Warrior Canine Connection Receives $30,000 from Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2020

BOYDS, Md. – Warrior Canine Connection recently received $30,000 in funding from the Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program to help support the placement of service dogs with Veterans with visible and invisible wounds in Maryland.

The Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program was passed in 2017 and is part of the state’s Department of Veterans Affairs. The program, which helps to educate the community about therapy and service dog programs and provide funding for the placement of those dogs with Veterans, was passed through the legislature with the entire Senate co-sponsoring the law.

“We are beyond thrilled to not only receive this funding, which will go a long way to support our program to help Veterans but also by the commitment, cooperation and support from our legislators, who helped make this program a reality,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “It’s no secret that service dogs are an amazing tool to help in the Veteran recovery process and by making them more available, together, we can help serve more of our nation’s heroes.”

Trained service dogs can console and are able to bring out even the most isolated personality. Service dogs have also been found to reduce the hypervigilance that has been found to be common in Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as depression and anxiety.

Of course, the Maryland Veterans Service Animals Program wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the state’s Department of Veterans Affairs.

“We are pleased to partner with Warrior Canine Connection and to support the training of service dogs for our veterans,” said George Owings, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs. “For our veterans who have honorably served in the military and who have also given so much to our state and nation, this is but one way we can give back.”

Senator Simonaire, the son of a Veteran, sponsored the bill to provide help to Veterans in a unique and special way.

“There are many issues facing our veteran population, and the work that Warrior Canine is doing is making a difference,” said Senator Simonaire. “I am thankful for the partnership we have created with non-profits to provide more services, especially through these wonderful and adorable dogs.”

Simonaire was first elected to the Maryland State Senate in 2006 to represent District 31, which is a part of Northern Anne Arundel County.

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.

 

Kearney & Company Tees Off to Support Warrior Canine Connection for Seventh Year in a Row

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2019

BOYDS, Md. – For the seventh year in-a-row, Kearney & Company hosted its annual charity golf tournament benefitting Warrior Canine Connection (WCC). Raising a record $75,000 this year, Kearney’s generous giving to WCC totals $275,400.

“We are honored to have the support of Kearney & Company, a first-class company that is 100% committed to supporting its community,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “Not only have we been blessed with the company’s longstanding support over the past seven years, but also with the leadership and expertise of one of its valued team members, Dr. Kyle Richards, who serves on our board; he brings so much value, impeccable judgment and immeasurable support to our organization, we are so thankful.”

More than 150 golfers turned out for the event, along with WCC staff, and service dog and puppy parent teams. This year’s event included remarks by Retired Marine Corps Sergeant Michael Boudreau, who served two tours in Iraq and received service dog Tamer from WCC in 2017.

“Thank you for supporting WCC,” said Boudreau to golfers at the event. “Without it, Veterans, like me, would not have service dogs.”

As a company, Kearney & Company and its employees have made community outreach a priority; the company highly encourages its team members to participate in and contribute to greater causes beyond the company’s own mission.

“It’s truly a pleasure to host our golf tournament with Warrior Canine Connection for the 7th year in a row,” said Brian Kearney, chief operating officer, Kearney & Company. “We’re humbled that our contributions can help Warrior Canine Connection achieve their mission, and we value our partnership with them immensely.”

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 Kearney & Company
Founded in 1985, Kearney is the premier CPA firm focused exclusively on the Federal Government, providing services across the financial management spectrum. Kearney has helped the Federal Government improve its financial operations’ overall effectiveness and efficiency; increase its level of accountability and compliance with laws, regulations, and guidance; and protect its funds from fraud, waste, and abuse. We understand the Federal Government’s need for efficiency and transparency. Visit https://www.kearneyco.com/ for more information.

America’s Heroes Charity Golf Tournament Raises $140,000 for Warrior Canine Connection; Brings Total Given to WCC Over Five Years to More than $900k

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2019

BOYDS, Md. – The America’s Heroes Charity Golf Tournament, an annual fundraiser hosted by the Naval Postgraduate School Alumni Association and Foundation (NPSAAF), raises donations to support wounded Service Members, Veterans and their families. This year, the tournament generously provided Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) with $140,000 for its service dog training program for Veterans; the amount brings NPSAAF’s total donated to WCC over the past five years to $934,394.

“We are humbled and so grateful to have received this level of support from the Naval Postgraduate School Alumni Association and Foundation — not just this year but for the past five years!,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “This gift is not only a magnificent gesture of support for our programs, it’s also a testament to this amazing community that is doing so much to support our Service Members, Veterans and their families.”

An annual event since 2006, the America’s Heroes Charity Golf Tournament has raised more than $1.8M in donations since its inception. This year, close to 200 golfers turned out to participate in the golf tournament on the Monterey Peninsula, and close to 350 people joined the fundraising dinner.

“Charities like Warrior Canine Connection have been the focus of our America’s Heroes Charity Golf Tournament for 14 years,” says Rich Patterson, CEO of the Naval Postgraduate School Alumni Association and Foundation. “We are proud to support WCC and the vital service this organization provides to our country’s veterans.”

This tournament, coupled with other fundraisers in California, plays a significant role in supporting the operations of WCC’s Menlo Park, California site. Through the Menlo Park site, WCC is providing its Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training and other partner programs in the area.

To learn more, visit the America’s Heroes Charity Golf Tournament website.

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 Naval Postgraduate School Alumni Association and Foundation
The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Alumni Association & Foundation supports and advances the mission of NPS, our nation’s premier military graduate institution. Top military and civilian leaders come to NPS to learn how to combat current and future national security challenges. We support these leaders during their time at NPS and after they graduate to continue serving around the world. We also fund defense innovation research at NPS that directly impacts and strengthens our Department of Defense. For more information, visit www.npsfoundation.org .  

 

 

 

Wendy Notari, Warrior Canine Connection Volunteer, Receives 2019 Governor’s Service Award

Photo Credit: Maryland Judiciary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2019

BOYDS, Md. – One of Warrior Canine Connection’s own pack members, volunteer Wendy Notari, will receive high honors today; she is being awarded the Maryland Governor’s 2019 Service Award for her exemplary dedication, time and selfless service to the nonprofit, which breeds, trains and places service dogs with Service Members and Veterans with visible and invisible wounds.

“WCC’s most inspiring achievements are not measured in dollars, rather in the spirit of our volunteers, like Wendy Notari and her noble work on behalf of others and our organization,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, WCC. “This award couldn’t be more well-deserved and is a powerful testament to Wendy’s dedication and passion for serving our community and our nation’s Veterans.”

Wendy Notari began volunteering with WCC in December 2016. Since then, she’s performed every task asked of her, including whelping, working with service dogs in training, being a puppy parent and volunteering at community events. Most recently, she began volunteering with WCC at the Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) in Baltimore City, where she travels every Tuesday to volunteer her time serving as a liaison between the service dogs in training and the Veteran participants. In 2018 alone, Wendy volunteered an astounding 1,332 hours with WCC in a variety of roles.

“I am very honored to be recognized for something that is immensely rewarding for me and brings so much joy to my life,” said Wendy Notari. “Supporting Warrior Canine Connection’s mission of serving the Veteran community has been incredibly fulfilling to me. Prior to joining WCC, my life had revolved around raising my three boys. When they all moved on to college, I wasn’t sure how to fill my sudden abundance of time. I volunteered with several other organizations that served the homeless and underprivileged and found it rewarding, but I truly found my passion helping to raise service dogs for Veterans. I am inspired every day by the way these dogs touch the lives of everyone they meet, particularly our nation’s wounded Warriors. I am the lucky one to have found this opportunity with Warrior Canine Connection.”

The Governor’s Service Awards are presented by the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism each year. The award recognizes Marylanders for their significant volunteer contributions to the state and its citizens and their work to change Maryland for the better. This year, the awards recognized volunteer service during 2018.

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.  
 

 

Heatonist Provides Warrior Canine Connection with Generous Funds to Outfit Kitchen Facilities for its Barn Renovation Project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BOYDS, Md. – Warrior Canine Connection’s barn renovation project will get a big boost, thanks to a generous grant from Heatonist, Purveyors of Fine Hot Sauces based out of New York City. Heatonist has donated $18,000 to help outfit the kitchenette facilities in the barn, which will substantially increase the space, usage and services for WCC’s service dog training programs for Veterans.

WCC is renovating a 1938 large dairy barn at its Healing Quarters to serve as its headquarters and training facilities. The barn alone will add 12,600 square feet of critical space to WCC’s current operational facilities. When complete, the renovation of the Healing Quarters property will increase WCC’s capacity to support programs and services for tens of thousands of Veterans and Active Duty Service Members through its program sites nationwide.

“This remarkably generous gift from Heatonist will allow us to dramatically improve the training experience for Veterans and staff, while also preserving the charm and character of this historic 1938 dairy barn,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “These funds will help transform an iconic agricultural building into a usable, accessible kitchen space to ensure that our current and future Veteran Service Dog Teams have necessary, modern-day conveniences at their fingertips as they learn, train and work with these amazing future service dogs to be.”

The proposed kitchen facilities, which are currently under design, include a 14’ x 20’ kitchenette area that will be utilized by Veterans working on site with their future service dogs, and by WCC trainers preparing specialized diets for some of the dogs in training. Kitchen facility updates include enhanced lighting, technology infrastructure and furnishings to include a refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, cook top and sink, cabinetry, microwave, worktops and secure refrigeration for medications. All items will be commercial-grade, stainless steel appliances to ensure durability and longevity. All facilities will also meet today’s standards of safety, accessibility, usability and service. While the design is still being finalized, all-told, the project cost is estimated to be approximately $21,000.

“We couldn’t be happier to be partnering with our customers from around the country and around the world to support the noble mission of Warrior Canine Connection. The passion this team has for bringing real improvements to the lives of veterans through service animal training and knowledge sharing with other organizations is an inspiration to us all. We are proud to support WCC as they grow into the next phase in a wonderful new home.”

The WCC barn renovation project is a multi-year construction project that is estimated to take two years to complete. Support for the project is being provided by partners Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America and the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA), WCC has assembled an all-star team of experts from around the country who have helped to guide the development of the Healing Quarters.

You can read more about WCC’s barn renovation project here.

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

Warrior Canine Connection Receives $75,000 Grant from Boeing in Surprise Fashion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 6, 2019

BOYDS, Md. – Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) is pleased to announce it has received a $75,000 grant from The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) to support its Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) programming in the D.C. region and beyond.

News of the grant funding was provided at Boeing’s Arlington site today during a visit with several of WCC’s youngest service pups in training from two recent litters — the No Fail Mission and Allegiance Litters. Boeing employees helped to socialize the future service dogs, a process that starts at three weeks of age.

While there, Tim Keating, Boeing executive vice president of Government Operations, surprised WCC Founder and Executive Director Rick Yount with news of the grant funding, which added some most welcome excitement to the visit.

“That was one dog-gone great surprise!” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “It’s not every day that you attend an event and find out your organization has received a $75,000 grant. We are so thankful for Boeing’s continued support and commitment to serving our nation’s Veterans, we couldn’t do it without them.”

This recent grant funding brings Boeing’s total financial support of WCC to $175,000 over the past two years.

“Boeing is proud to partner with Warrior Canine Connection and recognizes the important work they are doing to support our military veterans and their families, said Tim Keating, Boeing’s executive vice president of Government Operations. “With this additional investment, Boeing is helping recovering Warriors reconnect with life, their families, their communities, and each other.”

WCC uses a Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) therapy model designed as an intervention for combat Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. The MBTR model provides Veterans with a sense of purpose while they are receiving treatment at Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities. It is designed to remediate their symptoms of combat stress, such as isolation, emotional numbness and re-experiencing events from their combat days. MBTR also harnesses the healing power of the Warrior Ethos in which Warriors train service dogs for fellow Veterans; through the process, they learn to focus on the dogs and their mission to help another Veteran.

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 THE BOEING COMPANY:
Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, and global services. As the top U.S. exporter, the company supports commercial and government customers in more than 150 countries.

Boeing employs more than 150,000 people worldwide and leverages the talents of a global supplier base. Building on a legacy of aerospace leadership, Boeing continues to lead in technology and innovation, deliver for its customers and invest in its people and future growth.

Warrior Canine Connection Earns 2019 Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2019

BOYDS, Maryland – Warrior Canine Connection is pleased to announce that it has earned the 2019 Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, the world’s largest source of nonprofit information. By sharing information about the organization’s goals, strategies, capabilities and vision, WCC is better able to provide meaningful data about its mission with donors, grantmakers, peers and the media.

“We are thrilled that our GuideStar Gold Nonprofit Profile allows us to communicate our organization’s key goals and initiatives on a widely visible scale,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, WCC. “We are 100% committed to being transparent about the work we’re doing, where donor dollars are going and how we are serving our nation’s heroes.”

GuideStar is the world’s largest source of information on nonprofit organizations. Through a stringent vetting process, GuideStar verifies that recipient organizations are established and that donated funds go where the donor intended, and after recent review, WCC is pleased to have been upgraded from silver to gold status.

Warrior Canine Connection uses a Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training model that harnesses the healing power of the Warrior Ethos and the human-animal bond to reduce symptoms of combat trauma whereby Warriors with combat stress train the dogs to assist another Veteran with visible and/or invisible 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. Each dog can positively impact up to 60 Veterans during the training process.

To-date, WCC has placed a total of 68 assistance dogs with Veterans and military families. Another cadre of Veteran Service Dog teams will be paired and graduate this September.

Warrior Canine Connection’s GuideStar profile, including more detailed information about the organization, is available here.

For more information, 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 GuideStar
GuideStar is a service of Candid, an organization formed when Foundation Center and GuideStar joined forces in February 2019. The GuideStar database offers profiles of more than 2.7 million organizations. Populated with data from the IRS, nonprofits, and partners, these profiles are available through the GuideStar website and more than 200 other websites and applications, including Facebook, Amazon, Google, and Fidelity Charitable. In 2018, more than 10 million people used GuideStar data to make decisions about nonprofits and the work they do.

Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation Donates $50,000 to WCC Through Viral “Power of Us” Campaign to Support Veterans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2019

BOYDS, Maryland –Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation (BI Cares) has generously donated $50,000 to Warrior Canine Connection to help support programs to breed, train and pair service dogs with Veterans with visible and invisible wounds. The funds were raised through the BI Cares social media campaign, “Power of Us,” a collective effort designed to make a significant impact on human and animal patients.

Through the campaign, BI Cares encouraged the public to post what the “Power of Us” meant to them by sharing a meaningful or inspirational photo and a few words on social media. The campaign elicited more than 700 social media posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram platforms utilizing the #PowerOfUs. BI Cares provided a monetary donation for each post for a grand total of $50,000 to WCC.

“BI Cares is an amazing supporter that is making a real difference in the lives of our Veterans and their beloved service dogs who support them,” said Rick Yount, executive director and founder, Warrior Canine Connection. “The Foundation has demonstrated a true commitment to not only improving human and animal health but also to a culture of giving back, and we are immensely thankful for their support.”

Of the more than 700 photos and posts, notable expressions shared include:
“Pets are love”
“For the mission”
“Veterans in need”
“Driving ideas forward”
“Together. Inspire. Win.”

“Part of what drives Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation is the belief that people and animals share a fundamental bond — a bond that inspires passion, companionship and a meaningful connection,” said Karen Iannella, president, Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation. “To demonstrate our commitment to this bond, we chose to partner with Warrior Canine Connection, whose work aligns with our mission to improve the health and lives of people and animals.”

Visit @BoehringerIngelheim or use #PowerOfUs to see the complete campaign photos and posts.

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 the Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation
Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation is a nonprofit foundation with a mission to improve the health and lives of people and animals. We improve patient access to medicines and healthcare and enhance STEM education with a focus on the underserved. We provide financial support to community programs that align with our goals and engage employees who volunteer their time and skills to amplify our contributions.

 

Warrior Canine Connection Receives $75,000 Grant from PetSmart Charities® to Bring the Healing Power of Pets to Veterans Through its Mission Based Trauma Recovery Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2018

BOYDS, Md. – Warrior Canine Connection knows that pets have the remarkable ability to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, improve our mood and bring us unconditional love. That’s why, with the help of a new $75,000 grant from PetSmart Charities, the organization is aiming to improve the quality of life for Veterans with combat wounds through its Mission Based Trauma Recovery Program (MBTR).

With this grant funding, Warrior Canine Connection will support its MBTR Program to enlist Service Members and Veterans to train service dogs for their fellow Veterans. The training model provides Veterans with a sense of purpose while they are in treatment at the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and is designed to remediate their symptoms of combat stress, such as isolation, emotional numbness and re-experiencing. MBTR also harnesses the healing power of the Warrior Ethos in which Warriors train service dogs for fellow Veterans; through the process, they learn to focus on the dogs and their mission to help another Veteran.

“PetSmart Charities is a true leader and driver in support of the health and welfare of animals, and we are so grateful for their endorsement and support of our programs,” said Warrior Canine Connection Founder and Executive Director Rick Yount. “The emotional and physical support that service dogs provide to our Veterans is invaluable, and we’re excited to use this funding to help support our mission and to meet the growing need for Warrior support by training and providing highly skilled service dogs to our Veterans.”

Veterans who have participated in WCC’s unique form of canine-assisted therapy have reported that it has significantly improved their self-worth, peer relationships and family dynamics, among other positive attributes.

“As the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, we are committed to supporting programs that bring people and pets together,” said Sima Thakkar, regional relationship manager at PetSmart Charities. “The MBTR Program is a great example of how pets can enrich our lives and heal invisible and/or physical wounds. Thanks to our donor nationwide, we are proud to partner with the team at Warrior Canine Connection and support the expansion of this tremendous program that aims to improve the quality of life for so many Veterans.”

Last year alone, PetSmart Charities granted more than $1.8 million to support programs aimed at enhancing the quality of life for individuals through greater access to service animals and animal-assisted therapy programs. Funding from PetSmart Charities supports best practices that enhance the human-animal bond and finds forever homes and families for pets in need. For more information, visit www.PetSmartCharities.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, visitwww.warriorcanineconnection.org.   

About PetSmart Charities®
PetSmart Charities, Inc. is committed to finding lifelong, loving homes for all pets by supporting programs and thought leadership that bring people and pets together. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart® stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities helps to find forever homes and families for more than 500,000 shelter pets each year.  PetSmart Charities also provides grant funding to nonprofits aligned with its mission under four key areas of support: Preventing Pet Homelessness; Helping Shelter Pets Thrive; Supporting the Bond Between People and Pets and Providing Emergency Relief and Disaster Support. Each year, millions of generous PetSmart shoppers help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart stores.  In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, granting almost $340 million since its inception in 1994. Independent from PetSmart Inc., PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator, a third-party organization that reports on the effectiveness, accountability and transparency of nonprofits, for the past 15 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of charities rated by this organization. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.org.

Follow PetSmart Charities on Twitter: @PetSmartChariTs
Find PetSmart Charities on Facebook: Facebook.com/PetSmartCharities
See PetSmart Charities on YouTube: YouTube.com/PetSmartCharitiesInc

 

Media Contact:
Warrior Canine Connection                                                   24-Hour PetSmart Charities
Beth Bourgeois                                                                         Media Line:  623-587-2177
Media & Public Relations Officer719-216-3206
beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.org

Warrior Canine Connection Receives $100,000 Grant from Boeing

BOYDS, Md. – Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) is pleased to announce it has received a $100,000 grant from Boeing (NYSE: BA) to support its service dog training program.

“Warrior Canine Connection is honored to have been selected to receive this generous support from Boeing,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “Boeing’s charitable efforts are not only making a positive impact on our nation’s Veterans but also on organizations the world over. Thank you, Boeing, for being a leader in the aerospace industry and in philanthropic giving.”

WCC uses a Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) therapy model designed as an intervention for combat Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress. The MBTR model provides Veterans with a sense of purpose while they are receiving treatment at Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities. It is designed to remediate their symptoms of combat stress, such as isolation, emotional numbness and re-experiencing events from their combat days. MBTR also harnesses the healing power of the Warrior Ethos in which Warriors train service dogs for fellow Veterans; through the process, they learn to focus on the dogs and their mission to help another Veteran.

Warrior Canine Connection is one of 443 nonprofit organizations in 47 countries receiving grant funding from Boeing’s $55 million charitable grants package through 2019 and beyond. Included in the package is $13 million for Veterans’ recovery and rehabilitation programs and workforce transition service.

“Our people have unique skills and an unwavering passion for making a difference in the world, both through our products and services and the ways we give back to our communities,” said Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing chairman, president and chief executive officer. “When that’s combined with our professional networks, partnerships and financial resources, we have the potential to drive positive, lasting change across the globe in important areas such as STEM learning and veterans’ support.”

A full list of Boeing’s grant partners can be found here.

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 THE BOEING COMPANY:
Through purposeful investments, employee engagement and thoughtful advocacy efforts, Boeing and its employees support innovative partnerships and programs that align with the company’s strategic objectives, create value and help build better communities worldwide. See how Boeing is making a difference by visiting the 2018 Boeing Global Engagement Portfolio at Boeing.com/community.

Chicago-based Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. Engage on social @Boeing with #BoeingInspires.

 

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