Stories of Impact Archives - Page 4 of 12 - Warrior Canine Connection

Thanks to Progressive, WCC Gets a New Set of Wheels

November 24, 2023

It’s only been a few weeks and this new minivan already has a couple hundred new miles on it! Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) accepted the keys to the vehicle in mid-November at a special ceremony in Glen Burnie. The generous donation came courtesy of Progressive’s Keys to Progress vehicle giveaway program, an initiative that aims to give cars to Veterans across the country as a way for the company to give back to people who have given so much for our country.

WCC team members transport puppies and dogs to hundreds of events each year, so the vehicle is a huge help to the organization.

“This new minivan isn’t just a vehicle, it’s a symbol of the invaluable support that Progressive is extending to Warrior Canine Connection,” said Rick Yount, executive director and founder, WCC. “With this addition, our team can enhance its reach, ensuring that we can safely and efficiently bring the comfort and companionship of man’s best friends to support Veterans in need.”

Progressive has been hosting its one-day vehicle giveaway events since 2013 at locations across the country. Employees across the U.S. volunteer to select vehicles to donate, organize fundraising activities to collect month or goods to provide recipient families, and plan memorable vehicle giveaway events for them.

WCC Veteran Service Dog Team Ashley Frantz and service dog Patty were Viriginia recipients of a vehicle from Progressive this year.

Please join us in saying a heartfelt thanks to Progressive for its amazing generosity!

Maryland’s veterans secretary on suicide prevention; Training service dogs for service members

October 17, 2023

Preventing suicide among veterans is personal for state Secretary of Veteran Affairs’ Anthony Woods. He lost his mother, an Air Force veteran, to suicide five years ago. We hear how Woods is expanding the reach of mental-health services. Read Woods’ commentary in the Baltimore Banner.

The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 at 988. Veterans can dial 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.

Plus, Warrior Canine Connection enlists veterans to train service dogs for service members. We speak with WCC founder Rick Yount, and Tina Houser, a U.S. Army veteran who was matched with her service dog, Erik, a year ago. Learn how to become a WCC puppy parent. Check out the full story in On the Record on WYPR 88.1 with Sheilah Kast.

‘Chief’ the dog is helping veterans in honor of Ron Rivera’s late dad

October 17, 2023

Commanders Coach Ron Rivera’s dad was named Eugenio, who served two tours in Vietnam and beyond. And a future Warrior Canine Connection service dog was recently named in his honor. Check out the full story from WUSA9 News.

Cheers, Tears and Tail Wags: Meet WCC’s Class of 2023!

October 5, 2023

It was just a few weeks ago that Warrior Canine Connection’s Class of 2023 celebrated its paw-some graduation. The ceremony, which was hosted virtually, had tails wagging and eyes misty.

These incredible assistance dog teams shared snippets of their military journeys and heartwarming tales of their newfound furry partners. It was a celebration, a round of applause, and a good ol’ dose of inspiration all wrapped into one fantastic virtual event.

This year’s graduating class is comprised of Veterans and Veteran families and 21 assistance dogs, including service dogs, facility dogs and military family support dogs.

Among the graduates is U.S. Coast Guard Retired Petty Officer Second Class James Riley who shared the following about his service dog, Ashley.

“I love the mission, and I love that she’s made a difference in other Veterans’ live,” said Riley. “It’s powerful, she’s like my rock.”

A highlight from the virtual ceremony included keynote speaker General (Ret.) James Mattis. During his heartfelt address, General Mattis, who has a WCC dog named after him, shared some wisdom that left us inspired.

“WCC’s mission is one that carries with it a sense of trust and purpose,” said General Mattis. “Knowing the dogs are trained by fellow veterans instills that same sense of trust at the heart of our military. It’s the principle that when the chips are down, you can count on the comrade to your left and right on the battlefield. So too can you trust in WCC that they took seriously the mission to prepare these loyal, steadfast comrades in arms for their buddies. Equally and perhaps more importantly is that the veterans training WCC dogs are themselves able to find a new sense of purpose and often times peace long after their military service.”

We also celebrated some other heroes of the WCC community — our Puppy Parents! These amazing volunteers pour their hearts into caring for, training and showering love upon our service dogs in training for their crucial first two years of life. Their unwavering dedication and the sacrifices they make play a monumental role in the success of WCC’s programs.

Following the virtual ceremony, WCC held an in-person celebration at its Healing Quarters. Despite the soggy weather brought in by Tropical Storm Ophelia, more than 300 Veteran Service Dog Teams, Puppy Parents, namesakes, volunteers and supporters of WCC turned out to celebrate together. A great time was had by all.

Did you miss the ceremony or want the watch the 2023 WCC Graduation video again? You can check it out here.

Join us in congratulating WCC’s Class of 2023 — may your journeys together be filled with countless adventures and endless belly rubs!

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Catches for Canines: Tito’s and Ravens Score Big for WCC!

October 5, 2023

Warrior Canine Connection is thrilled to share some exciting news for football fans and dog lovers alike! Tito’s Handmade Vodka and the Baltimore Ravens have joined forces to make every reception count in the regular 2023 NFL season. For each reception completed by the Ravens, Tito’s will contribute $100 to support WCC’s mission, with an amazing goal of up to $35,000. So, whether you’re a die-hard Ravens fan or just looking for another reason to cheer, we invite you to get in on the action!

Throughout the regular season, we’ll be keeping a close eye on the Ravens’ receptions, adding up the dollars as they score on the field. This incredible partnership showcases the power of teamwork, not just in football but also in making a difference in the lives of Service Members and Veterans through the love and support of our four-legged companions.

So, mark your calendars, gear up for game day, and let’s root for the Ravens like never before. Every reception brings us one step closer to our fundraising goal, ensuring that Warrior Canine Connection can continue its mission of providing service dogs to those who’ve served our great country.

Honor Our Heroes: Nominate a Female Namesake for a WCC Service Dog

October 3, 2023

At WCC, we’ve always believed in the power of honoring our nation’s heroes. One of the unique ways we do this is through our namesake program, where each of our adorable pups is given a name that pays tribute to the remarkable Service Members and Veterans who have made significant contributions to our great nation.

We invite you to be a part of this heartwarming tradition by nominating a female namesake for our future litters. These namesakes represent extraordinary female Service Members and Veterans who have selflessly dedicated their lives to serving our nation. Through our namesake program, you have the extraordinary opportunity to immortalize their legacies by naming one of our service dogs after them.

These four-legged heroes will go on to provide invaluable support to fellow Service Members and Veterans, aiding them in their journey to overcome both visible and invisible wounds. We are especially in need of female names for our pups. Nominate a namesake today!

WCC’s Abigail Named Official U.S. Public Health Service Mascot

July 26, 2023

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced its first-ever official mascot for the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps – Lt. Cmdr. Abigail. She is a facility dog who was bred, raised and trained by Warrior Canine Connection. In her new role, Lt. Cmdr. Abigail will provide therapeutic care to patients and Public Health Service officers, and she will serve as a living symbol of the USPHS Commissioned Corps’ commitment to the greater public and protecting the nation’s health.

Lt. Cmdr. Abigail’s namesake is Abigail Adams, the former First Lady of the United States, who has a historical connection to the service. The origin and history of the USPHS Commissioned Corps trace back to July 16, 1798, when Congress passed an Act, signed by President John Adams, creating the U.S. Marine Hospital Service to protect against the spread of disease from sailors returning from overseas ports and thus began the story of the Public Health Service.

“The mascot is a very welcome resource for Public Health Service officers and the communities we serve. As we continue to see an increase in mental health struggles across the country, I hope Lt. Cmdr. Abigail will serve as a beacon of positivity as she performs her duties.” U.S. Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health, Adm. Rachel Levine

WCC facility dogs receive extensive training and are placed with a primary handler who brings the dog into their place of employment to perform a task for either the employees of the company or the clients of the handler. Facility dogs can perform a variety of tasks, including stress relief and public engagement. Additional WCC facility dogs have been placed in various roles, including several sheriff departments working in roles including alongside a chaplain and in public relations, as well as a Veterans homeless shelter, a Veteran Service Center, among others.

Learn more about Lt. Cmdr. Abigail and her official role, click here.

Siblings Host Yard Sale to Raise Money for WCC

July 26, 2023

Please join WCC in thanking some enterprising siblings for their recent fundraising efforts! Anna,10, Charlie, 8, and Lauren, 5, recently participated in a neighborhood garage sale to help raise money for WCC.

The trio heard about a neighborhood yard sale and a light bulb went off: sell their no-longer-used items to raise money for WCC. Anna, Charlie and Lauren spent an afternoon cleaning out their basement and piling up toys, games and other items they’re no longer interested in to raise some cash for WCC. And to sweeten the deal, mom and Dad, Diana and Tim, offered to match the money their three kids raised toward the donation.

“Our grandpa was in the Air Force,” said Anna. Her mom, Diana, added, “My dad served 22 years in the Air Force before retiring, including serving in Vietnam, so the military and animal connection is something we love to support.”

Not only is the family supportive of the military, but they’re also no strangers to WCC. Friends of a WCC trainer, the family has hosted WCC dogs at their house as part of their training and socialization around children. The family even visited the WCC Healing Quarters in the past to learn more about its mission and meet some of the puppies and dogs in training.

Not to mention, Anna, Charlie and Lauren have two very special pet dogs of their own — Leo and Rocco. Although young, they totally know how happy dogs can make people.

Anna shared, “I just like them a lot. Sometimes they can be sassy and sometimes they can be sweet and cuddle up with you on the couch.”

When asked about how it felt to do all that hard work to help others, all three children were all smiles, and Charlie responded with a resounding “thumbs up.”

Mom and dad are pretty proud, too.

Your generous tax-deductible donation helps WCC breed, train and provide highly skilled assistance dogs to wounded Veterans and Military Families at absolutely no charge to them. To donate or learn more about how you support WCC, click here.

Calling All Dog Lovers: WCC is Seeking Puppy Parent Volunteers

July 25, 2023

Love dogs and want to support our nation’s Veterans? Then as Uncle Sam famously said, ‘We want you!’ Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) is seeking Puppy Parent volunteers to help make a paw-sitive impact in the lives of service dogs in training and the Veterans who they will go on to serve.

What does being a Puppy Parent entail? Puppy Parent volunteers help care for, raise and train service dogs in training for approximately two years before they go on to be placed with Service Members and Veterans with visible and invisible wounds.

The need for Puppy Parents is at the following locations in Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia:

Asheville, North Carolina
Boyds, Maryland
Ellicott City, Maryland
Frederick, Maryland
Occoquan, Virginia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The journey is not just about training a puppy—it’s about nurturing a future service dog who will bring hope and assistance to one of our nation’s heroes. Please take a moment to learn more and hear just how rewarding the experience of being a Puppy Parent can be here.

To learn more or to fill out a Puppy Parent volunteer application, visit Become a Puppy Parent – Warrior Canine Connection.

Golden Retriever Life: Spreading Smiles

June 2, 2023

If you like dogs and spend time on social media, you’ve probably already heard of “Golden Retriever Life (GRL)” and have seen videos of Kevin and Katie Bubolz with their two golden retrievers, Ellie and Emma. With over 9 million followers across their social media channels, GRL is widely known for their cute dog videos and helpful training tips. They have even made appearances on famous television shows such as “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” and “The Rachael Ray Show.” While creating entertaining and engaging social media content is what drives most content creators, Kevin and Katie are just as interested in the philanthropic aspect of what they do.

“Our focus has and always will be on our mission to spread smiles,” says Kevin, who has teamed up with his wife Katie on this full-time entrepreneurial journey. “Over the past few years, we’ve been truly blessed to connect with millions of people around the world. We hope our fun-loving content featuring Ellie and Emma brings happiness to your life. We are a community that celebrates the joy of having a dog and the many ways they enrich our lives.”

Kevin and Katie’s journey as content creators has, in their own words, followed a nontraditional path. Kevin is an Army Veteran with an MBA from the University of Minnesota, and Katie practiced as a speech-language pathologist for eight years before pivoting from the medical field to join Kevin in their full-time entrepreneurial journey. It was the philanthropic appeal of animal-assisted therapy that led Kevin and Katie to pursue spreading smiles.

“As an Army pilot, I saw first-hand the benefits of animal-assisted interactions on mental health while deployed overseas. This inspired me to get a puppy, Ellie, and create a similar impact in my local community,” Kevin reflected. “As a therapy dog team, we volunteered in schools, nursing homes, and hospitals for several years. However, in 2020 we were prevented from in-person interactions and pivoted to social media.”

In searching for new ways to spread smiles, GRL found Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) in 2022. “We wanted to connect with a nearby organization that trains service dogs for Veterans. WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery model is unique and impressive! They discovered a way for one dog to impact an average of 60 Veterans! As a Veteran, who has seen first-hand the impact of animal-assisted interactions, I can assure you this organization has a tremendous effect on the lives of Veterans. The work WCC is doing is life-changing to those who have given so much to our country.”

GRL’s support of WCC has come in many forms, from creating collaboration videos with WCC to helping to raise awareness of our No-Fail Mission to holding a 4x4x48 Challenge Fundraiser on GoFundMe, which raised over $34,000 for WCC.

Be sure to follow GRL’s journey on all of their social media platforms! Plus, GRL is working on a new training course/community to help people build better relationships with their dogs. If you head to their website (https://www.goldenretrieverlife.com/training) and leave your email, they will let you know when the course is ready this summer!

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