Madison Warrior Summit offers education and resources for community, veterans and their families

MADISON, Wis., Oct. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Dates/Time: November 13 & 14, 2013
Wednesday, Nov. 13 - Doors and resource tables open at 7:30. Summit 8:30 - 4:30.
Wednesday Evening Session 5:15 - 8:00 (Service animals for vets)
Thursday, Nov. 14 - 8:30 - 12:30

Location: Bishop O'Connor Center - 702 S. High Point Rd., Madison

Complete program information and registration: http://www.mhawisconsin.org/warriorsummit2013.aspx

Madison Warrior Summit attendees will gain a better understanding of how military culture impacts the life of a veteran and his/her family. Additionally they will be educated on recent research and have opportunities to attend breakout sessions covering topics including PTSD, suicide prevention, and the special circumstance in the treatment of veterans. Sessions for vets and their families will address legal and financial issues and veteran and family support.

One of the summit planning partners is Dryhootch of America, a veterans peer support organization that operates a coffee shop and provides support at its location on the west side of Madison. The Mission statement of Dryhootch is "Helping the veteran who survived the war, survive the peace." Calvin Tucker, a Vietnam-era veteran is Program Director. "Dryhootch was started by veterans who understand how difficult it is for vets to come back after the war. We are committed to ensuring that our young vets returning from Iraq and Afghanistan know that there are others who understand and care about them. The warrior summits have been a way to both convey this to other veterans and their families and help the civilian population understand what veterans may be experiencing and how they can best respond."

Featured speakers include: John Mundt, PhD, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center; Capt. Luis Montalvan and his service dog, Thursday, addressing service animals and veterans and former Marine Lance Corporal Nicole McCoy talking about Military Sexual Trauma. Interview requests for any of these speakers should be directed towards Mr. Gross.

Planning Partners: Army OneSource, Dane County Aging & Disability Resource Center, Dane County Veteran Service Office, Disability Rights Wisconsin, Dryhootch, Healing Warrior Hearts, Mental Health America of Wisconsin, Madison Vet Center, RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program), William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, NAMI Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Madison Health Services and Wisconsin National Guard.                                                                     

SOURCE Army OneSource