New Personal Message: VAC Apps - PTSD Coach Canada + ACC Coach ESPT Canada

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PTSD Coach Canada

Questions and Answers for the National Client Contact Network

Background for Analysts – On February 25, 2013, Minister Blaney announced that the Department is partnering with Veterans participating in the Veterans Transition Program to preview a new mobile application, PTSD Coach Canada. The app will be made available for all Veterans and their families later in the year.

Q1. How do I get PTSD Coach Canada?
A1. The PTSD Coach Canada app is still under development. It will be made available free of charge later in the year through the iTunes store and the Android Market.

Q2. Do I have to pay for PTSD Coach Canada?
A2. No. The app will be free.

Q3. If I do not have a smart phone or another mobile device, how do I get PTSD Coach Canada?

A3. PTSD Coach Canada will only be available through a mobile device, but non-interactive features such as the factsheets will be available on the VAC Web site. Please discuss PTSD Coach Canada and your situation with your case manager who may be able to provide an alternative.

Staff members can refer to the Treatment Benefits Guidelines for Hand-Held Electronic Devices.

Q4. If I need immediate assistance, what can I do?
A4. If the caller is not in any immediate risk of harming himself or others:

You can call the Veterans Affairs Canada Assistance Service Line, a confidential 24 hours a day, 7 days a week toll-free line where Veterans and their families can receive support: 1-800-268-7708.

Health Canada's Employee Assistance Services is the service provider of the Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program (CFMAP) and the Veterans Affairs Canada Assistance Service. It provides free, confidential, voluntary, short-term, solution-focussed counselling services by telephone to assist Canadian Armed Forces members, former military members, and their eligible family members with support to resolve many of today's psycho-social stresses. The telephone line is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by fully-trained bilingual counsellors.
• CAF members, former military members, and their eligible family members within Canada and the U.S.A. can access this program through the toll-free telephone number (1-800-268-7708).
• Those from other countries must dial the International Access Code of the country which they are calling from, followed by 800-268-7708.

If suicidal ideation may be present, follow the Suicide Prevention Protocol that includes screening and cues for referral. Assess risk of harming others and intervene as recommended.

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Coach ESPT Canada

Questions et réponses à l'intention du Réseau national des centres d'appels

Contexte pour les analystes – Le 25 février 2013, le ministre Blaney a annoncé un partenariat entre le Ministère et les vétérans qui participent au Programme de transition des vétérans, en vue de leur offrir en primeur l'accès à une nouvelle application mobile, Coach ESPT Canada. Cette application deviendra accessible à tous les vétérans et à leurs familles plus tard dans l'année.

Q1. Comment puis-je obtenir l'application Coach ESPT Canada?
R1. L'application Coach ESPT Canada en est encore à l'étape de la mise au point. Elle pourra être téléchargée sans frais plus tard cette année à partir des sites iTunes et Android Market.

Q2. Y a-t-il des frais pour accéder à Coach ESPT Canada?
R2. Non, l'application sera offerte gratuitement.

Q3. Si je n'ai pas de téléphone intelligent ni d'autre appareil mobile, comment puis-je obtenir l'accès à Coach ESPT Canada?

R3. Coach ESPT Canada ne sera accessible qu'au moyen d'un appareil mobile, mais certains éléments non interactifs de l'application, comme des fiches d'information, se retrouveront sur le site Web d'ACC. Vous pourrez discuter de votre situation par rapport à Coach ESPT Canada avec votre gestionnaire de cas, qui pourra peut-être vous suggérer des solutions.

Les membres du personnel peuvent consulter les lignes directrices des avantages médicaux portant sur les dispositifs électroniques portatifs.

Q4. Si j'ai besoin d'une assistance immédiate, que puis-je faire?
R4. Si la sécurité du client et celle d'autres personnes ne sont pas menacées dans l'immédiat :

Vous pouvez composer le 1-800-268-7708 pour communiquer avec le Service d'aide d'Anciens Combattants Canada. Il s'agit d'un service téléphonique sans frais, confidentiel et accessible en tout temps, qui fournit un soutien aux vétérans et à leurs familles.

Le Service d'aide aux employés de Santé Canada est le fournisseur de services pour le Programme d'aide aux membres des Forces canadiennes (PAMFC) et le Service d'aide d'Anciens Combattants Canada. Il offre des services de consultation gratuits et confidentiels axés sur la recherche de solutions à court terme et à participation volontaire, afin d'aider les membres des Forces armées canadiennes, les anciens militaires et les membres admissibles de leurs familles à résoudre un bon nombre des problèmes associés aux tensions psychosociales qu'ils subissent aujourd'hui. Des conseillers hautement qualifiés et parfaitement bilingues sont disponibles pour prendre les appels 24 heures par jour, 365 jours par année.
• Les membres des Forces armées canadiennes, les anciens militaires et les membres admissibles de leurs familles qui se trouvent au Canada ou aux États-Unis peuvent avoir accès à ce programme en composant le numéro sans frais 1-800-268-7708.
• Ailleurs, il faut composer le code d'accès international selon le pays, suivi de 800-268-7708.

Si la personne manifeste des tendances suicidaires, veuillez suivre le protocole pour la prévention du suicide, qui prévoit une évaluation préliminaire et offre des conseils pour l'aiguillage. Évaluez les risques pour la sécurité des autres personnes et intervenez en suivant les recommandations appropriées.

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POUR DIFFUSION IMMÉDIATE Le 25 février 2013

Le ministre Blaney renforce le partenariat avec le Programme de transition des vétérans

Ottawa – L'honorable Steven Blaney, ministre des Anciens Combattants et ministre de la Francophonie, a annoncé aujourd'hui qu'Anciens Combattants Canada renforce son partenariat avec le Programme de transition des vétérans en offrant, aux vétérans participant au programme, l'accès en primeur à sa nouvelle application mobile, Coach ESPT Canada, qui deviendra accessible à tous plus tard dans l'année.

« La santé mentale et le bien-être psychologique des vétérans et de leurs familles sont des plus importants pour notre gouvernement. Nous savons que le recours à la technologie mobile dans le domaine de la santé ne cesse de s'accroître. Coach ESPT Canada exploite cette technologie pour apporter un précieux soutien aux personnes atteintes d'ESPT, a expliqué le ministre Blaney. Cette application mobile vient en complément des prestations de professionnels de la santé mentale et ne les remplace en aucun cas. Ceux-ci demeurent essentiels dans le diagnostic et le traitement de l'ESPT. »

Coach ESPT Canada est une application mobile conçue pour apporter une aide aux vétérans canadiens et aux hommes et femmes en uniforme qui éprouvent des symptômes d'état de stress post-traumatique (ESPT), et à leurs familles. Il s'agit d'un outil informatif d'autogestion de la santé qui peut les aider à composer avec les symptômes d'ESPT.

Le partenariat annoncé aujourd'hui s'ajoute au Plan d'action de transition des vétérans annoncé par le ministre à l'automne 2012, qui prévoit un nouveau soutien financier pouvant s'élever à 600 000 $ sur quatre ans pour permettre aux vétérans de participer au Programme de transition des vétérans de l'Université de la Colombie-Britannique (UBC), un programme avant-gardiste qui offre des thérapies de groupe aux vétérans partout au pays. Les participants d'Ottawa recevront l'application Coach ESPT Canada et auront la chance de l'essayer en primeur. Le Plan d'action de transition des vétérans prévoit également une suite complète d'outils et de services visant à aider les vétérans et leurs familles avec leur transition de la vie militaire à la vie civile.

« Lorsque je suis revenu d'Afghanistan, je n'avais aucune idée de ce qu'était l'état de stress post-traumatique. Savoir qu'il existe maintenant un outil pour informer les vétérans au sujet de l'ESPT et les aider à en gérer les symptômes est rassurant, a déclaré Tim Laidler, directeur exécutif du Réseau de transition des vétérans, qui est l'organisme à but non lucratif mis sur pied à UBC pour administrer le Programme de transition des vétérans. Alors que le Canada continue à s'adapter aux besoins d'une nouvelle génération de vétérans, des outils innovateurs comme Coach ESPT Canada sont d'excellents compléments à l'aide déjà offerte en matière de gestion de l'ESPT. »

« L'application annoncée par le ministre Blaney est un grand pas en avant en matière de sensibilisation à l'ESPT, tout en respectant l'anonymat des soldats et des vétérans qui, autrement, ne parleraient pas de leurs symptômes d'ESPT, a dit Chris Dupee, fondateur de l'association Military Minds. Les soldats et les vétérans vont pouvoir profiter de l'aspect formatif de l'application, que Military Minds a bien hâte de voir offerte à tous au printemps. » .../2

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« Notre partenariat avec le Programme de transition des vétérans constitue pour notre gouvernement un autre moyen de répondre aux besoins des vétérans aux prises avec un traumatisme lié au stress opérationnel et de leurs familles, a déclaré le ministre Blaney. Nous sommes heureux d'offrir aux participants du Programme de transition des vétérans la primeur de ce nouvel outil à la pointe de la technologie. »

L'application Coach ESPT Canada a été conçue par Anciens Combattants Canada, en collaboration avec le ministère de la Défense nationale et l'Association canadienne pour la santé mentale. Coach ESPT Canada est une adaptation de PTSD Coach autorisée par le département des Anciens Combattants et le département de la Défense des États-Unis. L'application mobile pourra être téléchargée plus tard dans l'année à partir des sites iTunes et Android Market.

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Demandes des médias :
Janice Summerby
Conseillère, Relations avec les médias
Anciens Combattants Canada
613-992-7468

Dace Marsh
Coordonnateur, Relations publiques/médias
Réseau de transition des vétérans
604-315-1819 Jean-Christophe de le Rue
Attaché de presse
Cabinet du ministre des Anciens Combattants
613-996-4649

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 25, 2013

Minister Blaney Expands Partnership with Veterans Transition Program

Ottawa – The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister for La Francophonie, today announced that Veterans Affairs Canada is enhancing its partnership with the Veterans Transition Program to provide the Veterans participating in the program with the opportunity to be the first to test the new PTSD Coach Canada mobile application before it is made widely available later this year.

"The mental health and well-being of Veterans and their families are of paramount importance for our Government. We know that the use of mobile technology continues to grow in the health domain. PTSD Coach Canada uses this medium to deliver needed assistance to those with PTSD," said Minister Blaney. "This mobile application complements the work of mental health providers. It does not and cannot replace them. They remain essential for the assessment and treatment of PTSD."

PTSD Coach Canada is a mobile app that can assist Canadian Veterans, and our men and women in uniform, with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as their families. It is an informational and self-care tool that can provide assistance to individuals with the management of PTSD symptoms.

Today's partnership announcement adds to Minister Blaney's fall 2012 announcement which launched the Veterans Transition Action Plan, a plan which included new support of up to $600,000 over four years for Veterans to participate in the ground-breaking Veterans Transition Program. The program provides group-based support to Veterans across the country. Veterans participating in the program in Ottawa will be receiving the PTSD Coach Canada app so they can have an opportunity to test it out. The Veterans Transition Action Plan also includes a full suite of tools and services to assists Veterans and their families with the transition from military to civilian life.

"When I returned from Afghanistan, I had no idea what PTSD was, so knowing there is now a tool that can assist Veterans in learning about and coping with PTSD is reaffirming," said Tim Laidler, Executive Director of the Veterans Transition Network, the non-profit organization developed at UBC to administer the Veterans Transition Program. "As Canada continues to adapt to the needs of the latest generation of Veterans, innovations like the PTSD coach are great additions to the help available in managing PTSD."

"This app announced by Minister Blaney is a great step forward in promoting PTSD awareness and offers anonymity to Soldiers and Veterans who wouldn't come forward otherwise with their symptoms," said Chris Dupee, founder of the Military Minds Association. "Soldiers and Veterans will be able to benefit from the coaching aspect of the app and Military Minds looks forward to its release later this year."

"Our partnership with the Veterans Transition Program is another way the Department can help meet the needs of Veterans with an operational stress injury and their families," said Minister Blaney. "We are pleased to offer the Veterans Transition Program the first glimpse of this new, cutting-edge tool."
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PTSD Coach Canada was developed by Veterans Affairs Canada, in partnership with the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Mental Health Association. PTSD Coach Canada has been adapted from PTSD Coach thanks to the generosity of the United States' Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense. The mobile app will be made available later this year through iTunes and the Android Market.

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Media inquiries:
Janice Summerby
Media Relations Advisor
Veterans Affairs Canada
613-992-7468

Dace Marsh
PR/Media Coordinator
Veterans Transition Network
604-315-1819 Jean-Christophe de le Rue
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
613-996-4649

Regards,
The Canadian Veterans Advocacy Team.

http://canadianveteransadvocacy.com/Board2/index.php

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New Personal Message: Veterans Independence Program Grant Determination Tool Backgrounder

You have just been sent a personal message by Sylvain Chartrand CD ResF on Canadian Veterans Advocacy.

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The Grant Determination Tool (GDT) was developed as part of the Budget 2012 initiative to assist with the implementation of the Veterans Independence Program (VIP) Grant for Housekeeping and Grounds Maintenance.

To support the implementation of the new Grant Determination Tool (GDT), it was necessary to establish a usual and customary rate for services by geographic area. The approach to establish rates included considerable analysis and was designed to be fair and consistent.

Various data sources were used in establishing the rates:

o Payments to registered service providers in the 2011/12 fiscal year;
o Consultations with VAC staff who administer the VIP Program on the current approach to establishing rates for housekeeping and grounds maintenance;
o A telephone survey with a representative sample of current VIP service providers to determine their approach to pricing services; and
o References to the Labour Market Information (LMI) provided by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) for the wage component of the various housekeeping and grounds maintenance services.

The proposed rates were validated through a review by VAC staff across the country who currently administer the VIP program and determine the need for grounds maintenance and housekeeping services.

The validated and recommended approach is based on a multiple of the Labour Market Information of HRSDC which is an independent, geographically-based and regularly updated reflection of the value of the service in the labour market.

The Grant Determination Tool ensures that there is adequate funding to cover the services needed up to the maximum rate for the geographic area.

For all update and to view the document, please visit: http://canadianveteransadvocacy.com/Board2/index.php?topic=8501.0
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L'Outil de détermination des subventions (ODS) a été élaboré dans le cadre de l'initiative du budget de 2012 en vue de contribuer à la mise en oeuvre de la subvention pour les services d'entretien
ménager et d'entretien du terrain offerts dans le cadre du Programme pour l'autonomie des anciens combattants (PAAC).

Pour appuyer la mise en place du nouvel Outil de détermination des subventions (ODS), il fallait établir un taux habituel pour les services selon la région géographique. Pour ce faire, on a procédé à une analyse approfondie et utilisé une approche équitable et uniforme.

Différentes sources de données ont été utilisées pour établir les taux :
o Les paiements versés aux fournisseurs de services inscrits pendant l'exercice 2011-2012;
o Des consultations avec le personnel d'ACC qui administre le PAAC en ce qui concerne l'approche utilisée à l'heure actuelle pour établir les taux des services d'entretien ménager et d'entretien du terrain;
o Un sondage téléphonique auprès d'un échantillon représentatif de fournisseurs de services actuels du PAAC afin de connaître leur approche pour établir le prix de leurs services;
o Des références à l'information sur le marché du travail (IMT) fournie par Ressources humaines et Développement des compétences Canada (RHDCC) en ce qui concerne le salaire versé pour les services d'entretien ménager et d'entretien du terrain dans les différentes régions économiques du pays.

Les taux proposés ont été validés dans le cadre d'un examen mené par tous les membres du personnel d'ACC d'un bout à l'autre du pays qui administrent le PAAC et déterminent les besoins en matière de services d'entretien ménager et d'entretien du terrain.

L'Outil de détermination des subventions permet d'assurer un financement adéquat pour couvrir le coût des services demandés sans toutefois dépasser le montant maximal établi pour la région géographique.

Pour les mise a jour, SVP aller : http://canadianveteransadvocacy.com/Board2/index.php?topic=8501.0

Regards,
The Canadian Veterans Advocacy Team.

http://canadianveteransadvocacy.com/Board2/index.php

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New announcement: Educating about PTSD after soldier takes his life

Educating about PTSD after soldier takes his life

Country music concert organized in memory of Chris Bourque
Reported by Chris Mangatal
First Posted: Feb 15, 2013 12:24pm

A group of local musicians are getting together tonight to raise awareness about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

"The Heart of Country" is a country music concert organized in memory of Chris Bourque.

"We want to raise awareness. That's the main focus and also to help the family out in this devastating time," said event organizer Mark Friesen.

Bourque died late last year, leaving behind his wife and two daughters.

"We lost Chris back in November due to his service in Bosnia and Afghanistan, tragically he took his own life due to the effects of PTSD."

"I worked with Chris for the past seven years. He was a correctional officer at the psych centre."

Friesen had previously been to an event held by the Wounded Warriors, a non-profit group dedicated to providing mental health and other services to returning soldiers.

He decided to draw on that experience to help the Borque family.

The event goes Friday night at the Broadway Theatre, doors open at 7 p.m. with the concert starting at 8 p.m.

cmangatal@rawlco.com

Follow on Twitter: @ChrisMangatal

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Regards,
The Canadian Veterans Advocacy Team.

New announcement: BUSY START TO SESSION FOR VETERANS AFFAIRS CRITIC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 11, 2013 BUSY START TO SESSION FOR VETERANS AFFAIRS CRITIC

NDP continues to ensure government respects veterans' rights OTTAWA — It was a busy start to the session in the House of Commons for NDP deputy critic for Veterans, Sylvain Chicoine (Châteauguay?St- Constant). The MP held the Conservative government's feet to the fire on several important issues for our veterans.

On January 31, Chicoine questioned Veterans Affairs Minister, Steven Blaney, on the government's unfair treatment of RCMP veterans. Recently, they launched a class action suit against the government to get their pensions and disability awards back. "The Federal Court has already ruled and the government didn't appeal the decision. This treatment is unfair."
This unfair behaviour from the Conservative government doesn't stop there. On February 4, Chicoine reacted quickly to the veterans' ombudsman's report saying the Conservative government is hiding important information from veterans who are trying to obtain the pensions and disability awards they are entitled to. "The government must be transparent; it's a matter of justice and fairness for all our veterans."

Following the tabling of the government's action plan in response to this report, Chicoine accused the Conservatives of settling for half-measures. "The veterans' ombudsman was clear: the government's action plan won't solve the problems. But the Conservatives refuse to listen to reason."

Finally, on February 7, the minister tabled in the House the report of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Depleted Uranium. Chicoine was disappointed and shocked by the results of the report. "Soldiers leave healthy and come back sick, for unknown reasons. The government must do everything it can to help those who defended Canadian values and stop blocking their efforts. The government has the duty to help veterans like Pascal Lacoste and his brothers in arms," said Chicoine.

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For more information, please contact: David Patry, Press Secretary, Quebec Caucus Services
514-238-8240 or david.patry@parl.gc.ca

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Regards,
The Canadian Veterans Advocacy Team.

New announcement: Made By A Veteran For A Veteran stained glass Canadian flag memorial

Lory Ann Reilly-DeCoste

Hello Friends,

My name is Cpl Lory Ann DeCoste. My spouse Cpl Blair DeCoste and I will be commencing a Made By A Veteran For A Veteran stained glass Canadian flag memorial keepsakes for families of Fallen Soldiers.

The concept is a stained glass Canadian flag approx 10 x 13 in size with additional glass attached to the art piece below the flag with the Fallen Soldiers name etched into the glass.

The flag can then be hung in a window to have light shine through or it can be resting in an easel on a mantel with a light shining behind it illuminating the Canadian flag and the Fallen Soldier's name.

I will be contacting local vendors in Kingston, Ontario to assist in fundraising for packaging and mailing costs however the glass and supplies will be absorbed by my spouse and I as our way of commemorating our fellow comrades who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

My intentions are to start with the most recent Fallen Soldier and create the commemorative piece to provide a level of comfort for their families and to then work from there backwards in time.

It will be a slow process that will require time to create each piece however, I can not think of any better way to pay it forward.

In the interim, I am traveling to Halifax on the 13th of Feb to support Dennis Manuge with the Sisip Ltd Law case and intend on reading my drafted letter to Justice Barnes if I am able to emotionally get through it.

Upon return, I will commence with a new website that our son Andre and our daughter Jennifer will develop in order for each Canadian flag to be photographed and posted on it once it has been completed. My hope is also to connect people together through this website whether it be the families of Fallen Soldiers, Veterans and the general public by way of seeing what sacrifices were made by our Fallen Soldiers.

I look forward shortly to begin this journey and I hope you will all share in it with my family to yours.

Cpl Lory DeCoste & Cpl Blair DeCoste

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Regards,
The Canadian Veterans Advocacy Team.

New announcement: Sean Casey on Service Canada & PEI Cuts (worth while reading)

Sean Casey

Charlottetown had 2 big snow jobs this weekend: one from Mother Nature, the other from The Minister of Veterans Affairs. Prior to the last federal budget, the Minster and his Conservative colleagues defeated a motion to have VAC exempted from the cuts to be imposed across Government. Gail Shea did not run out of the Chamber for that vote.

The Conservative mantra at that time was that veterans benefits would be maintained. The cuts were deep and disproportionate. VAC announced it would be closing District Offices, leaving PEI as the only province without one and as the only province without any case managers. The Minister then wrote to the Auditor General that ALL case managed veterans would have access to case managers, something that is, at best, disingenuous.

When I challenged him on this, he said that VAC's "expanding partnership" with Service Canada would provide vets with more points of access than before and that case managers would drive from Saint John and do house calls.

When I explained to him that Service Canada was reducing their staff by 46% over the next 2 years on PEI, he seemed completely unaware. Not much of a partnership, in my view.

So the brain trust within The Minister's Office hatched a plan. It has all the makings of a spy novel. He would come to PEI,schedule no public appearances, not notify the local MP, do a series of media interviews under an embargo until 5 pm, thereby ensuring that only the Minister's spin would be in the public domain, and he would be long gone before the media knew what they had been fed.

So here's what he announced:
There will be a new "access office" in PEI when the district office is closed next year, and 3 new Director General positions would be located in Charlottetown.

His strategy of coming to PEI under the cover of night and making a 5 pm Friday afternoon announcement succeeded in unnerving employees, justifiably concerned for their jobs.

He did not say whether the new access office would include case managers, or resemble another Service Canada wicket.

Of the 3 DG positions, none of them are new. 2 of them have always been in Charlottetown. The 3rd one, DG of Communications, was moved out of PEI by the previous Minister. Last May, the current Minister said he was convinced to move it back to PEI by Gail Shea. That still hasn't happened. So much for Gail's influence.

There are only 2 conclusions to be drawn from this escapade:

1. The Minister has no idea what is happening in his Department, or

2. He thinks Islanders are stupid.

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Regards,
The Canadian Veterans Advocacy Team.

New announcement: Press Release: Canine Assistance and Rehabilitation Services Program (CARES)

Press Release: Immediate 10 FEB 2012 - anine Assistance and Rehabilitation Services Program (CARES)

Retired Captain Medric "Cous" Cousineau, a former Air Force Navigator, was seriously injured more than two decades ago during a daring rescue mission, off of the coast of Newfoundland. Cousineau received the Star of Courage which recognizes acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great Peril, for the daring helicopter rescue of two injured American Fishermen. He bravely volunteered to be lowered to the deck of a distressed US Long liner fishing boat to rescue the 2 men during a violent storm on the 6th of October, 1986. But the injuries resulted in serious mental health issues with which he has struggled for more than 26 years.
Recently, however, he has seen vast improvements in his situation- improvements that his family credits to his service dog and partner, Thai. He is embarking on a new phase of his recovery: raising funds to help other Canadian Veterans gain access to the canine assistance that has made a difference in his own life.

CARES Program.
Cous was paired with Thai, in August 2012 through the Canine Assistance and Rehabilitation Services Program (CARES) located in Concordia , Kansas.
Thai was made possible thru the Royal Canadian Legion Poppy fund, specifically Branch 164 in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia. Cousineau is deeply appreciative of the support he received from the Legion.

CARES dedicated volunteers breed raise and train hundreds of dogs as service and therapy dogs. After whelping, the puppies are raised by a cadre of foster families, before intensive training at one of several correctional facilities in Kansas. For Cousineau, one of the most important events in his life was meeting the prisoner who had spent six and a half months training the dog for her role. After they completed their basic training and certification, their public access test and a few months of intensive public training, Thai and Cousineau began appearing in public to continue to advocate for service dogs for veterans who often battle horrible injuries sustained in the line of duty. Many of these injuries are invisible and carry a huge stigma.

Long Walk to Sanity
Upon returning home to Nova Scotia, the team continued their training through a series of increasing long walk that eventually totalled more than a thousand kilometers. Cousineau calls these his "long walk to Sanity". In early January, a long walk with Thai, and Cousineau's wife, Jocelyn, resulted in the idea of using a "Long Walk" to raise public awareness and funds to help other veterans. Though the long walk is a daunting challenge, says Cousineau, it pales in comparison to the battles mental health issues pose within society and veteran's communities.

Paws Fur Thought.
Cousineau's Long walk aimed at raising awareness and funds beginning August 1, 2013. It will continue for 50 days, averaging a half marathon (about 21 kilometers) in distance per day. The Long Walk is scheduled to end 19 September in Ottawa, with a fascinating historical walk on the final day. He hopes to be joined that day by a cadre of those wishing to join in and make "Paws-itive Outcomes".

Cousineau's route will have two major sections the first part of the journey will be from Canadian Forces Base Shearwater in Dartmouth, NS to the Naval Memorial in Point Pleasant Park and then onward to Canadian Forces Base Gagetown in NB.

After a two day rest and travel break, with a very pivotal stop in Montreal, Cousineau will begin the second part of the Long walk at Sunnybrook Veterans Memorial Hospital in Toronto, Ont. Thai and he will walk to Ottawa, through the Ontario communities of Newmarket, Peterborough, Marmora, Trenton, Belleville, Kingston and Smiths Falls. During this time, the Canadian Army Veterans Riding Club, which includes 83 units and more than 4,800 dues paying members, will support the Long Walk.

Cousineau's goal is to raise money for 50 Dogs in 50 Days for 50 Veterans. This will support the provision of service, therapy and other canine assistance to help treat veterans suffering from Mental Health issues. Funds will be raised mainly from three sources, "Dogs for Dogs" barbeques, dog tag sales, and donations.
Cousineau says he hopes the initiative spreads throughout the country. In fact during the walk, he hopes to recruit a team of volunteers to continue the work while he returns home to "Keep calm and walk the Dog" while pursuing his hobbies of photography, reading, gardening , motorcycling and playing the occasional bridge game.

The assistance and friendship of Brenda Andersen, of Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia and her guide dog, Noble, were instrumental in Cousineau's recovery. As part of the team's training for the Long Walk, Andersen, Cousineau and their Service Dogs will be participating in the Bluenose Half Marathon on the 19th of May 2013, Funds raised during this awareness campaign will be used to fund the Long Walk helping others to acquire Service Dogs and continue on their own personal "Long Walk to Sanity".

Medric "Cous" Cousineau Biographical Notes:
- Graduated Royal Military College of Canada, 1983.
- Received his Air Navigator wings, October of 1984
- Located HS443, then located at 12 wing Shearwater as a Tactical Co-ordinator. His primary role was Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) with a Secondary role of Search and Rescue.
- In October of 1986 he was a member of the helairdet onboard Her Majesties Canadian Ship, Nipigon
- In October of 1986, he was involved in the rescue of two American fisherman hundreds of miles from Cape Race, Newfoundland.
- In November 1987, the Governor General announced that Cousineau would receive the Star of Courage for his efforts. The pilot, Hans Kleeman received the Meritorious Service Cross for his extraordinary flying skills on the night of the rescue, while the remainder of the crew were awarded the Chief of Defence Staff commendation.
- As a result of his injuries, Cousineau left the forces in 1991, his final posting as a flight instructor at HT406 Maritime Helicopter Training Squadron at 12 Wing.

For more information:
Medric and Thai can contacted for comment via email at Pawsfurthought1@gmail.com
Sarah Holbert, CEO of CARES can be contacted for comment at cares.ks@sbcglobal.net

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Regards,
The Canadian Veterans Advocacy Team.