Dr. Terry Morris, D.V.M., Ph.D. - Executive Director & Founder , Vets To Vets United, Inc.
Dr. Terry Morris, D.V.M., Ph.D., is a native of Durham NC. She received an M.S. in Biology at Purdue University and her D.V.M. at the historic and prestigious Tuskegee University. She completed her internship and residency in large animal medicine and surgery at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Because of her desire to integrate her veterinary skills with her love for science, Dr. Morris returned to school to complete her Ph.D. in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Missouri-Columbia. In 2019, she was selected as the American Humane Hero Veterinarian.
In service to her community, Dr. Terry Morris:
Is Founder and Executive Director of Vets To Vets United, Inc. (March, 2012)
Served as a service dog training assistant for EENP, to provide service dogs to assist individuals with mobility impairments and diabetes.
Served as a volunteer for Community Health Coalition
Served as Chair of the Health Committee for the Durham Committee of the Affairs of Black People
Dr. Terry Morris is extremely passionate about the welfare of veterans suffering from emotional and/or physical disabilities and the animals that are suffering and euthanized at animal shelters due to over population. She recognizes the healing power of the animal-human bond. She is honored and thankful to God to have an opportunity to serve our U.S. Military Veterans and rescue animals, both of which need love, companionship, and healing.
She has dedicated this program to her Father Captain Willis C. Morris, a Tuskegee B52 Bomber pilot who was killed while courageously serving his Nation during the Cuban Missile Crisis, making her a proud Gold Star daughter.
This program is also dedicated to Captain Karon D. Morris-Crawley who was the first female to graduate from the Air Force ROTC Pilot Training Program at Tuskegee University.
Dr. Terry's Recognitions and Awards:
2019 American Humane Hero Veterinarian
2022 Joseph R. Biden Lifetime Achievement Award & Presidential Volunteer Service Award Honoree
2022 NC Department of Military and Veteran Affairs Service Award
2022 NC District East Civitan Dr. Luther Medlin Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award
Captain Willis C. Morris Captain Karon D. Morris Crawley
Mr. Bill Dixon, US Army Veteran - President, Vets To Vets United, Inc.
Bill Dixon lives in Raleigh with his wife Merlayne. Bill received an Associate Degree in Architectural Drafting from WW Holding before he joined the US Army serving in Vietnam.
Veteran Service Organizations:
North Carolina Vietnam Veterans, Inc. Past President, served for ten years.
Wake County Veterans Council. Past President
Premier Race Sponsor with Large size company on Race t-shirt America, Board of Directors NC State Council and Vice President Durham Chapter 530
Delegate North Carolina State Veterans Council
Delegate for Governor's Working Group
Host and producer of on-line streaming show "Lessons of Vietnam"
Veteran of Foreign Wars Wake Forest Post 8466
Veteran client of Vets to Vets with a Service Dog & Therapy Dog Certification with "Tank"
Awards
Raleigh/Wake County Parade of Homes Design winner
Vietnam Veterans of the year, North Carolina Vietnam Veterans, Inc. (3 Times)
Veteran of the year, Wake County Veterans Council (2 Times)
Glen Lang Award, Vietnam Veterans of America for education
Special Appreciation from United States Army Veterans Support Command
Outstanding Command Ribbon, Vietnamese American Association
Bill is thankful for what Vets to Vets United has done, and still doing for him and wants to see the organization grow and serve more veterans.
Mr. Vertis Richardson, U.S. Army, Retired - Vice-President, Vets To Vets United Inc.
Vertis R. Richardson III was born and raised in Smithfield, NC. After a 20 year active duty career as non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, he retired in 2015 in the rank of First Sergeant.
His military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and two Meritorious Service Medals. During his career he served 11 out of his 20 years at Fort Bragg, NC as a logistician including deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan. He is married to his wife Anita and they have three children.
Mr. Bruce Campbell, US Army Veteran (Logistics Specialist) - Treasurer, Vets To Vets United Inc.
Born in Iceland into a family with a strong military tradition, Bruce fell into love with Vets to Vets United when he finished serving in the Army. He first joined our family with his service dog Ozzy as a veteran suffering from the symptoms of PTSD after serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan, Bruce quickly developed a passion for Vets to Vets and charitable work. Now after four years with us his passion for Vets to Vets is just as strong as ever.
Mr. Dan Portaro, US Army Veteran - BOD Member, Vets To Vets United, Inc.
Dan was raised on a tobacco farm in the Piedmont NC area and graduated Ledford High School in 1968.
Dan served in the Army (1970-1971) and did a tour of duty in Vietnam, with the 1st Signal Brigade and the 101st Airborne Division serving in Phu Lam, Quantri, Phu Bai and Kahsan, Vietnam.
Dan has a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology at Western Carolina University. He married Cathy Stutts who he met at Western. Dan worked at Durham County General Hospital as a Lab Technician. He completed a Masters Degree at NC State University. He then worked as the Chemistry Supervisor at Durham County Hospital (now Duke Regional) for eight years, & then worked as an applications chemist for Beckman Instruments, Inc. for 18 years. He has also worked in the fields of pharmaceuticals with several major manufacturers, worked in consulting, worked in construction of both residential and commercial application. His last job was with the NCDMV as a Driver License Examiner in Roxboro where he retired for in 2014.
Dan has written two books. The first book was a memoir entitled Second Son/Fortunate One. His second book, AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY, has been completed and is expected to be publish sometime before December 2022, due to supply chain/covid issues. Cathy and Dan will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this August 27, 2022 and they have three children; Gaetana, Jacob and Jeffrey and seven grandchildren; Marc, Noah, Alaina, Grayson, William, Gavin and Cora.,
Dan was diagnosed in 2019 with PTSD and moved in and out of the Mental Health System with the VA until it was suggested I try getting a service dog. It was then in late, 2020 that Dan found Vets to Vets United, Inc. and met Dr. Terry Morris and found my forever support animal, Bailey.
Bailey and Dan have trained with the Vets to Vets United, Inc. Program for almost two years and Baily is certified as a Therapy Dog through Pet Partners, Inc. Dan hopes he can be of some value and service to this wonderful organization by serving as a member of their Board.
Mr. Brad Moses, US Army Veteran - BOD Member, Vets To Vets United, Inc.
Brad Moses served 4 years in the U.S. Army (1969-1973). He attained the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army and is a Vietnam-era service-disabled veteran. He received the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service for his service in Vietnam and lives in Raleigh, NC.
He and his wife, Joyce, co-founded Global Professional Solutions, Inc. (GPS) in 2002, an information technology staffing company. He is the CEO for GPS and has over 30 years’ experience in Information Technology. After a successful corporate career, Brad founded his first technology staffing and consulting services company in 1991. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, majoring in Corporate Finance, from Northeastern University in Boston, Mass.
Brad is currently a Disabled American Veteran’s member and was active in the Coastal Carolina Chapter (Camp Lejeune, NC) for AFCEA (Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association). He values the experiences and training veterans have received during their time of service and likes to do whatever he can to help fellow veterans go forward in life.
He also wants to see veterans receive the best and most effective healthcare possible and believes with his and his other fellow veterans’ involvement as stakeholders in VA research this can only have a positive effect in achieving that goal. He’s an active charter member in the Veterans Research Evaluation Panel (VetREP), sponsored by the Durham VA Center of Innovation and Practice Transformation (ADAPT).
Ms. Laurie Schroeder - BOD Member, Vets To Vets United, Inc.
Laurie graduated from University of South Florida, Tampa, with a BA in Marketing and a BA in Management.
Career focus has been marketing and sales in the consumer products industry for the past 40 years.
Worked as a Sales Consultant for professional hair stylists in Tampa, Florida Keys, and now in North Carolina.
She traveled on medical mission trips to Haiti with the University of South FL Health team where she helped set up a Pharmacy with supplies for the Mission Doctors.
Actively participated in Pet Therapy with her Boxer, Hattie, for Moffitt Cancer Hospital, Tampa, FL., and Hospice.
In addition, she volunteered with Hillsborough Country Animal Services, Tampa, socializing with the shelter dogs.
While looking for local volunteer opportunities, she found Vets to Vets United and instantly knew this was the organization she wanted to volunteer with. She currently lives in Chapel Hill with her husband, an Air Force veteran and their 13 year old poodle, Lola
