Latest news with #Bonnie-JillLaflin
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Hounds and Heroes pairs veterans with therapy animals
(NewsNation) — Hounds and Heroes has helped veterans by pairing them with rescue animals, offering companionship to those coping with post-deployment challenges. The nonprofit serves veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, as well as amputees, providing emotional support through trained therapy dogs. Founder Bonnie-Jill Laflin, who comes from a military and law enforcement family, said she was inspired to launch the organization after completing 19 USO tours — eight in Iraq and Afghanistan. Savannah Bananas honor veteran awarded two Purple Heart medals She told 'Morning in America' on Wednesday that she witnessed the impact deployments had on service members. 'With the suicide rate being so high, I just knew there was something I could do, and my love for animals and veterans,' she said. 'I was like, let me rescue all these dogs in the shelters that would otherwise be euthanized, and I'll pair them up with veterans.' One of those veterans is U.S. Army specialist Nick Dolan, who was partnered with a service dog named Guinness. Dolan said the bond has been life-changing. 'He's meant a lot to me,' Dolan said. 'I have no idea where I'd be. It would have been a good struggle for me at least. He takes away a lot of the stress in everything — he's a great companion.' NewsNation celebrates Fleet Week skydiving with Navy SEALs Laflin said that there's a sense of a lack of judgment with the animals that allows veterans to heal. 'We've seen veterans make progress that other forms of therapy haven't been able to achieve,' she said. 'We're able to connect these veterans with these dogs, you just see the strides that these veterans make that people can't do. 'Working with the VA and lobbying on Capitol Hill, I make sure that people realize that you don't need to put a lot of prescription meds with these veterans. These dogs can make such a big difference instead.' Hounds and Heroes also offers equine therapy, in which veterans rebuild trust and confidence through interactions with rescued horses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Fox News
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
The Quiz #347
What former Disney star launched the cosmetics line, Rare Beauty? Play. Share. Listen with the first female NBA Scout, Bonnie-Jill Laflin.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
First female NBA scout talks trailblazing for Women's History Month
(NewsNation) — To celebrate Women's History Month, the first and only female NBA scout, Bonnie-Jill Laflin, joined 'Morning in America' to discuss how she went from being a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader to a member of the Los Angeles Lakers staff. Laflin, 48, continues to work in sports media, a career that initially led to her becoming a scout. According to Laflin, she was hired by the late former Lakers owner Jerry Buss for an unpaid role after he noticed her ability to break down the triangle offense in the media. Before the role, Laflin was a cheerleader for three pro sports teams, had a recurring role in 'Baywatch' and worked as a model. 'People know Phil Jackson's offense was really hard to comprehend, even the players had some hard times with it,' Laflin said. '[Buss] saw that I had this skill, this talent to find talent, find players. And so he brought me on board.' Senate to vote on bill banning trans athletes from women's sports Laflin received five NBA championship rings during her time with the organization. Despite her accomplishments, she said there were, and continue to be, challenges to being a woman in sports. 'You're a female in a man's world, so trying to overcome that and the scrutiny that comes along with that, you're always under a microscope,' Laflin said. 'I always say, there's no room, there's no margin for error. We always have to be perfect. There always has to be perfection, which can be very challenging and get a little stressful at times.' Laflin says tennis legend Billie Jean King, former race car driver Danica Patrick and Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee were among her role models. 'As I get comfortable, and as I get older, it's like I get more comfortable in my own skin,' Laflin said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
