Your Support Team
Meet the people in your corner
You'll meet a team of caring professionals on this journey. Here's who they are, what their letters mean, and how long they've been helping people heal.
Meet your psychologist
Damon Maruska, PsyD
Clinical Psychologist dedicated to walking alongside veterans on their path to healing.
Damon brings a calm, grounded presence to every session. As a Clinical Psychologist, he specializes in trauma-informed care and has dedicated his training to working with veterans navigating PTSD, anxiety, and the challenges of coming home.
He believes healing happens in relationship — through trust, honesty, and moving at your pace. Whether you're unpacking hard memories or just need someone who listens without judgment, Damon is here for it.
Credentials
PsyD, LPC, ABA, BSN
Focus areas
PTSD and trauma recovery, anxiety, depression, military-to-civilian transition, and veteran-specific mental health support.
Why this matters
Knowing your team makes the journey easier
The letters after someone's name can feel like a secret code. This page breaks it down simply — so you walk into every appointment feeling informed, respected, and at ease.
Licensed Professional Counselor
LPC / LCPC
Your go-to for talk therapy — someone to talk through trauma, stress, and daily challenges in a safe, private space.
Credentials
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). Requires a master's degree, thousands of supervised clinical hours, and a state licensing exam.
A brief history
Counseling grew out of the vocational guidance movement of the early 1900s, when people first recognized that a caring, structured conversation could change a life. After World War II, counselors began specializing in mental health, and the profession has grown into one of the most trusted sources of emotional support.
Clinical Social Worker
LCSW
Part therapist, part navigator — they help you heal while connecting you to resources, benefits, and community support.
Credentials
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Requires a master's in social work (MSW), two+ years of supervised clinical practice, and a state exam.
A brief history
Social work began in the late 1800s in settlement houses, where volunteers helped new immigrants find housing, work, and community. The field grew to embrace mental health care, and today clinical social workers are the largest group of mental health providers in the country.
Clinical Psychologist
PsyD / PhD
An expert in how the mind works — they assess, diagnose, and treat mental health with deep, evidence-based therapy.
Credentials
Licensed Psychologist with a doctorate (PsyD or PhD), a year of supervised internship, and a state licensing exam.
A brief history
Psychology emerged in the late 1800s when researchers began studying the mind with scientific tools. By the mid-1900s it had become a healing profession, and psychologists have since pioneered many of the therapies used to treat PTSD today.
Psychiatrist
MD / DO
A medical doctor who can prescribe medication and look at how the brain and body work together in your healing.
Credentials
Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), plus a psychiatry residency and board certification.
A brief history
Psychiatry took shape in the 18th century when physicians began treating mental illness with compassion instead of confinement. The discovery of effective medications in the mid-1900s transformed the field, making recovery possible for millions.
Registered Nurse
RN / PMHNP-BC
The person who watches over your whole health — tracking how you are doing, coordinating medical care, and answering the day-to-day questions that come up along the way.
Credentials
Registered Nurses (RN) are state-licensed, and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP-BC) hold a graduate degree plus national board certification. Both require supervised clinical training and continuing education to stay licensed.
A brief history
Modern nursing began with Florence Nightingale, who in the 1850s showed that organized, compassionate bedside care saves lives. Nurses have been at the center of mental health treatment ever since, and today psychiatric nurses are among the most trusted clinicians in veteran care.
Case Manager
CCM
Your day-to-day point of contact — the person who keeps everything moving, from scheduling and documentation to answering questions and making sure nothing slips through the cracks.
Credentials
Certified Case Manager (CCM), a credential from the Commission for Case Manager Certification. It requires a degree in a health or human services field, supervised practice hours, and a national exam.
A brief history
Case management took shape in the early 1900s, when social workers began coordinating care for families moving through a fragmented system. As healthcare and veteran services grew more complex, the role became the thread that ties a person's care together — one steady human being who knows the whole story. Today case managers are a standard part of veteran rehabilitation programs.
Certified Dog Trainer
CPDT-KA / KPA-CTP
The person who helps you and your rescue dog learn to trust and understand each other — gently, at your own pace.
Credentials
Certifications include Certified Professional Dog Trainer–Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP). Both require hands-on experience and a rigorous exam.
A brief history
Dog training began with military and police work in the early 1900s, often relying on force. In the 1980s and 90s, positive reinforcement methods changed everything — and today's trainers build trust through patience and reward, the same approach that helps rescue dogs heal.
Equine-Assisted Therapist
EAGALA / PATH Intl.
A professional who guides healing through time with horses — no riding experience needed, just presence and connection.
Credentials
Certified through the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) or Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH Intl.), with mental health and equine specialists working as a team.
A brief history
Therapeutic riding began in Europe in the 1960s, when riders noticed that time with horses eased physical and emotional pain. The practice spread worldwide, and equine-assisted therapy is now a respected complement to traditional treatment.
Beyond the professionals
The people who walk alongside you
Healing isn't only clinical. Along the way you'll meet people who show up simply because they care — volunteers, peers, graduates, and community leaders who've been where you are.
Peer Support Specialists
Veterans who've walked their own road back from the dark. They listen without judgment because they've lived it, and they're here whenever you need someone who truly gets it.
Program Graduates
Men and women who completed the program and now volunteer to help others through it. Their story is proof that the path leads somewhere, and they're glad to share it.
Volunteers
Neighbors, friends, and community members who give their time freely — walking dogs, organizing events, or simply being a friendly face at a gathering.
Religious & Spiritual Leaders
Chaplains, pastors, and spiritual guides available for those who find strength in faith. No pressure, no agenda — just a compassionate ear when you need one.
Dog Handlers & Foster Volunteers
Experienced handlers who help care for rescue dogs before and during placement. They know the dogs well and can answer questions as you build your bond.
Community Mentors
Local leaders and longtime supporters who help veterans reconnect with their community — through work, hobbies, service, or simply belonging again.
You don't have to carry it alone. Whatever you need — a professional, a peer, a prayer, or just a friend — there's someone here for you.
A note on what's available now: Some of the professionals above are part of our in-house team today, while others are accessed through our growing network of licensed partner providers. A few — like psychiatry — are areas we're actively building toward. We'll always be honest with you about what we can offer directly and what we connect you to. Your care never waits on our growth.
One last thing
You're the most important member of the team
Every professional here works for you. Ask questions, share concerns, and take things at your own pace. Healing happens when you feel safe, heard, and respected.
Join the team
Build a second chance with us
Every role here — clinical, operational, animal care, or community — moves a veteran and a rescue dog closer to each other. Browse the openings and apply in a few minutes.
Clinical & Care Team
Licensed professionals who guide therapy, medical care, and day-to-day support for every veteran in the program.
Licensed Professional Counselor
LPC / LCPC
Deliver trauma-informed talk therapy to veterans working through PTSD, anxiety, and transition.
Clinical Social Worker
LCSW
Support healing while connecting veterans to benefits, resources, and community care.
Clinical Psychologist
PsyD / PhD
Assess, diagnose, and treat PTSD and related conditions with evidence-based therapy.
Psychiatrist
MD / DO
Prescribe and manage medication as part of each veteran's care plan.
Psychiatric Nurse
RN / PMHNP-BC
Track whole-person health, coordinate medical care, and answer the day-to-day questions that come up.
Case Manager
CCM
Keep each veteran's care moving, from scheduling and documentation to follow-through.
Chaplain / Spiritual Care Provider
Multi-faith
Offer moral-injury and spiritual support to those who want it, in a come-as-you-are setting.
Certified Dog Trainer
CPDT-KA / KPA-CTP
Guide veterans and their dogs through structured, positive-reinforcement training.
Equine-Assisted Therapist
EAGALA / PATH Intl.
Lead equine sessions alongside our mental health and equine team.
Program & Operations
The team that keeps applications moving, volunteers supported, and the mission running.
Program Coordinator
Run the day-to-day of the program: stages, scheduling, and coordination across the team.
Intake & Application Specialist
Guide veterans and shelter partners through applications, screening, and next steps.
Volunteer Coordinator
Recruit, onboard, and support the volunteers who keep this mission moving.
Peer Support Specialist
Veteran peer
Walk alongside veterans in the program, because you have lived it too.
Administrative Assistant
Handle the scheduling, filing, and follow-ups that keep everything on track.
Grant Writer & Development Officer
Tell our story to funders and build the funding that keeps the program free.
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Share the mission across social, email, and press, with real voices and real photos.
Bookkeeper / Finance Coordinator
Track donations, expenses, and reporting so every dollar is accounted for.
Event & Fundraising Coordinator
Plan the gatherings and campaigns that bring the community together.
IT & Website Support
Keep our site, systems, and data working as the program grows.
Animal Care & Field
The hands-on team that cares for rescue dogs before, during, and after placement.
Dog Handler / Kennel Technician
Care for the dogs in our program: feeding, exercise, enrichment, and daily handling.
Foster Caregiver
Give a rescue dog a stable home while they prepare for placement.
Animal Transport Driver
Move dogs safely between shelters, vet visits, and training sessions.
Veterinarian
DVM
Provide exams, vaccinations, and medical oversight for dogs entering the program.
Veterinary Technician
CVT
Support veterinary care, records, and follow-up treatment for our dogs.
Animal Behavior Specialist
Assess temperament and build behavior plans for dogs with challenges to work through.
Groomer
Keep the dogs healthy and comfortable with regular grooming care.
Community & Outreach
The neighbors, graduates, and supporters who show up because they care.
Community Outreach Liaison
Build relationships with veteran groups, shelters, and local organizations.
Community Mentor
Help veterans reconnect with work, hobbies, service, and belonging.
Photographer & Media Volunteer
Capture the real moments that tell this story with dignity.
Social Media & Content Volunteer
Post the mission, the dogs, and the wins across our channels.
Board Member / Advisor
Guide the foundation with expertise in governance, finance, or veteran services.
Apply to join
Takes about five minutes. No account needed.
PDF, Word, or text. Stored privately and seen only by our hiring team.
Veterans, family members, and people with lived experience are especially encouraged to apply. If you bring something no credential can teach, we want to hear from you. Don't see your role listed? Choose "Other / general interest" and tell us how you would help.
Join Us
Be part of the healing
Every veteran, every dog, every helping hand moves us closer to a second chance.