Mission
To honour and support Canada’s ill and injured Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans, First Responders and their families.
Our Story
On September 18, 2006, a suicide bomber traveling on a bicycle detonated a bomb 30-km west of Kandahar City. This incident killed four Canadian soldiers and injured a number of others – including innocent civilians and children. Amidst this carnage, three seriously wounded Canadian Military Engineers lay wounded and dying.
Across Canada, notification teams were activated in the wee hours of the morning to deliver the news to the Canadian Soldiers families. One such team made its way to the family home of 20-year old Sapper Mike McTeague, a reservist deployed on his first overseas mission. His wounds were serious and life threatening. He and the others were rushed out of Afghanistan and sent to a hospital in Landstuhl, Germany where wounded soldiers received outstanding medical care.
Back in Canada, notification arrived that Mike was in critical condition and there was a real fear that he may not survive as a result of the injuries sustained. Mike’s father was rushed to Mike’s side accompanied by Mike’s Unit Chaplain. Mike’s younger brother and the Assisting Officer joined them the next day.
The trip to Germany was an emotional one as concern for Mike and the family along with the other Canadians grew. While there, the hard work of the dedicated medical staff, and the outstanding care provided to our soldiers, was quickly apparent. That said, it was also clear to see that our troops needed a little more of Canada assist in their recovery. They had little in the way of personal items and electronics to pass the time and, as such, the idea to fill the gap quickly gained the support of all involved. From this experience, Wounded Warriors Canada was founded.
In 2006, the Fund was formally incorporated as The Sapper Mike McTeague Wounded Warrior Fund and original Incorporation and establishment of the funds charitable status was completed. The original intent of the fund was designed to support all Canadian Forces members wounded on operations and to improve the general morale and welfare of the injured soldiers and their families. Care packages were rapidly replaced by the Padre’s Comfort Fund in Landstulh, which until December 2013, directly supported the soldiers and their families during their stay in Germany.
Mike has had a miraculous recovery and regained his mobility. His stays at Sunnybrook Hospital, the esteemed St. John’s Rehab Centre in Toronto, and his ongoing therapy have all played a part in Mike’s recovery. Today, Mike is transitioning to the next phase of his life. Just as Mike has grown healthier, so too has the fund. Since its inception in September 2006, it has become the beneficiary of the nation’s empathy towards Canadian soldiers. The outpouring of support from individual Canadians and Canadian businesses has been overwhelming. Wounded Warriors Canada is a success story borne out of a horrible tragedy that continues to support those in need.
Today, we continue our legacy of care and compassion as the nation’s leading, wholly independent, Veteran’s charity focusing on mental health. Our innovative and wide-ranging programming, which will exceed 1.8M in 2017, is changing the lives of ill and injured Veterans, First Responders and their families. This is only made possible as a result of the compassionate trust and support of individual Canadians and Canadian businesses, enabling us to carry forward our guiding ethos: Honour the Fallen, Help the Living.
Board of Directors
James Lamothe
Director
Management Team
National Patron
Roméo A. Dallaire
O.C., C.M.M., G.O.Q, M.S.C., C.D., (Retired), Senator
The Honourable Roméo Dallaire had a distinguished career in the Canadian military, achieving the rank of Lieutenant-General and Assistant Deputy Minister of Human Resources. In 1994, General Dallaire commanded the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR).
Our Clinicial Team
Clinical delivery is the hallmark of Wounded Warriors Canada programming. Over the last three years our team has been working to attract some of the best trauma therapists in the country. Without their expertise and dedication to the men and women who serve Canada at home and abroad, our work simply would not be possible.
Meet Some Of Our Clinical Team
Dr. Tim Black
National Clinical Advisor
Dr. Tim Black, R. Psych. is an Associate Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Victoria who specializes in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Military to Civilian Transition and group counselling approaches.
Dr. Megan McElheran
Dr. Megan McElheran is a Clinical Psychologist with WGM Psychological Services in Calgary, AB. Dr. McElheran completed graduate training at the Stanford University clinical psychology consortium, during which she obtained specialized training in the treatment of PTSD through the National Center for PTSD in Menlo Park, CA.
Dr. Hannah Rockman
Hannah Rockman, Psy.D. C. Psych. is a certified member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario, (Clinical Neuropsychologist). She is qualified to practice clinical psychology and perform psychological assessments and related evaluations and treatment of general mental health problems.
Dr. Vivien Lee
Clinical Advisor
Dr. Vivien Lee is a Clinical Psychologist and Chief Clinician – Southern Ontario for WGM Psychological Services in Toronto, ON.
Carolynn Turner, MA, RCC
Carolynn Turner, MA, RCC has spent almost 20 years supporting individuals and families who are struggling. She is currently the Founder and Director of Lavender Counselling & Wellness in Langley, a clinician for the COPE and TRP programs (supporting veteran and first responders to build resiliency to the effects of PTSD), Regional Chair for the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, and she regularly speaks as part of the BCTF Wellness Team
Dr. Stu Hoover, R.Psych
Dr. Stu Hoover is a registered psychologist in Edmonton, Alberta. He helps clients work on life transitions (career, family/relationships, loss) and on recovery (trauma, depression, stress/anxiety, isolation).
Dr. Sherry Antonucci
Clinical Advisor
Dr. Sherry Antonucci is a Registered Psychologist (#4834) in Edmonton, Alberta with over 15 years of counselling experience. She is a founding member and partner at Red Tree Psychology, a thriving practice of professional independent practitioners.
Nadia Pirbhai
Clinical Advisor
Jim Marland, MA
Clinical Advisor
Jim is registered as a psychologist in Alberta and Ontario and is a certified Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator and holds an Advanced Certificate in Adventure Education.
Dr. Paulo Matos
Clinical Advisor
Dr. Paulo Matos is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) in British Columbia. Since 1995, he has pursued his passion for counselling by working with diverse populations including youth and adult offenders, people with severe mental illnesses, and couples and families.
Dr. Andrew Carlquist
Clinical Advisor
Dr. Andrew Carlquist is a clinical psychologist for WGM Psychological Services in Toronto, ON. He specializes in helping clients recover from trauma, moral injury, and operational stress injuries.
Ambassadors
Chris Linford and Kathryn
WWC National Ambassadors
Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Chris Linford BScN CD and his wife Kathryn have endured over two decades living with PTSD.
