Resource List

I compiled this list over several years & my goal is create a "one stop" resource list. I haven't personally utilized all of the resources. As I discover new websites & organizations I update the list, so come back continually to see what's new! Clicking on a link will take you to the website.

Resources for Caregivers of Wounded Soldiers:

www.heartsofvalor.org (formerly Wounded Warrior Wives)
www.familyofavet.com
www.whenwarcomeshomeretreats.com
www.hopeforthehomefront.com
http://qolfoundation.org -Quality of Life Foundation

VA Caregiver Support Program:

http://www.va.gov -search for VA Form 10-10CG to apply. This is Post 9/11 veterans
*Note to VA approved caregivers: you're entitled to Hero Miles for respite care as well as in home/inpatient respite care. Ask about it!
margaret.kabat@va.gov -National contact person for caregiver program


SCAADL- active duty version of caregiver compensation:

www.woundedwarriorregiment.org -info about SCAADL for active duty DD Form 2948
http://wtc.army.mil/factsheets/wtc_SCAADL_fact_sheet.pdf -Fact sheet from WTU
http://militarypay.defense.gov/Tools/scaadl.html -SCAADL Calculator
http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/134112p.pdf -DOD instructions on SCAADL
http://uscode.house.gov/search/criteria.shtml -to search US Code-Title 37, Section 439


Retreats/Leisure for couples/families:

www.woundedwarriorsfamilysupport.org -Purple Heart recipients
www.heroreward.com
www.independencefund.org
www.operationrestoredwarrior.org
www.projectsanctuary.us
www.projectnewhope.net
www.cominghomeproject.net
www.strongbonds.org
http://vailveteransprogram.com
http://www.warriorbeachretreat.org
http://www.familycamp.webs.com
http://operationblackhillscabin.org
www.oaeamerica.org
www.wwfamilycamp.webs.com

Retreats & Resources for kids:

www.operation300.com
http://kidsbrigade.org/
http://campcope.org/
www.campcoral.org/
www.militarychild.org/
www.campcamp.org
www.militaryfamily.org
www.ourmilitarykids.org
http://campdreamga.org/
www.operationmilitarykids.org
www.sittercity.com/dod -free membership to "sitter city"  for childcare services
www.asymca.org - an affiliate of the YMCA for military installations

Organizations that build/adapt homes:

http://www.buildinghomesforheroes.org
www.homesforourtroops.org
www.rebuildingtogether.org
www.militarywarriors.org
www.homesforheroes.com
http://www.helpingahero.org
http://www.operationfinallyhome.org

Travel Assistance:

www.lukeswings.org
http://www.veteransairlift.org/
www.fisherhouse.org/programs/heromiles (888) 294-8560
http://aircompassionforveterans.org/
http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/military-personnel -Assist wounded warriors & veteran's when flying: from curbside, thru security and to the gate.

Resources for navigating the MEB process:

http://www.pebforum.com/site/forum/
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/nation/documents/walter-reed/HeroHandbook.pdf

Acquiring Medical Records & DD214:

http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/
http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/address-list.html
www.archives.gov 

HIPPA complaints:

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hippa/complaint/index.html

TSGLI:

http://www.insurance.va.gov/sglisite/tsgli/tsgliguide/tsgliproceduresguide.pdf

Mental Health & TBI/PTSD Education:

http://www.biausa.org
www.lapublishing.com/blog
www.brainlinemilitary.org
www.avbi.org
http://afterdeployment.org/
http://www.thesoldierproject.org
http://silentsiren.org/
http://healingheroes.org/
http://www.thepathwayhome.org/
www.giveanhour.org
http://whitman.syr.edu/ebv/programs/
www.aerhq.com
www.thearmsforces.org
http://www.vetsprevail.org
www.texvet.org
www.milvetpeer.net -peer support groups based in TX

Education/Scholarships for spouses/children:

www.foldsofhonor.org
www.militaryscholar.org
www.hopeforthewarriors.org
http://whitman.syr.edu/ebv/programs/families

Blogs:

http://claudenewsptsd.blogspot.com
www.wifeofawoundedveteran.blogspot.com
www.tbiwarrior.com
www.wifeofawoundedsoldier.com
www.hopeforthewarriors.blogspot.com
www.warriorandwives.com
http://tbi-ptsdwife.blogspot.com
www.AdventuresofTeamAllen.blogspot.com
http://armyreservistwife.blogspot.com
http://fromwartohomefront.blogspot.com

Service Dog Organizations:

www.assistancedogsinternational.com -full listing of ADI members by state
http://www.caninesforservice.org -Wilmington, NC
www.PatriotPaws.org -Rockwall, TX
www.cci.org -CA and FL
www.vetdogs.org -Smithtown, NY
www.puppiesbehindbars.com -Bedford Hills, NY
www.dogs4disabledveterans.org
http://patriotrovers.org -Highpoint, NC
http://www.semperfido.org -Marlton, NJ
http://www.ecad1.org/ -NY and CT
http://www.freedomservicedogs.org/ -Englewood, CO
www.caninesforwarriors.org/ Tampa, FL
http://www.lekennels.org/home.html -Nogal, NM
http://www.muttswithamission.com/ -N Berwick, ME
www.neads.org/ -Princeton, MA
http://www.newhorizonsservicedogs.org/ -Orange City, FL
http://www.pawpads.org/ -Savage, MN
http://www.servicedogproject.org/  -Ipswich, MA
http://www.servicedogs.org/  -Dripping Springs, TX

Financial Assistance:

www.defendersoffreedom.us/
www.legion.org/financialassistance
www.amf100.org
www.dav.org
www.thehomefrontcares.org
www.mercyforme.org
www.unmetneeds.org
www.naavets.org
http://wish4ourheroes.org/
http://operationfamilyfund.org
http://www.saluteheroes.org
http://www.impactahero.org
http://www.operationsecondchance.org
http://operationfirstresponse.org/?page_id=3600
http://usacares.org/faq/family-assistance-process/
http://www.rebuildhope.org/sources_of_financial_assistance_public.php
http://www.pentagonfoundation.org/site/PageServer?pagename=heroes_index
http://www.semper4soldiers.org
http://nmcrs.org
http://www.goodguysmarinefund.org/
www.SemperFiFund.org
http://freedomalliance.org
http://www.operationhomefront.com

General Resources:

http://www.tvc.state.tx.us/Home.aspx - TX Veteran's Commission
www.vettix.org -grants free tickets to events
http://www.afvclub.com -vacation deals
http://www.vacationsforveterans.org -vacation deals
www.nvlsp.org -Nat'l Veterans Legal Svc Program
http://www.warriorgateway.org
http://oprecov.org/
http://vet.syr.edu/pdfs/benefits-guidebook.pdf
http://nationalresourcedirectory.gov
www.maketheconnection.net -bringing vets together to heal
www.iava.org -assisting Iraq/Afghanistan vets in health, community & education
www.soldiersangels.org
www.fisherhouse.org -provides temporary housing
www.hopeforthewarriors.org
http://operationcomfort.org/ -assistance for those being treated at BAMC in TX
http://operationmilitaryembrace.com -assist w/hardhips, MEB, coordinate legal issues
www.patriotguard.org -motorcycle group that attends funerals of fallen service members
www.militaryministry.org -Christian based books to aid in PTSD/TBI and combat healing
www.usoinvisiblewounds.org
www.swords-to-plowshares.org -Housing & employment, based in CA
http://bva.org - Blind Veterans Assoc
http://www.pva.org - Paralyzed Veterans Assoc
http://operationmend.ucla.edu -provides free plastic/reconstructive surgery, orthopaedic reconstruction, urologic treatment, otolaryngological care, mental health, exam & treatment of reproductive issues.
http://www.sacv.org -San Antonio coalition for vets to find resources & help with the VA
www.sempermax.com
http://www.yellowribbonfund.com -for wounded soldiers in the D.C., Maryland & Virginia areas
www.texvet.org -resources for vets located in TX
http://www.lonestarmilitary.com -TX
http://agrability.org -assisting wounded soldiers w/ranching & farming
www.nmfa.org -Nat'l Military Family Assoc
http://vacationsforveterans.org - Recv'd Purple Heart medal in  Iraq or Afghanistan
http://www.vets.yuku.com -veteran's forum & resources
http://www.veteransforamerica.us/
www.amputee-coalition.org -site specific to dealing with amputation
www.painfoundation.org -American Pain Foundation

Leisure/Healing activities for wounded service members:

www.challengeaspen.org -Colorado
http://americanevergladesguide.com -FL
http://operationsecondchance.org/
www.woundedwarriorproject.org -activities for soldiers to incl-Soldier Ride
www.ride2recovery.com -helping wounded vets heal thru cycling events
www.riversofrecovery.org -fishing events for vets to aid in PTSD recovery
www.woundedwarriorranch.org -ranch in WA for vets/families to enjoy the outdoors
www.patriothunts.org -hunting
http://www.combatmarineoutdoors.org -hunting/fishing trips for wounded svc members (not just Marines)
http://patriotsandheroesoutdoors.com -hunting & outdoor trips
http://www.teamriverrunner.org/ -sponsors kayaking events for wounded soldiers & families
http://warriorsandquietwaters.org -fly fishing in MT
http://www.warfightersports.org/ -sporting events around the country for disabled soldiers
http://www.lakeshore.org/ -promotes independence for ppl w/disabilities thru their facility in AL
www.hopeforthewarriors.org -sponsor svc members to participate in sporting events around the USA
http://www.outwardbound.org/index.cfm/do/vets.index -free outdoor trips
www.sempermax.com -funds different sporting events incl. travel/lodging for marathons, bike races.
www.semperFiFund.org -sponsors wounded svc members to attend sporting events
http://www.manegait.org/ - horse therapy located in TX
www.equest.org - horse therapy located in TX
http://highgroundhunters.com//hometown-heroes/ -Hunting trips for soldiers/veterans in TX
http://www.pawsforreflectionranch.org/Home_Page.php -"Boots of Honor" equine therapy in TX
http://www.rockytoptherapy.org/default.aspx -"Horses for Heroes"  located in N. TX
http://txwoundedwarrior.com -activities for wounded soldiers

VA /Government websites:

www.vba.va.gov -Independent Living Program
http://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WARRELATEDILLNESS/contact.asp
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch05.doc -Appeals
http://www.va.gov/osdbu/programs/index.asp -Small business programs
http://www1.va.gov/centerforminorityveterans/  -Center for minority veterans
http://www.vetbiz.gov/default2.htm -Center for veteran's enterprise
http://www1.va.gov/womenvet/  -Center for women veterans
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/part6%20/ch07.doc Compensation Gulf War disablty
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Rates/comp01.htm -Compensation rate tables 12/03
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/exams/index.htm -Disability exam worksheet index
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch02.doc  -Due process
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21_1/mr/part1/ch01.doc -Duty to assist
http://www.ecfr.gov -Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
http://www1.va.gov/homeless/ Homeless veterans
http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_=206 -Fee basis for outpatient svcs
http://www.oqp.med.va.gov/cpg/cpgn/mus/mus_base.htm -Guideline for chronic pain/fatigue
http://www1.va.gov/geriatricsshg/ Geriatrics & extended care
http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DepletedUraniumFAQSheet.doc -Depleted Uranium FAQ


Helpful Books:

"Rule #2 Lessons I Learned in a Combat Hospital" author Heidi Squier Kraft
"Once a Marine: An Iraq war tank commanders inspirational memoir of combat, courage & recovery"
author-Nick Popaditch (OIF vet) with Mike Steere
"Exit Wounds: A survival guide to pain management for returning vets & their families" author-Derek McGinis (OIF vet) and Stephen R Braun
"Hope for the Home Front" -author Marshelle Waddell
"Wounded Warrior, Wounded Home: Hope & Healing for Families..." author Waddell & Orr
"When War Comes Home" authors-Adsit, Adsit & Waddell thru www.militaryministry.org
"Combat Trauma Healing Manual" available thru www.militaryministry.org
"Forgive for Love" author: Luskin (not only applies to relationships, but forgiveness in general.
"The Love Dare" author-Kendrick (as featured in the movie Fireproof)
"Penny's from Heaven" author-Patsy Swendson (book about service dogs)

A round of paws for service dogs.

The image above is on Patriot Paws service dogs' van. It was taken  May 2009 when Aaron was training to receive his service dog, Lane Murray. He and Lane are the middle photo and the caption reads, "for the first time in two years I forgot to be mad." For someone like Aaron, that was going through so many difficulties at the time, Lane was his focus instead of his anger at all the injustice around him. Aaron was paralyzed during back surgery due to a surgeon's mistake and there was no restitution. In addition to that, Aaron's military career was over after 18 years of service. He has chronic neuropthic pain, doesn't sleep regularly and has PTSD related to the traumatic event of waking up paralyzed. Receiving Lane was a blessing in so many ways: she calms him, takes the focus off of him while in public, she's his companion and more.

The Patriot Paws program (accredited by Assistance Dogs International) utilizes the Gatesville, TX women's prison system to train service dogs. If you'd like to see a PSA on You Tube search for: Patriot Paws Service Dog Program. Aaron had been on the wait list for a year and a half. So when he got the call that his name was at the top of the list, he was thrilled. We would be driving to Texas to train in the prison facility, with the inmates, for 10 days. I'll admit that I had preconceived ideas about the women we would be interacting with, but by the end of that time, my thinking changed 100% Think about your past and some of the mistakes you made, but maybe you didn't get caught or the mistake was minor. Some mistakes are big and have huge consequences. These woman choose to make a difference by giving back to veterans. We met some amazing people throughout our time in the program and all my thoughts are positive when I think back to those 10 days.

What a lot of people don't know about the placement of a service dog with it's owner is that the dog chooses, not the owner. Before arriving to the prison, Lori Stevens (founder) had 3 dogs selected that she felt would be a good match for Aaron. This was based on physical needs and his typical days' activities. You don't want a hyper dog if the owner is low-key and vice versa. For the first few days, Aaron worked with several dogs to see how they interacted with him and then after 3 days, Lori started putting the pre-selected dogs with Aaron. There were 2 dogs that responded well to Aaron and followed his commands. Lane specifically would attempt to put her body in front of Aaron whenever another dog worked with him. She was choosing him! During the training time, Aaron worked with Lane on tugging open doors, pushing drawers/doors closed, turn lights off & on, removing shoes & socks, going under the table for use in restaurants, push on the pads to open automatic doors, alert someone if Aaron needs help, picking up dropped items, and pull the bed sheets down, just to name a few.

When Aaron would go out in public, people would ask ignorant and rude questions about how he was injured, as if they had to right to know. However, when he brought Lane home all the focus was on her, she creates a distraction away from him. "What can she do?" "Does she ever get to just be a dog?" "Who takes care of her when you travel?" "Does she bite?" "Why does she have a muzzle on?" To answer the questions: she can do a lot, she is all dog when the service dog vest comes off, she travels with us everywhere we go including airplanes, no she doesn't bite and no that is not a muzzle. It's a gentle leader, which is like a horse harness. Wherever Aaron pulls the leash, her head and body follow. Lane is 80lbs of 4x4 strength.

A trip to the grocery store takes twice as long, because every other aisle has someone that wants to know all about Lane. Plus Lane knows how to work the "sad" face to get attention from people and she's very social. If she can get one person to pay attention to her or if she gets what we call a "pet by" then she won the lottery. There's always that one person that tries to get her attention by whistling, trying to pet her, calling to her, etc. Please do not do this if you see a service dog, although they're focused, they still love attention. An interesting tid bit about dogs. Their sense of smell is much keener than humans, so when we walk down the food aisle all we smell is one scent, whereas a dog smells every single scent in that aisle. You can imagine how intriguing that is to a dog and how focused a service dog must be to not stop at all the items on the shelves and start sniffing.

Lane has journeyed to the Epcot Center in Florida with us and managed the crowds around her for 8+ hours. She was allowed to sit next to Aaron on a ride, although she ended up on his lap at one point when a loud sound startled her! She certainly did not care for the fireworks display at the end of the night. Lane has been in the 2011 Rose Bowl Parade. She and Aaron were invited to attend and sit on a float honoring service members. Unfortunately, at the last minutes, she and Aaron were switched from the "TV side" of the float to the opposite side, so they didn't get to enjoy their 15 minutes of fame. However, Lane has been featured on "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams" before we received her. Of course, we saved that video for our claim to fame. Lane loves to swim in our lake, but doesn't care for baths, she asks permission to get up on the bed by putting her muzzle on the edge of the bed and tapping it, loves to be chased by our 6 month old Rottweiler, knows the word "walk" in any sentence so that we have to spell it out unless we're ready to go out the door, always gets the last spoonful of my ice cream, tortilla chips when we go out for Mexican food (under the table of course) and adores children.

I've said a lot about service dogs and my main objective is to create awareness of what they have to offer. A person doesn't have to have a visible disability to get a service dog. Veterans with PTSD can benefit from a service dog, a person with a brain injury, which may affect balance for example, can benefit from a dog that can help brace the person. There are so many benefits that service dogs offer, so look into it or spread the word if you know of someone. One thing to remember is that all of these organizations need donations of time and/or money, volunteers, puppy raisers and more to succeed and place dogs.

To end on a humorous note: Aaron has always referred to me as "Babe" and we've been married 19 years. At some point, I noticed that he started calling Lane that nickname. I tease Aaron all the time about it and ask him, "When did I become the 3rd wheel in this relationship?" Apparently, I have another female competitor for my husbands's attention! :-)