Group offers wilderness-based programs to veterans on the mend

An innovative new outdoor rehabilitation program aimed at Mat-Su veterans and their families is in its third month of operation.

Operation Arctic Renewal is the latest initiative of Battle Dawgs, a local nonprofit organization for veterans struggling with combat-related injuries, especially post-traumatic syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and separation anxiety. Founded in 2012 by former Iditarod musher Rick Casillo and his combat veteran wife, Jennifer, Battle Dawgs offers immersive wilderness-based programs for veterans designed to rehabilitate through camaraderie, mentorship, and leadership.

Operation Arctic Renewal, is set at Camp Battle Dawgs, the organization’s 650-acre wilderness lodge in the Talkeetna area, where veterans are able to relax, reset, and refocus. The new initiative uses instruction in dog mushing to provide a stimulating and rewarding activity that encourages social interaction and connection with nature, while combating the potential for isolation and depression often associated with the long, dark winters in Alaska.

“We hope to foster a sense of community and well-being by providing veterans and their families with a therapeutic and engaging outdoor experience that promotes physical activity, teamwork, and an appreciation for the Alaskan wilderness,” Rick Casillo said.

The program was able to launch with the help of a $25,000 grant from the Mat-Su Health Foundation. The local nonprofit organization has been investing in community health and wellness since its inception in 2007, when it became part owner of the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. Through scholarships, sponsorships, and grants to nonprofits around the Mat-Su, like Battle Dawgs, the Health Foundation has returned more than $138 million to the community in the last 17 years.

“Thanks to the generosity of the Mat-Su Health Foundation, Battle Dawgs is able to expand the reach and effectiveness of our programs. The Health Foundation’s investment in Operation Arctic Renewal reflects an understanding that mental health and well-being extend beyond hospital walls—they are rooted in connection, purpose, and access to supportive environments,” Casillo said. “By focusing on local veteran populations, this grant ensures that those who served our country have the resources they need to heal and thrive right here in the Mat-Su Borough.”

Requests for winter camps and outdoor rehabilitation continue to surge, Casillo said, with many veterans and their families eager for activities, but often lacking the knowledge and resources to get started.

“The demand for veteran-focused winter activities in the Mat-Su Borough is overwhelming,” Casillo said. “Operation Arctic Renewal will address this critical need by providing accessible and supportive opportunities for veterans and their families to connect with the Alaskan wilderness and each other during the challenging winter months.”

FIND OUT MORE

www.battledawgs.org