The Phillies’ New Service Pup-in-Training, Major, Makes His MLB Debut; Life’s Mission is to Help a Veteran with a Disability

Partnership with Team Foster and Warrior Canine Connection brings a new service pup to the Phillies family, which will be trained and later placed with a veteran who has a disability

Earlier today, the Phillies partnered with Team Foster and Warrior Canine Connection to welcome Major, a new service pup-in-training, to the club’s off-the-field roster at Citizens Bank Park.

Dubbed Major after decorated veteran and former Phillies’ coach, scout, and goodwill ambassador Maje McDonnell, the 10-week-old puppy has been given an important mission: to become a specialized service dog so he can be placed with a veteran with a psychological or physical disability.

The new service pup initiative with Team Foster and Warrior Canine Connection was made possible through a Phillies Charities, Inc. grant, as well as an MLB 2023 Military Community grant.

“Phillies Charities, Inc. is proud to support the caring and training of Major as he works his way up the ranks from service pup to service dog,” said Phillies Director of Community and Charity Events Michele DeVicaris. “Thanks to Team Foster and Warrior Canine Connection, we know that Major is destined to bring joy, comfort and support to a very deserving veteran.”

A pure-bred black Labrador, Major will receive his service training through Warrior Canine Connection, a nonprofit organization that breeds, trains and places highly skilled service dogs with service members and veterans with visible and invisible wounds.

Major will spend two years in training with Warrior Canine Connection, where he will advance through a series of military ranks as he masters commands to support a future veteran with physical injuries and invisible wounds of war.

During this time, he will make various guest appearances at Phillies games, where he will meet fans and participate in military-themed and community events such as the team’s annual Salute to Veterans at Citizens Bank Park. His progress will also be followed on the team’s social media accounts.

When his mission of becoming a service dog is reached, Major will then be placed with a wounded veteran through Warrior Canine Connection with support from Team Foster, which has helped to connect over 400 veterans with service dogs to assist a vast array of injuries and disabilities, and whose motto is “No Hero Left Behind.”

“Having the Phillies support Team Foster is an invaluable asset in the fight for our veterans,” said Team Foster Founder and Executive Director Nick Liermann. “We are incredibly excited to showcase this service dog in training and share the journey of these life-saving canines with the Phillies community.”

“We are so honored and grateful to be working with the Phillies and Team Foster, which both have a history of providing unwavering support for our nation’s veterans, on this exciting, new puppy project,” said Warrior Canine Connection Founder and Executive Director Rick Yount. “The vital support of both organizations is making Major’s training possible, while at the same time, honoring the pup’s veteran namesake in such a meaningful way.”

Warrior Canine Connection Named a Finalist in the 2023 Classy Awards

The Classy Awards honor the impact of innovative nonprofits.

Boyds, Maryland – Classy, a giving platform that enables nonprofits to connect supporters with causes they care about, has named Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) as a finalist for the 2023 Classy Awards. Launched in 2009, The Classy Awards shine a spotlight on the innovative work nonprofits are implementing around the globe. Today, WCC is proud to share its unique Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training program has been recognized for its positive impact on Veterans with visible and invisible wounds.

“Warrior Canine Connection is honored to be included among an impressive list of finalists for the 2023 Classy Awards,” said Jennifer Wilder, development director, Warrior Canine Connection. “Warrior Canine Connection is dedicated to its mission of providing highly trained service dogs to our nation’s Veterans, and we do that through an innovative training program. This recognition for our work helps us to raise awareness about what we do, which in turn allows us to impact more Veterans.”

WCC’s MBTR training program teaches Service Members and Veterans how to work with service dogs in training which fulfills a time-honored military tradition of Warriors helping Warriors. In doing so, the Veteran can also benefit from skills development in communication, confidence building, accountability, emotional regulation and patience to promote an act of service while receiving a therapeutic benefit.

This year, 11 Classy Awards will be distributed including the People’s Choice Award, which is determined by public vote. Supporters can vote here for (insert organization name) from April 6-April 25, 2023. Winners will be announced live on June 7 at the Collaborative by Classy conference in Philadelphia, Pa.

For more information on the Classy Awards, visit awards.classy.org.

Media contact:
Beth Bourgeois
Warrior Canine Connection
719-216-3206
Beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.org

 

About Warrior Canine Connection
Warrior Canine Connection is a pioneering organization that utilizes a Mission Based Trauma Recovery model to empower returning combat Veterans who have sustained physical and psychological wounds while in service to our country. Based on the concept of Warriors helping Warriors, WCC’s therapeutic service dog training program is designed to mitigate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and other challenges, while giving injured combat Veterans a sense of purpose, and help in reintegrating back into their families and communities. For more information, visit www.warriorcanineconnection.org.

About the Classy Awards
Started in 2009, the Classy Awards recognize nonprofits for their unique approaches and impact on our world. Decided by a well-respected group of judges, the Classy Awards bring together groundbreaking nonprofits and impact leaders to honor the achievements driving lasting change around the globe.

About Classy
Classy, an affiliate of GoFundMe, is a Public Benefit Corporation and giving platform that enables nonprofits to connect supporters with the causes they care about. Classy’s platform provides powerful and intuitive fundraising tools to convert and retain donors. Since 2011, Classy has helped nonprofits mobilize and empower the world for good by helping them raise over $5 billion. For more information, visit www.classy.org.

 

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Warrior Canine Connection Partners with University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine to Bring Therapeutic Service Dog Training Program to Veterans on Campus

Program Made Possible Thanks to Funding from Team Foster

BOYDS, Maryland – The Perelman School of Medicine and its Veterans Care Excellence Program (VCEP) at the University of Pennsylvania is going to the dogs. Starting this month, Warrior Canine Connection (WCC), a nonprofit that breeds, trains and places highly skilled service dogs with Service Members and Veterans with physical and psychological trauma, will provide an on-site service dog training program for Penn Veteran students, staff and those served by the university.

The program will utilize WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training model, in which Veterans learn how to train service dogs for their fellow Warriors. The program fulfills a time-honored military tradition of Warriors helping Warriors, and in doing so, Veterans can also benefit from their own skills development in communication, confidence building, accountability, emotional regulation and patience.

The new program is made possible thanks to a generous $100,000 gift from Team Foster, a local Philadelphia-based Veteran support organization dedicated to serving disabled Veterans through community support, Veteran peers and highly trained service dogs.

“Fueled by the support of Team Foster, we are honored to partner with an educational institution of Penn’s distinction,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “To have a program like this accessible on campus is incredible—as it will allow Veteran students and staff to more actively engage and benefit from the program, while helping to serve other Veterans by helping to meet the incredible need for service dogs.”

VCEP at Penn established a formalized structure to guide the existing and continued growth and development of Penn Medicine’s programs and services for Veterans in an effort to create a streamlined and supportive culture of care. The program oversees the recruiting, training and success-building of Veteran employees at the health system and ensures Veteran patients served by Penn receive optimum care. In addition, the VCEP program helps streamline the process of navigating health care benefits with those from Veteran Affairs.

“The Veteran Care Excellence Program at Penn Medicine and the Penn Veteran Collaborative Consortium program is honored to partner with Warrior Canine Connection and Team Foster,” said Paula Crawford-Gamble, RN, MSN, CAPT, NC, USN (Ret), Veterans Care Excellence Liaison, Penn. “Together we are excited to help our service members in need reconnect with life, their families, their communities, and each other through this innovative program.’” Crawford-Gamble has a service dog of her own from WCC, named Dollie.

“Team Foster has partnered with service dog organizations across the region for years; this is a long-overdue opportunity to bring a reputable, best-in-class partner to the Philadelphia area,” said Nick Liermann, founder and executive director, Team Foster. “Service dogs literally save lives. Partnering with Warrior Canine Connection and Penn provides Philadelphia-area Veterans access to these amazing animals—something our area desperately needs.”

The program officially launched in October and is located on Penn’s campus. A WCC service dog training instructor, along with five service dogs in training, are already based at the location.

The program is actively seeking Puppy Parents, volunteers who help raise and train the service dogs in training for up to the first two years of their lives. Veterans interested in learning more about the program can email mbtr@warriorcanineconnection.org or visit warriorcanineconnection.org.

For more information, please contact Beth Bourgeois, Warrior Canine Connection, at beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.org or 719-216-3206.

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About Warrior Canine Connection
Warrior Canine Connection is a pioneering organization that utilizes a Mission Based Trauma Recovery model to empower returning combat Veterans who have sustained physical and psychological wounds while in service to our country. Based on the concept of Warriors helping Warriors, WCC’s therapeutic service dog training program is designed to mitigate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and other challenges, while giving injured combat Veterans a sense of purpose, and help in reintegrating back into their families and communities. For more information, visit www.warriorcanineconnection.org.

About Team Foster
Team Foster fights for the unmet needs of injured and disabled Veterans by bringing together civilians, Veterans and highly trained service dogs.
We do this by:
·Helping Veterans obtain highly trained service dogs they need at no cost;
·Providing grants for the unmet needs of Veterans and their service dog;
·Ensuring Veteran service dogs receive the highest quality training;
·Promoting awareness of service-related PTSD and TBI and advocating for the long-term needs of our Veterans.
Learn more at www.teamfoster.org.

Wounded Warrior Project Honored with 2022 Wag of the Tail Award from Warrior Canine Connection

Award Presentation Made During WCC’s 2022 Graduation

BOYDS, Maryland – Warrior Canine Connection (WCC), a nonprofit that breeds, trains, and places highly-skilled service dogs with Service Members and Veterans with physical and psychological wounds, announced Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) as a Wag of the Tail Award recipient during its 2022 graduation ceremony. All Wag of the Tail Award honorees exemplify and share WCC’s No-Fail Mission and commitment to supporting our nation’s Veterans.

Wounded Warrior Project has supported WCC’s mission since 2020, helping to propel its unique animal-assisted therapy program to new sites across the country. Thanks to WWP’s support, in 2021, WCC was able to provide 526 wounded Veterans with 4,000 hours of programming.

“Being a Veteran-focused organization, we couldn’t ask for a better partner than Wounded Warrior Project as Veterans are at the core of both our missions, and their success is aligned with our own,” said Rick Yount, founder, and executive director, of Warrior Canine Connection. “Wounded Warrior Project’s partnership, investment in our organization, and ability to provide critically important support to our nation’s Warriors has been nothing short of amazing. I look forward to our continued partnership and working together to impact more Veterans’ lives through the therapeutic power of four legs and a wet nose.”

WWP began in 2003 and has since served the growing needs of wounded, injured, and ill post-9/11 veterans, their families, and caregivers through free programs and services. The organization provides free services in mental health, physical health, career counseling, long-term rehabilitative care, and advocacy. WWP’s continued support of WCC and other nonprofit partners has made a significant difference in expanding and transforming the life-changing resources and programs available to America’s wounded Veterans.

Two additional 2022 Wag of the Tail Awards were presented during the commencement ceremony; John Shooshan, the founder of The Shooshan Company, which specializes in property management, development, acquisition, and engineering services, was also acknowledged for his support of the Veteran community. Mission BBQ and its founders, Rosemarie and Bill Kraus, were also honored for their generous support of WCC, not only by providing delicious meals but also through their volunteerism to the organization and leadership support.

 

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Media contact:
Beth Bourgeois
Warrior Canine Connection
beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.org
719-216-3206

 

 

 

Largest Class of Veterans and Service Dogs Set to Graduate as part of Warrior Canine Connection’s Class of 2022

Ceremony Highlighted during National Service Dog Month Observance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2022

BOYDS, Maryland – Saturday, September 24th promises a paw-sitively exciting event, as Veterans and their newly paired service dogs will graduate as part of Warrior Canine Connection’s class of 2022—its largest class to date. While the commencement ceremony will take place virtually at 11 am on WCC’s Facebook page, the nonprofit will host an in-person celebration at its Healing Quarters in Boyds, Md. immediately following the online event.

The virtual ceremony will be marked by powerful Veteran journey video vignettes, namesake stories, and keynote remarks from Governor Larry Hogan, who has a strong record of providing support for Veterans resources and benefits.

Members of this year’s graduating class, including Veteran Service Dog Teams, will attend the celebration, as well as those from previous graduations. In addition, puppy parents, who have helped train the dogs, as well as several namesake families who have a personal connection to dogs named after them or a loved one, will also be in attendance.

Graduating service dogs will have completed WCC’s intensive, Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training conducted by Warriors in recovery who learn to train mobility service dogs for fellow Warriors as a means of addressing their own symptoms of combat stress.

Media is invited to attend this event. The graduation celebration promises plenty of great b-roll opportunities, as well as interviews with Veterans and their new service dogs, past graduates and WCC staff.

Media interested in attending are asked to RSVP to Beth Bourgeois, WCC, at 719-216-3206 or beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.org .

 

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About Warrior Canine Connection
Warrior Canine Connection is a pioneering organization that utilizes a Mission Based Trauma Recovery model to empower returning combat Veterans who have sustained physical and psychological wounds while in service to our country. Based on the concept of Warriors helping Warriors, WCC’s therapeutic service dog training program is designed to mitigate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and other challenges, while giving injured combat Veterans a sense of purpose, and help in reintegrating back into their families and communities. For more information, visit www.warriorcanineconnection.org.

Warrior Canine Connection Receives Grant Funding from TD Charitable Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BOYDS, Md. – Warrior Canine Connection was recently awarded $10,000 in grant funding from TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®, in support of its Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program.

“We are extremely fortunate to have continued support from the TD Charitable Foundation,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “This grant funding will go directly toward WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training program, which helps Veterans in recovery train service dogs for their fellow Warriors. We appreciate the TD Charitable Foundation’s generous assistance and commitment to expanding this innovative intervention to more Veterans in our communities.”

MBTR programming is unique from other service dog organizations in that the organization enlists Service Members and Veterans who are in recovery to help train the dogs for their fellow Warriors. Anchored in performing a military support mission, the participants in WCC’s MBTR program concurrently benefit from the program while serving others. Program participants receive therapeutic benefit from skills development in communication, confidence building, accountability, emotional regulation and patience to promote an act of service.

“The Mission Based Trauma Recovery program gives participating Service Members the opportunity to build critical life skills while also ensuring their fellow Veterans have the service companions they need. The support from the TD Charitable Foundation demonstrates our commitment to helping build a better future by creating opportunities, increasing resources and assisting to meet the critical needs of our Veteran and Service Member Community,” said Dave Hargadon, Regional Vice President for the Mid-South Metro (Calverton, Md.).

For more information, please contact Beth Bourgeois, Warrior Canine Connection, at beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.org or 719-216-3206.

 

About Warrior Canine Connection
Warrior Canine Connection is a pioneering organization that utilizes a Mission Based Trauma Recovery model to empower returning combat Veterans who have sustained physical and psychological wounds while in service to our country. Based on the concept of Warriors helping Warriors, WCC’s therapeutic service dog training program is designed to mitigate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and other challenges, while giving injured combat Veterans a sense of purpose, and help in reintegrating back into their families and communities. For more information, visit www.warriorcanineconnection.org.

About the TD Charitable Foundation
The TD Charitable Foundation is the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®, one of the 10 largest commercial banking organizations in the United States. Since its inception in 2002, the Foundation has distributed over $282 million through donations to local nonprofits from Maine to Florida. More information on the TD Charitable Foundation is available at https://www.tdbank.com/corporate-responsibility/the-ready-commitment/funding-opportunities/.

Warrior Canine Connection Awarded 2022 Grant by the Healthcare Initiative Foundation

Grant Funding to Support WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery Program

BOYDS, Md. – Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) is a recipient of one of 34 Healthcare Initiative Foundation (HIF) FY22 Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants, which focus on supporting Montgomery County, Maryland-based organizations that provide high-quality, comprehensive, and sustainable health and wellness services in the area. This year’s grant marks the seventh year in a row that HIF has supported WCC’s programming with funding totaling $73,000 for its programs and services to support the health and wellness of Montgomery County’s most vulnerable Veterans.

“HIF is a recognized leader in Montgomery County that’s doing great things to help local nonprofits, Warrior Canine Connection included,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, WCC. “We are so privileged to have HIF’s continued support to help provide funding for Veterans who can benefit from our Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training program.”

The MBTR model harnesses the healing power of the Warrior Ethos and the human-animal bond to reduce symptoms of combat trauma whereby patients with combat stress train dogs to assist other Veterans with invisible and/or physical wounds. The model provides recovering combat Veterans with a sense of purpose while they are recovering and is designed to remediate their symptoms of combat stress, such as isolation, emotional numbness, and re-experiencing.

“HIF is honored to continue its partnership with Warrior Canine Connection. To have a nationally recognized program located in Montgomery County that has developed and implemented cutting-edge trauma programming to serve our nation’s veterans and their families is humbling. WCC is a committed community partner, too. The Foundation is excited that WCC is continuing its partnership with the Cohen Veterans Clinic at EasterSeals to provide high-caliber recovery programming for veterans and their families. We look forward to all that we will accomplish together,” Crystal Townsend, president and CEO of Healthcare Initiative Foundation.

The Healthcare Initiative Foundation (HIF) invested a total of $1.02M to a total of 34 nonprofits serving Montgomery County, Maryland residents through its FY22 Nonprofit Capacity Building Grant Cycle. This year’s recipients are projected to serve more than 121,800 Montgomery County residents through: Healthcare Access and Behavioral Health Services, Food Security and Hub Distribution Centers, Healthcare Workforce Education, and Nonprofit Capacity Building.

For more information, please contact Beth Bourgeois, Warrior Canine Connection, at beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.org or 719-216-3206.

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About Warrior Canine Connection
Warrior Canine Connection is a pioneering organization that utilizes a Mission Based Trauma Recovery model to empower returning combat Veterans who have sustained physical and psychological wounds while in service to our country. Based on the concept of Warriors helping Warriors, WCC’s therapeutic service dog training program is designed to mitigate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and other challenges, while giving injured combat Veterans a sense of purpose, help in reintegrating back into their families and communities, and a potential career path as a service dog trainer. For more information, visit www.warriorcanineconnection.org.

About the Healthcare Initiative Foundation
The Foundation’s mission is to support organizations that offer solutions to improve the quality and delivery of health and wellness services for residents of Montgomery County, Maryland. HIF envisions a Montgomery County where residents are served by an equitable, high quality, comprehensive, cost-effective, and sustainable healthcare system To learn more, please visit: http://www.hifmc.org and like HIF on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/hifmc.

 

 

         

 

Assistance Dogs International Press Release: Research shows assistance dogs reduce symptoms and boost wellbeing among Veterans with PTSD

April 14, 2022 – Military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) benefit from reduced symptoms and enhanced trauma treatments when they partner with assistance dogs and help with their training, according to a new review of evidence-based studies.

Seven scientific studies, published in peer-reviewed journals, found that assistance dog training and partnering produced “moderate-to-significant” lowering of PTSD symptom scores in line with those reported in gold-standard trials of trauma interventions supported by the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

The studies, carried out over the past five years, looked at a range of programs, from partnering veterans with fully-trained assistance dogs to teaching veterans how to train assistance dogs. All seven studies found reduced PTSD symptoms after participants completed service dog handling instruction. Two others, which used follow-up measures, found long-term reduction in symptoms.

“Assistance dogs improve the lives of countless thousands of veterans around the world by helping with practical tasks, enhancing independence, and boosting wellbeing, dignity and confidence,” said Chris Diefenthaler, Executive Director of Assistance Dogs International (ADI). “These studies indicate that properly trained assistance dogs are both life-saving and life-changing for veterans suffering from PTSD. They are proof that assistance dogs have a major role to play in the treatment, rehabilitation and support of military veterans with severe combat trauma.”

A total of eleven assistance dog programs across the US – including eight accredited by ADI – participated in the studies, which were carried out by behavioral scientists, military psychologists, public health experts and social workers. Researchers reported that “veterans benefit significantly from dog ownership in combination with a structured dog training program. Not only do they experience significant decreases in stress and post-traumatic stress symptoms but also they experience less isolation and self-judgment while also experiencing significant improvements in self-compassion.”

One study found “a statistically significant decrease in PTSD and depression symptoms…participants reported significant reductions in anger and improvement in perceived social support and quality of life.” In another study, researchers working with veterans being treated for chronic severe combat trauma used eye-tracking technology to measure the psychological effect of training a young assistance dog. The more time veterans spent in close contact with the dog, the less time they spent looking at threatening imagery and they paid more attention to “pleasant” images.

In four studies that utilized control groups, symptoms of the assistance dog participants reduced more than those of the control group, and few improvements were found in the treatment-only comparison groups.

“The scientific evidence is conclusive,” said Rick Yount, Founder and Executive Director of ADI member Warrior Canine Connection. “These seven scientific examinations provide the long-awaited evidence that assistance dogs are both popular and effective at reducing trauma symptoms and improving the quality of life for our veterans. They also indicate that partnering with an assistant dog can enhance the perception of standard trauma treatment. PTSD is projected to remain a chronic and debilitating condition for thousands of veterans. It is imperative that assistance dogs for veterans with PTSD be fully integrated into military and veteran trauma care.”

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Notes for editors
About Assistance Dogs International (ADI)
Assistance Dogs International is the world’s leading standards-setter and accreditation body for training assistance dogs. As a worldwide coalition of nearly 150 non-profit member organizations spread across five continents, ADI is the world’s most diverse and inclusive assistance dog certification and standard-setting body. For more information visit https://assistancedogsinternational.org

 

The seven peer-reviewed studies covered by the review are:
Bergen-Cico, D., Smith, Y., Wolford, K., Gooley, C., Hannon, K., Woodruff, R., … Gump, B. (2018). Dog Ownership and Training Reduces Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms and Increases Self-Compassion Among Veterans: Results of a Longitudinal Control Study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 24(12), 1166–1175. http://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2018.0179

 O’Haire, M.E. and K.E. Rodriguez (2018). Preliminary efficacy of service dogs as a complementary treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder in a population of military veterans. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Vol. 28, No. 2. 179-188. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5788288/

Whitworth, J.D., Scotland-Coogan, D., & Wharton, T., (April, 2019) Service dog training programs for veterans with PTSD: results of a pilot controlled study, Soc. Work Health Care, vol. 58, no. 4, pp. 412–430.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30875483/

Woodward, S. H., Jamison, A. L., Gala, S., & Holmes, T. H. (2017). Canine companionship is associated with modification of attentional bias in post traumatic stress disorder. PLoS ONE, 12(10), e0179912. http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0179912

Kloep, M., Hunter, R., & Kertz, S. (2017). Examining the Effects of a Novel Training Program and Use of Psychiatric Service Dogs for Military-Related PTSD and Associated Symptoms. Am J Orthopsychiatry, 87(4), 425–433. http://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000254

Preetha A. Abraham, Josh B. Kazman, Joshua A. Bonner, Meg D. Olmert, Rick A. Yount & Patricia A. Deuster (2021) Effects of training service dogs on service members with PTSD: A pilot-feasibility randomized study with mixed methods, Military Psychology, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08995605.2021.1984126

Yarborough, B. J. H, Owen-Smith, A. A., Stumbo, S. P., Yarborough, M. T., Perrin, N.A., & Green, C. A. (Jul. 2017) An Observational Study of Service Dogs for Veterans With Post traumatic Stress Disorder,  Psychiatry. Serv., vol. 68, no. 7, pp. 730–734. https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ps.201500383

The ADI accredited programs involved are:
K9s For Warriors www.K9sforwarriors.org
Paws For Purple Hearts www.pawsforpurplehearts.org
Warrior Canine Connection www.warriorcanineconnection.org
Paws Assisting Veterans (PAVE) www.paveusa.org
Joys of Living Assistance Dogs (JLAD) https://www.joydogs.org
Bergin University of Canine Studies www.berginu.edu
Paws for People www.paws4people.org
Clear Paths for Veterans http://www.clearpath4vets.com (candidate program)

 

For further information and to arrange interviews, please contact:
Martin Atkin
Communications Consultant, Assistance Dogs International
martin@assistancedogsinternational.org

 

Beth Bourgeois
Media Relations Officer, Warrior Canine Connection
beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.org

Warrior Canine Connection Receives Mission-Critical Equipment Grant from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation

Boyds, Md. – With the new year in full swing, Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) is now better equipped to keep the community of Boyds safe thanks to a grant from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. The $50,000 grant will be used to purchase a much-needed transportation vehicle for service dogs.

“We want to extend our gratitude to Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation and our local Firehouse Subs in Germantown for providing us with this grant,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “The transportation vehicle will be used to bring our mission-critical programming to our service dogs in training and allow our partner organizations to attend training and educational events in Boyds.” 

WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program is unique from other service dog organizations in that the organization enlists Service Members and Veterans who are in recovery to help train the dogs for their fellow Warriors. Anchored in performing a military support mission, the participants in WCC’s MBTR program concurrently benefit from the program while serving others. Program participants receive therapeutic benefits from skills development in communication, confidence building, accountability, emotional regulation, and patience to promote an act of service.  

Providing its MBTR program at locations across multiple states, the majority of WCC’s MBTR sessions require the transport of dogs. Currently, WCC can only transport two to three service dogs in training at a time due to the small vehicles owned by the organization. With 86 dogs currently in the two-year training pipeline, and an estimated 30 additional dogs joining the program in the coming months, it is essential for WCC to have the ability to transport multiple dogs at a time.  

This year, WCC is seeing programming levels returning to pre-pandemic levels. In 2021, WCC provided more hours of MBTR service than ever before in its history — logging 3,897 hours of MBTR sessions to Veterans and is on track to break organizational records for service delivery again this year. Currently, it is estimated that one dog can impact as many as 60 different Veterans. However, as our organization grows and our population of dogs in training increases, the transportation capacity must also increase.  

For the past 16 years, donations have been the driving force behind Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation® supporting first responders and public safety organizations nationwide. During the most recent grant cycle, the Foundation awarded 127 grants to public safety organizations across the country. The 127 grants totaling nearly $3 million were given to organizations in need of critical lifesaving equipment and resources.  

For more information, please contact Beth Bourgeois, Warrior Canine Connection at beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.org or 719-216-3206. 

To donate and learn more about Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, visit FirehouseSubsFoundation.org. 

 

 

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About Warrior Canine Connection
Warrior Canine Connection is a pioneering organization that utilizes a Mission Based Trauma Recovery model to empower returning combat Veterans who have sustained physical and psychological wounds while in service to our country. Based on the concept of Warriors helping Warriors, WCC’s therapeutic service dog training program is designed to mitigate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and other challenges, while giving injured combat Veterans a sense of purpose, and help in reintegrating back into their families and communities. For more information, visit www.warriorcanineconnection.org.  
 

 

About Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation 
In 2005, the Firehouse Subs founders established the 501(c)(3), non-profit Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. The charity provides lifesaving equipment, prevention education, scholarships and continued education, and disaster relief for first responders and public safety organizations, as well as support for members of the military. Since inception, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has awarded more than $65 million to hometown heroes in 49 states and Puerto Rico. 

Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation is honored to be listed as a four-star nonprofit organization, the highest designation, by Charity Navigator. Charity Navigator is the nation’s largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities. Grant allocations are made possible thanks to the overwhelming support of Firehouse Subs restaurants and generous donors. More than 70% of the funds raised for the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation come from the generosity of Firehouse Subs guests and the restaurant brand. Please consider supporting a Firehouse Subs restaurant near you! To donate and learn more about Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, visit FirehouseSubsFoundation.org. 

Statement from Warrior Canine Connection on President Biden Signing PAWS Act into Law

New legislation modeled after Warrior Canine Connection’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery Service Dog Training Model

August 26, 2021

BOYDS, Md. – In July 2008, Warrior Canine Connection Executive Director and Founder Rick Yount piloted the first Therapeutic Service Dog Training Program for Veterans at the Palo Alto VA Medical Center’s inpatient PTSD program. The testimonies from the Veterans in Rick’s program inspired lawmakers so powerfully to the degree that they asked Yount and Veterans Affairs to help draft the original language for what would become the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act. After many challenges and 13-years later, on August 25, 2021, President Biden signed the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act into law.

Under the new law, the Department of Veterans Affairs will launch a five-year pilot program that provides service dog training to benefit Veterans diagnosed with PTSD. In addition to expanding Yount’s therapeutic service dog training model to five VA hospitals around the country, it is the first law that authorizes the VA to provide support for Veterans who utilize service dogs to help them mitigate their psychological injuries.

Rick Yount, Warrior Canine Connection, issued the following statement after yesterday’s signing.

“Thank you to the leadership at the Palo Alto VA, especially Recreation Therapy Services for its forward-thinking and willingness to explore a new way of caring for hospitalized Veterans,” said Rick Yount, executive director and founder, Warrior Canine Connection. “They put their faith in me, allowing me to bring four Golden Retrievers on a daily basis into a very intense clinical setting at their Menlo Park Trauma Recovery Program. This legislation has been a long time coming, and it validates the Mission Based Trauma Recovery training model that Warrior Canine Connection created to help our Warriors in recovery. Furthermore, it underscores the importance and power of the human-animal bond and will provide significant support and resources for Veterans who can benefit from their relationship with man’s best friend.”

The five-year pilot program will take effect on January 1, 2022.

Please direct any media inquiries to Beth Bourgeois, Warrior Canine Connection, at beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.org or 719-216-3206.

 

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About Warrior Canine Connection
Warrior Canine Connection is a pioneering organization that utilizes a Mission Based Trauma Recovery model to empower returning combat Veterans who have sustained physical and psychological wounds while in service to our country. Based on the concept of Warriors helping Warriors, WCC’s therapeutic service dog training program is designed to mitigate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and other challenges, while giving injured combat Veterans a sense of purpose, and help in reintegrating back into their families and communities. For more information, visit www.warriorcanineconnection.org.

Contact Us

14934 Schaeffer Road
Boyds, MD 20841

(T) 301.260.1111
info@warriorcanineconnection.org


Warrior Canine Connection
is a 501(c)(3)
Nonprofit Organization
# 45-2981579