uarterdeck www flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, April 6, 2023 1

ByPettyOfficer2ndClassLindsayLair

Center for Information Warfare Training

PENSACOLA,Fla. Sheofficiallybegins herdayat5:30a.m withbreakfast,amorning walk with her partner and getting dressedinheruniformbeforegoingtowork. Onceherpartnersettlesintohisofficechair, she than gets started on the first nap of the dayonthefloor Herpartner,NavyCounselorChiefCyrus Irani, who concluded his 20 years of naval service at Center for Information Warfare and Training (CIWT) in late February with a helping paw at his side, Zoey a 6-montholdgoldenlabradoodlecurrentlyintheearly stagesofherservice.

In the weeks leading up to his retirement, Irani began her preliminary training in uniform, which for her consists of a pink leash,clippedtoapinkvest

Zoey is a part of Healing Paws for Warriors, a non-profit organization that facilitatesservicedogsforU.SVeterans

“We provide the military the weapons to fight—now let’s provide them the tools to live, said Sheila Hale, Co-founder and Program Manager for Healing Paws for Warriors. “The service dogs are their new battle buddies during highs and lows and the Veterans continue to work on a better versionofthemselves.”

“Noteverydogcanbeaservicedog,”Hale continued.“Onceaneligible pre-evaluated dog is selected from a shelter it is fostered for two weeks and then re-evaluated The canine begins initial training or is returned to the shelter, depending on the outcome of the second evaluation. Training usually takestwotofourmonths,dependingonthe veteran’sneeds.”

Mike Arena, co-founder and executive director of Healing Paws for Warriors explained the process a veteran has to complete to be eligible for a service animal Veterans must complete and submit a web basedapplicationthroughHealingPawsfor Warriors and supply documentation from a medical provider stating the patient is in a good place in treatment or therapy and wouldbenefitfromhavingaservicedog.

Eligibility is based on serval factors, one of which is where they fall into three categories of severity. Under Cat 1, member has minimal health issues, Cat 2, member has majorhealthissues,andCat3isreservedfor terminallyillVeterans

“Theywanttomakesuretheanimalissafe and also the service member is safe,” said Irani,“Itgoesbothways.”

ForIrani,theprocessofreceivingaservice dogstartedearlierthanmost.

“It’s not common to have a service dog and also be active duty, said Irani. “I’m thankfulforthechainofcommand[CIWT] who’s supported me From the command master chief all the way to the commanding officer.”

Irani would not have normally received his service dog prior to exiting the military, but is grateful for receiving her early as he is already seeing the benefits He recalled a time where Zoey unexpectedly demonstrated her training by giving support in a highstresssituation.Whiledriving,hisvehicle in front of him braked suddenly with no explanation and Irani felt himself become quiteangry.

I was upset and screaming at the other driver, said Irani, and Zoey started licking the back of my hand, like, ‘calm down it’s goingtobeokay.’

Zoey’s progress makes Irani hopeful that she will be able to complete training, with little to no issues He explained that Zoey willundergosurgerytogetspayedandbegin intensetraining.Hercareerwillthendepend on her performance during tests. Failure to pass means a career change, a term used to define the process of removing a pup out of theservicedogsystemandbeingplacedfor regularadoption.

Healing Paws for Warriors was officially foundedFebruary2015 92%oftheirdogsare sourcedfromshelters/rescuesintheFlorida region.TheyalsoworkwithothernonprofitslikeHeroLabradorsanditspurpose-bred dogs, and other organizations that donate animals Healing Paws has successfully placed54Veteranswithservicedogs,covering the cost of placement and training The costofatrainedservicedogfromtheirorganizationrunsbetween$15,000and$18,000

“Thanks to grants, donations, fundraisers, the generosity of the community, and usingrescue/shelteranimals,HealingPaws isabletoprovideADA-certifiedservicedogs, trainedfor/totheneedsoftheveteran,atno charge,”saidArena

Irani was ceremonially rung ashore on Mar. 31, during CIWT’s 130th Chief Petty Officer Birthday ceremony concluding his navalservicewithhisfamilywithhisfamily onhand.

ByKristiRBritt Norfolk Naval Shipyard

Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s (NNSY) Lesbian,Gay,Bisexual,Transgender,Queer + (LGBTQ+) Employee Resource Group took the lead in the Production Resource Department (Code 900) monthly Conference Room Naming Ceremony Mar. 9, identifying two individuals who’s work at the shipyard has advanced the efforts in building a better culture for all. Those recognized were LGBTQ+ Member and Former Chairperson Ronisha “Ro” Ford andDiversity,Equity,andInclusionAccessibility Strategic Team (DEIAST) Member Lamont Ming

“YouareawesomeindividualsandItruly appreciate the amount of effort you all put in every single day,” said Operations Officer Capt. Lawrence Brandon. “I see you putting in the grind and working to help make change at America’s Shipyard Your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. It can be challenging to change the culture and environment for a 10,000-person workplace but you don’t let that deter you from what you do It’s true that we can’t directly change a person; however, we can doourparttocreateanenvironmentwhere change is possible That’s what building a better culture is all about.”

ProductionResourceOfficerCapt.Frank Gasperettiadded,“Whenitcomestobuildingabetterculture,ittakeswillingnessand courage to step up to the plate and we see thatespeciallyineffortsyouallaremaking toensureourshipyardisawelcomingplace for all to function as one team.

Ford is a founding member of the LGBTQ+ ERG and was the Chairperson of the team until stepping down in late 2022. LGBTQ+ERGChairpersonJaneseWalker said, “Even after stepping down, Ro has continued to be an extremely active ERG memberandmentortoourteam.Withher ever-presence and always willing to lend her support, she understands the value of maintaining a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ employees and serves in any capacity to achieve that. Ro isn’t afraid to have those tough but necessary conversa- tions required to promote inclusion in the workplaceandisalwayswillingtoshareher knowledge and experiences with others.”

Ford said, “This really makes me feel really special and seen to be recognized. I hope we can continue to work together to ensure diversity and inclusion are felt throughout America’s Shipyard.”

Ming although not an official member of the LGBTQ+ ERG, has played a key role in their mission of creating a safe and equitable workplace for all. Walker said, “Lamont has dedicated several hours in between his formal role as an analyst to meet with stakeholders at all levels and advocateforLGBTQ+inclusionandrecognitionaspartofthe‘BuildaBetterCulture’ campaign. Lamont’simpeccable character and far-reaching connections have helped build a bridge between our group and senior leadership in order to affect position change here at America’s Shipyard.”

Mingsaid,“I’mreallyblownawaybythis We’re a family here at America’s Shipyard andittakesallofourcommitmenttomake it the best it can be.”

Thisinitiativebeganasanefforttorecognize employees for their hard work and dedicationtoAmerica’sShipyardandbuilding a better culture with two employees being recognized each month with a plaque and one of the spaces in Bldg 1500 bearing their name. As new months bring newrecipients eachrecognizedindividual willreceivetheirofficialplaqueandphotograph.Inaddition, their photos andrecognitionwillencircletheconferenceroomto ensure their hard work and dedication is recognized for many years to come