Join the Shields & Stripes Mission
Restoring the lives of veterans and first responders
They Raised Their Hand and Pledged to Protect You.
Now, They Need Your Help.
Our nation’s Military Veterans and First Responders have a 5 x higher risk of experiencing mental health problems due to constant exposure to death and destruction.
Sadly, the current mental health system in America was unprepared for this reality, and today, those brave men and women need help to survive life.
Our Military Veterans and First Responders Secretly Fight Their Own Battles.
Did You Know?
Between 17 and 44 veterans die by suicide daily?
The previous report of 17.2 a day reporting doesn’t account for accidents, undetermined, reported self-harm, or overdoses, resulting in undercounting errors.
In One Year, We Lost…
Firefighters
POLICE OFFICERS
VETERANS
Data reporting is conducted with the intent to raise awareness and has sourced several agencies to capture the most accurate data to reflect the problem we are trying help fix. If you feel the data does not reflect the current situation, please contact: contact@shieldsandstripes.org
Shields & Stripes Is Helping Our Heroes!
With a top-tier, 3-month intensive program led by the finest doctors, therapists, nutritionists, and trainers, Shields & Stripes is now providing the care our brave warriors, protectors, and servants deserve.
ZERO
Cost to attendees!
Trauma Focused Psychological Therapy
Physical
Therapy
Occupational
Therapy
Nutrition
Education
Meditation
and Yoga
Police Officer David Vaughn Suffered Major Injuries in Traffic Accident
Police Officer David Vaughn sustained severe injuries when he was involved in an on-duty traffic accident.
Air Force Analyst Sarah Garasz Dealt with Tremendous Grief
Sarah Garasz is an analyst in the United States Air Force and had a difficult time dealing with the loss of a loved one.
Navy Corpsman Ray Hoelscher Needed Help Saving Himself
Ray Hoelscher served in the United States Navy and upon returning to civilian life, he recognized pretty quickly he had PTSD.
You can help Shields & Stripes continue their mission of saving our brave men and women and getting them on the road to a healthy, peaceful life.
Could You Handle This Over, and Over, and Over?…
What one police officer with military service experiences in their career…
- NViolent or tragic death of children
- NTraumatic suicides and homicides
- NExplosions and gunfire
- NAmbushes and unplanned attacks
- NViolent physical assaults
- NDeaths of co-workers
- NHigh-speed traffic collisions
- NEntry into burning buildings and vehicles
- NChild abuse, neglect, poverty
- NJob-related injuries
- NPolitical and administrative assaults
- NDestruction of family
How Your Donations Make a Difference
Your contribution enables attendees, referred to as athletes, to benefit from comprehensive care, starting with 3 weeks of personalized in-person support, followed by 9 weeks of telehealth.
81.5%
Program Services
15.9%
Fundraising
2.5%
System Management
Team Member Spotlight
Dr. Heidi Anderson
Meet Dr. Heidi Anderson, the lead mental health consultant for Shields & Stripes.
Besides her work with Shields & Stripes, she is the founder of The Healing Impact, which helps people with trauma, and she has spoken nationally about healing from trauma.
The Latest From Shields & Stripes
SPONSORS
We’re grateful for our amazing sponsors who care about our first responders and veterans as much as we do!
Follow @ShieldsandStripes on Instagram
We are excited to return to the @exossports @team_exos facilities in March for the next @shieldsandstripes Program. We’re diligently behind the scenes on program planning and logistics!
Our comprehensive and all-expenses-paid 3 month program includes 1 month of In-Person care followed by 2 months of Telehealth support for #veterans and #firstresponders
In 2025, we’re excited to expand to three programs, extending our reach and increasing our impact.
Photography by @trexler_media
#shieldsandstripes
Important progress is being made! Steps are underway to better protect service members from traumatic brain injuries caused by blast overpressure.
“…the Blast Overpressure Safety Act to protect American service members from the overlooked dangers of traumatic brain injuries and blast overpressure. By improving care, mitigating exposure, and providing greater transparency in our military’s equipment procurement process, we can protect the health of the brave men and women who serve our country,” said Congressman Ro Khanna.
As an organization committed to supporting veterans and first responders in their healing journeys, we are proud to see advancements toward better care and prevention.
We plan to engage with representatives to continue conversations on the importance of this progress.
Click the link in our bio to read the article and act. https://stefanik.house.gov/2024/4/stefanik-khanna-introduce-the-blast-overpressure-safety-act
Photography by @trexler_media
#brainhealth #shieldsandstripes #veteransandfirstresponders
We are thrilled to return to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for the next @shieldsandstripes Charity Gala! The support from this community has been incredible, and we can’t wait to celebrate the lives our program has healed and set our sights on future goals for veterans and first responders.
This gala is open to everyone, veterans, first responders, their families, and anyone passionate about supporting these communities. Join us for an enjoyable evening and be part of something bigger!
🇺🇸 SATURDAY, APRIL 26th 2025 - 5:00 PM
🌴 MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA
Tickets to ATTEND or SPONSOR are available now! Click the 🔗 link in our bio or visit https://shieldsandstripes.org/2024-shields-stripes-gala
Photography by @kristina_barron_photo
#SouthCarolinaCharity #SouthCarolinagala #MyrtleBeachEvents
“It was truly a life altering experience. One in which I can’t even adequately describe in words - the emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental healing I gained in the journey is something that I will forever be blessed with.” -Tamie Z., S&S Program Alum,
US Air Force (RET), US Army Veteran, Retired Firefighter
When you donate to @shieldsandstripes , you’re supporting a program that truly changes lives. Our revolutionary approach combines intensive, holistic care, addressing physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health, all at no cost to participants. In one intensive month, we deliver breakthroughs that would typically take months, followed by two months of aftercare to ensure long term success.
Our focus is on treating the whole person with cutting edge therapies, world class facilities like EXOS @exossports @team_exos , and a compassionate, supportive environment. Your support helps veterans, first responders, and their families heal.
#shieldsandstripes #veterancare #firstresponders
REPOST from Steven Nisbet, S&S President and Co-Founder
“An absolute humbling experience.
@shieldsandstripes started with just 5 good people looking to help others in need. We now have over 40 incredible people behind this organization.
This photo is a candid screenshot of my co-founder Jennifer Byrne and I welcoming 7 new members to the Clinical Team!
A big piece to our puzzle and how we are so successful in our program is here on this screen.
These are the faces of heroes that won’t receive medals, ribbons or other glamorous forms of recognition.
They’ll never have the immediate feedback of saving a life like when a medic places a tourniquet on a bleed.
The lives they save they may never even know they actually were the reason those lives weren’t lost.
But the reason they serve is not accolades and recognition, it’s having the chance to change someone’s life that deserves care.
I am incredibly grateful and lucky to have people like these on our team, working tirelessly to help others.”
