American Service Dogs Magazine Volume 3 No. 1

VOLUME 3 NO. 1

Real Stories: Jessica rambo & bella P. 28 VETERAN SERVICE DOG ORGANIZATIONS UNITE P. 12 Major Jim Land: Father of the USMC SniPER Program P. 14

Service Dog Science:

Empirical Evidence Service Dogs Heal www.americanservicedogs.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

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20

22

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18

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Service Dog Science: Empirical Proof Dogs Help Veterans Heal

Pokémon Go Helps Veteran with TBI

What’s Inside Counts

FEATURE STORY

MENTAL HEALTH

HEALTH & WELLNESS

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20

28

5x5 Brewing Co.

World War I Memorial & Museum

Jessica Rambo & Bella

VETERAN OWNED

DESTINATIONS

12

22

The Associationof Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans

Anthony Marquez’s XVII Carvings

CONTINUED SERVICE

ARTS IN ACTION

ABOUT THE COVER

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24

Major Jim Land: Father of the USMC Sniper Program

Importance of Kennel Training

AMERICAN GRIT

REAL STORIES

ASK THE EXPERTS

USMC veteran Jessica Rambo with her service dog Bella.

Photo by Jordan Lahon

Publisher

Amanda Baity

amanda@americanservicedogs.org

Editorial Team

Amanda Baity, Christopher Baity, Diane Lambdin and Hatley Wood Visit our website to find out more about our editorial team members.

Photography Team

Amanda Baity, Carleigh Gray, Jordan Lahon and Valerine Valdez

Advertising Opportunities

For rates and information please contact Amanda Baity at info@americanservicedogs.org 571-494-5144 ext 2

Sponsorship Opportunities

American Service Dogs has several different sponsorship options for your brand.

If you are interested in finding out more information please contact Amanda Baity: info@americanservicedogs.org 571-494-5144 ext 2

Editorial Opportunities

Do you have a story you’d like our team to cover?

Contact us at info@americanservicedogs.org or visit our website to submit story ideas and press releases.

Subscriptions

Annual subscription rate (4 issues) is $25 (Continental U.S.).

Change of address notices should be sent to info@americanservicedogs.org.

Order back issues at www.semperk9.shop.

American Service Dogs PO Box 451 Quantico, VA 22134 Phone: (571) 494-5144 ext. 2

American Service Dogs magazine is a product of Semper K9 Assistance Dogs’ Community Education Program. Produced by Baity Media, LLC, American Service Dogs’ mission is to educate and inspire readers with the features we highlight each issue. All opinions expressed in the magazine and online are those of the authors, or persons interviewed and do not necessarily reflect the views of American Service Dogs. © Copyright 2019 by American Service Dogs, ISSN 2475-7810.

All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced or translated without written permission. Contact the publisher for reprint information.

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AMERICAN SERVICE DOGS

Publisher’s Letter

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elcome to our third year of producing American Service Dogs Magazine. We are excited about 2019! This issue has so many amazing features that we hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Our feature this issue highlights the current research studies taking place at universities across the country, collecting scientific evidence that service dogs do, in fact, help veterans with PTSD heal. All of the studies highlighted are collaborations between direct service providers of service dogs to veterans and universities including Purdue University, St. Leo University and Johns Hopkins University.

These organizations also have something in common, they are members of The Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans. The Association is our Continued Service feature this issue, and we highlight their mission, accomplishments in a short period and future aspirations.

They have also just announced their 2019 National Service Dog Conference, which will be in July in the Metro D.C. area.

Beer lovers & Radio Operators who responded with 5x5 may want to take a trip to south Texas to check out 5x5 Brewing Co. Founded by veterans, this robust brewery has a military theme and several custom brews to choose from. Find out how Marine Sean Downey and friends followed their dreams, including the challenges they faced when starting their company.

This issue also features a Marine who dedicates his free time to giving to others. Anthony Marquez continues his personal mission to create 17 carvings for the families of the Marines he lost in his unit. He travels across the country to deliver Battlefield Crosses to the families at no cost and also does commissioned work.

It’s not every day that you get to meet a military legend, let alone interview one. Read about Marine Corps Major Jim Land, the father of the modern USMC Sniper Program. Our American Grit feature follows his life including his struggles and accomplishments throughout his military and civilian career.

This issue our cover story is about Marine Corps veteran Jessica Rambo and her service dog Bella. Read her story to see what unique challenges she faced and how she was able to bring Bella with her when stationed at the Pentagon. She is now a student, and this mother of two is working on a fantastic project that is sure to have you inspired.

We hope you enjoy this issue and as always, our goal is to educate and inspire readers with accurate and useful information by telling real stories for the military community while providing information about service dogs for our veterans. If you have editorial questions or ideas, please feel free to email me directly, amanda@americanservicedogs.org.

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twitter.com/servicedogsmag

linkedin.com/company/americanservicedogs

instagram.com/americanservicedogsmag VOLUME 3 NO. 1

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FEATURE STORY

Photos Courtesy of K9s for Warriors

proving service dogs help veterans heal

By Amanda Baity

C

urrently, there are several research studies published or presently being conducted in the service dogs for veterans industry. Although in different stages, these studies have many things in common. One is that they are specifically looking for the scientific evidence that trained service dogs are a viable treatment option for veterans who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Secondly, all the organizations involved in these studies are members of The

partner members of the Association of service dog providers for military veterans are leading the way on top level research studies 4

AMERICAN SERVICE DOGS

Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans (ASDPMV). The Association is highlighted in this issue on page 12.

Purdue University

In 2015, the lab of Dr. Maggie O’Haire at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine and K9s for Warriors began a collaboration to find empirical evidence that service dogs mitigate Post-Traumatic Stress symptoms in post-9/11 veterans. These symptoms can include debilitating anxiety, night terrors, uncontrollable anger, fear of public places, drug abuse, and even more tragically, suicide.

Dr. O’Haire’s lab assessed 141 veterans with PTSD. Of those veterans, 75 had graduated with a service dog from K9s For Warriors; 66 were on the wait list to receive one. Several measurements were used to collect data from participants including social participation, Sympathetic Nervous System

Photo Courtesy of Semper K9

SERVICE DOG SCIENCE

FEATURE STORY arousal, cortisol awakening response, dog interactions and other measures.

Preliminary results from the study conducted in February 2018 confirmed service dogs discuss a host of benefits to veterans’ wellbeing, including lower overall symptoms of posttraumatic stress, lower levels of depression and higher overall psychological well-being.

A second study with K9s for Warriors was published in June 2018. Data was gathered from saliva samples of 73 participants, 45 with a service dog and 28 on the waiting list to receive one, to measure cortisol levels (“the stress hormone”). Researchers found that veterans with PTSD who had a service dog produced cortisol levels closer to those of a standard healthy adult.

“When you wake up in the morning, and you don’t have PTSD, you have a slow morning cortisol rise,” said K9s for Warriors CEO, Rory Diamond. “Our warriors who have PTSD flatline.” However, Diamond said the study showed veterans with service dogs for at least six months have a near-normal morning cortisol rise.

“This is the first proof ever in the history of mankind that a service dog can change someone with PTSD’s brain,” Diamond said.

purdue unversity, st. leo university & johns hopkins university are presently in different stages of research Johns Hopkins University

Another study from Johns Hopkins University is being conducted by 3rd-year doctoral student, Jeremy Ramirez.

Ramirez is partnering with five service dog organizations across the country, Semper K9 Assistance Dogs, Labs for Liberty, Patriotic Service Dog Foundation, Northwest Battle Buddies and Got Your Six Support Dogs. His goal is to conduct a systematic review of the current research findings and get the most up-to-date look at what’s being researched up to this point.

The second part of his study will be empirical research done face-to-face with the veterans. “This is the study I am most excited about,” said Ramirez. “Generally, the other studies that have been conducted are quantitative, meaning researchers will collect data and produce statistics. This serves a valuable purpose; however, I feel a big part is being left out of these studies, and that is the qualitative component. Getting to sit down with these veterans and dive into what they have experienced.”

Photo Courtesy of Semper K9

Ramirez hopes to tell these veterans stories and identify the similar pieces that are in each interview. “The study will help inform the community on what we find works well from the veteran’s first-hand perspective,” said Ramirez. It will also possibly identify areas that may need improvement. “I haven’t seen any other research study like this.”

The third portion of the study is more quantitative. Using surveys, Ramirez will evaluate how service dogs impact symptoms of PTSD, the veterans’ quality of life, their depression status and their general mental & physical health status.

Between the five service dog providers Ramirez has partnered with, he hopes to have a minimum of 150 veterans throughout the study to work which includes evaluation group of veterans with service dogs and a comparison group of veterans without service dogs.

“Our organizations see first-hand the impact a service dog has on veterans and their families,” said Christopher Baity, founder & Executive Director of Semper K9 Assistance Dogs. “Being able to use scientific evidence and the qualitative components of this study will also allow us to enhance the task training of the service dogs we are providing and improve the assistance VOLUME 3 NO. 1

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Photo Courtesy of Northwest Battle Buddies

FEATURE STORY similar group of veterans, and accounting for a placebo effect, the veteran participants who completed the service dog program demonstrated significant decreases in the severity of their posttraumatic stress symptoms in as little as 19 weeks. The clinically significant reductions in PTSD-related symptoms such as anxious arousal, anxiety, hyperarousal, intrusive experiences, and defensive avoidance the veterans describe appear to contribute to gains in their social and relational functioning.

“We are proud to have scientific proof that our training model works,” said Mary Peter, Founder & CEO of K9 Partners for Patriots. “The results show that all of our veterans improved in every category.”

Photo Courtesy of Semper K9

we are giving veterans with PTSD.” The results are expected to be published in mid-2021. Every survey instrument used will be self-reported. “Collectively it tells a bigger part of the story,” said Ramirez. “We can analyze data points on a patient population all we want but what often gets left out is who sat down to talk to the patient and hear their story. That’s what I am hoping to learn, that other side to this field of research.”

These improvements are notable considering the high levels of social avoidance, severe relational problems with family members, and impaired occupational functioning documented among many of these veterans and demonstrated in their baseline scores. Use of the TSI-2 in the present study allowed for a more extensive assessment of PTSD symptomology and a more detailed mapping of some of these complex symptoms, compared to the briefer tools employed in most prior studies of similar programs.

St. Leo University

K9 Partners for Patriots in Brooksville, Florida has partnered with St. Leo University to conduct an evidence-based study of the effect their service dog training program has on veterans diagnosed with PTSD, TBI and/or MST. Using the Trauma Symptom Inventory-2 (TSI-2) assessment and other research-based instruments, Dr. Diane ScotlandCoogan is leading the evidence-based study to provide the empirical data that service dogs are an effective, alternative therapy for PTSD. Dr. Scotland-Coogan is a graduate instructor in the School of Social Work, St. Leo University located in St. Leo, Florida.

Trauma Symptom Inventory-2 (TSI-2) is a measure used to evaluate post-traumatic stress and other psychological conditions which may be the consequence of traumatic events. The TSI-2 assesses symptoms such as anxious arousal, anxiety, hyperarousal, depression, anger, intrusive experiences, defensive avoidance, dissociation, somatic preoccupations, pain, suicidality and tension reduction behavior. These include not only symptoms typically associated with PTSD, but also those intrapersonal and interpersonal difficulties often associated with more chronic psychological trauma.

Through the three research studies conducted, a total of 118 veterans participated in the collection data. The results of these studies showed that when compared to a demographically 6

AMERICAN SERVICE DOGS

Department of Veterans Affairs

Although these studies are providing proof that service dogs do help mitigate symptoms of PTSD the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) still declines to offer assistance. For more than 15 years, the VA has covered veterinary care for service dogs that assist veterans with physical disabilities. It has refused to do that for PTSD service dogs, however, citing a lack of empirical evidence for their therapeutic value. The VA began a $12 million study late 2011 in Tampa, Florida, with three nonprofits contracted to provide up to 200 service dogs for veterans, who would be compared against a control group

FEATURE STORY that did not receive dogs.

The effort soon ran into trouble. The VA cut off two of the three dog vendors following biting incidents involving participants’ children. The final contract was terminated in August 2012 amid allegations of lax veterinary care and placement of dogs “with known aggressive behavior,” according to VA records. By then, only 17 dogs had been placed.

In an April 2016 statement, Dr. Michael Fallon, Chief Veterinary Medical Officer in the Office of Research and Development at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) included this update on the study before the Subcommittee on National Security at the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Currently, VA does not provide benefits for PTSD or mental health dogs because they are not known to be effective in overcoming specific functional limitations; this study is incredibly important in building the evidence base. VA continues to monitor other scientific literature for quality evidence to inform future policies and remains strongly committed to completing the current PTSD and service dog study at an estimated cost of at least $12 million.

PA I N T E D BUFFALO STUDIO

Lack of availability of trained dogs has also been a problem for VA researchers, according to Fallon’s testimony. The study was redesigned and is expected to conclude this year.

Moving Forward

These independent studies are proving more successful than the current VA study. The importance of gathering the scientific evidence will not only be to allow providers of service dogs to veterans a way to plan for the future, but it will also pave the way for these organizations to provide more service dogs to more veterans at a faster rate. Members of Congress have been supporting The Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) ACT to expand access to service dogs for veterans with PTSD. If passed, this piece of legislation will require the VA to provide a $25,000 grant to an eligible organization to pair wounded veterans with a service dog. In addition to initial pairing costs, the grant shall cover (1) a veterinary health insurance policy for the life of the dog, (2) service dog equipment, and (3) payment for travel expenses for the veteran to obtain the dog.

In order to be eligible for this grant for service dog pairing, the organization must either be an Assistance Dog International accredited organization that also meets specific criteria listed in the measure, or meet the Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans Service Dog Agency Standards, which cater to the needs of veterans with PTSD. To find out more about how you can get involved with the PAWS Act visit www.servicedogs4vets.org/PAWS. To find out more about the studies mentioned in this feature, visit www.AmericanServiceDogs.org

VOLUME 3 NO. 1

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VETERAN OWNED

5x5 brewing 8

co.

AMERICAN SERVICE DOGS

Photos provided by 5x5 Brewing Co.

5x5 Brewing Co. Owners (L-R) Alex Gelman, Matt Bowling, Matt Mazur, George Rice, Sean Downey

By Amanda Baity

V

eteran-owned and Texas-based 5x5 Brewing Co. is the brainchild of brothers, Matt Mazur, and George Rice and their longtime friend Sean Downey.

Displeased with the available variety of beers in the Rio Grande Valley in the early 1990s, Matt Mazur and his college buddy played with the idea of starting a beer-centric publication. They hoped to help educate local RGV beer and develop a demand for more new and exciting beers, but it never launched.

With a keen interest in beers, their Brewmaster began a 15-year journey into the home brewing scene. With a few well-received competitions, he was able to hone his craft and develop the incredible recipes that are used today at 5x5 Brewing Co. Matt and George approached their childhood friend Sean Downey to bring his professional background in Marketing and Business Administration to the table and with the tireless hard work, from the three Co-Founders 5x5 Brewing Co. was able to get the momentum to go from a 20-year-old idea of writing about beer, to create the beer that our fans love and crave.

VETERAN OWNED

5x5 is a term used by radio operators to describe when signal and clarity was at its best United States Army veteran George Rice and US Marine Corps veteran Sean Downey proudly served, and it is with love for their brothers & sisters in arms and an unquenchable passion for beer that 5x5 Brewing Co. adopted its military theme, including its name, which was a term used by radio operators to describe when signal and clarity was at its best.

We recently interviewed one of the co-founders to get his perspective on starting a business with others and the trials of opening a brewery in south-east Texas.

ASD: What aspects of your military career prepared you for this endeavor?

Downey: Personally, my experience as a US Marine allows me to adapt to change quickly and efficiently. It also cemented a solid work ethic and sense of integrity. My time in a logistics MOS prepared me for the daily organizational tasks required for handling multiple lines of equipment and processes within the brewery.

ASD: Did you ever think you would become an entrepreneur?

Downey: Starting my professional career straight out of High School and into the Marine Corps, I didn’t think I would be my own boss. However, the skills I acquired allowed me to build up the courage to venture out and do things on my own. I look at a problem now and find a way to apply my existing skills to the issue, and if I don’t have the skill, I push myself to acquire it. I don’t know everything, I know I never will, but I learn enough to address the situation and to find the right talent to surround myself with through other associates.

ASD: What were some of the biggest challenges your team faced when starting 5x5 Brewing Co.?

Downey: The most substantial challenge for our business has been licensing and fundraising. Starting a brewery is full of bureaucratic red tape, taxes just for the sake of taxation (without any services rendered), and piles of required record keeping.

Brewing equipment and supplies are not cheap.

ASD: What has this business enabled you to do with your life?

Downey: Honestly, the business has allowed us to give back to the community that raised us, and that has supported us. We have brought the idea of “selfless service” we learned in the military back to the civilian world. We gain great satisfaction in being able to help others who are less fortunate or who are doing great things for those in need.

ASD: What have you found to be the most effective way to get your product customers?

Downey: Social media is critical in today’s marketing strategy.

The term “word of mouth” has remained true, but “word of media” would better describe people’s communication style.

That being said, traditional marketing channels are still used including print and radio advertising. Beer festivals allow us to get in front of existing and potential fans physically, and developing a comfortable and fun taproom have also contributed to our success.

ASD: What advice would you give to others considering starting a business?

Downey: When starting a business, do your research. Find a need, and fill it. Following one’s “passion” isn’t always a solid business venture. Put together a solid business plan and have VOLUME 3 NO. 1

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VETERAN OWNED

PR Strategist + Entrepreneur

experienced professionals look over it and offer their advice.

Heed the advice of others who have been there before you. If you think you have budgeted for something, add at least 20% more to the total, just to be safe.

ASD: What advice can you give to others who are wanting to start a business but may be hesitant?

Downey: At the end of the day the only thing we truly own is our integrity. If you promise something, you *must* deliver it.

To find out more about 5x5 Brewing Co. visit their website, www.5x5brewing.com.

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AMERICAN SERVICE DOGS

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VOLUME 3 NO. 1

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VETERAN SERVICE ORGANIZATION

The association of service dog providers for military veterans

By Amanda Baity

I

n 2016, a group of service dog providers joined forces to not only create a much needed national service dog training standard but to unite as one voice, the voice of the veterans they serve. The Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans (ASDPMV) is a coalition of non-profit service dog providers for military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and military sexual trauma (MST) working to prevent suicide and improve military veterans’ mental health.

Founder and Executive Director, Jordan Kaye Colvin, recognized an issue while she was working on legislation the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS Act) and realized there was not a collective group with a focus on service dogs for military veterans. “What we wanted to bring together organizations that were actually providing the services to veterans and create a national standard,” said Colvin. It worked, within 2 months of their first official meeting in Fall 2016, The Association had finalized their national and community training standards and published them publicly on their website.

The organizations Colvin recruited were what she felt to be industry leaders, three organizations from Florida; K9s for Warriors in Pointe Verde, K9 Partners for Patriots in Brooksville, Paws 4 Liberty in Lake Worth, Semper K9 Assistance Dogs in Quantico, Virginia and Labs for Liberty in Morgan Valley, Utah.

Since their inception, they have recruited other organizations and hosted two national service dog conferences in Washington, DC. The inaugural conference in 2017 included recognizing members of Congress who have championed the mission and a day on Capitol Hill meeting with members of Congress and their staff to educate them about how service dogs help veterans.

“These organization’s work stood apart from traditional service dog providers, and they needed a collective voice that represented their work, focus, and needs.”

“After looking at the ecosystem of service dog providers from the perspective of a legislative staffer, I realized that the work of veteran-focused organizations was incredibly dynamic,” said Colvin. “These organization’s work stood apart from traditional service dog providers, and they needed a collective voice that represented their work, focus, and needs.”

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AMERICAN SERVICE DOGS

ASDPMV members are nonprofit organizations that pair military veterans with trained service dogs that provide healing assistance in navigating traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma. Aside from their dog training and veteran training methods, they also practice transparency, with their finances and program operations.

“No other group out there is composed of direct providers of these service dogs,” said Christopher Baity, founder and Executive Director of Semper K9 Assistance Dogs. “We brought the industry leaders together, created and published national standards. Standards specifically catered to best practices for direct providers of psychiatric service dogs.” Baity continues that being part of a non-competitive coalition of service dog providers is not only important for the industry as a whole but

VETERAN SERVICE ORGANIZATION

(Top) ASDPMV Partner Members at the 2018 National Service Dog Conference (Bottom) Founding Partner Members in Atlanta for the first official meeting and drafting of national training standards for service dog organizations asssting veterans.

The 2019 National Service Dog Conference will take place this summer near Washington, D.C. You can find out more information about the conference, register or submit to become a speaker at www.ServiceDogsforVets.org/conference.

If you are interested in joining ASDPMV or reviewing their national and community training standards visit their website www.ServiceDogs4Vets.org.

essential to growth within each organization. “We share ideas, partner in scientific research and together, we are stronger.”

Looking to the future, The Association plans on growing and creating innovative ways to assist veterans. “In 2019, the Association is focused on growing its membership of collaborative organizations, supporting research studies, advocating for service dogs as a treatment modality, and improving public-space access for veterans with service dogs,” said Colvin. “Additionally, we are working to expand our expertise in services for veterans with MST by convening our MST Working Group.”

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AMERICAN GRIT

Major jim land: Father of the USMC Sniper Program

By Amanda Baity

C

ommonly known as the father of the modern U.S. Marine Corps sniper program, former NRA Secretary and retired USMC Major Edward James “Jim” Land Jr. has had a life full of significant accomplishments, challenges and change.

Edward James Land, Jr. was born in 1935 and was raised on a farm in Lincoln, Nebraska. Land graduated at 17 from high school in 1953. He had a full scholarship to the University of Nebraska Agricultural College because of his work on his family farm with soil conservation. “Most of the time when we sat down for a meal, the only thing at the table that didn’t come off the farm was salt and pepper,” said Land. A few days after he graduated high school, Land changed course and enlisted in The Marine Corps.

Planning on serving his country and then using the GI Bill, Land was transferred to Marine Barracks 8th & I which is where he met his wife. They were married and welcomed a daughter while stationed there. Somewhere along the way he changed his plans and wanted to become a Marine Corps officer. He started taking college courses and reenlisted for recruit training to become a Drill Instructor (DI). In 1957, Land went to Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego for Drill Instructor School and upon completion of their 9-week school became a DI. After 22 months Land was selected for Officer Candidate School (OCS).

After 12 weeks of training at OCS, located at Marine Base Quantico, Land was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He had 9 months of training at The Basic School (TBS) and was

“We were trying to find something that could provide a service. that’s what got me started on the sniper business.”

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AMERICAN SERVICE DOGS

Major Edward James ‘Jim’ Land, Jr

transferred to the 4th Marine Regiment in Hawaii. After being a platoon commander at Marine Corps Base Hawaii for a year, Land began to grow restless. “Mrs. Land pointed out that I had achieved my goal to become an officer. She said ‘You need a new goal, that’s your problem.’” Land said it made a lot of sense to him since he had always had goals to aspire towards, so he set a new one. To get his college degree.

Land was scheduled to go to Marine Corps Reconnaissance Company that was attached to the Brigade in Hawaii. Before joining Recon Company, he had orders to Panama for Jungle Warfare School. Ten days before his departure, Land was informed by his battalion commander that his orders had been canceled and he was now going to Division Matches. “I had no idea what the division matches were, and I had never shot competitively,” said Land. They won the Pacific Division

AMERICAN GRIT

Land was raised on a rural farm in Nebraska and is pictured here as a young boy with two of his farm dogs .

Match Team Championship his first competition. He was then selected to join the FAF PAC Rifle & Pistol team.

Land worked with CWO Arthur Terry to found the Corps’ first modern sniper course. “We decided you can only give the commanding general so many pot medal trophies…we needed to provide a service,” said Land.

“So we were trying to find something that could provide a service.” Land got the idea from an Army shooter who attended a Canadian sniper school. “So that got me started on the sniper business.”

“My mom used to have a saying ‘If you want to hear God laugh just tell him your plans.’ Because I was going in one direction and he took me somewhere else,” said Land.

Land pictured in Vietnam.

environment of the position, briefing officers were only given a 6-month billet.

Land was then assigned as the Marksmanship Coordinator for the Marine Corps, making him responsible for all the marksmanship training across the Corps. Unfortunately, the sniper program had been canceled in 1972. Through his efforts and the help of several fellow Marines, Land managed to get the sniper program started again. Land was able to reestablish the MOS (military occupational specialty), got the table of organization (TO) and the table of equipment (TE). And finally, the Commandant approved the first permanent Marine Corps Scout Sniper School in Quantico, Virginia.

Land went to Vietnam as Officer in Charge (OIC) of the the 1st Marine Division Sniper Teams. It was in Vietnam that he was the Commanding Officer of legendary Marine Corps sniper, Carlos Hathcock.

It is still in full operation today. “The good Lord gave me the contacts that helped me make this possible,” said Land. “I had no idea how to function at that high level of bureaucracy of the Marine Corps.

I had many help and guide me along the way.”

After his time in Vietnam, Land was Inspector-Instructor (I&I) for a reserve unit. In 1973 he was sent back to Washington, DC, this time to Headquarters Marine Corps Henderson Hall to be a briefing officer for the Commandant. Due to the high-stress

When Land retired from the Marine Corps in 1977, he had finally achieved his goal that was set back in Hawaii. He graduated with a Bachelor of Political Science from George Washington University in 1976 and upon his retirement he VOLUME 3 NO. 1

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AMERICAN GRIT found himself unemployed and again, without a goal. 6 days later he was hired by the National Rifle Association (NRA), and he would start the second career path that would lead him to be the Secretary of the NRA for 21 years.

land graduated george washington universtiy with a bachelors of political science, completing the goal he had right after his high school graduation when he enlisted in the marine corps In 2015, at the age of 80, he retired from the NRA after being there for 31 years. Shortly after his retirement, his wife of 60 years passed away. “When I was on I&I duty in 1976, I was a Casualty Assistance Officer,” said Land. “I knocked on 211 doors for casualty notifications to families, and one of the things I always told them was not to make any major decisions for at least a year.” He took that advice after his wife, Elly, passed and tried to come up with a new plan. He purchased a small farm in rural Virginia that he says was “the only thing that kept me going at the time.”

He starts each day as he always has, with his “plan of the day.”

He works on projects out at the farm, hunts and encourages other veterans, many of them his former Marines, to continue living life to the fullest. He has a bucket list of items that he checks off as he completes them and has no plans of slowing down.

Land in 2018 attending Semper K9 Assistance Dog’s annual upland bird hunting event.

Also on his list of projects are motivational sayings that he has come up with and used over the years: “Establish your priorities and get to work.”

“Nothing will work unless you do.”

“Done is better than perfect.”

Land showing the progress made and upcoming plans for his farm in rural Virginia.

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AMERICAN SERVICE DOGS

He looks at this every day to keep him on track and encourages others to do the same. Not too bad for a “friendly drill instructor.”

Evan 1lliams.

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MENTAL HEALTH

veteran’s pokemon battles help him fight back after tbi From Stars & Stripes by J.P. Lawrence

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hile deployed to Kuwait with the North Carolina Army National Guard as an intelligence officer in 2016, Zach Brooks was in a car heading back to base after a run in the desert when a bus T-boned the vehicle, said Lt. Col. Brian Grey, his boss at the time. Brooks’ lungs had collapsed and veins in his skull burst, bleeding into his brain and causing a traumatic brain injury.

After being airlifted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, he suffered weeks of post-traumatic amnesia, unable to remember who he was, what had happened or how to do everyday tasks. While recovering in a hospital bed, he played games to help remap his brain, eventually turning to the popular Pokemon video games featuring animal-like creatures with unusual powers.

“The main things in regrowing brain tissue [are] reading, hand-eye coordination and problem-solving,” said Brooks, 32.

“Games have all of these.”

With some 380,000 troops diagnosed with TBI in the past 18 years, both the Pentagon and Veterans Administration have invested heavily in research to help diagnose and treat such injuries, which can be debilitating. The Army awarded a handful of small businesses more than $4 million in contracts to research and develop possible video game therapies for TBI between 2009 and 2015.

Rehab can be costly and time-consuming, requiring TBI patients to put in lots of tedious practice, said one of those companies, Southern California-based Blue Marble Rehab, in its proposal to develop a game it hoped would lower costs, improve access and make training more fun, thus increasing time spent on rehabilitation.

Researchers in the U.S. and abroad have found some evidence video games may help by improving TBI-sufferers’ independence and ability to perform daily tasks, or boosting their attention and cognition.

Brooks needed help with his memory, concentration and more.

“When you have a TBI, you lose your executive function, your planning and execution of whatever you’re doing,” said his wife, Elaine Brooks.

Both his mom and wife dedicated themselves to his recovery, rotating every two weeks between home in North Carolina and the hospital in Bethesda, Md. His wife eventually quit her job

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as a nurse to care for him full-time as he battled the stroke’s effects.

After nearly two years at Walter Reed, he was discharged and medically retired as a captain in February 2018. Not being able to return to duty hit him hard, his wife said.

He had to come to terms with the loss of his identity as an officer who could once run 30 miles. He went through all five stages of grief, she said.

“With a TBI, you’re not going to be the exact same person you were before,” Elaine Brooks said. “That’s probably the hardest thing to accept.”

Despite occupational therapy, he still has trouble with mood swings and learning new things, he said. He also has lingering physical effects, such as weakness and a lack of coordination on his right side.

That meant his brain and fingers weren’t as fast as before, when he’d competed in “Halo” and “Super Smash Bros.” video game tournaments — lightning-fast contests requiring quick reflexes and manual dexterity.

So he turned to Pokemon.

Pokemon trainer to fitness trainer

Competitive Pokemon doesn’t require speed, but it does demand concentration and strategy: Think chess, but with electric yellow mice fighting frog ninjas.

Recent generations of the game are much more complicated than the series’ first installment, which Nintendo debuted in 1996. It now has more than 800 different creatures, each with four possible moves and a dozen rated traits affecting gameplay.

“It’s like intel,” Zach Brooks said. “You have to look at [your] assets, look at your opponent’s assets, determine your opponent’s main course of action, then execute.”

He’s also found a community and the sense of belonging he felt in the Army and at gaming tourneys in high school, he said. He chats with and plays regularly against others online, and is still sometimes recognized for his playing from years ago.

His next step: going from Pokemon trainer — someone who collects, grooms and battles with the fictional pocket monsters — to fitness trainer. While he’ll never be as fit as before, he’s regained much of the body mass he lost after the injury and recently enrolled in a program that certifies veterans as personal trainers, which he hopes will help him to inspire others.

He’s progressed quite a bit since the accident, said Grey, his former boss. “I’ve been really impressed by how resilient he has been,” he said.

He’s adapted both in gaming and in life, said his wife. “Every day is a step closer to getting him back to where he wants to be.”

Visit www.americanservicedogs.org and click the ‘Mental Health’ column to find more articles on innovative techniques and studies to assist veterans with mental health challenges.

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VOLUME 3 NO. 1

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Photos Provided by National WWI Memorial & Museum

NATIONAL world war i memorial & museum

By Diana Lambdin

T

he world is currently commemorating 100 years since the Great War, that global conflict that took nearly 37 million lives and really didn’t end until World War II was over. It was a complex event with many firsts in military history and many heroes of all shapes and sizes.

The most extensive collection of World War I artifacts in the world is contained in Kansas City Missouri, home of the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial. Take the opportunity now to visit this remarkable museum and learn what it was all about “over there.”

After entering the museum over a glassed-in field of red poppies, it’s worth your time to sit for the 12-minute movie

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that sets the stage with the monarchies and global powers of the day, the industrial revolution and the growing social unrest in places like Serbia, Bosnia and Germany in the early years of the 20th century.

The World War I Museum does a commendable job explaining all of those complexities and why, eventually, Uncle Sam went “over there.” All but three of the 50,000 artifacts on display are original to combat, many being the only remaining items of their kind in the world.

In addition to being the first global war, WW I was a war of other firsts; the first time a weapon of mass destruction (chlorine gas) was used; the first time tanks were used in

DESTINATIONS combat; the first time airplanes were used in military conflict; the first time members of the U.S. Marine Corps were called “Devil Dogs.”

And a little dog named Stubby became the first four-legged hero we honor for his service in combat to our country. A stray mutt that might have been a Boston Terrier, Stubby simply wandered up in the midst of the 102nd Infantry’s training on the campus of Yale University in July 1917.

One of those infantrymen, Corporal Robert Conroy, smuggled Stubby aboard the ship that eventually took the doughboys to France. He became more than just a cuddly friend who improved morale.

Because of his superior hearing, Stubby was able to hear incoming shells valuable seconds before his fellow soldiers and alert them to the danger. He also warned his unit of mustard gas attacks, otherwise a silent killer. Stubby had his very own doggy size gas mask.

He was also solely responsible for catching a German spy by the seat of his pants and holding him until human assistance arrived. That act earned Stubby a field promotion to sergeant.

The National World War I Museum in Kansas City does not have a permanent exhibit on Stubby, although special programs over the years have honored him and all animals that served during World War I, notably horses and pigeons.

However, as visitors approach the museum’s entrance, they first pass the Walk of Honor, a field of bricks honoring those who served the U.S. in numerous military conflicts. Among those hundreds of bricks is one honoring Sgt. Stubby, a hero of World War I. Plan your visit Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm and visit www.theworldwar.org for more details.

VOLUME 3 NO. 1

21

ARTS IN ACTION

anthony marquez’s

XVII carvings

By Christopher Baity

A

s most veterans learn, life after military service will most likely lack the intensity you felt while serving in uniform. Many veterans seek adrenaline-filled weekends to plug this void, while others choose a career that better fits their motivation level. Others choose hazardous careers on cell towers, operating large machinery or providing security around the globe. However you decide to escape the cubicle life, remember to add some passion to your life. One such veteran wields a chainsaw to add purpose to his life after the military.

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AMERICAN SERVICE DOGS

Photos Via XVII Carving’s Facebook

Photos Provided by 3 Beards Band

“this is my way of giving back to the families of my marines” An Oklahoma native, Anthony Marquez joined the Marine Corps in 2006 and was Active Duty for 5 years as an Infantryman (0311). Eventually travelling to Hartsville, SC and completing combat training with a black Labrador Retriever

ARTS IN ACTION

Armed with his chainsaw, Marquez creates a Battlefield Cross for each of the 17 Marines his unit lost in combat.

named ‘Allie’. Marquez deployment to Afghanistan as an Improvised Explosive Device Detector Dog(IDD) handler.

Together they conducted operations pursuing roadside bomb with Alpha company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. During this deployment, Marquez’s unit lost 17 Marines, with another 160 being wounded during combat operations.

After his active duty service ended in 2012, Marquez sought an opportunity to honor his fallen Marines. Originally wanting to build custom motorcycles, he found this opportunity in the form of chainsaw carving. After being tutored on the process, Marquez began ‘XVII Carvings’ to provide a ‘Battlefield Cross’ for the families of the seventeen Marines his unit lost in Afghanistan. His way to ensure they are fallen but not forgotten.

Marquez and his IDD ‘Allie” that he adopted after her retirement from the Marine Corps.

2600 miles and 47 hours on the road, to hand-deliver one of his carvings. All free of charge to the family.

Having completed 22 carvings to date, eleven to the families of his fallen Marines, Marquez hopes to have the remaining six completed and delivered in the coming year. Completing up to three carvings each month, Marquez aspires to begin completing a carving per week when approved as a 501c(3) non-profit.

Those interested can complete a submission form to request one of his XVII Carvings. www.xviicarvings.com The current cost to order is $800, but he offers additional customization with a name plate for an additional fee.

“I have the ability to provide these one-of-a-kind carvings for fallen service members,” said Marquez. “This is my way of giving back to the families of my Marines.”

The three-step process involves turning raw wood into the components of the battlefield cross. Boots, rifle, Kevlar (helmet). Often using oak and pine, he sometimes receives donations from local wood harvesters that add a personal detail to his creations. Using specialized ‘carving chainsaws’, one with a dime-tip bar, his skill and precision have narrowed the carving time to under eight hours each.

Personally delivering each piece, he has travelled the country to ensure they arrive in pristine condition to the memorial service. Recently, Marquez visited Washington DC, amassing VOLUME 3 NO. 1

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ASK THE EXPERTS

Ask the Experts with Christopher Baity, CDT

why should i kennel train my dog?

A

Many tools are available for the modern dog trainer. Some of these tools are essential in basic obedience, like a leash, collar and treats.

Others assist with behavior modification, allowing the trainer to induce a particular response, regardless of the environment.

Some examples include an electronic collar, head-harness or a clicker. Even the areas you train or the people, objects and distractions in these areas, can be viewed as ‘training tools’ to assist with your dog training. Whichever tool you are utilizing, consider the purpose of the device, and the overall outcome(task) being taught to the dog.

One commonly overlooked training tool is a standard dog kennel. When used correctly, it is a device used to shape your dog into a reliable and level-headed companion. Kennel training your dog at an early age, and throughout their life has endless benefits.

Below are a few considerations in establishing how you introduce the kennel and the added benefits to its continued use throughout their life.

1) Quiet sleeping space- Every dog needs a place they can feel comfortable and being afforded the opportunity to rest. After I finish training or working a dog, the last consideration I make before ‘putting them up’ is, ‘will they repeat that behavior during the next training session?’ To give them the opportunity to return to training refreshed and vibrant, I must allow them their personal space between training lessons. When I bring them out for training again, I expect them to be eager to learn and attentive to the training.

2) Anxiety – Although attributed to many factors, environmental stressors are a leading cause of visible signs of anxiety in dogs. Noises, crowds, large areas, all can attribute to excessive whining, barking or even aggression from dogs that 24

AMERICAN SERVICE DOGS

are anxious or demonstrate low confidence. One major sign is ‘separation anxiety,’ meaning the dog become noisy or reactive when separated from familiar people or pack-mates. Dogs that have been kennel trained display fewer of these unwanted behaviors, because they have been taught to self-soothe or selfentertain.

3) Establish impulse control- A dog that has been trained to stay in a kennel, should demonstrate self-confidence and signs of impulse control. Nothing is absolute in dog training, and not all kennels can contain a dog that is destructive. Consult with a dog trainer or animal behaviorist if your dog has extreme anxiety, and is destructive to the kennel.

Begin kennel training as soon as you receive your dog. By conducting training before a natural sleeping period, tiredness after training will reinforce the safe nature of the kennel.

Another advantage of kenneling your dog should become evident in your dog’s performance during training; their enthusiasm to begin training. Utilize this eagerness to reinforce proper family dog behavior while they are alert and excited to come out of their kennel.

Visit americanservicedogs.org and view training videos, for additional information or tutorials.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

What’s Inside Counts

By Marcie J. Campion, Ph.D.

L

oyall Life. It’s not just the name of dog food. But instead, a promise between you and your pet to take care of each other for life. Nowhere is this promise stronger than between a service dog and his human partner. You promise to give each other the most extended, healthiest, happiest life possible, every day. My role, as a canine nutritionist and fellow dog lover, is to help you make good on your promise.

with exercise, promotes strong muscles, which attach to the bones and provide support as a dog ages. Many service dogs are large breeds (> 50 lbs. as an adult), so several of our diets contain glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, which are the natural building blocks for healthy joints. Ingredients such as chicken, chicken meal or beef meal naturally include these nutrients to help your dog stay active for years.

High-quality nutrition, along with love, exercise and routine veterinary visits, gives your dog the best chance for a long, healthy, happy life with you. Key ingredients and nutrients in Loyall Life formulas help maintain freedom of movement, a robust immune system, and a healthy digestive tract. These benefits enable your dog to be the best he can be when it comes to meeting your needs.

Healthy Immune System

Freedom of Movement

Each Loyall Life formula contains the proper protein and energy levels to keep your dog at a healthy weight. Excess weight can lead to joint issues such as arthritis, and each additional pound increases pressure on their joints. High-quality protein, along 26

AMERICAN SERVICE DOGS

As pet begins to age, their immune system will naturally decline around the age of 7. To delay this response, Loyall Life supplements antioxidants such as Vitamins E, C and Zinc to help maintain a healthy immune system. Today, we hear the word “Superfoods” in relation to our own health. Superfoods contain compounds considered to be beneficial to a dog’s health. Blueberries, cranberries, spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes, and fish oil are examples of superfoods in Loyall Life that naturally provide antioxidants for immunity and fatty acids for healthy skin, coat and joints. These ingredients also contain natural sources of fiber to help keep your dog’s gastrointestinal tract healthy, where 70% of their immune

HEALTH & WELLNESS system is located. Specific combinations of these ingredients help to support a dog’s robust immune system throughout life.

Healthy Digestion

Your dog’s intestinal tract is the first internal line of defense as they explore the world with their mouth. So, it’s critical that the digestive tract is capable of keeping bad things out and bringing good stuff in. Loyall Life takes a multi-pronged approach to digestive health. We leverage combinations of beet pulp, chicory root, yeast and probiotics to deliver gut

High-quality nutrition, along with love, exercise and routine veterinary visits, gives your dog the best chance for a long, healthy, happy life with you. health. The first three act as “pre-biotics,” which are foods that feed the “good” bacteria in the gut. The good bacteria then grow and crowd out the “bad” bacteria. It also makes the GI tract a strong physical barrier to help keep bacteria from getting in, yet maintaining good digestibility. “Pro-biotics” are the “good,” live bacteria added directly to the food to help maintain a healthy bacterial balance in the gut. These ingredients promote small, firm, stools for easy clean-up and help support a robust immune system.

Each Loyall Life formula is designed for a specific life stage or lifestyle, but all of them promote good mobility, a healthy immune system, and a strong digestive tract. These benefits help your dog provide you with the best service possible, so you can both keep your promise to care for each other. Loyall Life isn’t just a brand of dog food, it’s a way of life.

Order Back Issues at www.SemperK9.shop

VOLUME 3 NO. 1

27

Photos by Jordan Lahon

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AMERICAN SERVICE DOGS

Jessica

REAL STORIES

& bella

By Hatley Wood

with me, a lot of times I would become confused or anxious. I was debilitatingly depressed and suicidal. When I heard about Semper K9 from another Marine, we were both in an inpatient treatment facility.

Jessica Rambo is a Marine, having served 10 years in the USMC as a Combat Cameraman. She’d been around the military long before she enlisted in 2006, though – her mother spent 6 years in the Navy and an additional 14 years in the Coast Guard. She is enrolled as an art education and sculpting major at UNC’s prestigious program and serves as the president of the UNCG Student Veterans Association. With whatever free time she has, she works on converting an old school bus into a traveling art studio to provide art classes to fellow veterans. This mother of 2 also has a superhero sidekick: her service dog, Bella, a black lab who was Jessica’s pet before she was a service dog.

ASD: So, this Marine was the first person to introduce you to the idea of a service dog?

Rambo: Yes, the Marine was the first person I’d discussed it with when he brought up Semper K9. I was actually talking to him about his service dog he was getting through Semper K9; I mentioned that I also had a dog who I was extremely attached to. He suggested that I talk to Amanda and Chris, the founders of Semper K9 and see how they could help me train Bella for my needs.

We recently had the chance to sit down with Jessica and hear her entire story.

Here’s what she had to say.

ASD: I wanted to start off discussing your life pre-Bella so that people can better understand the impact she’s had on your life. What are some of the challenges you faced before having a service dog?

Rambo: I’ve actually had Bella since she was 5 months old, so before my injury.

This was way before I knew about Semper K9. I was in a car accident in 2010 and suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and because of this, I suffer from PTSD. Before I had Bella, who goes everywhere

“Semper k9 scooped me up and was the family that i needed. they have been with me literally every step of the way.”

ASD: Wow, what a lucky coincidence!

Did you face any challenges while waiting through the process of discussing a service dog with Semper K9? What was that like, waiting for Bella to be a service dog?

Rambo: Fortunately, I didn’t have any trouble getting my service dog because she was already my dog. I have heard stories about other veterans who are discouraged about applying for a service dog because they don’t think they are “critical” enough to get one. Also, it sometimes takes years for veterans to receive a service dog or be accepted into a program. Although I did VOLUME 3 NO. 1

29

not get my Service dog from Semper K9, they have educated me, provided resources, and helped me through the entire process of training Bella to be my service dog. I worked with another group to see if they could help me, but the process was a hassle and unhelpful. Semper K9 scooped me up and was the family that I needed. They have been with me literally every step of the way.

ASD: How was the transition process after she became your service dog into home, society, and work life?

Rambo: Because Bella was already my dog, there were no problems transitioning her into my home. I was stationed at the Pentagon when I first started bringing Bella to work. However, the Major whose command I was under at the time was not on board with me bringing her to work. With the help of Semper K9 and other inner-Pentagon leadership, though, I was able to bring Bella to work eventually.

ASD: That is definitely good to hear. Bella has the cutest name – any story behind it?

Rambo: When I got Bella as a puppy, her name was Star, but I didn’t like that. At the time the Twilight movies were popular, so we called her Bella, after the main character. I’d rather just say that she is named after Belleau Wood which is a really famous World War 1 battle that the USMC played a vital role in. Bella is a goofball – she loves to rub on anyone who wears perfume to get the smell of it on her. People love her – at UNCG, people will sit on the floor just so she’ll rub on them. She’ll steal your seat (and maybe your heart)!

ASD: Hey, whatever works! Can you tell me about how she has changed your life to illustrate to people the impact that service dogs can have?

Rambo: With the aid of my service dog, Bella, I’ve successfully transitioned out of the US Marine Corps; I’ve become an 30

AMERICAN SERVICE DOGS

active and thriving student at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. I am a part of the work-study program at the Military Affiliated Services and Veterans Resource Center. She has been incredible for my family, too – my son learned to walk by holding onto her ears and standing up. The constant of having Bella at my side really helped me through my recovery, divorce, medical separation, and transition to college.

I’m a better student, person and mother because of the security that Bella provides to me.

ASD: We wish you and Bella all the best and continued success; you deserve it. Do you any parting words to service members who are thinking about a service dog or waiting to bring a service dog into their life?

Rambo: Although this whole thing may seem never-ending, it does end.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Hang on, stay strong. It is all worth it at the end.

You can follow Jessica and Bella’s story and their adventure to remodel their bus to give back to their Veteran community with the links below.

Instagram.com/paintedbuffalostudio Instagram.com/servicek9_Bella www.Paintedbuffalostudio.com

ASSOCIATION OF SERVICE DOG PROVIDERS FOR MILITARY VETERANS

***

Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans at DoubleTree Tysons Corner for our 2019 Service Dog Conference for service dogs trainers and non-profits.

This conference will provide an opportunity for professional development, dialogue with VA leadership and VSOs, best practices sharing, and development.

Network with Like -Minded Service Dog Organzations from Across the Country

VOLUME 3 NO. 1 31 LEARN MORE AT SERVICEDOGS4VETS.ORG/CONFERENCE

VETERAN VOICES

Join Team Semper K9 f or t he 44t h Marine Cor Marathon & lOK

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This issue we spotlight One Soldier's PTSD Story.

Follow her on Instagram @onesoldiersptsdstory

32

AMERICAN SERVICE DOGS

S(;:M P(;:R K

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Registration & More Info Available at:

http:/ /bit.ly/tea msem perk9

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