Board of Directors
Julie Walters, President
Julie Walters is an enthusiastic believer in the human-animal bond. She met Rick Yount when he initially sought to establish WCC in the metropolitan area. She quickly offered support to promote WCC’s goals to use canine therapies and service dog training to promote mental and physical recoveries for veterans. Her family includes a brother and two nephews who are retired military pilots.
Julie works with the ASPCA, supports the PAWS Sanctuary in California and the South Florida SPCA for domestic horse rescue and rehabilitation. Julie is also allied with the Natural Resources Defense Council to promote environmental protection and restoration of the natural world. She worked to establish an annual prize for environmental activism at Dickinson College to expand public awareness of the pressing need to protect the world we inhabit and all the creatures that share this world.
Earl Strimple, DVM, Vice President
Dr. Earl Strimple is a pioneer in the field of Animal Assisted Therapy. During his three decades of successful veterinary practice in Washington, D.C., he founded People Animals Love (PAL), an animal therapy foundation that brings the healing power of the human-animal bond to people at nursing homes, mental health facilities, hospitals, libraries and schools. In addition, PAL offers year-round, after-school and summer enrichment to lower-income children living in Southeast D.C.
Terrie Bates, Secretary
Terrie Bates is President of Water Resources Consulting, Inc., which provides environmental and water resource consulting services on local, state, and federal planning initiatives in Florida. Prior to that, she spent 35 years as an executive manager for the South Florida Water Management District working on environmental restoration, water quality, water supply and flood protection issues. Terrie holds a B.S. in Forest Resources & Conservation from the University of Florida and an M.P.A. from Florida Atlantic University. Terrie was an early supporter of Warrior Canine Connection, discovering the organization through the explore.org live puppy cam. She has long been part of the Extreme Puppy Watchers (EPWs), the nationwide, grassroots support group for WCC, and regularly assists in organizing EPW events and fundraisers. She is the proud Puppy Parent for former WCC service dogs-in-training Captain, Piccone, Jane, Rooney and is currently raising WCC’s Donut.
Ben Stone, Treasurer of the Board
Ben Stone is the Senior Vice President for Operations at the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), where he leads the Association’s revenue-generating activities. Since joining AIA in 2019, he has brought over 20 years of experience in associations and the aerospace and defense industries, previously serving as AIA’s Vice President for Membership & Strategic Development. Before AIA, Stone held senior leadership roles, including Head of Business Development for Renewables & Storage at Enel Green Power North America and President & CEO of Alenia Aermacchi North America, overseeing operations across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Stone holds executive leadership certificates from Columbia University, Imperial College London and Georgetown University and has completed graduate-level business studies at SDA Bocconi in Milan and George Washington University. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics from Denison University. Stone’s expertise spans strategic development, international trade policy and business development, including leading initiatives with the U.S. Department of Defense and establishing NDIA’s Small Business Division.
Rosemarie Kraus
Rosemarie Kraus is the breeder caretaker of WCC’s Megan from the Welcome Home litter. Rosemarie was born and raised in Chicago, attended Marquette University and received her degree in marketing from Loyola University. She, with her husband and partners, founded Mission BBQ. They have three grown children and live in Ellicott City, Maryland.
Lawrence V. McBean
Larry McBean is the director of the Medical Technology Team at Peduzzi Associates, Ltd., where he utilizes a broad background in military medical operations, Federal logistics and procurement, medical device integration and legislative affairs on behalf of the firm’s clients. His experience with medical research and development, as well as Combat Casualty Care, spanned nearly three decades of Federal Government service. Larry completed military service as a Combat/Flight Medic/Cardiac Tech in 1998 with the U.S. Army Medical Department and holds a B.S. in Health Care Administration and an M.S. in Health Care Management. Larry is an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and sits on the National Defense Industrial Association’s (NDIA) Homeland Security Executive Board. He is also a recipient of the Stockholm Challenge Medical award and Order of Military Medical Merit, Army Medical Department. He is a Lifetime member of the Dustoff Association (Army MEDEVAC association).
Spencer Milo
Spencer Milo is a medically retired U.S. Army combat Veteran and Purple Heart recipient who served in both OIF and OEF. Throughout his career, he has worked in various capacities—all in support of Veterans and the military. He is Director of Philanthropy and Strategic Initiatives for Movember. Previously, he worked at the Special Forces Charitable Trust as the Chief Operations Officer. He also served as Director of Veteran Programs, Communication and Development for the Marcus Institute for Brain Health and as an Area Manager for Hire Heroes USA. He is a passionate advocate for Veterans, serving with organizations including the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and The George W. Bush Institute’s Military Service Initiative. Spencer holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, and lives in Castle Rock, Colorado.
Chris Mottershead
Senior Vice President and Endowment & Foundation Specialist at Bank of America Private Bank, where he draws on more than 20 years of financial services experience. He leads outreach to nonprofit clients—including educational endowments, arts and cultural organizations, healthcare and faith-based groups, and private foundations—helping them advance their missions through integrated investment strategy, fiduciary services, administration, governance, and leadership development.
In addition to his work with Warrior Canine Connection, he also serves on the Advisory Board for the Sound Recording & Music Technology program at Montgomery County Community College. He earned his B.B.A. in Finance from Temple University’s Fox School of Business and holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® designation. Before his finance career, Chris was the founding lead vocalist and business manager of the touring band Fathead, performing with acts including The Roots, Green Day, and George Clinton. He lives in Princeton, New Jersey with his wife and two sons.
Rick Yount, Founder and Executive Director
Rick Yount has served in the field of social services for 30 years. He has involved animal-assisted therapy in his practice for the past 22 of those years. Rick holds a Bachelor of Arts from West Virginia University and a Master of Science in Assistance Dog Education. He combined his social work knowledge and experience with his service dog training background to develop a novel intervention to help Service Members with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Rick pioneered the first therapeutic service dog training program at the Palo Alto, California Veterans Hospital in 2008.
Rick’s new program concept, involving Veterans with PTSD in the training of mobility service dogs for fellow Veterans, has yielded very positive results. He has presented the program concept at forums including the VA National Mental Health Conference and the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies.
