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katiebeehuffner

@katiebeehuffner

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Supporting veterans’ mental healthcare & recovery through Shepherd’s Men & the SHARE Military Initiative 🇺🇸

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🇺🇸New Episode🇺🇸 Embracing Service and Self-Discovery with Katie Huffner/ In this inspiring episode, Don’t Die Rusty Host Rick Hanson chats with Katie Huffner about her journey from education to veterinary medicine, her deep passion for service, and her involvement with Shepherds Men—a nonprofit dedicated to supporting wounded veterans through innovative programs. Discover how embracing challenges and community can lead to personal transformation and making a meaningful difference.
Key Topics
Katie’s transition from kindergarten teacher to aspiring veterinarian and lifelong learner
The origins and mission of Shepherds Men in supporting military veterans
How wild adventures and outdoor activities foster healing and community bonds
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and the importance of early evaluation
The SHARE Military Initiative at Shepherd Center: holistic care for TBI and PTSD
Breaks down the myths surrounding military service, injury, and seeking help
The ripple effect of personal recovery on families and communities
Ways to get involved, raise funds, and support veterans’ mental health
Personal stories of veterans like Carlos and the significance of family in healing
Katie’s passion for nature, adventure, and living with purpose
Resources & Links
Shepherds Men
SHARE Military Initiative at Shepherd Center
NICO Center of Excellence
Home Base Program Maryland
Connect with Rick Hanson
rick@dontdierusty.com
Instagram: @rickhanson24 @dontdierusty
Facebook: Rick Hanson Don’t Die Rusty
*Join the movement—support veterans, embrace challenges, and pursue your purpose. Let’s be the ripple effect in our communities. by @katiebeehuffner

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6 months ago

🟢 Today is World Suicide Prevention Day.
Every life matters. Every story matters.

We’re proud to support Shepherd’s Men & SHARE Initiative—fighting for our veterans, first responders and their families. 🇺🇸

October 24th outside Atlanta there will be a Benefit Clay Shoot. 🎯
Can’t make it? Any donation helps save lives. Share this, tag someone who can help or be helped.

👉 Be the voice. Be the reason someone stays.

www.shepherdsmen.com

@katiebeehuffner - organizer and point of contact

#SuicidePrevention #WorldSuicidePreventionDay #Veterans #MentalHealthMatters #ShepherdsMen #SHAREInitiative #BeTheReason #StopTheStigma #StayStrong #TogetherWeFight taken in Mansfield, Georgia by @katiebeehuffner

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a year ago

Why support SHARE and @shepherdsmen?

SHARE is a comprehensive rehabilitation program for veterans, service members, and first responders who struggle daily with traumatic brain injury and mental health concerns and is largely funded by Shepherd’s Men. The program restores lives, gives hope, and empowers individuals and families for a healthy way forward. SHARE is operated by @shepherdcenter, a worldwide leader in brain and spine illness & injury.

What kind of care does SHARE provide? How is it set apart from VA care & other clinics?

Programming through SHARE is offered at no cost to the client and is customized to meet each client’s unique needs. Clients stay anywhere from 4-14 weeks. Housing, meals, and transportation are complimentary. Clients receive a dedicated, expert care team that may include specialized providers in:

•Neurology 🧠
•Physical and rehabilitation medicine 🩺
•Physical therapy 🦾
•Occupational therapy 🍳
•Speech-language pathology 🦻
•Recreation therapy 🎣
•Neuropsychology, psychology, and counseling (for families too!) 🗣️
•Nursing 🧑‍⚕️
•Case management 📑
•Vocational rehabilitation 💼
•Community reintegration 🏘️
•Chaplaincy ✝️
And much more!

Why Shepherd’s Men 🇺🇸

We are a mix of veterans, first responders & civilians who help in several ways: we fundraise, advocate, raise awareness, and build community across the country. We are one of the primary donors who fund the life-restoring care provided by SHARE. SHARE’s results speak for themselves and we are committed to finding and funding all who are in need of care. Reach out with any questions. You’re always welcome on the team.

Please help us get the word out and share with someone you know! by @katiebeehuffner

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a year ago

Closed out my first week of @uazvetmed with my first ultramarathon! 44.6 miles on the watch, a little less on the chip.

I’m finding strong parallels between endurance training and studying veterinary medicine. Both require a lot of resilience, discipline (esp training or studying when I don’t want to 🥲) and a willingness to push beyond what’s comfortable or routine. This race was an invaluable lesson in grit, grind, and self-discovery. I’m a better student & athlete because of it. I had to work through some very ugly miles and an even uglier mindset after being sidelined with heat sickness. I was dead last overall by the time I could keep water down & jump back in. But…I got my mind right, kept at it when I was tired, and ended up in women’s 5th. I know that experience will be important later on. I’m so happy with this as my first time!

TLDR: in this sport & in this profession there are big highs and equally big lows, but it seems to be a rewarding journey and a guaranteed adventure. I can’t wait to dig in and take this as far as I can. Totally hooked 🤍 by @katiebeehuffner

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a month ago

Vet school is officially underway 🐾🩺🖤 My team is wonderful & kind, and my mentor is perfect. Beyond grateful (and honestly in awe) that I get to look after all God’s creatures. Fingers crossed I get to be a part of our school’s research involving veterans & the impact of service dogs! Mahalo to everyone who’s sent encouraging words. Truly so appreciated 🖤 by @katiebeehuffner

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2 months ago

Georgia will always be home in my heart. Just a couple weeks left until adventure takes us out West again 🌄 by @katiebeehuffner

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3 months ago

Four Apaches doing donuts around the pier wasn’t on my 4th of July bingo card! This gal loves a flyover and @salutefromtheshore_official did not disappoint 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Thank you to all the folks and crews who made this possible. So fun ❤️🤍💙 by @katiebeehuffner

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3 months ago

If you supported @shepherdsmen this past year, you’re part of the reason the four Ortega children celebrated Father’s Day last week. You are part of the reason a Green Beret & recent SHARE graduate is holding his newborn this morning with a confidence, joy, and hope he earnestly believed wasn’t possible. You have helped many families stay whole and move into an era of healing these past twelve months. I hope you will choose to support us again, because we have so many more service members and their families waiting for their chance to heal from traumatic brain injury. And once someone and their family goes through the program, SHARE & Shepherd’s Men continues to support them. No one is left behind.

The 10th anniversary of our Clay Shoot is this October. It’s one of our primary fundraisers and ensures that the SHARE program remains free of cost (including transportation!) to those receiving care. If you would like to donate to our auction, have fun ideas, or would like to connect us to someone, please let me know 🤍 We would be so honored and just simply blessed to have you. And to the wonderful folks who supported our 2025 Clay Shoot , I thank you so very much. You absolutely made hope and healing happen: @prepem_wild @mike_gerst35 @trent.murphy @montanaknifecompany @freedom_yall_woodwork @the_renaissance_outdoorsman @roccohandmade @sitkaatlanta @whiteoakpastures @inknedges @smathersandbranson @voodooroswell @reformationbrewery @yeti @masondhowell

It truly is a privilege for me to be part of this team, and to be included in this work 🤍

Gratefully and with joy,
Katie by @katiebeehuffner

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4 months ago

We’re officially headed to vet school this fall 🩺🐾

Animal medicine isn’t just about caring for God’s creatures. It’s human care at its core, and it’s an opportunity I can use to make the world better than how I found it. When our animals are well and happy, we are too 🤍

Thank you to everyone who took the time to write me a letter of recommendation, to cheer for and encourage me.

Ps, I don’t think anyone will be surprised by this but my school is actively researching the benefits service animals provide our veterans. I can’t wait to be a part of that team! by @katiebeehuffner

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6 months ago

Don’t miss this weeks guest on The Don’t Die Rusty Podcast! Katie Huffner is passionate about helping our military community. Please give the episode a listen if you are a veteran with a TBI, PTSD or any other type of brain injury Shepherds Men can help. You can find this and all episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or where ever you listen to podcasts and you can watch on YouTube!! Please give a review, subscribe and share. #dontdierusty #liveyourbestlife #bethebestyou #braintrauma #growth by @katiebeehuffner

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6 months ago

🇺🇸New Episode🇺🇸 This Tuesday a new episode of the Don’t Die Rusty Podcast drops with Katie Huffner. It’s a wonderful conversation about Shepherds Men a great organization helping veterans with TBI and PTS. We also talk about Katie being a teacher for ten years then deciding she wanted to be a veterinarian. This is just an educational, insightful and informative conversation. You can listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or watch on YouTube! Please give a review, share and subscribe! #dontdierusty #liveyourbestlife #shepardsmen #bethebestyou #itsuptoyou by @katiebeehuffner

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6 months ago

Safe travels, A.

Friends—I have a research/policy project regarding DoD live tissue training on animal models. I could use your help! If you have experience as a medic, educator, attending veterinarian etc and feel comfortable answering some brief questions—I would love to connect. Please DM! All thoughts on it are welcome & everything will be confidential. Mahalo 🤍 by @katiebeehuffner

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8 months ago