How can service dogs support Veteran healing? A conversation with John Dugas

The elephant in the room: How can PTSD impact Veterans and their Families?

In this episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, hosts Brian and Laryssa have an open and personal conversation about posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its unique impacts among Veterans and their Families.  They discuss how PTSD is often the “elephant in the room” for Veterans and their loved ones, highlighting the stigma that can come with receiving a diagnosis and pursuing treatment.  Brian shares his first-hand experience of coming to terms with his PTSD diagnosis, including the challenges of openly discussing mental health and its potential career impacts. Both hosts reflect on the journey from injury to acceptance, the complex emotions that come with it and the reality that Family members are also impacted and require their own supports.  Key topics  * Common misconceptions and stigma surrounding PTSD in the Veteran community  * The importance and difficulty of disclosing a PTSD diagnosis to Family, and the impacts on loved ones and friends  * Challenges of seeking and engaging in treatment, including health care providers’ understanding of military culture and life  * The myth of “simple recovery” and the ongoing nature of managing mental health and well-being  * Strategies for having age-appropriate conversations with kids  * Acceptance of personal limitations and posttraumatic growth  * Evolving attitudes about mental health in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)  Resources    * PTSD and some treatment options: The Atlas Institute’s webpage providing an overview of the causes, symptoms and some treatment options for managing a PTSD diagnosis. [https://atlasveterans.ca/knowledge-hub/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/]  * For Families: Supporting yourself when your loved one is struggling with a posttraumatic stress injury [https://atlasveterans.ca/documents/families-and-post-traumatic-stress-injuries-en.pdf]  * Resources for Families and friends: Includes information on signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress injuries, potential impacts on Families and coping strategies [https://atlasveterans.ca/knowledge-hub/families-and-friends/]  * Public safety personnel (PSP) and posttraumatic stress injuries: Videos, fact sheets and other resources relevant to PSP, current and former military members and their Families. [https://atlasveterans.ca/psp/]  * What they see: A collection of real-life stories, videos and audio clips from Canadian military and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Veterans and Families. [https://atlasveterans.ca/what-they-see/]  * The psychiatric management of PTSD: A webinar for Veterans and Families [https://youtu.be/ZdLU7jlej-0?si=DTYOb4vaJt9kGkih]  * Stories from Veterans and Families: Watch digital stories from CAF and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Veterans and Family members, told in their own words. [https://atlasveterans.ca/community/stories-from-veterans-and-families/]  * MindKit: MindKit is a mental health hub for military children to learn about mental health and posttraumatic stress injuries (PTSIs). It was co-created by Atlas and young Family members of Canadian Veterans living with a PTSI. [https://mindkit.ca/]  Lire en français : https://atl-as.ca/mbtm-ep37-fr [https://atl-as.ca/mbtm-ep37-fr]

How can service dogs support Veteran healing? A conversation with John Dugas

Hosts Laryssa Lamrock and Brian McKenna are joined by John Dugas, a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veteran who has dedicated his life to service both in uniform and beyond. John is a certified service dog trainer who pairs Veterans and first responders with specially trained, certified service dogs through his work with Courageous Companions. John also shares about how service dogs have played a role in navigating his own journey with traumatic brain injury.   Their conversation highlights the powerful bond between humans and dogs and the life-changing role that compassion, structure and trust can play in recovery. They explore the unique differences between service dogs and pets, and important considerations for Veteran Families thinking about seeking a service dog. Key topics * The key differences between a psychiatric service dog and a pet dog * The benefits and misconceptions about service dogs in mental health treatment * Realistic expectations on bonding, training and the ongoing commitments of having a service dog * The importance of timing and readiness for both the Veteran and their Family members * Navigating public spaces and unexpected interactions related to your service dog * Guidance and common questions on selecting reputable service dog organizations * The significant role Family plays alongside the service dog in a Veteran’s healing  Resources * Courageous Companions: A Canadian charity that provides quality-trained, certified service dogs to military Veterans and first responders [https://courageouscompanions.ca/]  * Information about service dogs: Learn how service dogs can help relieve symptoms of operational stress injuries and what defines a service dog [https://courageouscompanions.ca/about-service-dogs/] * Veterans Affairs Canada: Evaluating the effectiveness of service dogs for Veterans with PTSD — an information brief from a research study [https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/about-vac/research/info-briefs/service-dogs] * Examining changes in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and substance use among a sample of Canadian Veterans working with service dogs: An exploratory patient-oriented longitudinal study, published in the Journal of Veterans Studies [https://journal-veterans-studies.org/articles/10.21061/jvs.v7i1.194] * Royal Canadian Legion: Veterans, mental health and the service dog connection— Read an article advocating for national training standards for service dogs [https://www.legion.ca/news/2024/12/06/veterans-mental-health-and-the-service-dog-connection] * Resources for Families and friends: Includes information on signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress injuries, potential impacts on Families and coping strategies [https://atlasveterans.ca/knowledge-hub/families-and-friends/] Lire en français ici : atl-as.ca/mbtm-ep36-fr [https://atl-as.ca/mbtm-ep36-fr]

‘Who am I if not a soldier?’ Exploring creativity, identity and healing after service with Ryan Hawkyard

In this episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, hosts Laryssa Lamrock and Brian McKenna explore the role of creativity and the arts in healing, identity and meaning-making in life after military service. They are joined by Ryan Hawkyard, a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veteran with 20 years of service, who shares how acting and improv became an unexpected but critical part of his recovery following a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis. Ryan reflects on the challenges many Veterans face when leaving the military, including the loss of structure, purpose and identity, and asks a question so many struggle with: “Who am I if I’m not a soldier?” He shares how creative practices can help Veterans process what they’ve been carrying, reconnect with their humanity and find new ways to express vulnerability without fear of failure.   Ryan Hawkyard served 20 years in the CAF and completed three tours in Afghanistan. During that time he was diagnosed with PTSD. After his service, Ryan co-founded Soldiers in the Arts, a program using creativity and performance to help Veterans process trauma, build trust and foster healing. Ryan uses storytelling, acting and his passion for the arts to guide fellow Veterans on their recovery and reintegration journeys.    Key topics * Identity, purpose and finding meaning after leaving the military * How embracing vulnerability, creativity and the arts can support healing from trauma * The power of finding common humanity through storytelling and performance * The contrast between military culture’s focus on end goals and outcomes, and how the arts encourage being present in the moment * The differences between acting, authenticity and “putting on a mask” when living with a mental health injury * Practical ways to get started with the arts, even if you don’t consider yourself creative  Resources * Soldiers in the Arts: A transformative platform empowering Veterans and their Families through creative exploration [https://www.rgf-sita.com/] * Perspectives blog — Hands of purpose: Crafting identity, renewing purpose and bridging worlds [https://atlasveterans.ca/perspectives/hands-of-purpose-crafting-identity-renewing-purpose-and-bridging-worlds/] * Veterans Transition Network: A charity that provides free group counselling programs to help Veterans of the CAF and Royal Canadian Mounted Police transition successfully to post-service life [https://vtncanada.org/] * Watch Grant’s digital story of an adult child of Veterans who found solace in the arts [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5zc1y47kaU] * Guitars for Vets Canada: A program matching Veterans and still-serving members with PTSD or other service-related injuries with guitars and lessons [https://vetscanada.org/english/guitars-for-vets] * Echo for Life (Ottawa, ON): Music workshop for Veterans of the CAF and RCMP — running from March 25 – May 27, 2026 [https://redcap.montfort.on.ca/redcap/surveys/?s=A9XYW8A3JA43LPJN&fbclid=IwY2xjawPTjAlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFUeUNOdkk0azZ2WDgxN25Jc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHglY5FXEKReVYRr7Hk1Oojp53n_kjt9AxJMvPvl0sqqmIscYYDYSRHB4r-lr_aem_pG-h4aZH7hm1tc11vElOsQ] * Then, I Was A Dragon: Writing from women who have served in the Canadian military [https://www.amazon.ca/THEN-WAS-DRAGON-Canadian-military/dp/1738695271] * Resources for Families and friends: Includes information on signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress injuries, potential impacts on Families and coping strategies [https://atlasveterans.ca/knowledge-hub/families-and-friends/]

Are you biting off more than you can chew?

In this episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, hosts Brian and Laryssa dive into the topic of “biting off more than you can chew” as it relates to Veterans, their Families and those who serve in caregiving roles.   Sharing candid stories and personal experiences, they explore how easy it is to become overwhelmed when supporting others while managing your own mental health and the day-to-day challenges that come up. Their conversation highlights the complexity of balancing care for loved ones while maintaining your own personal well-being, and how setting boundaries can feel both necessary but incredibly difficult. Key topics * The unique pressures faced by Veterans and their Families around mental health and recovery * The challenges around supporting others while managing your own mental health * The importance of boundaries and maintaining a personal “reserve” * Strategies to empower others to support themselves instead of doing everything for them * The risks and realities of burnout and compassion fatigue * The significance of small tasks accumulating into overwhelming responsibilities Resources * Hope in hand: Honouring our needs this holiday season [https://atlasveterans.ca/news/hope-in-hand-honouring-our-needs-this-holiday-season/] * For Families: Supporting yourself when your loved one is struggling with a posttraumatic stress injury [https://atlasveterans.ca/documents/families-and-post-traumatic-stress-injuries-en.pdf] * Looking after yourself and others — a toolkit of practical information and guidance on suicide prevention for Veteran Families [https://atlasveterans.ca/documents/suicide-prevention/veteran-family-toolkit-en.pdf] * Resources for Families and friends — including information on signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress injuries, potential impacts on Families, navigating challenging relationship dynamics and coping strategies [https://atlasveterans.ca/knowledge-hub/families-and-friends/] * Peer support program directory — an online directory of peer support programs that are available to Veterans and their Families, searchable by location [https://atlasveterans.ca/knowledge-hub/peer-support-program-directory/] * Military sexual trauma: Self-care for Family members — learn about self-care and setting boundaries [https://atlasveterans.ca/documents/mst/families/mst-self-care-en.pdf] * Veteran Family Summit 2026 — January 22 – 23, 2026 [https://atlasveterans.ca/community/events/veteran-family-summit-2026/]  Lire en français : https://atl-as.ca/mbtm-ep34 [https://atl-as.ca/mbtm-ep34]

Understanding the invisible impacts of traumatic brain injury with Veteran and former CFL player Ryan Carey

In this episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, hosts Brian McKenna and Laryssa Lamrock welcome returning guest Ryan Carey — a Canadian Armed Forces Veteran, former Canadian Football League (CFL) player, musician and football coach — for a candid conversation about brain health, traumatic brain injury and life after service.   Ryan shares insights from both his military and professional athletic experiences, diving into how repetitive impacts can affect brain function and sharing practical strategies for maintaining brain health. Brian, Laryssa and Ryan also explore the often-overlooked role of Family members and caregivers, the unspoken realities around transition to post-service life and the ongoing evolution in safety practices in the military and in sports. Throughout the discussion they highlight the importance of self-care, solidarity and peer support in navigating both physical and psychological challenges. Ryan Carey was drafted fourth overall in the 1994 CFL draft and played for five years with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He served as an infantry officer in the Royal Canadian Regiment from 2002 to 2016. Ryan is a brain donor and leader of Project Enlist [https://www.projectenlist.ca/], which brings awareness to head injuries in the military for the Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada [https://www.concussionfoundation.ca/]. Key topics * The physical and psychological impacts of repetitive head trauma * Practical strategies for managing brain health * Advancements in military and sports organizations' understanding of brain health and adoption of safer practices * The differences in symptoms between posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury * Coping with memory loss and changing capabilities after injury * The importance of communication and support from Family, peers and caregivers Interested in hearing more about traumatic brain injury? Listen to Ryan’s previous appearance [https://atlasveterans.ca/community/podcast/episode-8-traumatic-brain-injury-with-veteran-former-cfl-player-ryan-carey/] on Mind Beyond the Mission where he first joined Brian and Laryssa to discuss traumatic brain injury and brain health. Resources * Resources on traumatic brain injury for Veterans, their Family members and people who work with them [https://atlasveterans.ca/knowledge-hub/traumatic-brain-injury/] * Traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [https://atlasveterans.ca/documents/tbi/tbi-vs-ptsd-en.pdf] * Concussion Legacy Foundation [https://concussionfoundation.ca/] * Project Enlist [https://concussionfoundation.org/en-ca/programs/project-enlist/] * Operation Brain Health [https://concussionfoundation.org/en-ca/programs/project-enlist/operation-brain-health/] * The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk [https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/resources/the-body-keeps-the-score] * Brain Injury Canada resource website [https://braininjurycanada.ca/en/resourcesite/]  Lire en français ici : https://atl-as.ca/mbtm-ep33-fr [https://atl-as.ca/mbtm-ep33-fr]