BVA supports National Guide Dog Month during September! While a formal annual celebration of guide dogs in the United States may be relatively new, historians and anthropologists trace the domestication of dogs to approximately 150,000 years ago. Ancient artifacts and scrolls show instances in which dogs were guiding their human companions. The first attempt to train guide dogs was in Paris at the ‘Les Quinze-Vingts’ hospital for the blind. The founder of the Institute for […]

More than 60 National Day of Service and Remembrance events will occur on September 11 at VA national cemeteries across 34 states and Puerto Rico, VA announced earlier this week. Open to the public, the events will honor the veterans, service members, law enforcement personnel, firefighters, and other first responders who served and sacrificed on September 11, 2001, and beyond. VA’s National Cemetery Administration (NCA) is partnering in the effort with Carry the Load and […]

Next Wednesday, September 11, is Patriot Day. The day will mark the 23rd anniversary of a horrific day in US history. The total number of casualties after the tragedy was 2,977 but, as the ashes settled, stories emerged of the bravery of American citizens and uniformed personnel in New York City, at the Pentagon, and on a fourth airplane headed for the Nation’s Capital to strike a federal building. Americans subsequently rose up, forsaking at […]

We are excited to announce the new “Introduction to Gardening” Interest Group, facilitated by BVA member Monique Statham. The pilot six-week virtual program, beginning September 23, is open to all blind and low vision veterans via Zoom. Meetings will be held on Monday evenings at 6:00pm Eastern Time. The first ten qualified BVA members will receive a free gardening kit of tools and gloves that are necessary for participation. To qualify for a kit, please […]

Joining in the spirit of “competition, connection, and resilience,” more than 140 blind and visually impaired veterans from across the country, including several BVA members, left an indelible mark on last week’s 38th VA Golden Age Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. “What a blast this year’s games were for me,” said Calvin Poole, Secretary/Treasurer of the Tennessee Regional Group. “One of the most important lessons learned from the Games is how important it is […]

Thank you for having allowed me to share tidbits and “tails” during the month of August, National Dog Month. I have enjoyed sharing my adventures and advocacy efforts with my dad, National President Paul Mimms, serving as an example of independence, and collaborating with the Dog Handler Interest Group. Although my current tenure is over, I feel that my work is not yet done and I am looking forward to sharing more in the future.   […]

Lawrence Harrison, a member of the Washington, DC Chapter of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Group, took third place in two categories of art at last Monday’s local judging of the National Creative Arts Competition at the DC VA Medical Center. Lawrence competed in the oil-based and acrylics categories as a legally blind contestant. Lawrence painted his cousin, Rosemary (oil-based), and his brother, Chester (acrylics), both pictured here. His work now advances to a national judging process […]

In celebration of National Guide Dog Month, BVA’s podcast series “Visions of BVA” will release on Sunday, September 1, its newest episode “Dogs Inc and Sheldon McKinney – Empowering Independence: The Impact of Guide Dogs on Blinded Veterans.” The episode offers an insightful look at the life-changing influence of guide dogs, blending expert perspectives with personal stories. The transformative world of guide dogs is described in the episode by Jennifer Johnson, Guide Dog Program Director […]

Army Veteran and VA Whole Health partner Peter Steciow is a testament to the benefits of growing healthy food in the fresh outdoors and among good friends. Blind and low vision veterans looking for a way to connect with others and boost their health at the same time should investigate community gardens, several of which VA operates in local areas. Still a somewhat well-kept secret, community gardens encourage well-being through exercise, nutrition, and camaraderie. Recent […]

Two paws up for Genevieve Timpone, Marketing and Communications Specialist and Advancement Associate for the Paws for Purple Hearts’ Southeast Region, and Danielle Stockbridge, Southeast Regional Director. The two joined the Dog Handlers Interest Group meeting this past Tuesday. Paws for Purple Hearts improves the lives of America’s Warriors facing mobility challenges and trauma-related conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury by providing the highest quality Assistance Dogs and Canine-Assisted therapy programs. […]