VETERAN SHEEPDOGS OF AMERICA
By Christine Walker
When it comes to the medical care of Veterans, we are all aware by now that many VA Hospitals and Clinics across the country have a less than stellar reputation. Approval for benefits can sometimes take 6 months to a year; if approved at all, wait times for appointments can still take weeks to months to procure and if emergency care is needed, the wait time could be anywhere from 2 to 11 hours in the ER dependent on the facility. Medical treatment over all seems to be inconsistent from one Hospital to another, with many choosing to follow a minimal ‘cookie cutter’ approach. And even more tragic still is the insurmountable rise of Veteran suicide, some taking their lives in the waiting rooms or parking lots of VA hospitals and clinics.
The stagnancy of VA care wasn’t always this way. One healthcare provider who worked in the VA system in the early 1990s said, “We had outstanding physicians and staff who worked diligently to provide the absolute best possible care to our Veterans. To us, our Vets weren’t just a number, they had names and stories, and we were duty bound to make sure they had quality of life, as much as we were able to.”
In addition, of the 26 million Veterans across the United States, less than 35% benefit from the VA Healthcare system. According to the Veteran Affairs website, almost 75% of initial disability claims (required for receiving VA healthcare) were denied.
History of the VA
The Veterans Administration began as the US Veterans Bureau in 1921, advocated at the time by the fledgling Veteran Service Organization, the American Legion.
And while the American Legion still lobbies for adequate funding for medical, education and other Veteran benefits through our governments legislative branch, there doesn’t seem to be the advocacy on the legislative level to help keep the VA accountable.
Over the years, attempts have been made to improve these issues, but the truth is, the VA is still broken, and even more so, our brothers and sisters are losing their lives, many by their own hands, because they cannot get the care they so desperately need and deserve.
Ask yourself, what organization, what committee, what elected official holds the VA accountable effectively? The answer: there isn’t!
This is where Veteran Sheepdogs of America comes in.
The Watchdog!
Founded in 2019 by Joshua Hosler & Anthony Archer, Veteran Sheepdogs of America is bound and determined to hold the VA accountable and be a voice for Veterans who are suffering!
Joshua recounts that “Many Veterans have founded Veteran non-profits, but we have noticed that there is no real advocacy or watchdog organization over the Veteran Administration, and this has left a gap in our basic care and services as we know it.”
Founders Joshua Hosler & Anthony Archer
Joshua Hosler, a Marine 0341 & Bomb Dog handler in Iraq & Afghanistan, is the current President and Founder of Veteran Sheepdogs of America, along with Vice President, Anthony Archer, Ret. Command Sgt. Major. Both have worked at a congressional office, until together, they founded this Veteran Organization.
“After my tour in Afghanistan, I decided to get into the political realm. I realized that there is a lot of lip service to get elected. Candidates and elected officials say they care about Veterans, but there is no action to back up their campaign promises. We want ACTION. You, the Veteran, deserve Action!” Hosler stated.
Joshua and Anthony have lost more brothers after getting out of the military than they did in combat, many of whom had the VA mentioned in their suicide notes.
“We are sick and fucking tired of it! Something must be done, and somebody must hold the officials who make decisions about our care, or lack thereof, accountable. The VA is not our friend, not even close!” Joshua said.
The Sheepdog mentality is two-fold; one is that of protector to anything or anyone that would prey on those who are unable to protect themselves, and the second is that of hunter. Hunting down the predators to eliminate the threat.
Veteran Sheepdogs of America advocates and educates for Veterans at the heart of the problem, highlighting the numerous issues within the VA and the unfortunate standard of providing the most minimal care possible.
VSoA will also hold the appointed and elected committees, along with the bureaucrats in charge of decision making accountable as well. “We are Sheepdogs, with a Sheepdog mentality! We are a mouthpiece and an effective tool for Veterans,” Joshua emphasized.
And they demand to be heard!
“The VA has made some improvement over the last decade, but it is far from the premier healthcare system it touts itself to be. Those changes have occurred by Veterans and the media bringing to light the horrendous conditions and practices the VA has caused our Veterans to endure. It is time to stop being reactive and be proactive, so this never happens again. That is what we are striving to be as a Veteran Organization, proactive, educating, and a loud effective voice for our community and those that truly support our Veterans,” Joshua said.
The Battle Plan
As an example, in 2020, over 20,000 Veterans were denied their appeals for claims because they needed in person evaluations during COVID-19 lockdowns. “Whether in error or not, this is simply unacceptable,” Joshua stated.
As an A-Political organization, they will work with anyone across aisles towards improving the medical care and lives of Veterans, and with that comes “The Battle Plan.”
Step 1 – R.O.E. or Rules of Engagement
Veteran Sheepdogs of America utilizes multiple means of gathering ‘intel’ if you will, including their own ‘Ghost Army.’ Once they are aware of an issue, the VSoA will go to Federal level representatives offices. In addition to the VA oversight committee to get an official statement concerning a specific issue. Typically, one of three things happens:
The In-Depth Answer – Sadly, this is rare, but on occasion, if the Representative or Committee member is Veteran friendly, VSoA will receive an in-depth and transparent response.
Political Answer – Or, as Joshua likes to call it, the “Bullshit” answer. This usually consists of double-speak and empty promises.
Denial - This, unfortunately, seems to be the primary response and shows VSoA the resounding apathy towards Veterans and the care that has been promised to them.
Step 2 – E.O.F or Escalation of Force
VSoA will then create an education and advocacy Public Relations campaign bringing to light the specific issue and to promote the response or lack thereof, by officials. Whether a positive or negative campaign, that is completely up to the stakeholders in the VA and their willingness to be transparent or not.
Joshua, Tony and their team will also use every viable means to promote the campaign through social media platforms and media & press outlets.
“We are aggressive and vocal, as most VSOs, because of their charters, cannot or will not be involved in pushing back against the VA … they just go along to get along. They’re being sheep instead of Sheepdogs,” Joshua states.
In addition to the PR campaigns, Joshua and Tony work diligently with elected officials on local, state and federal levels to get legislation passed to fix these issues.
“The scariest thing to a politician is a veteran that believes in God, the Constitution, and VOTES!” Anthony said.
“We have got to hold our elected officials’ feet to the fire. I am tired of the lip service legislators give to Veterans during elections and then ignore us until the next go ‘round. We are tracking Federal legislation with 361 Bills currently affecting Veterans and educating our members on the ones that will affect real change and how to support the good bills or oppose the bad ones,” Joshua affirmed.
How Can We Help?
Reach out to the VSoA team!
What sets VSoA apart?
We do what we say we’re going to do… to hold the VA accountable for the care of our Veterans.
We are membership based; as an advocacy-based organization, it gives us bite with our bark.
Our members span war eras, from WWII to Post-9/11; we’re reaching out to all Veterans and branches
We offer a lifetime membership to Veterans with a one-time fee of $10.
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