MILESTONES, Vol. 3, No. 1, Spring 2014

IN THIS ISSUE:
President’s
Message
Thank You
Welcome Aboard
Milestones, partnerships
and recognition
SAMS, TRAX, Chilbrook
Kennels and Merial
VMF welcomes our newest
Puppy Raisers and BOD
page 2
page 3
page 4
VOLUME 3 | NO. 1 | SPRING 2014 | A publication of Veterans Moving Forward, Inc.
BATTALION
THERAPY DOG
Neil Reports for Duty
VMF therapy dog Neil took on a big challenge
March 26 when he arrived at Camp Lejeune,
N.C., to report for duty at Headquarters, 2nd
Combat Engineer Battalion.
Encouraged by commanding officer Lt. Col. John
Osborne, USMC, a therapy dog pilot program
came to fruition under the guidance of embedded battalion therapist and licensed clinical
social worker Donna Maglio. After working with
Veterans Moving Forward therapy dogs in northern
SELFLESS LABOR OF LOVE—
VMF Puppy Raisers Pay it Forward
The lifeblood of Veterans Moving Forward (VMF), our puppy raisers come in many shapes
and sizes. The team includes every demographic from retirees to teenagers. VMF puppy
raisers are homemakers, urban professionals, traveling artists, physicians and students.
They live in city apartments, rolling country horse farms and suburbia.
It’s not just about daily care and feeding. The training regimen is demanding — weekly classes
for puppies and bi-monthly sessions for dogs over six months of age. Outreach events to support veterans, socialize dogs and share the VMF story are an additional program requirement.
Then the dog that you have raised and trained from puppyhood leaves to support a veteran.
So why do they do it? Just what draws such a variety to the VMF puppy raising team?
continues page 6
Battalion therapy dog Neil with deploying Marines of
Camp Lejeune’s 2nd Combat Engineers. (Marine Corps
Base Camp Lejeune photo by Jennifer Starkey)
continues page 5
President’s Message
Welcome!
I’ve said it before: It takes a village for Veterans Moving Forward to raise, train and
match a service dog with the right veteran partner. In this edition of Milestones we take a closer
look at the puppy raisers and trainers who work together to develop what we believe are the best
veterans’ service dogs available (page 1). Our raisers make it possible for VMF to bring more puppies into the assistance dog in training (ADIT) pipeline, ensuring that VMF will continue to provide
veterans with highly-trained assistance, facility, therapy or comfort dogs…Perhaps, after learning
more about our raisers’ experiences, you’ll want to take the leash and join the VMF team too!
TRAX International and SAMS propel VMF Forward — Financially, VMF is positioned for a wonderful 2014 thanks
in large part to three substantial end-of-year donations from our friends at TRAX International, Strategy and Management
Services, Inc. (SAMS), and an anonymous donor (page 3). These, and individual donations from people like you, provide the
resources that will enable VMF to place our trained assistance dogs into full-time service with veterans this year.
Canine Class of 2014 — Neil is first of the Canine Class of 2014 to transition into his new role. As battalion therapy dog at Marine
Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Neil works alongside embedded therapist Donna Maglio, LCSW, and other battalion personnel
to support Marines and sailors in need (page 1). A veteran with mobility challenges and a veteran recovering from traumatic brain
injury (TBI) will partner with VMF’s next service dogs: ADITs Storm and Katrina. Meanwhile, the rest of the class is working hard
to get ready for the day each will begin meeting potential partners from among our many veteran applicants.
VMF’s therapy mission evolves — As part of their training, once qualified, older ADITs join the ranks of VMF’s registered
therapy teams. Sometimes, if medical reasons preclude moving on to a full-time service dog career, these highly-trained
canines may be re-designated to serve veterans through VMF’s therapy provider partnerships. VMF therapy dogs may work
with clinicians in private practice, alongside caregivers of Medical Services of America, Inc.’s Medi Home Health and Hospice,
with therapists at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital’s Residential Treatment Facility or with others. For example, former
ADIT-turned-therapy dog Chief provides animal-assisted activities and therapy for veterans in the Norfolk, Va. area (page 7).
VMF is pleased to be able to provide another tool to help veterans and those in uniform with recovery and rehabilitation.
A heartfelt thank you goes to plank owners Robert Larson (VMF co-founder) and Gregory Pease for their unrivaled contributions as members of the board of directors; both completed their terms of office and transition to VMF's advisory board.
Former advisor Joseph Mancias returns to the board of directors alongside new members Casey Coane, Rene Hernandez,
Reuben Jones, Doug Rink and Lyn Sherlock (page 5).
Name a Puppy — VMF ADITs are named in memory of veterans who served honorably in one of the armed forces.
Submit the name, a summary of military service and any photographs in uniform of a beloved family member or friend to
admin@vetsfwd.org. It’s another way to honor a veteran and to remind the general public that veterans come from all ranks,
services, generations and campaigns to serve our great Nation!
As we pause for Memorial Day remembrances and officially greet the summer, please join VMF to recall those who made
the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the U.S. armed forces, and to cherish those living veterans who daily struggle with
physical and psychological health challenges. With your help, VMF will make a positive difference in their lives through
canine therapy and service dog placement.
Karen D. Jeffries
Commander, U.S. Navy, Retired
President/Chief Executive Officer
Veterans Moving Forward, Inc.
SAMS PHILANTHROPIC FUND
Selects VMF as Annual Beneficiary
The charity arm of Strategy and Management
Services Inc. (SAMS) chose Veterans Moving
Forward (VMF) to receive one percent of the
company’s 2013 profits. The $10,000 donation made earlier this year by the Springfield,
Va., company honors VMF beyond just the
financial benefits.
Virginia Small Business Veteran of the Year, SAMS President and CEO Staci
Redmon recognizes firsthand the value of the veteran-focused charities her
company supports. SAMS mirrors those values as well. After just five and a
half years in business, SAMS closed its 2013 financial year generating more
than $10 million. Of the company’s 105 employees, 87 percent are veterans
or veteran family members.
“This new sponsorship is very special to VMF,” says CEO Karen Jeffries who
got to know Redmon while attending monthly Veteran to Veteran Entrepreneur
(V2VE) group sessions sponsored by Virginia’s Small Business Development
Center. “Through career opportunities and canine assistance, respectively,
both SAMS and VMF are helping veterans move forward with their lives.”
(getsamsnow.com)
THANK YOU
Thanks to our Breeder —
Chilbrook Kennels!
Thanks to Chilbrook Kennels, LLC, of Harpers
Ferry, W.Va., for ADIT King. Chilbrook owner
Debby Kay, a renowned Labrador breeder, is
the author of Labrador Breeder’s Handbook.
Since 1969 hundreds of Kay’s dogs have gone
on to work as service dogs for the blind and
physically disabled, as seizure alert dogs, and
as assistance dogs for the autistic. With that
kind of heritage, ADIT King’s future serving
veterans looks bright. (www.chilbrook.com)
Merial Donates
Heartworm, Flea and
Tick Preventatives
As part of its community outreach, Merial is
donating heartworm and flea and tick preventatives to VMF. Tim McKissick, Merial’s
district manager for Virginia and West Virginia,
is providing Frontline Plus® and Heartgard
Plus® to cover all ADITs in the current program
and will continue to do so on an “as-needed”
basis. This generous in-kind donation will
collectively save VMF and its puppy raisers
about $3,000 over the next year. A VMF veterinarian will dispense and supervise use of
these preventatives. “My father is a veteran,”
says McKissick, “and I believe it is important to
support veterans in as many ways as we possibly can.” Thank you, Merial! (www.merial.com,
www.frontline.com, www.heartgard.com)
TRAX International: VMF’s Partner with Heart
Sets Holiday Giving Record
TRAX International’s annual fundraiser jump-started VMF’s new year with a record $37,346
donation. Last giving season TRAX matched generous employee contributions to double the impact
of each donation. President and CEO F. Craig Wilson and VMF’s Karen Jeffries display the donation
check presented at TRAX International’s Vienna, Va., offices on Feb. 21 (but aptly dated in honor
of Veterans Day). In back row: TRAX Vice President Florian Walchak, Chief Financial Officer
Pamela Hormell, Executive Vice President Bob Rosenkranz, Vice President Tom Foltz and Senior
Vice President John Fargason. www.traxintl.com (TRAX International photo by Shannon M. Justis)
866.375.1209
|
WWW.VETSFWD.ORG
3
WELCOME ABOARD
Puppy Raisers
First-time service dog puppy raisers Kacie and Amy Hall partner to train ADIT
Mace in Ashburn, Va. Mom Amy covers Mace’s training during the school day,
while Stone Bridge High School junior Kacie takes the leash for all the rest. (Kacie
Hall photo by Shelley Castle Photography)
Kasey Curtis has assumed the role
as primary puppy raiser for ADIT Lucy.
The Arlington, Va., resident is introducing
Lucy to a new living arrangement, lifestyle
and routine following the ADIT’s initial
homing with the family of his eGlobalTech
colleague, Mindy Prian. (Kasey Curtis photo)
Betsy Khol has become a valuable addition
to the VMF training team since graduating
from Rochester Institute of Technology in
2013. Now based in Fredericksburg, Va.,
Betsy is always at the ready to assist in dog
training class development and hands-on
execution. The daughter of VMF’s ADIT
Coordinator Michele Khol, Betsy raised 10
dogs for Guiding Eyes for the Blind (GEB)
and further honed her service dog training
skills through a three-month GEB internship.
(Shelley Castle Photography)
New VMF sitter Robin Rohrback of Vienna, Va., likes
the idea of providing back-up support to VMF’s primary
puppy raisers. “We love veterans and we love dogs,”
proclaims Rohrback. “Veterans Moving Forward supports
both of these things. A perfect fit for our desire to give
back.” (Tom Rohrback photo)
Mary Joan Loughnane of Herndon, Va., brings nine
years Guiding Eyes for the Blind puppy raising experience to VMF. This veteran raiser has given a good
start to VMF ADIT’s Lucy and Munro and provides
reliable short-term dog-sitting relief to VMF’s fulltime puppy raisers. Says Loughnane, whose monthly
travel schedule prevents her from homing a full-time
dog, “Puppy raising keeps my skills sharp.” (Mary J.
Loughnane photo)
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MILESTONES
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SPRING 2014
At the Vale home in Lovettsville, Va., raising and training
ADIT Munro is a family affair for Caroline and Hannah
Vale. Primary puppy raisers 15-year-old Hannah (front with
ADIT Munro) and mom Caroline are assisted by dad Richard
and five siblings: Aric, Joseph, Lillian, Cecilia and ShirleyCatherine. (Richard and Aric not pictured) Baby Shirley is
VMF’s youngest volunteer and a regular participant at VMF
training sessions. The family previously raised two dogs for
Guiding Eyes for the Blind. (Shelley Castle Photography)
» continued from page 1
New Board Members
Casey W. Coane
››Former National Director, Association of the
United States Navy (AUSN)
››Served as Chairman of Atlanta Regional
Military Affairs Council (ARMAC)
››Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Rene S. Hernandez, Ph.D.
Navy liaison to Department of Defense
Joint Committee for Combat Casualty Care
Research Programs (Neurotrauma), and to U.S.
Army for hyperbaric oxygen therapies research
on post–concussive syndrome and PTSD
Commander, Medical Service Corps, U.S. Navy
››
››
Reuben D. Jones
››Vice President of Strategy and Government
Relations, Strategic Resources Inc.
››Board of Directors for Army and Air Force
Exchange System and for Department of
Defense Dependent Education Board
Major General, U.S. Army (Ret.)
››
Joseph Mancias, Jr.
Principal with Nash Nogales, LLC; former
career Federal Senior Executive Service
Captain, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
››
››
Douglas W. Rink, MBA/MHA
››President and CEO, Mad Fly Angling Co.
››Healthcare administrative and operations
leader within military, Veterans
Administration and civilian healthcare
enterprises
Major, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
››
Lyn D. Sherlock
Independent consultant with international
and national security expertise.
Former Director of Regional Affairs for Air
Force International Affairs in the Pentagon.
Brigadier General, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
››
››
››
Virginia for more than two years, Maglio felt a VMF-trained
dog might be the perfect fit for this newly created role.
Meanwhile, back at VMF headquarters in northern Virginia, the
discovery that then-ADIT Neil is predisposed to hip dysplasia
effectively disqualified the 18-month-old golden retriever from
a career as a full-time service dog. “The timing was perfect,”
says VMF CEO Karen Jeffries. “Neil is a loving and well-trained
therapy dog. This new role provides a great opportunity for
him to serve many veterans in a way that is both compatible
with his physical abilities and suits his unique personality.”
Says Maglio, “Within the first 24 hours, having Neil present
was already creating a positive impact. When people come
to pet the dog, they hear about who I am and what I do. From
these conversations, I have received referrals or people have
come back at a later time to discuss issues that they normally
would not have had support for.”
Neil serves about 850 Marines and sailors, as well as their
families. Battalion Family Readiness Officer Jennifer Starkey
plans most base events and values the contribution Neil provides
when in attendance at deployment send-offs, homecomings
and other base happenings.
At family and dependent events, Neil is often seen with
four to five children at a time and enjoying every minute of
it. “Neil loves the children,” shares Maglio. “He really takes
their minds off the fact that their dad or mom is about to get
on a bus and leave for a seven-month deployment.”
As a facility dog, Neil works with multiple Marine and sailor
handlers throughout the day. In addition to therapy and comfort
work with Maglio, he may be called upon to support Hospital
Corpsmen at the Base Aid Station and other service members
as needed. “The dog is available to any battalion member
who might just need a quick check-in to pet the dog and let
off some steam, as well as for one-on-one structured therapy
support,” explains Maglio.
The battalion embedded therapist’s mission is about prevention
and reducing the need for hospitalization and psychiatric intervention. Because Neil’s presence attracts attention and eliminates
much of the stigma, more service members seek Maglio out.
Neil's popularity has translated to broader outreach and support
for the members and families of 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion.
Therapy dog Neil is named in memory of Neil Armstrong,
former astronaut and U.S. Navy aviator. He was raised and
trained by VMF with the Dorula family of Clifton, Va.
866.375.1209
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WWW.VETSFWD.ORG
5
» continued from page 1
on Suzanne Clothier’s Relationship Centered
Training™. Khol’s own Foundation classes provide a standard weekly regimen for the first
three months of puppy training. These are
followed by bi-monthly classroom training, a
variety of outreach events and veteran-specific
skills training that prepare the service dog for
veteran placement.
“The
Weekly VMF puppy training proves to be challenging fun for
ADIT Mace and puppy raiser Kacie Hall, 17, of Ashburn, Va.
(Cover photo and photo above by Shelley Castle Photography)
“We’re making life better for a veteran.
Plus, we learn how to train a dog.”
Michael Townsend, husband of
puppy raiser Jeanette
“We raise dogs to enhance the lives of veterans,”
explains VMF CEO Karen Jeffries. “We put
veterans first every step of the way.” Mission
“buy in” from every VMF volunteer is essential
to Jeffries and a pivotal element of VMF’s puppy
raiser selection process.
However, no experience is required. “A willingness
to learn and a daily commitment to veterans
are more important than previous dog training
experience,” emphasizes Jeffries. VMF’s service dog program includes orientation classes,
training and evaluations, in-home support, basic
outfitting and more.
RELATIONSHIP-CENTERED DOG TRAINING
“I’ve learned some truly effective training methods that will change the way I
work with dogs for the rest of my life.”
Kasey Curtis, VMF puppy raiser
The VMF service dog is taught to make good
decisions. The system of positive training and
rewards exponentially grows the human-canine
relationship.
VMF’s dog operations are led by Michele Khol,
Assistance Dog in Training (ADIT) coordinator.
Khol has implemented a strong curriculum based
6
MILESTONES
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SPRING 2014
training philosophy encourages the dog to think on his own.”
Nancy Tang, puppy raiser to energetic
Labrador retriever ADIT Buckles
Jeanette Townsend, puppy raiser to ADIT Storm
(cover photo) concurs. “It’s about forming a
relationship with the dog,” she says. “Training
Storm to be responsible enough to make good
choices is done by rewarding those good choices.
“
Ager. For the humans involved, these events
serve to refocus and remind raisers of VMF’s
mission. There are usually a couple outreach
opportunities a month for the all-VMF team
— more around Memorial Day and Veterans
Day. Examples of recent outreach activities
include: meeting Honor Flight veterans visiting
war memorials in our nation’s capital, attending
veteran resource fairs, and supporting northern
Virginia Serve Our Willing Warriors events.
Even non-veteran focused outings like Metro
field trips, or finals week de-stress sessions with
Georgetown Law School students, contribute
to each dog’s repertoire. The VMF team seeks
to identify unrecognized abilities as well as
potential training needs. “Knowing how each
dog acts in a variety of settings is crucial to
training a service dog,” says Khol.
VMF’S ABILITY TO PROVIDE trained SERVICE
DOGS TO VETERANS is POSSIBLE only THROUGH
the HARD WORK and support OF our PUPPY
RAISING TEAM.
”
The dog responds to positive reinforcement for
good decisions.” The Townsend family is already
working on a specific veteran “training wish list”
with ADIT Storm. Some of the veteran-specific
skills the golden retriever has mastered include
operating light switches, opening and closing
doors (including the refrigerator), retrieving the
morning paper and carrying a variety of items.
As the dog spends time with potential veteran
partners, additional training will be provided to
ensure the future service dog’s skill set aligns
with the needs of its probable partner.
VMF SUPPORTS RAISERS
One thing VMF puppy raisers appreciate is the
responsive support and guidance of the VMF
“Close enough is not enough.
They’ve got to get it right.”
VMF ADIT Coordinator Michele Khol
VETERAN OUTREACH
Outreach events reenergize puppy raisers while
exposing young canines to new environments and
situations. “Socializing and working in challenging environments improve the puppy’s training
level,” explains VMF training specialist Suzanne
Puppy raisers Hannah Vale and mom Caroline run VMF ADIT
Munro through his paces in Lovettsville, Va., much to the enjoyment of baby Shirley-Catherine. (Shelley Castle Photography)
EVENTS AND OUTREACH
VMF on the March
Olde Towne Alexandria’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Emily Tiedeman and therapy dog Rikku, Karen Jeffries,
Marlene Hall, Mike Turner and therapy dog Josh, Jen Logan and therapy dog Mishka. (Shelley Castle Photography)
Puppy starter/sitter Mary Joan Loughnane (l) and VMF’s
Suzanne Ager (r) observe ADIT Coordinator Michele Khol’s
hands-on approach with ADIT Munro during a weekly training
class in Vienna, Va. (Shelley Castle Photography)
team. When puppy raisers have a question or
need additional assistance, Khol and Ager, are
just a phone call away. “VMF has an incredible
support network when you take on a puppy,”
emphasizes Ager.
“The hands-on support from VMF is very strong,”
confirms puppy raiser Townsend. “They provide
an abundance of training through classes. But, if
there are challenges, Michele (Khol) or Suzanne
(Ager) come to the house to observe.” Then the
VMF training team breaks down the behavior
and provides step-by-step skills with rewards
to achieve the desired behavior outcome.
Khol may then incorporate these “house call”
dog behavior training challenges into her training
plan for all raisers. “We try to train to as many
real-life scenarios as we can because it makes
sense,” Khol explains.
A CALL TO LEASHES: PUPPIES ARE
STANDING BY
VMF’s ability to provide trained service dogs to
veterans is possible only through the hard work
and support of our puppy raising team. If you
would like to help VMF support more veterans,
please consider joining the VMF team as a
puppy raiser, puppy starter or a part-time sitter.
Learn more at www.vetsfwd.org/volunteer.
Checking in with Chief
Connecting with veterans comes naturally to VMF therapy dog Chief. The former assistance dog in training was
re-designated as a full-time therapy dog in July 2013 due to eyesight issues. But, that’s not slowing this dog
down. Chief continues to actively serve veterans and remains a visible ambassador of Veterans Moving Forward
in the Hampton Roads, Va. area. The Labrador retriever provides comfort and therapy visits to numerous veterans
through the Medi Home Hospice program and at Yorktown’s Colonial Harbor Assisted Living Facility. Above, therapy
dog Chief and his handler U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Brent Mathews spend time with veteran and former
Sen. Bob Dole at the WWII Memorial in D.C. during an all-VMF outreach event. (Sherry Mathews photo)
save 11.7.14
the date
Cocktails
with Canines
A Celebration of Veterans and Canines that Serve
Army Navy Country Club, Arlington, Va
866.375.1209
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7
VOLUME 3 | NO. 1 | SPRING 2014
A publication of Veterans Moving Forward, Inc.
PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Karen D. Jeffries*
Veterans Moving Forward
P.O. Box 404
Catharpin, VA 20143
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Diane Nakashima Barstein
Casey W. Coane*
Kathryn A. Condon
Rene S. Hernandez, Ph.D.*
Reuben D. Jones**
Joseph Mancias, Jr.*
John R. Prufeta
Douglas W. Rink, MBA/MHA †
Robert B. Rosenkranz**
Lyn D. Sherlock***
L. Gordon Sumner, Jr., PhD.**
Thomas A. Tallman, DO, FACEP*
EDITOR
Tina Tallman*
GRAPHIC DESIGN/PRODUCTION
CSE Identity Design, Inc.
*U.S. Navy Veteran, **U.S. Army Veteran,
***U.S. Air Force Veteran,
† U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army Veteran
ABOUT
Veterans Moving Forward, Inc. is a public
charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code dedicated to providing service
dogs and canine therapy services to veterans
with physical and mental health challenges
at no cost to the veteran.
Our vision is to be the premier national, not
for profit organization for veterans seeking
and receiving assistance/service or skilled
companion dogs. Be the most effective and
trusted resource to provide canine therapy
for veterans. Optimize veteran employment
in distributing service dogs to veterans to
meet growing demands. Make a meaningful
difference in the lives of our veterans and
increase their safety and independence within
their environment.
CONTACT
P.O. Box 404, Catharpin, VA 20143
866-375-1209 • admin@vetsfwd.org
FOLLOW US ONLINE
>>> www.vetsfwd.org
www.facebook.com/vetsfwd
www.twitter.com/vetsfwd
www.youtube.com/vetsfwd
To make a tax-deductible donation,
go to www.vetsfwd.org and press
the donate button.
Become a VMF
Puppy Raiser
Puppy Raisers: VMF Needs You!
VMF depends on volunteer puppy
raisers to provide early socialization
and care, the 1st step in training
an assistance dog for veterans
with physical and mental health
challenges. Responsibilities include:
• Crate-training, house-training,
obedience classes and manners
• Raising puppy until adolescent
(15–20 months)
» w ww.vetsfwd.org/volunteer