• X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
Donate
Warrior Canine Connection enlists recovering Warriors in a therapeutic mission of learning to train service dogs for their fellow Veterans.
  • How We Help Warriors
    • Mission Based Trauma Recovery
    • Program Details
    • Program History
    • Research
  • Service Dogs
    • Purpose Bred
    • Puppies
    • Hall of Heroes
    • Puppy Cam
    • Dog Applicants
    • Adopting a Release Dog
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Become a Puppy Raiser
    • Become a Puppy Sitter
    • Individual Volunteer Opportunities
    • Corporate and Group Volunteer Opportunities
    • Hold a Community Event
    • Educational Toolkit
  • About Us
    • Mission
    • Board of Directors
    • Board of Advisors
    • Our Staff
    • Current Job Openings
    • Partners and Sponsors
    • Financials
    • Locations
    • Contact
  • WCC Healing Quarters
    • Construction Cam
  • Newsroom
    • Warrior Stories
    • Stories of Impact
    • WCC in the News
    • Press Releases
  • Shop
  • Menu Menu
  • Donate
  • Home
  • How We Help Warriors
    • Mission Based Trauma Recovery
    • Program Details
    • Program History
    • Research
  • Service Dogs
    • Purpose Bred
    • Puppies
    • Puppy Cam
    • Dog Applicants
    • Adopting a Release Dog
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Individual Volunteer Opportunities
    • Corporate and Group Volunteer Opportunities
    • Hold a Community Event
    • Become a Puppy Raiser
    • Become a Puppy Sitter
  • About Us
    • Mission
    • Board of Directors
    • Board of Advisors
    • Our Staff
    • Current Job Openings
    • Partners and Sponsors
    • Financials
    • Locations
    • Contact
  • WCC Healing Quarters
    • Construction Cam
  • Newsroom
    • Warrior Stories
    • Stories of Impact
    • WCC in the News
    • Press Releases
  • Shop

By the Numbers: Volunteer Impact in 2025

March 30, 2026

Volunteer impact isn’t just part of the story at Warrior Canine Connection — it is the story. 

In 2025 alone, 838 dedicated volunteers gave 137,507 hours of their time, generating an extraordinary $4.7 million in impact. Every one of those hours helped train service dogs and support the healing journeys of Veterans and Military Families. 

That impact includes 101 Veteran volunteers and 213 Military Family volunteers whose lived experiences strengthen the very community we serve, along with corporate partners who contributed 787 hours of hands-on support. During Volunteer Appreciation Month, we celebrate more than numbers — we celebrate the hands, hearts and commitment that move this mission forward every single day.

“We celebrate every role and every hand that gives to WCC — those who care for the dogs in the kennels, those who nurture our moms and babies, the volunteers who prepare meals for our veterans when they are matched, our devoted sitters and our dedicated puppy raisers,” said Molly Elmore, WCC volunteer program manager. “Each act of service, whether quiet or visible, carries a heartfelt impact. I am profoundly grateful that our diverse group of volunteers are united by a shared commitment to something bigger than themselves.”  

If you’ve ever considered getting involved, there’s a place for you here. Whether you can give a few hours or make a deeper commitment, your time can help change lives. We invite you to learn more about joining our volunteer community and becoming part of this mission in action. Learn more about how you can get involved here. 
###

https://warriorcanineconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_sm.svg 0 0 WCC Comms https://warriorcanineconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_sm.svg WCC Comms2026-03-30 15:09:302026-03-31 12:51:33By the Numbers: Volunteer Impact in 2025

Peer-to-Peer: Rally Your Pack for WCC

March 30, 2026

Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) is putting the power of purpose into your hands—inviting supporters to turn their passion into impact with the launch of its new Peer-to-Peer (P2P) fundraising program.

The program makes it easy and fun to rally your own “pack” in support of WCC’s mission. Whether you choose to fundraise on your own, start a team with friends and family, or join an existing group, every effort helps fuel the training of life-changing service dogs for Veterans. Supporters can turn almost any meaningful moment into a P2P fundraiser. Common occasions and life events such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries or graduations are powerful opportunities to give back and invite others to do the same.

“Because of our supporters, we’ve already changed lives—this new platform is how we change even more,” said WCC Annual Giving Manager Jen Ashley. “This program gives our community the power to turn their passion into real, measurable impact for the Veterans we serve by using their voices and their stories to inspire others to give in ways we never could alone. By empowering our supporters to fundraise, we are unlocking entirely new networks of generosity.”

The platform, hosted securely through Click & Pledge, is an extension of WCC’s existing online donation platform. Getting started is simple: personalize your fundraising page with your story, your “why” and even photos that bring your connection to life.

Officially kicking off April 22, WCC is leading by example with a special birthday fundraiser in honor of its fearless leader and founder Rick Yount, and we’re inviting our entire pack of supporters to join in and give back in his name. But you can get an early sneak peek by clicking here!

What makes the P2P program especially powerful is the personal touch—and that’s where you come in. The most impactful fundraisers are the ones that feel authentic and uniquely you. Celebrate a birthday like Rick, turn a workout into a challenge, host a small gathering or create a tribute page for a Veteran or service dog who inspires you. Share your “why,” add a few photos and invite your circle to be part of it.

Getting started is easy. The platform walks you through each step with a simple, user-friendly setup—and if you need help, WCC team members are always ready to jump in.

And don’t worry—every donor will automatically receive a thank-you message, so everyone who gives knows just how much they’re appreciated. For those leading a campaign, it’s also a chance to bring people together around a cause that changes lives.

So, take a page from Rick’s birthday fundraiser, have a little fun with it and make it your own. Interested in starting a fundraiser? Our Development team is happy to help — reach them at giving@warriorcanineconnection.org.
###

 

https://warriorcanineconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_sm.svg 0 0 WCC Comms https://warriorcanineconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_sm.svg WCC Comms2026-03-30 15:00:322026-04-06 12:21:30Peer-to-Peer: Rally Your Pack for WCC

How Connection Built a Volunteer Community at WCC

March 30, 2026

If the “six degrees of separation” theory suggests we’re all connected through a handful of relationships, the community at Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) proves it might be even simpler: sometimes it only takes one puppy.

For many of WCC’s earliest volunteers, that connection started online—watching a litter of puppies on the Explore.org puppy cam. Viewers from across the country gathered in the chat, bonding over late-night puppy antics and a shared admiration for WCC’s mission to train service dogs alongside Veterans. Over time, those watchers became more than usernames. They became a community.

At the center of it all was WCC co-founder Molly Morelli, who regularly joined the chat to answer questions and connect with viewers.

“She was so open with talking to everyone through the chat for so long,” recalled WCC volunteer Ericka Johanek. “People knew each other by their usernames.”

One of those usernames belonged to Alice Belthoff, who discovered the puppy cam in 2012 while watching a litter affectionately known as Holly’s Half Dozen. Like many others, she became a regular—helping gather questions and building connections that extended far beyond the screen.

That spirit of engagement quickly took on a name. One day, Molly jokingly referred to the devoted watchers as “Extreme Puppy Watchers,” or EPWs—and the nickname stuck.

What began online soon became something more. Viewers started visiting WCC’s original Brookeville campus for “puppy petting,” eager to meet the dogs—and each other—in person.

Others followed a similar path. Ericka, who discovered the puppy cam through family, made the trip with her children after chatting with Molly online.

“We drove up on a Saturday morning,” she said. “That first day, we came as strangers. But it didn’t take long before we felt like part of something bigger.”

Soon, that sense of belonging spread. Volunteers like Lee Snyder, BettyAnn Marrone, Julie Hansen, Jean Wolfe, Sandy Rosenberg, Karen Ball and countless others stepped in to help in meaningful ways—from launching the EPWs’ Facebook community to securing materials that helped transform a garage into what would become WCC’s Puppy Enrichment Center.

For many, those early experiences became life changing. What started as a simple visit or shared moment online evolved into lasting friendships, new passions and a deep commitment to WCC’s mission.

In 2013, that growing community came together for the first-ever volunteer “Paw-ty.” Despite pouring rain, more than 100 people traveled to Brookeville to celebrate the connections they had formed through WCC.

That same spirit carried into WCC’s first service dog graduation, where volunteers helped cook, organize and honor the life-changing partnerships between Veterans and their service dogs.

Over the years, the EPWs have remained a vital part of WCC’s volunteer network. While involvement has evolved, the relationships have endured—often becoming a source of strength during life’s most challenging moments.

For EPW Sandy Goga, that connection became deeply personal.

“Losing loved ones left a space in my life that felt impossible to fill, but WCC and the EPWs brought me companionship and connection when I needed it most,” said Goga. “The friendships I’ve built through this community have been a lifeline, they’ve given me strength, purpose and a way forward.”

Stories like Sandy’s reflect what has always set this community apart: a shared purpose that extends well beyond the puppies themselves.

Today, WCC’s volunteer family stretches far beyond those early puppy cam watchers. But the heart of it remains unchanged—people brought together to support Veterans through the healing power of service dogs.

And during Volunteer Appreciation Month, WCC celebrates the thousands of volunteers whose connections, whether through a puppy cam, a campus visit or a shared mission,  continue to make that impact possible.

Because sometimes, all it takes is one small connection to change countless lives.
###

 

https://warriorcanineconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_sm.svg 0 0 WCC Comms https://warriorcanineconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_sm.svg WCC Comms2026-03-30 14:52:232026-03-30 14:52:23How Connection Built a Volunteer Community at WCC

Stronger Together: WCC and Wounded Warrior Project Partner to Power Connection and Healing

March 26, 2026

When organizations share a deep commitment to serving Veterans, collaboration becomes more than a partnership — it becomes a powerful way to expand impact and reach more lives together. 

That spirit has been on full display as Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) and Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) teamed up to host two Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) sessions in the Pittsburgh area. Together, the events offered area Veterans an introduction to WCC’s innovative Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program and reinforced what’s possible when like-minded organizations work side by side. 

While MBTR is traditionally delivered as an eight-week program, these sessions were designed as one-day, hands-on experiences for Veterans connected through WWP to engage with service dogs in training and with one another. During MBTR, Veterans learn how to train service dogs for their fellow Warriors. In the process, they also build skills such as communication, confidence, accountability, emotional regulation and patience — promoting an act of service while experiencing therapeutic benefits themselves. 

“Sessions like this open people’s eyes to just how powerful dogs can be,” said Sue Watson, WCC Pittsburgh program manager and service dog training instructor. “The impact is incredible — and even if it’s just for an afternoon, you can feel the camaraderie, the connection and the lift it gives everyone in the room.” 

Each gathering welcomed a small group, creating space for meaningful conversation and connection. The sessions began with food and introductions before five service dogs in training — WCC’s Poyner, Jimmy, Lego, Ski and Ash — took center stage alongside their Puppy Raisers, who shared the significance behind the dogs’ namesakes and their roles in their journeys. 

Participants were guided through a mini MBTR experience, learning core principles such as the stages of canine learning, the “yes” marker, bonding, check-ins and introductory training commands. Veterans observed stress cueing and interacted directly with the dogs, applying what they learned in real time. 

“For me, the hypervigilance is always there … that feeling that you have to keep looking over your shoulder,” said Tim Nicotra, Air Force Veteran. “But when I’m out with a WCC dog, I know he has my back. Instead of scanning everything around me, I can focus on him and just be in the moment. Even after finishing the eight-week MBTR program, I keep coming back because working with the dogs is so positive. I also want people to understand how much these dogs can help — and how much unconditional love they give.” 

All participating Veterans were connected through WWP, underscoring the organization’s commitment to ensuring Veterans have access to a wide range of programs and partners that support their wellbeing. 

“We believe the strongest outcomes for Veterans happen when organizations stop operating in silos and start amplifying each other’s strengths,” said Ashley Bunce, WWP’s director of community partnerships and investments. “WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery model is exactly the kind of purposeful, proven programming we’ve been proud to stand behind since 2020. Bringing WWP-connected Veterans into these sessions means more warriors have access to healing pathways they may never have found otherwise. That’s the power of a true ecosystem of care.” 

WWP’s support of WCC reflects its broader investment in strengthening the ecosystem of nonprofits dedicated to serving Veterans and their families. By collaborating on MBTR sessions, and exploring recurring opportunities, WWP is helping expand access to mission-driven approaches to alternative therapy, connection and recovery. Warriors are benefiting from the physiological and psychological animal-human connection. 

For many Veterans, the experience goes far beyond learning dog training techniques. Working side by side toward a shared goal fosters trust and teamwork, creating a renewed sense of connection and purpose. Just as meaningful is the opportunity to spend time with fellow Veterans in an environment that feels welcoming, supportive, and grounded in something positive. 

Together, these sessions demonstrate how collaboration can amplify impact — creating new interventions for engagement, healing and connection. Learn more about how you can get involved with either of these organizations by visiting:  www.woundedwarriorproject.org and www.warriorcanineconnection.org. 
### 

 

https://warriorcanineconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_sm.svg 0 0 WCC Comms https://warriorcanineconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_sm.svg WCC Comms2026-03-26 15:46:352026-03-26 15:47:34Stronger Together: WCC and Wounded Warrior Project Partner to Power Connection and Healing

Last Chance to Bid on Ravens’ WCC Cleats

January 29, 2026

The Baltimore Ravens may not be heading to this year’s Super Bowl, but one Raven is still making a meaningful impact long after the final whistle.

During the team’s Week 12 matchup against the New York Jets, long snapper Nick Moore took part in the NFL’s annual My Cause My Cleats initiative, lacing up a custom-designed pair of game-worn cleats in support of Warrior Canine Connection (WCC). Now, those cleats are creating a second moment — and time is running out to be part of it.

The one-of-a-kind cleats are currently up for auction, with bidding open until February 11. What started at $250 has already climbed to $620, a testament to both Ravens fandom and WCC’s powerful mission behind the design.

Moore chose WCC to honor Veterans and the service dogs trained to support them — a cause he and his wife feel deeply connected to.

“For my wife and I, animals are something that we’re really passionate about, along with the military,” Moore said. “WCC helps animals get trained and gets them in good homes and gives the Veterans and their families the assistance and help they need.”

The cleats, created by artist Alex Andrews of A22 Customs, feature bold imagery that reflects WCC’s work pairing highly trained service dogs with Veterans. Beyond placement, WCC also engages Service Members in its Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program, where Veterans help train service dogs for fellow Warriors. The process offers therapeutic benefits while building skills like communication, confidence, accountability and emotional regulation — all through an act of service.

Now, fans have the opportunity to own a piece of Ravens history while directly supporting a mission that changes lives. With bidding climbing and the February 11 deadline fast approaching, this is the final call to turn game-day gear into real-world impact.

The Ravens’ season may be over, but thanks to one player — and one pair of cleats — the impact is far from finished.
###

https://warriorcanineconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_sm.svg 0 0 WCC Comms https://warriorcanineconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_sm.svg WCC Comms2026-01-29 15:34:472026-02-04 14:04:32Last Chance to Bid on Ravens’ WCC Cleats

Painting with Purpose: One Veteran’s Way of Giving Back

January 29, 2026

For Trey Keen, connection came first through dogs — and then through paint. A Marine Corps Veteran who served eight years as a helicopter crew chief, including a combat deployment to Afghanistan, Trey was introduced to Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) through the Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program at the Philadelphia VA. What started as an eight-week commitment quickly became something more.

When the two-month program ended, Trey wasn’t ready to step away. He continued participating at WCC’s Philly program site at the University of Pennsylvania — and more than a year later, he’s still showing up.

“I like the premise of it, it’s an opportunity to help other Veterans,” Trey said. “There’s no better group than working with dogs. It’s really cool to know that in the long run these dogs are going to go on to help a Veteran in some shape or form.”

That sense of purpose mirrors what Trey experiences every day with his own service dog, Frankie, a three-year-old German Shepherd. While Frankie was trained through another organization, her impact on Trey’s life has been profound.

“She wakes me up before nightmares start — that has been amazing,” he shared. “She does a million other things for me. I don’t think we’ve ever been apart for more than 15 minutes since I’ve had her. She goes everywhere with me — Eagles games, concerts, just everyday things. My PTSD and anxiety have gone down about 90%. She saves my life somehow every single day.”

Before Frankie, Trey avoided public spaces altogether.

“For a while, I wasn’t doing anything — not going in public or anywhere,” he said. “Now there’s really nothing I won’t do if I have her with me.”

It was through another VA program — an arts and crafts class — that Trey discovered something else unexpected: painting. He decided to try painting Frankie and surprised himself with the result. What began as a therapeutic outlet soon turned into a meaningful way to give back.

Today, Trey paints dog portraits on canvas, primarily using acrylics, and asks only one thing in return: the recipient make a donation to WCC. Over the past year, Trey has painted nearly 25 dog portraits in support of WCC. Several feature WCC dogs, including Tugger, Moon Dog Sarah, and Sam.

“It’s therapeutic,” Trey said. “I paint on an easel, and it just helps.”

His connection to WCC goes beyond the art. Trey helped train Moon Dog while involved in his first MBTR session, and he speaks warmly about the WCC staff who make the experience possible.

“Lisa and Jen (who run WCC’s program at Penn) are just incredible,” he said. “They really go above and beyond to help. I’ve seen them do things you wouldn’t expect them to do for Veterans — that’s another big reason I keep going back, they’re just incredible people.”

WCC Program Director and Service Dog Training Instructor Jennifer Desher has seen Trey’s commitment firsthand.

“From the very beginning, Trey has shown up for Warrior Canine Connection with so much heart and generosity. When he surprised Lisa and me with a portrait of Sam II and Sarah Lu after his first eight weeks with us, we were truly blown away — not just by how perfectly he captured them, but by the thoughtfulness behind the gift. Beyond his incredible talent, Trey consistently looks out for his fellow Veterans, offering rides and support whenever needed and his care for our pups is just as genuine. We’re incredibly grateful to have him as part of the WCC family.”

Through paint, patience and a deep belief in WCC’s mission, Trey continues to give back — one dog portrait at a time.

Curious about Trey’s work or interested in a custom piece? Trey is taking on additional requests and is happy to connect. You can reach him directly at soupcans11@gmail.com.
###

 

https://warriorcanineconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_sm.svg 0 0 WCC Comms https://warriorcanineconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_sm.svg WCC Comms2026-01-29 15:30:272026-01-29 22:37:13Painting with Purpose: One Veteran’s Way of Giving Back

Celebrating the Impact of the Central Maryland VTC

December 1, 2025

The Central Maryland Regional Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) marks an incredible 10 years of service to our nation’s Veterans — a decade that reflects dedication, collaboration and an unwavering belief that recovery is possible when a community shows up with support and compassion. This milestone is a testament to the court’s impact and the many people who have helped make its achievements possible.

Founded in 2015 by Senior District Court Judge Halee F. Weinstein, the program has helped hundreds of Veterans address misdemeanor charges through mental health treatment, peer mentoring and strong community support.

“As part of volunteering to train our service dogs in training, Veterans learn the importance of having patience with not only the dogs, but also with themselves,” said Kayla Prince, WCC Veteran training program coordinator. “We work on ‘rewarding more to correct less,’ which encourages focusing on positive moments in training and in life.”

Since launching MBTR in partnership with the Central Maryland Regional VTC, 85 Veterans have participated, contributing a total of 894 hours in WCC’s service dog training programs. Their work has supported 126 WCC service dogs in training who have participated in the program to date.

“The partnership with the Veterans Treatment Court and Warrior Canine Connection has been instrumental in helping veterans to heal and get their lives back on track,” said Baltimore City District Court Senior Judge Halee F. Weinstein. “Through helping to train service dogs, the veterans are learning new skills while also helping themselves and others, which benefits everyone in the program.”

For many Veterans, working with the dogs becomes a meaningful part of their routine — offering structure, building confidence and inciting laughter on tough days. Trainers often notice positive changes before the Veterans themselves do.

WCC is honored to partner with the court and play a small part in its success and impact on Veterans. We’re grateful for everyone who helps make this work possible — Judge Weinstein, the court team, mentors, the VA, United Way of Central Maryland, public defenders, prosecutors, community partners, and most of all, the Veterans whose commitment has helped advance the training of several WCC dogs.

Here’s to an extraordinary decade — and to even more lives changed in the years ahead.
###

https://warriorcanineconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_sm.svg 0 0 WCC Comms https://warriorcanineconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_sm.svg WCC Comms2025-12-01 21:47:402025-12-02 19:14:43Celebrating the Impact of the Central Maryland VTC

Proof in the Paws: Research Backs Power of Service Dogs

December 1, 2025

It’s something Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) has long seen in action: working with service dogs can make a meaningful difference in a Veteran’s healing. Now, research from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and the University of Maryland (UMD) is backing that up with hard data, showing that service dog training can improve health outcomes — and may even slow cellular aging for female Veterans with post-traumatic stress (PTS).

 

Funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the study was conducted from 2018 through 2022 and tracked female Veterans as they participated in an eight-week service dog training program. Researchers collected physiological data at the start, middle and end of the program, including heart-rate variability, saliva samples and continuous monitoring of both participants and their dogs. The goal? To see how hands-on interaction with service dogs affects stress, wellbeing and overall health.

WCC supported the hands-on portion of the study through its Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program, which helps Veterans learn to train service dogs for their fellow Warriors. While the control group viewed training videos, Veterans in WCC’s eight-week MBTR program worked directly with a service dog, building consistency and trust by partnering with the same dog each week. WCC also managed the monitoring equipment throughout the study, enabling the UMD and FAU research teams to focus on data collection and analysis.

The study also involved support from multiple researchers and collaborating institutions who helped design the methodology and capture the physiological data that made these findings possible. Together, the teams at FAU, UMD and WCC demonstrated how meaningful, hands-on service dog training through MBTR can be for female Veterans’ mental and physical wellbeing.

This hands-on approach not only generated valuable data but also highlighted meaningful impacts for participants. Mar Leifeld, assistant director of MBTR programs at WCC, who helped coordinate the organization’s involvement, noted one significant outcome: “We saw participants who might not usually seek out services for themselves get involved just to help with the study. Many have continued long after the research ended, forming lasting connections through our programs.”

The results make clear what WCC has always known: service dog training isn’t just a program — it’s a pathway to resilience, connection and lasting health benefits. And thanks to this collaborative research, the broader Veteran community can now see the measurable impact for themselves.

To learn more about WCC’s MBTR programming, visit www.warriorcanineconnection.org.

###

https://warriorcanineconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_sm.svg 0 0 WCC Comms https://warriorcanineconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_sm.svg WCC Comms2025-12-01 21:43:162025-12-02 20:20:41Proof in the Paws: Research Backs Power of Service Dogs

Ravens’ Nick Moore Laces Up for Veterans and Service Dogs

December 1, 2025

When the Baltimore Ravens took the field for their Week 12 matchup against the New York Jets, long snapper Nick Moore carried more than team pride into the game — he carried a cause close to his heart. As part of this year’s NFL My Cause My Cleats initiative, Moore selected Warrior Canine Connection (WCC), using his custom-designed cleats to honor Veterans and the WCC service dogs who support them.

Ravens Nick Moore MCMC

 

The cleats, created by artist Alex Andrews of A22 Customs, stood out on the turf with bold imagery that reflected WCC’s mission. Moore, who has long felt a deep connection to both animals and the military community, said the choice was an easy one.

“For my wife and I, animals are something that we’re really passionate about, along with the military,” Moore said. “WCC helps animals get trained and gets them in good homes and gives the Veterans and their families the assistance and help they need.”

WCC pairs highly trained service dogs with Veterans and engages Service Members in its therapeutic Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training. The program teaches Veterans how to work with service dogs in training for their fellow Warriors. In the process, Veterans 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. Moore’s participation in My Cause My Cleats brought national visibility to that work, especially as millions tuned in to watch the Ravens–Jets game on CBS and Paramount+. For Andrews, bringing Moore’s vision to life was a meaningful opportunity.

“To create a pair for My Cause My Cleats is more than painting or designing, it’s helping athletes amplify the foundations, charities and projects that matter most,” Andrews said. “It’s bigger than football. Knowing these stories get showcased on the biggest stage in the game makes every pair feel like a real opportunity to spread awareness and make an impact.”

Moore’s one-of-a-kind cleats will be auctioned off this month, with proceeds benefiting WCC.

For WCC, Moore’s choice was both an honor and an invaluable moment of visibility. And for Moore, it was a chance to use the NFL platform for good — highlighting the strength, resilience and healing that come from the human-canine bond.

As the league’s annual campaign continues to shine light on important causes across the country, Moore’s support serves as a reminder of how one player — and one pair of cleats — can help bring greater awareness to a mission that changes lives.
###

https://warriorcanineconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_sm.svg 0 0 WCC Comms https://warriorcanineconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_sm.svg WCC Comms2025-12-01 21:33:552025-12-04 15:03:31Ravens’ Nick Moore Laces Up for Veterans and Service Dogs

Where Purpose Meets Possibility: The WCC–Jessup Partnership

December 1, 2025

At Jessup Correctional Institution in Maryland, the sound of wagging tails signals something remarkable—healing, growth and purpose taking shape behind prison walls. The partnership between Warrior Canine Connection and the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services is making a meaningful impact throughout the facility.

Eight WCC dogs (WCC’s Chappy, Rock, Matt, Thomas, Miller, Oscar, VJ and Stan) currently call JCI home. These hopeful future service dogs are raised and trained by incarcerated Veterans and other incarcerated volunteers, along with furlough Puppy Raisers, through WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program.

WCC’s MBTR program teaches Veterans how to work with service dogs in training, which fulfills a time-honored military tradition of Warriors helping Warriors. In the process, 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.

“Seeing the service dog training program take root at JCI has been incredibly impactful,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “It’s not only helping incarcerated Veterans build new skills and purpose but empowering them to help others through the dogs they train. It’s become a true win-win partnership that changes lives on both ends of the leash.”

Each week, WCC instructor Val Skinner leads classes that teach handlers and dogs trust, patience and responsibility. The program mirrors military structure, with participants advancing through ranks as their skills grow. Dogs live in the cells with their handlers — two men and one dog per cell — fostering deep bonds, shared care and accountability.

“The collaboration between DPSCS and the Warrior Canine Connection stands as a powerful model of rehabilitation through service,” said Carolyn J. Scruggs, Secretary of Public Safety & Correctional Services. “By training future service dogs, our participants gain invaluable skills and, most importantly, a renewed capacity for empathy and responsibility. This unique work extends its positive impact far beyond the facility walls—it builds confidence, fosters compassion, and directly supports the long-term success of participants reentering the community. Ultimately, this program helps heal two populations at once, preparing individuals for a productive future and delivering life-changing support to the Veterans they serve.”

And the voices of those involved show just how deeply it’s making an impact.

One handler shared, “I joined to help my fellow brothers and sisters who are suffering with PTSD, I want to contribute while incarcerated so I can try to repair some of the pain I caused. Free or incarcerated, I am still a veteran, and I will continue to help where I can.”

Another participant reflected, “This is the first time in many years I’ve gotten to care for something besides myself.”

A different participant added, “Aside from giving back to the community, I also knew it would help me with my own personal anxiety/PTSD issues.”

One Veteran trainer noted, “Warrior Canine Connection has given me more purpose in life and has given me the opportunity to give back to my fellow veteran community” — proof that this partnership is about much more than dog training.

“It is good to give back to our communities, with the suicide rate of veterans on the rise these support dogs can make a significant difference. Not only does this program purposeful but it also gives the dogs purpose, WCC is a great program, and it helps people across the board,” shared another trainer.

Furthermore, participants often stay involved across multiple dog placements, earning certificates of achievement and even letters of recommendation for parole consideration.

“The commitment I see from the Veterans is amazing. They take real pride in the dogs and what they’re doing for others,” said Skinner.

Even those not directly involved feel the program’s impact. Onlookers from the yard next to the outdoor training area often line up along the fence to watch the puppies at work and play. “It’s contagious — the positivity spreads throughout the facility,” shared Skinner.

A new puppy will soon join the Jessup pack as WCC’s Rock graduates from the program to continue advanced training toward becoming a certified service dog.

Funds from Boeing and the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families help make this program possible.

Nearly three years into their collaboration, WCC and Jessup have created a powerful example of transformation through service — changing lives, fostering hope and strengthening communities, one paw at a time.
###

https://warriorcanineconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_sm.svg 0 0 WCC Comms https://warriorcanineconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_sm.svg WCC Comms2025-12-01 19:24:142025-12-03 02:54:09Where Purpose Meets Possibility: The WCC–Jessup Partnership
Page 1 of 13123›»

Featured Video

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

Scroll to top

We Provide the Puppy, You Provide the Love

Veterans are counting on you to join our amazing group of volunteer Puppy Raisers.