For veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the battle never ends. For some, the service never ends either.
In honor of PTSD Awareness Month, we profile three organizations founded by veterans, for veterans.
The Battle Buddy Foundation
The Battle Buddy Foundation provides service dogs, aptly named battle buddies, for veterans with PTSD. Founded by two Iraq War veterans in 2013, the nonprofit provides service dogs to members and offers itself as a network of support and resources for veterans grappling with PTSD.
Co-founder Kenny Bass spent $15,000 to get his service dog, which he credits with saving his life.
Bass founded The Battle Buddy Foundation with his fellow serviceman, Joshua Rivers, which provides the dogs for free to veterans, after training them specifically for the veteran and their condition. They additionally cover veterinarian appointments, travel fees, and additional training.
Service dogs are trained to sense triggers and nightmares, and bring their owners back to the present by putting a paw on them, nudging them with their muzzle, or licking their hand or face.
Mission 22
Mission 22 is named for the number of veterans who take their own lives every day due to PTSD.
Founders Brad, Magnus, and Mike created Mission 22 to raise awareness of veteran suicide, and build memorials for veterans who have taken their own lives.
Their main goal is to create a national monument dedicated "to those who have fallen in the war against Veteran suicide."
The monument is mobile to reach more communities across the U.S., depicting the lives and stories of the fallen to connect solider with civilian
IAVA
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, or IAVA, provides veterans with a community of support to connect with and get resources from.
IAVA was founded by Paul Rieckhoff in 2004 to serve veterans and families for free. The nonprofit provides its members with online peer support as they transition back to civilian life, personalized support through trained social workers, and community building events.
The organization also helps veterans navigate employment and understand the educational benefits they are entitled to under the GI Bill.
IAVA continually lobbies for improved support and care for veterans, and have an annual "Storm the Hill" event to meet with more than 100 lawmakers.
IAVA advocates for improving mental health care, improving the VA, addressing the healthcare needs of female veteran, expanding the benefits of the GI Bill, and tackling the problem of veteran suicide.
"That anyone who has worn our uniform concludes that they have no support and no alternative but suicide is a national crisis and disgrace."
