We had the honor of hearing from Gary & Rosie Shuck and Mandy Moore, founders of Soldiers and Dogs, a nonprofit born out of a powerful mission to make a difference. Soldiers and Dogs
Gary shared that he simply wasn’t okay with the statistic that 22 veterans a day were dying by suicide—and he decided to do something about it. Combining his passion for helping others with his skill in training animals, he created a program that pairs service dogs with veterans facing PTSD. His heart for service is deeply rooted, having served a year in Vietnam after being drafted, and continuing that service ever since.
They emphasized the importance of getting involved in your community and using your experiences to help others. Often, it’s someone who has walked a similar path who can make the greatest impact during difficult times. Since beginning their work nearly a decade ago, they’ve seen encouraging progress—and more importantly, lives changed.
We also heard powerful connections between starting a nonprofit and starting a business. Gary has been self-employed since he was 23 years old and will turn 80 next week—proof that purpose doesn’t have an expiration date. He encouraged our students to know their “why,” stay flexible in how they pursue it, and never get discouraged when things don’t go as planned.
A full circle moment—back in 2017, Soldiers and Dogs spoke to the Shelby County CEO program. They were so inspired by the students that it helped spark interest in bringing CEO to our community. That impact continues today.
Some key takeaways:
• You never know where what you start will lead or who it will impact
• Knowledge comes through experience—and failure is part of that process
• Don’t quit and never say you can’t—be a problem solver
• Strong leaders self-evaluate and surround themselves with people who fill their gaps
• Act with integrity—do what you say you’re going to do so others can trust you
They reminded us that while there’s nothing wrong with chasing success, true fulfillment comes from making a difference. As Mark Twain said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”
We are incredibly grateful for Gary, Rosie, LT and Mandy—for their service, their mission, and for sharing their story with our class. #mtzionilceo #soldiersanddogs #shareyourstory #makeadifference #findyourpassion #worldchanger #changemaker #ptsd #suicideprevention
