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:
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reveilleandretreatproject.org
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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.
