Stories of Impact Archives - Page 11 of 12

Robin Martin: A Pawsitively Outstanding WCC Volunteer

February 2, 2020

Since Robin Martin began volunteering with Warrior Canine Connection in 2012, she’s had a running tally of 22 dogs who’ve been in out and of her house — and her heart. She has been a puppy parent to five dogs, helped train several spirited dogs and she’s puppy sat countless others.

Currently, Robin is puppy parent to WCC service dogs in training, Manion and Mike II. She and husband, Kent, live in Cleveland, South Carolina, which is roughly an hour away from Asheville, North Carolina; that’s where WCC runs a service dog training program in conjunction with the Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC). It’s a program Robin says resonates with her in more ways than one.

“It’s the mission — the whole Veteran mission,” says Robin. “My Dad was a Veteran and he served three tours in Vietnam. I was an Army nurse and served at the old Water Reed. It’s something I believe in; I’ve seen what these dogs can do. I love every second of it, every minute of it — right down to every piece of dog hair in the house.”

The Buncombe County VTC program included WCC’s service dog training in its programming in 2018. Since then, it has become one of the most popular programs among the Veterans involved — a program that Robin has played a huge part in. In fact, WCC Service Dog Training Instructor Amy Guidash says Robin’s help has made it possible for WCC to take on several additional Veterans groups that are now participating in WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training program, including the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville and FIRST at Blue Ridge, a residential therapeutic community for individuals and Veterans with substance abuse disorders.

“Robin is a strong handler who takes on some of the more challenging dogs on purpose,” said Amy Guidash. “Her consistency is what we know to be really helpful. She wants the dogs to succeed, and she’ll be the first one to say, ‘hey, you know this dog isn’t a pet, right?’ She is 100-percent dedicated to fulfilling the standards WCC upholds. Robin can be direct, yet is open, confident and friendly at the same time, which allows for great communication with the Veterans. She is an absolute joy to be around, and we’re just so thankful that she’s part of the Asheville program.”

Robin got involved with WCC while working for The Home Depot, where she spent 20 years as a District Service Manager. In fact, it was Alice Belthoff, whose name you may recognize as an Extreme Puppy Watcher (EPW) and a dedicated WCC volunteer, who first connected with Robin back in 2012; she sent a letter to The Home Depot requesting some assistance for the old WCC property in Brookeville. The note was forwarded to Robin from the local store manager, and shortly after, she went out to the old WCC headquarters, where she met Rick (Founder of WCC) and Molly (WCC Director of Dog Programs) for the first time.

“While I was there visiting, Molly put a puppy in my arms and it was game over,” said Robin. “I filled out an application right away, completed the required training and was a puppy parent before long. The Home Depot was great and helped provide all of the materials and manpower to convert the garage at the old Brookeville headquarters into WCC’s first Puppy Enrichment Center, and I’ve been hooked ever since.”

So hooked that Robin and Kent, who have both since retired and had planned to move to from Maryland to South Carolina to slow down and leave the bustle of D.C., actually postponed their move until they knew the WCC program at the VTC in Buncombe County, N.C. was up and running, so as not to miss a beat.

First, there was Flurry, then Tommy, followed by Calli, and now Manion and Mike II, no matter how many dogs pass through her doors, Robin says each one leaves its own impact.

“[Said through tears] A little piece of your heart goes every time you pass that leash,” says Robin. “There’s no way you can raise these dogs for 18 months to two years and not become attached, because they don’t trust you if you don’t love them, so you have to love them to get them to do what you want them to do. And it’s so worth it seeing them go on to help our Veterans.”

While the dogs go on to serve a bigger purpose, Robin says one thing she finds unchanged is the friendships and connections she’s built through WCC.

“I have four children and four grandchildren but the EPW community has expanded my family,” said Robin. “We have such a network of support… my mother’s in a nursing home, and on my tough days, I can reach out to any single EPW and they are there to support us — just like we are for all of them. It’s such a special community; I have life-long friends now and people I go on vacation with, and it all dates to the first “paw-ty” in Brookeville.”

Please join us in giving Robin a round of “a-paws” for her unwavering commitment, dedication and support of WCC’s programs, the Veterans it serves and all the people she’s touched along the way.

What’s in a Name? Everything.

December 4, 2019

If you follow each of WCC’s namesake announcements, you know that each one has its own unique and remarkable story. All of us here on the WCC team are continually moved to learn about each Veteran and the way his or her family and friends recount the impact they have had on those they knew, as well as our great country.

This month, we’re sharing one of those remarkable stories: Navy Chief Petty Officer David Michael Collins, Ret. You likely know his namesake as service dog in training “Collins”; he was named in memory of Dave, who lost his life to his battle with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and yet to be diagnosed chronic traumatic encephalopathy in 2014.

Just recently, over Thanksgiving, Dave’s wife, Jennifer, and their two children, Grace, 14, and Sam, 11, had the opportunity to meet Collins. In fact, WCC puppy parent and volunteer extraordinaire Patrick Siemon and Collins drove to Pennsylvania to meet the family while they were in town for the holiday.

“Meeting Collins was so much fun because we’ve seen pictures and we’re such a dog family, so to be able to hug on him, play with him and give him kisses was fabulous,” said Jennifer. “And meeting Patrick was just as incredible because he’s doing all the hard work to turn this dog into someone who’s going to carry on my husband’s legacy — he’s just a very special human being.”

We agree — special indeed. Although Patrick insists the pleasure was all his.

“CPO Collins is a truly amazing hero who has done so much for our country,” said Patrick. “There were so many special moments during Collins’ meeting with his namesake’s family and being able to show CPO Collins’ son Sam how to train Collins was truly remarkable. I hope that Collins brings CPO Collins’ family, friends and fellow Warriors much comfort through his work helping Veterans and sharing his story,” Patrick shared.

In addition to Jennifer, Grace and Sam, their entire family and even Jennifer’s best friend from childhood and her children all came for the coveted Collins meet ‘n greet.

“I know I can speak for the kids when I say that, when you lose your husband or your dad like that, any physical embodiment of him is joyful,” said Jennifer. “And so, Collins might be furry and four-legged, but he still carries Dave’s spirit in him, so for us to be part of his story is really a special honor for us.”

Jennifer says dogs have always played a huge role in Dave’s life. In fact, her letter to WCC accepting the WCC namesake nomination recounts the role a very special dog named Brian played in getting Dave home from work in Afghanistan.

Alyssa,
I truly cannot thank you and your supporters enough for this honor! In addition to being an appropriate legacy for a man who lost his battle with TBI/PTS because the treatment and the answers just weren’t there for us, I want to tell you a story of why a dog is important.

Dave was retired and working as a contractor. In the summer of 2013, he was sent to Afghanistan, not technically his job but they needed him, for a 4-month rotation. He really, really didn’t want to go and these were some of the signs of his struggle. While there, we were able to FaceTime with him. Our dog Murphy had died about a year earlier, and Dave had started telling us about this stray dog there that reminded him of Murphy. It got to the point where he’d FaceTime with us to show us the dog, named Brian. Brian even slept in Dave’s room on his bed — definitely not something that Dave would typically allow.

Toward the end of the trip, Dave made plans for an organization called Nowzad to get Brian home to us. Dave returned in late September, and Brian arrived in early November. When Dave returned home, that is when I really noticed something was wrong. His spiral downward was quick and by March, he was dead, having found no doctor or program or facility that could provide him with any relief.

Alyssa, I truly believe that Brian got Dave home to us. Brian was a connection to us, a bit of humanity in an otherwise difficult place. I know Dave struggled for far longer than those last intense few months and I’m sure the trip to Afghanistan made things worse. We could have lost him to those demons over there. But a dog loved him, kept him company, reminded him of home and eventually got him home safely to our love.

So, a service dog for another veteran in need is so much more appropriate than you know.

Thank you again for giving us this opportunity and for honoring Dave in this manner.

Sincerely,
Jennifer

Of course, now that the family has met Collins, Jennifer said Sam has asked multiple times whether they can “adopt him.” Jennifer explained that Collins is training for a much more important purpose but did share that if he were to choose a different career path, they’d love to be at the top of the list for his placement.

Saving Grace: The Canine Connection in Uganda

December 4, 2019

I’m Meg Daley Olmert and for the last 20 years, I’ve been researching the biology of the human-animal bond and its therapeutic effects. As you all know, WCC is the brainchild of Rick Yount and our Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program offers Veterans in treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) the opportunity to help train a service dog for another wounded Warrior in need. The positive and intense social engagement needed to shape the behavior of a great service dog simultaneously reboots the veteran’s social brain network—the neural wiring damaged by combat trauma. Discovering that good dog training can reduce social fear and reduce stress is what we call MBTR’s “Trojan Dog Effect.”

The efficacy of MBTR in reducing the symptoms of combat trauma did not go unnoticed by medical and research leadership at Walter Reed and the Uniformed Services University (USU). Our research colleagues at USU received federal funding to conduct a pilot study of our MBTR program. I am now finalizing my contributions to the research paper on that pilot study that found a reduction in PTSD symptoms after just six one-hour MBTR sessions. Four other recently published studies showed a significant reduction of PTS after service dog training, supporting the concept of the “Trojan Dog Effect” and suggesting how it might be best engaged.

In 2017, I got a call from Sarah Schmidt, the founder and president of The BIG FIX Uganda—a non-profit, based in Port Townsend, Washington that operates the only veterinarian hospital in Northern Uganda. Since 2012, BIG FIX has provided its services, 365 days a year, in its quest to ease the suffering of animals in Northern Uganda and eradicate the deadly threat of rabies. The BIG FIX animal hospital is in Gulu, the birthplace of Joseph Kony, the warlord who kidnapped 30,000 boys and girls and forced them into killing or sex slavery—or both. Those who made it out of the bush returned to their villages, where they were reviled and shunned as murderers or whores. Children born of rape are rejected as “Kony’s kids.” Sexual violence has left many with HIV. On average, 10 people in the Gulu district commit suicide monthly, with another three suicide attempts per week.

The fate of dogs in Northern Uganda is also grim. Everyone has them, but these dogs are not pets. They provide essential home security—especially when you don’t have a front door–and valuable hunting partners. Despite their service, they are often neglected, abused, and murdered. This emotional disconnect is fueled by the very real fear of rabies and the horror of a war that left many human survivors equally reviled and abused.

In 2015, The BIG FIX realized they had to expand their daunting mission to an even greater one—rescuing the traumatized people of Northern Uganda, as well. They created The Comfort Dog Project—an animal-assisted therapy much like Warrior Canine Connection—except it’s for people who have never imagined a canine connection! This radical idea was inspired by community psychologist, Francis Okello Oloya. Francis was blinded at age 12 during the war and miraculously survived against all odds. While at boarding school, two local dogs were attracted to him. Amazingly, each night when those dogs heard the tapping of his cane, they would come and guide him to the latrine. Not only did this mean he didn’t have to suffer the humiliation of asking a fellow student for help, it showed him the generosity and caring hearts beating in these dogs that no one else saw.  

The Comfort Dog Project combines trauma counseling with instruction on how to create loving bonds with dogs rescued and rehabilitated by BIG FIX. The Comfort Dog Project also discovered how important dog training is to solidify the human-dog bond and enhancing the program’s therapeutic impact. Since 2015, 38 Guardians have completed the program and become “Field Educators.” This is particularly impressive considering the severe social shut down suffered by many when entering the program. The Comfort Dog Project Field Educators find they can now play key roles in the mobile field clinics teaching local dog owners how to care for their dogs and doing dog training demonstrations that amaze and delight all. One hundred percent of participants had a reduction of PTSD symptoms and improved well–being. Another measure of the program’s success? The 150 people have applied to join The Comfort Dog Project program this year. Now, the challenge is being able to say yes to them all. Sound familiar?

Even with my knowledge of the deep neural roots of the human–animal bond, The Comfort Dog Project stretches the limits of anything I’d ever thought possible. I knew if I were to even attempt to understand this most unlikely alliance, I’d have to see it myself. On Sept 24, I traveled to Northern Uganda and spent two mind–bending weeks manning a BIG FIX free field clinic that vaccinated 1,000 dogs for rabies, assisting in the spaying and neutering of 75 dogs in a “clinic” with no running water or electricity, visiting hundreds of school children to teach them about animal rights and rabies prevention. I even joined Francis on a radio broadcast to tell 3 million northern Ugandans about Warrior Canine Connection! And I marched through Gulu with proud Guardians and their Comfort Dogs in the BIG FIX parade to celebrate World Animal Day—quite the demonstration of loose-leash walking!

It’s hard for us to understand how radical this approach is for people who’ve at best, seen dogs as a tool—at worst a cur or a deadly enemy. But neither can we grasp the desperation of the people of Northern Uganda. But I saw with my own eyes that this program is making the unimaginable a healing reality. The ability of these dogs to forgive the cruelty they’ve suffered is inspiring and it allows the Guardians to rediscover emotions like love, pride, and joy. Together, humans and dogs are forging family bonds where there were none, creating a powerful psychobiological buffer against despair. Together, both are safer and happier, living proof of a BIG FIX.

We at Warrior Canine Connection are honored to support our kindred colleagues in Uganda and inspired by their vision and bravery. Watch this short video by the BBC so you can see this miracle for yourself.

Tito’s: Passion for Vodka, Veterans and our Four-Legged Friends

November 27, 2019

Tito’s Handmade Vodka might spark the image of a chilled cocktail in your mind. But did you know that besides producing award-winning spirits, Tito’s prides itself on creating “Vodka for Dog People” and says that supporting its canine counterparts is core to its mission? That’s right, Tito’s has been committed to serving nonprofits, Veterans charities and dog-related organizations since its inception. And Warrior Canine Connection couldn’t be happier to be among its list of beneficiaries. 
 
In fact, Tito’s Handmade Vodka has been donating to charity events since day one. True to its roots, the company donated to more than 8,000 events last year alone. 
 
But Tito’s support to WCC has been more than donating dog bowls; the company hosted a “day of service” at WCC’ s Healing Quarters in May. Seventy-five members of the Tito’s team came out to the grounds and built 500 feet of fencing around the training yard. Not only did they do the back-breaking work, but they also provided all the supplies to make a huge improvement to the grounds! 
 
Long-time WCC volunteer Michelle Hennan helped make the relationship happen. She explains that it started with a quick email to a friend who was a Tito’s sales representative in Chicago, and a few emails and conversations later, Tito’s had committed to supporting WCC. 
 
“Tito’s is a company that truly values giving back to its community, but especially to nonprofit dog and veteran organizations,” said Michelle. “It’s been such an honor to watch this relationship not only continue over the years but to also grow bigger and stronger.” 

In August of this year, Tito’s also hosted a fundraiser benefiting WCC, whereby a portion of alcohol sales throughout Montgomery County, Maryland were donated back to WCC, resulting in a $10,000 donation to WCC to support its programs. 
 
In September, Tito’s provided gifts in kind for WCC’s 2019 graduation celebration. The company also put up $5,000 for a matching gift challenge to WCC’s Extreme Puppy Watchers (EPWs) during graduation in 2018. If you’re familiar with the passion and love the EPWs have for WCC, you won’t be surprised to learn that the challenge was met in just three hours!  

“We have found a tremendous partner in WCC, whose values and ethics echo Tito’s desire to give back to all who need,” said David Kent, state manager for MD/DC/DE, Tito’s Handmade Vodka. “WCC’s focus on both our military as well as animal welfare rings loudly within our culture, and we couldn’t be prouder to say we’re true partners with the group. We look forward to a long, healthy, puppy–filled relationship, and we are anxious to continue our support of this great group.” 

Please join WCC in saying a very special thank you to Tito’s Handmade Vodka for its continued support and shared passion for serving others. 

Helping People, Changing Lives

October 7, 2019

In 2013, a dedicated team of volunteers from across the country scrambled to pull together WCC’s very first graduation. Seven years later, the tradition continues with an event that welcomes nearly 500 people and has become a highlight of the year for WCC. Still today, volunteers continue to be a key component to the event’s success. This year, approximately 50 volunteers from 18 states gave more than 700 hours of volunteer service to make the WCC Graduation a memorable day for Veteran graduates and their families.

“I started volunteering at WCC as a way our entire family could be involved together,” said Ericka Johanek, WCC volunteer and self-proclaimed Extreme Puppy Watcher (EPW). “As an Air Force family, it’s a way to give back to fellow members of our community who have given so much. Seeing the change the dogs make in our military members so they can live full and rewarding lives is so rewarding! I love being able to spread the word about what WCC does to our community.”  

While some volunteers are drawn to WCC because of their own military connections, others admittedly are drawn by the puppies.

“I came for the puppies and stayed for the mission!” said Kim Rice, WCC EPW and long-time volunteer. “I helped plan the first event at WCC and was then asked to help plan the first graduation … the rest is history! I love volunteering for WCC in general, but graduation is my favorite. Graduation is an opportunity to celebrate all the hard work of the trainers and puppy parents, but most importantly, welcome the new graduates into the pack and celebrate their new chapter in life. It’s also a bit of a homecoming as many past graduates come back to visit WCC for graduation. It’s great to see the graduates and their families catching up with each other, staff and EPWs, and of course–did I mention the puppies!”

Each year, more than 800 volunteers touch every aspect of WCC’s programs through their generous gifts of time and talent. Key roles volunteers play include puppy parents, puppy sitters, puppy petting, facility maintenance, event and administrative support, and fundraising, among others.

On behalf of a grateful organization, thank you to all WCC’s volunteers for your dedication and support — for at times dropping some of your own responsibilities to help fulfill those of others. Thank you for seeing the need and rising to the challenge. Thank you for sharing your time and talents to help improve the lives of the others. But most of all, thank you for your kindness, full hearts and conviction for serving our nation’s Veterans.

Hubert Company Hosts Fundraiser to Benefit WCC

July 30, 2019

This summer, Hubert employee and EPW Laura Hawley created a recent in-house fundraiser to benefit WCC. The event, which included a human agility course, a pet photo contest, bake sale, and other events for employees and their families, including the WCC puppy cam livestream, raised a grand total of $3,200, making it the most successful in-house fundraiser in Hubert’s history.

The company, which provides retail merchandising solutions and support products, has a long tradition and culture of supporting the community through volunteerism and fundraising campaigns. In fact, the company established a Volunteer Leadership Council (VLC) in 2002, to enlist its employees to help support different causes and nonprofits dear to its employees’ hearts.

“I’ve been aware of WCC since Holly’s Half Dozen and have always followed the organization and the great work it’s doing to help Veterans,” said Laura. “We have a great program here at Hubert to help give back to others, so I set the wheels in motion to host a fundraiser for WCC. We reached out to people who love dogs and have a connection to the military, and it was a huge hit!”

WCC would like to say a special thank you to the Hubert Company in Harrison, Ohio, and its employees who are providing critical funds to support our mission!

“Fundraisers like this one are invaluable to Warrior Canine Connection,” said Jennifer Wilder, director of development, WCC. “Many of people don’t have the expendable income to donate large amounts but community fundraising events, like this one, along with some creativity and some elbow grease can really have an incredible impact on our efforts to support wounded Veterans.”

WCC Puppies Helping to Heal A Broken Heart

July 30, 2019

September will mark two years since Peggy Lester’s daughter, Beth, passed away. Although time slips by, the heartbreak never will.

“She was such a wonderful, happy person, a great mom, wife, friend and daughter,” says Peggy.

Beth went to college in Georgia, got married and had two children, Emma and Evan, and lived in the home she’d always dreamt about. She had everything in life she wanted.

But in 2015, she began having some concerning medical issues. Soon after, she was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. By the time it had been discovered, it was too late.

From there, Peggy, a single parent, endured an intense, year-plus journey into the world of caregiving; she retired early from her job working with special ed students so she could travel back and forth from Maryland to Atlanta to look after her daughter and help out the family. Sadly, Beth passed away in September of 2017 at the age of only 45.

“I was there when she came into the world and I was lying at her side holding her hand when she passed. She was at peace, so I’m thankful for that,” says Peggy.

When Peggy returned home to Maryland — a huge piece of her heart missing — she completely shut down with immeasurable grief. Knowing she had to do something, Peggy joined a support group for people, like her, who had had lost a child.

She also started seeing a therapist who happened to have been a volunteer at WCC. Knowing Peggy enjoyed dogs, her therapist recommended she sign up for puppy petting.

“I could not sleep at night and kept reliving the day that Beth passed and all of the traumatic memories of that day, so I got involved with whelping training and started doing overnight shifts,” said Peggy. “I wasn’t ready to be around people, and volunteering at WCC helped edge me back into the world again. Not to mention, the puppies and mamas kept me so busy, and it just really worked for me. I credit the wonderful WCC staff and dogs with giving me the support that I needed at the time.”

In fact, to-date, Peggy has logged more than 340 hours volunteering at WCC.

“I didn’t go in thinking it was about me, but it really did end up being therapeutic for me too,” says Peggy. “It gave me purpose, made me feel useful, and helped get me out of the house and, at the same time, it also gave me my space to grieve. I know they’re being trained for our Veterans, but these dogs are also helping to heal so many others along the way.”

Peggy still makes regular trips to Atlanta to see her grandchildren and son-in-law, Mike. July 18th was Beth’s birthday. And although September will undoubtedly be another tough month ahead, Peggy says one thing she is looking forward to is attending her first WCC graduation.

The Batchelor Foundation Continues Tradition of Generosity

July 30, 2019

EPW Terrie Bates holding a WCC puppy.

George E. Batchelor had many passions in life. He learned to fly at age 16 and began his long aviation career in his early 20’s by helping design the P-51 fighter plane. Mr. Batchelor served his country during World War II as a decorated Army Air Corps officer, transport and bomber pilot. He also had a deep fondness for animals and the environment, and so when he established The Batchelor Foundation Inc. those were among the key areas of which he chose to give support.

In fact, the Batchelor Foundation’s mission is to provide philanthropic support to nonprofit organizations that focus on promoting the good health, education and well-being of children, animal welfare and the preservation of the natural environment in South Florida.

And recently, the Batchelor Foundation provided a grant to Warrior Canine Connection — the fourth of its kind since 2014, to help support the WCC service dog training programs. WCC is unique from other organizations the Batchelor Foundation funds being that it’s based in Maryland.

“Although Warrior Canine Connection’s mission fell outside the range of the Batchelor Foundation’s typical giving geography, the leadership team felt there was a strong fit and unique opportunity to honor both George’s distinguished WWII military service and love of dogs by supporting WCC,” said Sandy Batchelor, Chairman and co-CEO, of the Batchelor Foundation.

Warrior Canine Connection came to the Batchelor Foundation by way of Extreme Puppy Watcher Terrie Bates, who got involved with WCC through the magic of Facebook and watching the puppy cam. She traces her ties to the organization back to “Holly’s Half Dozen,” when she and other EPWs helped pull together a party to see the puppies — that was when Explore.org, the 24-hour puppy cam, had just launched.

“My affinity for WCC started with the love of dogs, but seeing the mission in action and the difference it can make in a Veteran’s life is amazing,” said Terrie. “I grew up in the Vietnam era where it seemed like we lost an entire generation of Veterans who returned home with PTSD and other injuries, yet there was little understanding of these issues and no support system to help them. We know better today so we need to do better, and WCC is one of the organizations filling that role — helping Veterans transition and reintegrate back into their families and communities.”

A long-time employee of the South Florida Water Management District, a large government agency that services Orlando to the Keys, Terrie got to know Sandy Batchelor when Sandy served as a member of the organization’s Governing Board during her six-and-a-half-year tenure.

Each year, the South Florida Water Management District picks a charity to benefit from their employee’s fundraising activities; in 2014, WCC was selected based on Terrie’s nomination. Sandy volunteered to be the Honorary Event Chairwoman on behalf of the Governing Board and several years later, the Batchelor Foundation is still providing generous support to Warrior Canine Connection and Terrie is still glued to the WCC puppy cam.

“I think it’s always understated how much everybody that’s associated with WCC gets out of their affiliation,” says Terrie. “There are so many friendships that have been made across the country among people who literally would have never met otherwise. They all feel like they’re contributing — certainly, the mission and focus is on Veterans, but the support and connections touch a lot more lives than just the Veterans — an entire community has come together as a result.”

A Passion for Service

May 30, 2019

Relentless rain, puddles of mud and cool temperatures couldn’t keep WCC volunteer Paul Kolze (pictured on the right) from making sure all the Veterans, puppy parents, volunteers and staff had full bellies at WCC’s annual eye exam day last month.

Paul takes great joy in cooking for others and has been roasting pigs for different occasions for almost two decades. Knowing a few hundred people would show up for eye exam day, he proposed a pig roast to help feed the masses. He says it’s always a process of trial and error and that the 96-pounder he cooked up for eye exam day was no different.

“We dug a pit, and, with the rain, it flooded, so we came out to reconstruct it at 11 last night and move it over to higher ground, so that was a first,” said Paul. “Every time you change something, you have to think through the whole process, and you learn something new, which makes it a challenge, but it’s really a lot of fun. I really enjoy doing it, people really like it and seem to appreciate it.”

That “fun” included a tent for refuge; Paul, some other volunteers and WCC staff members all took shifts throughout the entire night tending to the fire, to ensure the rain didn’t put a damper on the flames. Fourteen hours later, more than 40 pounds of roasted pork were dished out to hungry eye exam attendees.

“Paul is just a wonderful person who loves our organization and mission,” said Sarah Olson, WCC volunteer coordinator. “He is always willing to give whatever he can, whenever he can — and he always does it with a smile.”

Paul’s not just known around WCC for his cooking, he and his wife, Susan, have been great friends and supporters of WCC for several years. They began volunteering with WCC as puppy parents. Susan, who retired a few years back, learned about WCC while she was at a store and met another puppy parent who had a service dog in training with her. First came Ashley. Then Moon. And now, Paul and Susan are puppy parents to one-year-old, service dog in training J.J.

“Being a puppy parent is a good challenge,” said Paul. “I think when they’re puppies, they’re like having another child. It’s also introduced me to a lot of friends I wouldn’t have otherwise. This family at WCC is just incredible — all the volunteers, the staff, we all just have a good time.”

Paul says all the hard work and fun times pale in comparison to the ultimate goal of the program.

“It’s incredible just seeing how the dogs can impact lives at the graduation ceremony,” said Paul. “The change they can bring to a Veteran’s life is just incredible — not just the Veterans but also their families, it’s amazing.”

Thank you, Paul, for your incredible service and support to WCC!

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

May 30, 2019

“Pets are love.” “For the Mission.” “Together. Inspire. Win.”

Those were just a few of the more than 700 submissions of posts and photos shared through Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation’s (BI Cares) “Power of Us” social media campaign. In May, BI Cares donated $50,000 to Warrior Canine Connection through the campaign.

A nonprofit created to improve the health and lives of people and animals, 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. Spread over Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, the campaign resulted in more than 700 posts utilizing the campaign hashtag, #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.”

As you can see from some of the screenshots, the outpouring was overwhelming; posts included photos of Veterans with their dogs, people with their pets and, of course, WCC supporters and volunteers from all over the country.

“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 on Facebook or use #PowerOfUs to see the complete campaign photos and posts.

Contact Us