record of Canada’s true regimental affiliations, circumPRESERVING history, this initiative goes beyond stances of death, and even personal INDIGENOUS LEGACIES remembrance. Through this accounts of wartime experiences, Among the brave soldiers who process, families have been able to where possible. fought in the battle were Red reconnect with their Indigenous To ensure the lessons of the River Métis and other Indigenous heritage and with each other. Battle of Hong Kong are passed soldiers, whose stories remain Many are discovering long-lost down through generations, untold. The Indigenous Veterans connections, rekindling relationthe HKVCA has developed a Project, created and driven by ships, and celebrating their shared range of educational resources. HKVCA, and possible with history. As many of the volunteer These include lesson plans for significant funding from the members of the association have high school teachers, personal Métis Veterans Legacy Program, family ties to the 1,975 soldiers stories, photographs, and links to is working to tell these previously involved, this bears significant additional materials. Quarterly untold stories, recognizing and weight and meaning. newsletters and virtual events commemorating these heroes while "By doing this project, we're further engage audiences and also fostering connections within giving those men and their families provide insights into this critical Indigenous communities. a space to stand up and say 'I am chapter of Canadian history. This Through extensive research, a proud Métis. I am a proud Cree. wealth of knowledge is invaluable the project aims to uncover I am a proud Anishinaabe,'" said to educators, researchers, and the Indigenous heritage of Project Leader and association anyone seeking to understand the the soldiers, painting a clearer member Pamela Poitras Heinrichs, profound sacrifices made during picture of the sacrifices made by whose father was a Red River this historic battle. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Métis Hong Kong Veteran. ADVERTORIAL
Celebrating Life: The 10th Canadian Transplant Games in Ottawa In less than a year, the heart of Ottawa will beat with a special rhythm as hundreds of transplant recipients, living donors, and donor families, along with their dedicated supporters, will gather for the highly anticipated 10th Canadian Transplant Games. This momentous event, which serves as a symbol of life's extraordinary second chances, stands as a testament to the success of transplant procedures while also shining a spotlight on the critical need for organ and tissue donation. “The Games highlight, in a really powerful and inspiring way, how organ donation transforms the lives of recipients, their families and communities,” explained Brenda Brown, President of the Canadian Transplant Association. Previously, the Canadian Transplant Games have seen participants as young as four years old engaging in a diverse array of sports, including swimming, lawn bowling, cycling, track and field, and tennis. The Games are designed to be inclusive, welcoming athletes of all fitness levels and abilities. Over the
course of a week, participants and their supporters are treated to a series of memorable events, including the grandeur of Opening and Closing ceremonies, a heartwarming family picnic, and an elegant gala. The Canadian Transplant Games in Ottawa will be held August 2-9, 2024. This marks a historic first for the city, following successful editions held in Calgary, Toronto, Moncton,
ALL IMAGES © 2016 SCOTT DORCICH
and Vancouver. Local organizers are in the final stages of determining the sports and additional activities that will be featured. Brown believes that Ottawa will witness an unprecedented turnout for the Games, given that this will be the first Canadian Games held since the onset of the pandemic. She added, “We are expecting this will be our biggest Games ever as it’s been a long
time since the transplant community could gather like this. There is a lot of excitement and anticipation across Canada in our community.” In a touching tribute to the occasion, the Canadian Transplant Association commissioned a young artist, eighteenyear-old Ryley Mitchell, to craft a distinctive logo commemorating the Games. Mitchell, who received a heart transplant as an infant,
designed the logo to reflect both the city of Ottawa and the people of the unceded Anishinaabe Algonquin territory where Ottawa is situated. Ryley's artistic statement explains the symbolism in the design, which was created in consultation with an Anishinaabe transplant recipient: "I chose braided sweetgrass to represent Indigenous culture as it has deep symbolism for First Nations. The three strands are resilient when they are braided together, just like our transplant community when we come together to celebrate life. This ties into the event of the games which brings recipients, donors, and their families together as a community." As the clock ticks towards 2024, anticipation for Ottawa’s first Canadian Transplant Games continues to mount. Registration for the Canadian Transplant Games will open in early 2024, but organ and tissue donations are needed year-round. Learn more about the Canadian Transplant Association and find out how you can get involved at canadiantransplant.com
Canadian Transplant Association Improving the health outcomes of transplant recipients and supporting post-transplant healthy living. Learn more and donate at canadiantransplant.com
