Piper Hill Establishes Healing4Heroes to Support Veterans with Service Dogs

Hill, who lost almost four years of memory due to her injury, shared, "I was given two months to live. I didn’t know my name. I couldn’t read. I couldn’t write.” During her long recovery at Fort McPherson, Valentine remained by her side, significantly aiding her journey back to health.

In 2008, Hill established Healing4Heroes, a nonprofit in Fayette County aimed at helping veterans and individuals with disabilities find support through trained service dogs. The organization was recently honored at The Citizen’s Choice Awards as the top company to work for, awarded by the Fayette Chamber of Commerce. Hill noted the joy of working with dogs, stating, "What better job than to play with puppies all day long? It’s incredible.”

Growing up in a military family, Hill enlisted in the Army at 18, following in her parents' footsteps. She served in military logistics until her injury ended her career. Knowing the challenges veterans face, Hill was motivated to provide them with the same type of support she received from Valentine. Over the years, Healing4Heroes has trained more than 2,500 service dogs for veterans, alongside 139 service dogs for veterans’ children and over 425 for civilians. The organization also focuses on rescuing dogs from shelters, effectively saving two lives at once when pairing them with veterans.

Healing4Heroes provides service dogs at no cost to veterans and first responders, while offering companionship placements for civilians. Hill emphasized the importance of matching the right dog to the right person, sharing that her approach to dog selection evolved over time to ensure safety and compatibility, allowing the organization to place over 125 rescued dogs annually.

The training helps veterans manage various disabilities, including PTSD and other medical conditions, equipping them with skills to navigate daily life. The sessions incorporate stress-relief techniques and nutritional education, fostering a holistic support system. Classes are held monthly, with veterans arriving with their dogs or receiving their service dogs through the program.

Healing4Heroes operates with a small team, but those involved often witness profound transformations in veterans. Executive assistant Amanda Holmes expressed pride in observing the significant changes in clients, noting, "They leave with a renewed sense of purpose, with more confidence, and with hope." Staff member Amanda Harris mentioned the familial atmosphere of Healing4Heroes, underscoring their collective mission of making a positive impact on veterans’ lives.

Currently, Healing4Heroes is working to develop a permanent training facility on 60 acres in Fayette County, with plans to begin construction on the main building in the coming year. Training sessions take place in various community settings, where veterans practice handling their dogs in public spaces. Hill seeks additional volunteers to assist in training and highlight the continued need for community support, as funding challenges persist.

Hill concluded with a poignant reminder of the program's purpose: to ensure that no veteran feels alone or unsupported. "I don’t want any veteran to be floating around out there and not know that help is available,” she said. Through Healing4Heroes, Hill continues her mission to provide companionship and healing, similar to the support that Valentine once offered her.