Veteran Volunteer

By Kelly B. Garrett Eagle Staff Writer

March 28, 2012 Last Updated: March 28, 2012 01:36 PM Special Sections

VA Butler Healthcare volunteer Brian Coutch and his dog Slate enjoy the weather March 13 at the VA hospital in Butler Township. Coutch, a retired U.S. Army 1st Sergeant, volunteers at the VA Butler Healthcare.

Retired soldier finds comfort

BUTLER TWP — Brian Coutch finds comfort in helping fellow veterans at the VA Butler Healthcare — comfort for them and for himself.

Coutch, 45, is a retired U.S. Army 1st Sergeant, who grew up and has returned to New Kensington.

He spent 22 years serving in the army, completing five combat tours and retiring in 2006.

“I have been everywhere, and I have been rebuilt from head to foot, including being shot in the hand, PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and 32 broken bones in 22 years,” Coutch said.

“Considering the average person brakes a bone and a half in their lifetime, you can say that I am above average,” he said, chuckling.

Coutch had been a patient and then a volunteer in the VA's Oakland facility in Pittsburgh, but then transferred to Butler.

About 560 volunteers helped at VA Butler Healthcare in 2011. They gave 47,813 hours of service at a total value of $1 million.

Donations totaled $259,233 from cash and non-cash contributions that were used to meet the needs of veterans and service men and women served by the VA.

There are 25 veteran, civic and community service organizations that comprise the Veterans Affairs Veteran Service Committee. They are:

• American Legion

• American Legion Auxiliary

• American Red Cross

• AMVETS and the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary

• BPO Elks

• Catholic Daughters of America

• Disabled American Veterans

• Forty & Eight

• Help Hospitalized Veterans

• Italian-American War Veterans

• Knights of Columbus

• Marine Corps League

• Masonic Services Association

• Military Order of the Cootie

• Military Order of the Purple Heart/Auxiliary

• National Society DAR

• Order of the Eastern Star

• Paralyzed Veterans of America

• Polish Legion of American Veterans

• The Salvation Army

• United Voluntary Services

• VFW and VFW Ladies Auxiliary

• Dunkin Doughnuts, a business member

Volunteers at VA Butler Healthcare help to provide office and clerical support, greet veterans and guests, take veterans to and from their VA appointments, assist with mailings, support the recreational program for veterans with activities and provide entertainment, assist with the flu clinic and outreach programs, support special events, distribute comfort items and provide companionship to those who needed a friend.

Coutch helps veterans get to appointments as a driver for the Disabled Veterans of America and he serves as an escort in the health center on New Castle Road.

“And depending on where my heart rate is, this one here sometimes gets naked and plays with the guys in adult day care,” Coutch said.

The one he's speaking about is Slate, a 2-year-old black Labrador retriever, who is Coutch's friend and service dog. He was trained and provided by the Keystone Children and Family Services group.

Getting naked means taking off Slate's service dog vest and letting him do some freestyling hugging, snuggling and petting by veterans who also need a little comfort in adult day care.

Coutch said spending time with other combat veterans has been a great help to him in finding a way to rebuild his social skills.

“Spending time with these guys is better than anything the doctors can provide because they know what it's really like to be there (in combat),” he said.

He said he recommends volunteering because it's “a great way to meet people, and if you're a good talker, it's even better.”

Group: VA Butler Healthcare Volunteer ServicesTop official: John Gennar, directorAddress: 325 New Castle Road, Butler TownshipEmployees: One, Paula McCarlWho it serves: Veterans who are served at VA Butler HealthcareWhat it does: Takes veterans to appointments, escorts them around the campus and performs clerical services and other internal services.Phone: 724-477-5044Mission: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise, “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan” by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's veterans.Vision: To provide veterans the world-class benefits and services they have earned, and to do so by adhering to the highest standards of compassion, commitment, excellence, professionalism, integrity, accountability, and stewardship

Name: Brian CoutchAge: 45Address: New KensingtonMilitary service: Retired from U.S. Army after 22 years of service, including five combat tours.Hobbies: Volunteering at the VA Butler Healthcare‘I have been everywhere, and I have been rebuilt from head to foot, including being shot in the hand, PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and 32 broken bones in 22 years.’