Graham Bettes

Graham Bettes served 32 years as a police officer attaining the rank of detective. He is a Chaplain/Ordained Minister for The Valhalla Project of Niagara. He served as a Sergeant with the Canadian Armed Forces, including an overseas deployment. Graham also served as a firefighter for the Niagara-On-The-Lake Fire Department. He is an active public speaker for Mental Health Advocacy.

Graham has completed his Masters in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and has a Bachelor of Applied Arts - Justice Studies from Guelph University. Graham was diagnosed with PTSD in 2012. Graham Bettes was awarded the Canadian Decoration Medal, the Canadian Peacekeeping Medal, the Queen's Jubilee Medal, United Nations for Cyprus Medal and the Police Exemplary Service Medal.

Shawn Bennett

Padre Shawn Bennett is President, Lead Chaplain, and one of the founding directors of the Valhalla Project Niagara. Shawn joined the Primary Reserve in 1985 and retired with the rank of Sergeant in 2017. He is in his 35th year as a professional firefighter in St. Catharines. Shawn is also an ordained Fire Chaplain in Ontario and has trained and certified chaplains across the province to support veterans and first responders. Shawn has bred and trained Golden Retrievers for over 25 years. Alongside his service dog Siren, a nightmare mitigator and full accessibility partner, they have visited locations ranging from hospice centers to Parliament, promoting service dog awareness and acceptance.

He works closely with local volunteer groups to support his community and collaborates with local MPs and MPPs on veteran-related issues. Shawn has also spoken at Parliament on important matters. In addition, he partnered with the City of St. Catharines, Kiwanis, and local businesses to establish a labyrinth in a local park to support community wellness. Shawn has received numerous awards, including the Queen’s Jubilee Medal from the International Association of Professional Firefighters for his volunteer work. He has been awarded the Federal Exemplary Firefighting Medal with two bars, the Provincial Exemplary Firefighting Medal with one bar, and the Canadian Military Decoration with one bar.

He has also received the Scouting Leadership Award and multiple City Volunteer Awards. Shawn and Siren are recognized as Battle Buddies, and he has been honoured with a Quilt of Valour. He was also nominated for the Medal of Bravery for his actions at an off-duty highway accident, where he took control of the scene and helped save numerous lives. Shawn was diagnosed with Complex PTSD in 2006 and continues to advocate so others do not suffer without understanding their injury.

Ken Beaudette

Ken is a 50 y/o with two grown children in their twenties and a wife of almost 30 yrs with his SVC dog Halo. Ken worked as a full time paramedic in the city of Hamilton for almost 30 yrs and 6 years as a medic in the military with several units. He was deployed to the Ottawa ice storm in ‘98 with the DART team. Ken also received the Governor generals award for Bravery while working in the city of Hamilton. He is also a recipient of the Quilt of Valor.

Ken was originally diagnosed in the early 2000’s with a major incident in December of 2018 when he worked his last shift and been off since on WSIB

Lyle Renaud

Lyle Renaud has served as an Advanced Care Paramedic, and Operation Supervisor with Niagara EMS for nearly two decades. He serves with the Niagara on the Lake Fire Department for the past thirteen years as a firefighter. Lyle is a paramedic educator since 2011, and a base hospital educator with the Centre for Paramedic Education and Research (CPER) since 2014. Over the course of his career, Lyle has faced numerous personal challenges and tragedies, including the loss of both colleagues and friends to suicide.

He was diagnosed with PTSD in 2018, which lead to his involvement with The Oathtakers, where he has consistently and passionately supported his fellow first responders, so that no one may ever feel truly alone. He is currently a member of the peer support team within his service and an instructor for the R2MR program. Lyle has recently received a Base Hospital Quality of Care award for his dedication to both patient care and to the support of his colleagues and students. He is a welcome addition to the Valhalla Board of Directors.

Lois Hardman

Lois Hardman dedicated three decades of her life to a career in policing, serving her community with integrity, resilience, and compassion. Over the course of 30 years, she witnessed firsthand the challenges and complexities of the profession, earning the respect of her colleagues not only for her professionalism, but for her unwavering support of those around her.
Throughout her career, Lois became a passionate advocate for mental health within the policing community. Recognizing the toll the job can take, she worked tirelessly to foster open conversations, reduce stigma, and ensure that her coworkers felt supported both on and off duty. Her efforts made a lasting impact, helping to create a culture where seeking help was seen as a strength rather than a weakness. In recognition of her exemplary service, Lois was awarded the Police Exemplary Service Medal in 2013, a testament to her dedication, professionalism, and commitment to her role. In 2021, Lois retired from active policing, closing a remarkable chapter defined by service and dedication.

Even in retirement, she continues to contribute to the policing community as a member of the St. Thomas Police Service Ceremonial Unit, proudly representing the service at official events and ceremonies. Outside of her professional life, Lois has embraced a quieter pace, finding joy in meaningful moments and companionship. She spends her time alongside her loyal dog, Lennon, who brings comfort, routine, and happiness to her days. Today, Lois Hardman’s legacy lives on not only in her years of service, but in the lives she touched and the positive change she helped bring to mental health awareness within policing.

Laura Fascione

Laura Fascione is Associate Director of The Valhalla Project Niagara and an off-duty registered nurse from critical care. After a 2019 PTSD and major depression diagnosis, she attended Valhalla’s five‑day residential cohort in 2022 and experienced profound post‑traumatic growth—an experience that now informs both her leadership and compassion in her volunteer role. Alongside her service dog, Maggie May, Laura coordinates volunteers and facilitates our residential cohorts, working to help every retreat run smoothly and support participants’ healing.

She enjoys bringing creativity to the work—using music, and visual art to help people reconnect with their voices and their strengths. Showing others that even with loss of function from PTSD, we can find new ways to grow and contribute, and thrive, despite debilitating symptoms. Deeply committed to the program’s mission, “Healing PTSD Through the Heart,” Laura draws on clinical training and lived experience to support recovery, resilience, and foster community among participants and volunteers.

Meet The Team

Graham Bettes

Shawn Bennett

Ken Beaudette

Lyle Renaud

Lois Hardman

Laura Fascione

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