Boeing Employees Learn Service Dog Training Fundamentals

Close to a dozen Boeing staff members recently visited WCC’s Healing Quarters to better understand how service dog training works. Members of the organization attended a “Master Training” Class to get a firsthand perspective on how WCC uses its Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training as an intervention for Veterans with visible and invisible wounds.

The class, led by WCC’s Executive Director and Founder Rick Yount, included a demonstration of how the service dogs help Veterans and even included a hands-on session, where Boeing team members learned basic commands and how to recognize stress cue alerts.

“It was a fantastic experience to have our partners from Boeing on-site to learn about what we do, how we do it and, in turn, for us to show them how their support helps us serve our Veterans,” said Yount. “It’s really impressive how Boeing takes an active interest in the organizations it supports. Boeing is a true champion for Veterans and has taken a leadership role in bringing awareness to military mental health as an issue that needs continued support.”

The master class was just the most recent show of support for WCC by Boeing’s team. The company recently contributed a generous gift of $100,000 to support WCC’s mission and help future Service Members and Veterans. WCC is one of 443 nonprofit organizations in 47 countries receiving grant funding from Boeing. In 2019 alone, Boeing will devote $13 million for Veterans’ recovery and rehabilitation programs and workforce transition service, in addition to the other program areas it supports.

“At Boeing, our people have unique skills and a passion for making a difference in the world, said Sarah Kyrouac, manager of Boeing Global Engagement. “That includes devoting their time and financial resources to causes that help ease veterans recovery and rehabilitation and transition back to civilian life. We’re proud to partner with Warrior Canine Connection to help those wounded warriors reconnect with their families, their communities, and each other.”