Episode 85

full
Published on:

13th May 2026

Navy Veteran Yuri Acuna on MST, Sisterhood, and Healing Through Rescue Dogs

Summary:

What does it mean to rebuild your life after service leaves you with both pride and pain?

In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Captain Kim sits down with Navy veteran Yuri Acuna, whose story moves through family, military service, survival, healing, and purpose.

Yuri shares what it was like growing up in a Mexican-American home shaped by love, culture, and the lasting impact of her father’s Vietnam service. She talks about joining the Navy, finding structure and respect, and then surviving military sexual trauma that changed the course of her life.

This conversation is honest, emotional, and full of heart. Yuri reflects on therapy, peer support, women veteran sisterhood, and the power of being believed. She also shares how Dune Dog Adventures and The Tide and Heart Project are helping rescue dogs become support animals for women veterans and veteran families.

In this episode, we cover:

  • Growing up in a Mexican-American military family
  • Why Yuri Acuna chose to join the Navy
  • Finding structure, purpose, and respect through service
  • Surviving military sexual trauma
  • The emotional toll of reporting and being questioned
  • Leaving the Navy after trauma and during the events of 9/11
  • How therapy and MST support groups helped Yuri heal
  • The role of peer support and women veteran sisterhood
  • Creating Dune Dog Adventures on the Oregon coast
  • Building The Tide and Heart Project to support women veterans, families, and rescue dogs

Notable Quotes & Moments:

  • “No means no means no means no. It’s a full sentence.” Yuri Acuna on consent and standing her ground [00:20:00]
  • “Did you say no? Then that’s it. Enough said.” Yuri Acuna remembering the words that helped her hold onto the truth [00:20:36]
  • “I knew there had to be a way to show people that the process works.” Yuri Acuna on saying yes to peer support and healing work [00:27:46]
  • “You’re going to make a woman feel so strong. You’re going to make her feel so safe.” Yuri Acuna speaking to Nikita, a rescue dog in training [00:36:11]

Timestamps:

  • 00:00:00 - Introduction to love, trauma, service, and the stories women carry
  • 00:03:01 - Yuri Acuna’s childhood in a Mexican-American military family
  • 00:05:29 - Growing up with a Vietnam veteran father and the impact of PTSD
  • 00:09:04 - Why Yuri chose to join the Navy
  • 00:11:00 - Finding respect, purpose, and pride in service
  • 00:12:19 - Yuri shares why her Navy service ended after two years
  • 00:13:51 - Reporting military sexual trauma and the investigation that followed
  • 00:22:30 - Becoming a peer support specialist by accident
  • 00:30:31 - Creating Dune Dog Adventures on the Oregon coast
  • 00:34:22 - The mission behind The Tide and Heart Project

About Yuri Acuna:

Yuri Acuna is a Navy veteran, peer support advocate, dog lover, and founder of Dune Dog Adventures and The Tide and Heart Project. After surviving military sexual trauma, she found support through therapy, women veteran groups, and peer connection. Today, she uses her experience to help other women veterans and veteran families feel seen, safe, and supported. Her work on the Oregon coast brings together rescue dogs, trauma-informed care, outdoor healing, and community support.

Connect and learn more:

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about the Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook: Reveille and Retreat Project

You aren’t alone.

If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veteran crisis line: Dial 988 then press 1, chat online, or text 838255.

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About the Podcast

Dog Tag Diaries
Sharing True Stories from Women in the Military
Dog Tag Diaries provides a platform for military women to tell their stories and speak their truths. We are not only raising awareness about military trauma, and mental health but fostering a supportive community where women can find strength and inspiration in each other's stories. It's an informative way to reduce stigma and promote healing through open dialogue and exploration of therapeutic modalities. Our goal is to increase connections among women to offer empowerment, encouragement, and a sense of belonging as we each navigate the unique challenges and experiences faced by women in the military.
Each week we’ll invite a woman who has served in the military to share her experience and how it has impacted her, or we will bring in a guest who can speak about the healing abilities of specific therapeutic methods. This is a podcast you don’t want to miss.

About your hosts

kimberly Liszka

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Kim served in the United States Army/Reserves as a Combat Medic, Combat Nurse, Flight Nurse Instructor and one of the Top Female athletes in the Army.

Kim worked 20+ years as an ER nurse and decided to explore the world as a travel nurse. She's an Advanced Wilderness Expedition Provider and Chief Medical Officer for numerous endurance/survival expeditions in different countries.

Kim has a son, Jace and a daughter in law, Sammy and 2 grand animals, Joey & Bear. Her dog Camo is her best buddy. Camo is the sweetest yellow Labrador Retriever to walk this earth. He loves licking snow, riding the ocean waves, visiting carnivore food trucks and loves belly rubs and treats.

Fun Facts: Kim's lived in the Reality TV World! Fear Factor, American Ninja Warrior-Military Edition, American Tarzan, Spartan Namibia and more to come!

Dakota Olson-Harris

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Dakota is currently serving in the Army National Guard and has been for the past 15 years. She enlisted as a tank mechanic then earned her commission as a Combat Engineer Officer. She has two deployments, Iraq and United Arab Emirates.

On the civilian side Dakota works as a counselor providing readjustment counseling for Veterans, current service members, and their families.

Dakota is a wife and a bonus mom to four kiddos. They have recently added to their family with a baby girl, totaling five kids. They also have two dogs, Paco and Elsa.

Her family loves to go on adventures whether it's walks, hiking, camping, or just going on a road trip to visit family.