Shown from left are Joshua Wright of the SWAM Advisory Board, Retired Navy SEAL Sal DeFranco of the SWAM Board of Directors, Scott Hyder, president of Hidden Battles, Leslie Cregg Hyder, vice president of Hidden Battles, SWAM Co-Founder Julie Taub, Christina Young, SWAM Development director and SWAM Co-Founder Philip Taub. Courtesy photo/Swim With A Mission

MANCHESTER – Swim With A Mission is excited to announce the distribution of four substantial grants to veteran service organizations in Greater Nashua.

The total of $260,000 in grant funding will provide essential support to programs dedicated to improving the lives of veterans, active-duty service members and their families.

These grants reflect SWAM’s ongoing commitment to supporting veterans in Greater Nashua and beyond. Through its partnerships with local organizations, SWAM continues to help improve the lives of those who have served the U.S.

Operation Delta Dog, a New Hampshire based nonprofit organization received a $180,000 grant from Swim With A Mission to further their mission of rescuing homeless dogs and training them to be service dogs for Veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, traumatic brain injury and military sexual trauma. By bringing together Veterans and rescue dogs, they aim to provide healing, support, and a new lease on life for both.

Founded in 2010, Operation Delta Dog was born in attempt to alleviate the epidemic of Veteran suicides and overflowing animal shelters at the same time. The organization recognized the incredible bond between Veterans and service dogs and saw an opportunity to not only support Veterans but also save dogs from high-kill shelters all over the country. Since then, the organization has trained countless dogs and helped numerous Veterans regain their independence, peace, and quality of life.

Shown from left are Angelo Mazzella of the SWAM Board of Directors, Joseph Perry, Operation Delta Dog veteran graduate and mentor, David Preston of the SWAM Advisory Board, Kerry Hildebrand, Operation Delta Dog Training director, Charlotte Troddyn executive director of Operation Delta Dog, SWAM Development Director Christina Young as well as SWAM Co-Founders Julie and Philip Taub. Courtesy photo/Swim With A Mission

“Swim With A Mission has been much more than just financial support; it has been an invaluable partnership that connects us to a larger network dedicated to supporting the Veteran community,” said Charlotte Troddyn, executive director of Operation Delta Dog. “It reassures our Veterans that they are not alone in their journey. Thanks to Swim With A Mission, we now have access to a wealth of resources we didn’t even know existed. We’re able to offer our Veterans much more than a service dog–we have an entire community of Veteran service organizations at our fingertips. This collaboration has truly been life changing, both for our agency and the veterans we serve.”

Hidden Battles, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the mental health of active-duty military members, Veterans, and first responders, has been awarded a $25,000 grant from Swim With A Mission. This funding will support the organization’s mission to provide peer-driven, activity-based counseling and treatment for those struggling with depression, suicidal thoughts, and PTSD, offering crucial support to these heroes and their families throughout their recovery.

Our service members carry the weight of unimaginable experiences, confronting internal battles every day. Whether it’s the trauma of war, personal injuries, or life-altering events, the scars left behind are often invisible but deeply enduring. Over the course of their careers, the emotional toll can become overwhelming and, in some cases, tragic. Hidden Battles, in partnership with both Veteran and civilian organizations, offers confidential, peer-led meetings in a safe space, allowing Veterans to share their struggles and find strength in solidarity. The organization also provides a military-style “buddy system,” ensuring no one faces their battle alone. Workshops are offered for Veterans, as well as for their families and friends who have been affected by the mental health challenges of loved ones or have experienced the loss of a service member to suicide.

In addition to counseling and support services, Hidden Battles works to raise awareness and promote prevention through community events in collaboration with other organizations. By bringing attention to these issues, they aim to create a united front to protect and support our defenders.

“Thanks to Swim With A Mission, we now have the ability to connect our Veterans with a network of organizations that can provide the support they need,” said Scott Hyder, founder and president of Hidden Battles. “The biggest challenge veterans face today is understanding who’s out there and what services are available to them. When service members transition out of the military, they don’t receive a guide to all the veteran service organizations and what they offer. Instead, they’re given their awards and sent on their way, and that’s simply not enough. By fostering collaboration between organizations rather than competition, we can ensure that Veterans have access to the resources and support that will truly make a difference in their lives.”

Shown from left are SWAM Co-Founder Philip Taub, Julie Weymouth, co-founder of Homeland Heroes, Christina Young, SWAM Development director), and Matthew Foster SWAM assistant director. Courtesy photo/Swim With A Mission

The Equine Immersion Project, a groundbreaking mobile initiative, travels across the United States, providing therapeutic support to thousands of special forces, active-duty military members, veterans and their families. Through their unique partnership with horses, including rescue animals, the EIP creates transformative experiences that serve as catalysts for healing, helping individuals decompress, develop strategies for overcoming obstacles, find clarity and build a sense of community.

As a nationally recognized leader in equine-assisted therapy, the EIP offers immersive therapeutic experiences that can last anywhere from a single day to an entire weekend. These sessions harness the powerful bond between horses and humans to foster emotional healing, with horses acting as mirrors to the human soul. Just like humans, horses require leadership and safety, and the connection between the two encourages growth and healing.

The EIP was recently awarded a $45,000 grant from Swim With A Mission to further their mission of supporting Veterans and service members. Founded by Tara Mahoney, a licensed professional counselor and certified clinical trauma professional, the EIP utilizes therapy horses and other animals to guide participants through healing interactions.

“Loneliness has become an epidemic–one of the most devastating crises in our country,” said Mahoney. “Bringing these veterans together for an entire weekend requires significant resources and effort, but the impact is truly transformative. It changes lives, creating a ripple effect that extends to their families, workplaces, and overall well-being. This profound effect is something we deeply value, and we are incredibly grateful to Swim With A Mission for making this possible through their generous grant.”

The Homeland Heroes Foundation, a New Hampshire-based nonprofit organization, has been awarded a $10,000 grant by SWAM to continue its vital work of assisting active-duty service members, veterans and their families in need. The organization provides a range of services, including household items, emergency housing, food and gas cards, and holiday drives, aimed at fostering community, independence and well-being.

“I was introduced to Swim With A Mission when the organization asked me to speak at their New Hampshire Veteran Service Organization Summit,” said Julie Weymouth, co-founder & executive director of Homeland Heroes. “Since then, we have become a great partnership and I’m amazed at how much they have done to bring the VSO community together and how many people they are able to touch. It’s honestly been like a miracle.”