Meaningful Work

I am the executive sponsor of our Diversity Equity and Inclusion initiative. As part of that initiative, we have created service opportunities throughout the year for each of our associates.

Last week, I was privileged to join eight of my teammates in painting a fence for Warrior Canine Connection (https://warriorcanineconnection.org/). Warrior Canine Connection utilizes a Mission Based Trauma Recovery model to help recovering Warriors reconnect with life, their families, their communities, and each other.

While painting the fence, we had the opportunity to meet the dogs and spend time with a veteran who benefitted from the program. I was captivated by the stories he told about how his dog makes living with PTSD a little easier. His dog can recognize changes in his mood and knows how and when to provide proactive support.

Painting an old fence can be monotonous work. Temperatures got into the low nineties on Friday afternoon. Our location offered no shade. There were a few moments where the heat got the better of me and I had to take a quick break. It was the veteran’s stories that kept me, and my teammates motivated and energized. And I must admit, the puppies were awfully cute.

We often talk about doing meaningful work and this leads to visions of raising money or awareness for a worthy cause. I am proud to tell you that I found significant meaning in painting an old fence with my peers on Friday afternoon. I will look forward to seeing the next graduating class of dogs photographed in front of it.