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In The News

Operation Warrior Resolution celebrating new facility

Jul 14, 2025

Simpkins said she is excited for the future. “We have programs planned to start in September, so we’d like to have some ADA accommodations for those disabled veterans to be able to comfortably be here as well as making some other accommodation to the property for our programs,” she said. ”But it’s basically perfectly set up for what we need.”

Operation Warrior Resolution Helps Veterans with Alternative Therapy

Jun 10, 2025

Coverage of alternative therapies and brain-based healing (non-clinical mental health).

$850,000 Grant—Permanent Facility

May 1, 2025

Major award for state-of-the-art veteran healing center for OWR.

A New Era of Veteran Family Healing

Apr 30, 2025

National story on OWR retreat impact, family therapy, and veteran wellness.

Sarasota-based therapy cat in the running for ‘America’s Favorite Pet’

Mar 13, 2025

Shay is a true miracle. Rescued with half his body decomposed, he is a double amputee with a prosthetic on the front so he can walk. Shay was adopted in the Middle East and brought back to the US to be a therapy cat for veterans with disabilities (who also became disabled in the Middle East due to combat). He’s a true testament of resilience to show those going through challenges, or who have disabilities, that they can get through anything, adapt and thrive in life!

Elephant Yoga Fundraiser (WUSF)

Mar 13, 2025

Local radio/news report on OWR elephant yoga event and trauma healing for veterans.

Lakewood Ranch resident starts veteran benefit golf classic

Feb 19, 2025

Phillip Mockler, director of community engagement with Operation Warrior Resolution, has worked closely with Lakewood Ranch resident Phil Orapallo to create the Operation Warrior Resolution Golf Classic to benefit veterans.

Sarasota Veterans Non-profit Left Picking Up Pieces after Flooding

Aug 6, 2024

TV/local news about OWR’s disaster after storm, recovery, and ongoing services.

2024 Women of Influence: Kendra Simpkins, LCSW

Jun 26, 2024

Kendra Simpkins knows first-hand the confusion, darkness and pain arising from military trauma. As a former Army Intelligence Analyst she also struggled to find adequate care through the Veterans Health Administration (VA) after being honorably discharged with a service-connected injury.

Community nonprofits step up for Operation Warrior Resolution and breast cancer research

Nov 11, 2023

Operation Warrior Resolution, a nonprofit dedicated to providing holistic care to veterans, recently received a $23,300 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County through the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund to support veterans and their family members affected by the aftermath of Hurricane Ian

$150,000 Barancik Foundation Grant for OWR

Jul 17, 2023

Coverage of Barancik Foundation’s grant to expand OWR mental health services for local veterans.

Community Foundation of Sarasota—Capacity Award

Jul 1, 2023

$110,000 capacity-building grant benefiting OWR and other nonprofits.

Memorial Day: Healing Military Families

May 29, 2023

Story about OWR’s impact on veterans and families during Memorial Day.

Yoga with elephants? Florida military veterans find peace at Myakka ranch

Apr 21, 2023

Recently, about 40 men and women brought their yoga mats to Myakka Elephant Ranch for a chance to exercise and spend time with some of the largest, most powerful and majestic animals on earth.

OWR Awarded $25,000 Grant by Community Foundation of Sarasota

Jan 11, 2023

Feature on foundation grant, holistic mental health, and OWR family healing.

Operation Warrior Resolution Awarded $25,000 Grant

Jan 6, 2023

Announcement of grant supporting holistic mental health programming for veterans.

$25,000 State Farm Assist Grant

Jul 7, 2022

Announcement of State Farm grant funding full retreat for local veterans.

Horses For Heroes Help Veterans Combat Trauma

Mar 24, 2022

As memories of America’s involvement in the Middle East begin to fade, many of the nation’s veterans continue to face mental health challenges related to their service, but Operation Warrior Resolution is offering innovative therapy approaches to heal trauma, including introducing these heroes to trained therapy horses, made possible by a $2,500 grant from State Farm.

USFSM Spotlight: Kendra Simpkins

Oct 28, 2019

“Sometimes their experience is related to PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), but other times it’s connected to past trauma or a more current traumatic incident,” says Simpkins, 37, who graduated USFSM with a psychology degree in 2014. “Regardless, I want them to know that there’s help for them.”

Evening of Yoga at the Sarasota Opera House Supports Veterans

Jun 8, 2019

On May 23, Operation Warrior Resolution (OWR), supported military service members with an evening of yoga on the stage of the Sarasota Opera House. The fundraising event was led by Lululemon Ambassador, Ashley Stewart from the Yoga Shack. All proceeds from the gathering will support OWR’s mission of providing immediate and effective mental health care at no cost for all U.S. military veterans and family member, along with healing retreats which offers veterans a four-day experience holistically alleviating PTSD and chronic pain.

Operation Warrior Resolution Offers Holistic Healing for Veterans

Nov 6, 2018

Feature on OWR’s holistic retreats, therapy, and local veteran impact.

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