New Faces at WCC

 The Warrior Canine Connection team is growing! We are pleased to welcome some new faces to our pack both at our Healing Quarters in Boyds and at the Menlo Park VA in California. We are very excited about the wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise that these new team members bring to our team, please join us in welcoming them on board!

Katherine Kane joined the WCC team in September in a special 11-month role as a volunteer coordinator through AmeriCorps and Volunteer Maryland. In her position, she assists with all things related to volunteer recruitment, including retention and creating and refining systems. 

Katherine got involved in the AmeriCorps program because her passion is tied to serving our Veterans. Her plans post-WCC include attending graduate school so she can achieve her career goal to become a military psychologist. 
 
“I really like the mission and the people — it’s been a great experience so far,” said Katherine. “My goal is to be a military psychologist, so this opportunity is an invaluable step in that process. Not to mention being around these puppies every day – that’s definitely an added bonus.”  
 
Katherine grew up in Greensboro, N.C. and attended Guilford College, where she completed a double-major in psychology and criminal justice. She also competed on the school’s tennis and swimming teams.   
 
When not working, Katherine enjoys reading, yoga and she recently started kickboxing. 

Jody Neal also joined WCC in September as a dog program administrative assistant.  
 
“What I love about working for WCC is that everyone is working for the same end result and mission,” said Jody. “I love that everyone here loves their job and that each day at WCC is different. Having the dogs and puppies around is truly therapeutic and healing. I have always wanted to give back to Veterans because of what they do for our country, and this is such a rewarding way to do that.”  
 
Jody’s role is part-time, and when she’s not at the WCC Healing Quarters, she can often be found working as a crossing guard for the Montgomery County Police Department. 
 
Jody grew up in the Maryland suburbs and completed her education there; she earned her advertising design degree from Montgomery County Community College and her one-year certification in business administration from the Katharine Gibbs School. She put her experience and degrees to good use by serving in various administrative capacities in the private sector prior to joining WCC.  
 
When not working, Jody enjoys caring for her two horses, Beetle and Galley, and her two Jack Russell Terries, Grizzly and Maizie. 

Also joining WCC in September is Service Dog Training Instructor Shelley Smith, who is based out of WCC’s location at the Menlo Park VA. 
 
Shelley has worked in animal welfare her entire professional career; she has vast experience in animal sheltering with dogs and cats, animal intake, behavior, fostering and adoptions and animal-assisted interactions. 
 
She earned her degree in literature from California State University Bakersfield and later continued her education at the San Francisco Academy for Dog Trainers. She says she’s excited to be putting her skills to work with WCC.  

“I love it, it’s fantastic,” it actually combines two of my most passionate topics, which are dog training and the welfare and well-being of Veterans,” said Shelley. “I feel incredibly lucky every day to have the chance to do this — to work with Veterans and to use my skills as a dog trainer to help them is a humbling experience, I love it.” 

A true animal-lover, Shelley has a 13-year-old Lab from the Oakland Shelter named Enzo and three cats (and, yes, she says they all get along): Caterpillar, Pinot and Elroy.

WCC Puppy Cam Inspires Students

“Is this leaked footage from heaven?” That’s what Jon, one of Kayla Iannuccilli’s eight graders, asked her after seeing the Warrior Canine Connection puppy cam on Explore.org for the first time.

Kayla teaches language arts to 7th and 8th graders at East Rock Community & Cultural Studies Magnet School in New Haven, Connecticut, where she’s worked for the past six years. She’s one of those teachers who makes an impression on her students — tough but fair, yet also creative and fun.

“On days when we’re not using our board in class for lessons or presentations, I’ll put up one of Explore.org’s live feeds,” said Kayla. “I’ve checked out a few different feeds before, but the Warrior Canine Connection feed is the best!”

And her students couldn’t agree more.

“It calms me down and it’s just adorable,” said Terry.

Josh says, “I think it’s awesome because the veterans can have a friend.”

“I think it’s nice because it’s cool knowing how they train the puppies,” added Miguel.

While watching the puppy cam is a treat for students, it’s also resulted in healthy discussions about our military and the importance of training service dogs to help them with visible and invisible wounds.

Kayla says there are always lots of “oohs” and “ahhs” when the feed goes on, and the students see the puppies romping and playing.

“The kids love the puppies so much! I usually share the puppy feed with my 8th graders on Fridays, when they take their weekly quiz,” said Kayla. “Admittedly, it can be pretty distracting. The feed with the smallest puppies in the whelping room is usually our best option, especially when they’re sleeping.”

If you’re not familiar with the 24-hour, live puppy cam, it first launched on Dog Bless You on Explore.org in 2012. At the time, the livestream was a novel idea, but since then millions of people have tuned in to watch the development and adorable antics of WCC’s future service dogs.  

Want to check it out? You can view the WCC puppy cam here.

 

 

 

Howl-o-ween Safety Tips for your Dog

Halloween is known for tricks and treats but keeping your dog safe and stress-free doesn’t have to spook you! Here are a few simple steps to keep your four-legged friend happy and healthy during this festive holiday.

No tricks, no treats: That bowl of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not the dog. Chocolate in all forms — especially dark or baking chocolate — can be very dangerous. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause health issues. If you do suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, call your veterinarian immediately.

Costumes: If you’re planning to dress up your dog, be sure to have him try on the costume before the holiday. Make sure that it doesn’t impair mobility, sight or ability to breathe and that it doesn’t include any small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces.

If your dog is stressed, manage it like you would any other stress, and first make sure that you’re not anxious; your dog will synchronize with you, so make sure to use that to their advantage.

Second, lighten the mood with the usual “this is fun” attitude and, of course, give lots of treats and rewards!

If your dog doesn’t acclimate well to wearing the costume, considering only putting on some pieces at a time to lessen the stress bit-by-bit. If the costume is truly too much for him, you may want to skip it altogether.

Warrior Canine Connection holds special Halloween-themed training classes in advance of the holiday and encourages puppy parents to dress up their service dogs in training as a trial run. 

Keep dogs inside the house: With your door constantly opening and closing to greet trick-or-treaters, it’s a good idea to keep your dog inside on Halloween night. Putting your dog in a crate can help reduce stress and prevent him from darting outside the door.

Halloween can also be a good training opportunity; presenting your dog with plenty of positive reinforcements while seeing the strange visitors approach your door will give him exposure to new stimuli. However, trainers caution that if you sense uncertainty or fear, you should provide your dog with more space between it and the ghost or goblin at your door and reward him with the highest-value treats. It is important not to force your dog to go past their threshold of success.

Have a happy and safe Halloween!

Warrior Canine Connection’s Class of 2019

The following Veteran Service Dog Teams were introduced into WCC’s 2019 class of graduates.

SSG Spencer Milo, USA, Retired, and Service Dog Joseph

CAPT John Halsema, USN, and Service Dog McGhee

SSgt Ryan Boyles, USAF, and Service Dog Tommy

Col Dennis Fowler, USAF, Retired, and Service Dog Lou

The following Military Family Support Dogs were placed with their forever families. Military Family Support dogs help facilitate family relationships, including companionship, support and unconditional love for our military families.

SFC Mark Hughes, USA, Separated, with Military Family Support Dog Pegasus

MAJ Richard Star, USA, and Military Family Support Dog Otis

WCC also placed one facility dog this year. Facility dogs are paired with Veterans to work in a treatment or healthcare facility that provides care for active-duty Service Members and Veterans.

LCpl Kevin Rumley, USMC, and Facility Dog Clifford; the pair is working together at the Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court.

As well as these graduates, the following are six additions to WCC’s breeding program and will produce future litters of service dogs:
Cooper
Donna
Meli
Beverly
Charlie II
Dani

 

 

Graduation 2019 Photo Gallery

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New Faces at WCC

Emily Fritz
Emily Fritz comes to WCC after spending four years working in the nonprofit service dog industry, where she got her start as an intern and worked her way up, learning everything she could; she worked in the kennels, development, outreach and as the graduate support coordinator.

Emily has jumped in quickly at WCC and says the experience has already had a profound impact on her. 

“I feel like I’ve learned so much in the past month,” says Emily. “It’s incredible being part of such a unique community and family and getting to see that “magic” of when a Veteran connects with their dog and seeing how it affects them by giving them mobility, freedom and companionship. It’s already been such a wonderful experience — I’ve met a lot of amazing people already in the short time I’ve been here.”

When not working at WCC, Emily can be found 99% of the time alongside her own trusty black Lab, “Cheeky.”

“(Says laughing) I love answering the question of what I do outside of work because my life just revolves around dogs,” says Emily. “I look at her and ask what she wants to do and that’s what we do. From swim training and nose work to hanging on the beach, I love spending my time doing anything my dog’s interested in.” 

Emily graduated from the University of Delaware with a bachelor’s in animal science and a minor in disability studies. She is currently working on her master’s in human-canine life sciences at Bergin University.

Recently engaged to fiancé, John, Emily is also busy planning her wedding.

 

Emily McNeal
Emily McNeal comes to WCC from the U.S. Army, where she spent five years working as a lab tech. She spent most of her time in the service at Walter Reed. That’s where she began volunteering with facility dogs and began pursuing her passion to work with service dogs.

“When I was at the hospital in the Army, we would take the facility dogs to visit patients and seeing how they reacted at seeing the dogs really sparked my interest in working more closely with them,” says Emily. “It was amazing to see how, in such a short amount of time, the dogs would take their focus elsewhere — away from the pain they were dealing with — and brighten their day. Even if only for a few minutes, it was amazing to see.”

Now she’s excited to pair that prior experience with her passion for working with service dogs to help Veterans.

“I am so excited to be part of the WCC team,” says Emily. “It’s amazing to see these big, strong Veterans who have been through some life-changing experiences that some of us can’t even imagine – smile and open up while holding a tiny puppy in their arms, it’s so encouraging to see.”

Prior to joining the Army, Emily earned her undergraduate degree in childhood psychology and a master’s in human services, health and wellness, both from Liberty University.

When not spending time at WCC, Emily can usually be found coaching others as a Level 1 CrossFit Trainer at a local gym in Maryland.

Please join us in welcoming both Emily F. and Emily M. to our team!

Protect Your Pet from the Heat During the Dog Days of Summer

Summer is officially underway and with that comes sun, fun and heat! Don’t forget to protect your best friend by preventing heat stroke and danger related to the high temperatures.

Remember, dogs aren’t as efficient at cooling their body temperatures as we are — they’re built to conserve rather than release heat and tend to heat up much more quickly than we do. 

Here are some simple dos and don’ts to keep your best friend safe and comfortable during the summer months.

Dos
1. Always provide access to cold, fresh water. 

2. Create a splash pool or find a local watering hole that allows dogs to cool off in the water. For dogs who enjoy the water, simply laying in it can help bring body temperatures down.

3. Limit your dog’s exercise when temperatures rise. Consider shorter walks in the morning and in the evenings when the temperatures have dropped.

4. Protect your dog’s paws by limiting walks to grassy areas and other cooler surfaces or wait to take a stroll until the sun goes down. 

5. Make sure you know how to recognize the signs of overheating in your dog. They include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, staggering, seizures and loss of consciousness. 

Don’ts
1. Never, ever leave your dog in the car unattended. Even if the car is parked in the shade or it’s “only for a few minutes,” the temperature inside of a car can reach oven-like temperatures in just minutes. It’s also illegal; to-date, 31 U.S. states have laws prohibiting leaving an animal in a confined vehicle under dangerous conditions. 

2. Keep your dog away from surfaces that get hot from the sun, like asphalt and cement. Being near the ground can heat their body quickly and lead to paw and skin burns. 

3. If you suspect your dog is overheated, don’t try to force him to drink or submerge him in cold water— it’s best to seek immediate veterinary attention.

Is Your Dog Ready for Fireworks?

With the Fourth of July just around the corner, now is a good time to think through your plans for your dog during those festive fireworks. While some dogs have no problem with the sight and sound of fireworks, for many others, it can be a particularly stressful event.  

Did you know that more dogs run away on the Fourth of July than any other day of the year? That’s why it’s crucial to take precautions in advance of the holiday. Here are a few simple steps you can take to ensure your dog’s safety. 

  1. Prepare. Prepare. Prepare.
    Did we mention that preparation is a crucial element to ensure the safety and comfort of your dog prior to his first fireworks experience?If you can’t be with your dog during the fireworks, we recommend placing him with a friend or family member who can keep him company during the show to soothe him during the loud pops, bangs and bursts.If it’s an unfamiliar place for your dog, we recommend taking him there several times in advance so it’s a familiar and comfortable setting.
  2. Create a Safe Space
    If you can’t take your dog somewhere and you aren’t going to be home, we recommend placing him in a crate with the radio playing. Be sure to include a treat, like a frozen Kong to keep him busy. We do require supervision for our service dogs in training ages six months and younger, and we highly recommend it for any all pets who will be experiencing their first fireworks display.
  3. Practice Makes Perfect
    During our service dog training, we routinely expose our dogs to different sights and sounds. Although fireworks are louder and brighter, we do practice playing loud sounds for our dogs to help acclimate them to the noise. If possible, we recommend playing recorded sounds of fireworks in the months in the lead-up to the Fourth of July to help condition your dog.
  4. Talk to Your Dog
    If you are going to be with your dog during the fireworks, continue to talk to him, and send him reassuring messages that there’s nothing to worry about. As we like to say, “throw a party” if you notice your dog doesn’t react to the initial loud noises. Don’t be afraid to pull out those tasty bones, treats and toys to make the time special and fun for him.Remember, just a few steps on your part can ensure that both you and your dog can enjoy a very happy Fourth of July. 

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Volunteers

Dear Friends,

There’s an adage that says, “One of the greatest gifts you can give is your time,” and I couldn’t agree more. Being that April marks Volunteer Appreciation Month, I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to all of you who have given so generously of your time and talents to help WCC fulfill its mission. We simply couldn’t do what we do without your support — you are extraordinary!

In fact, I’d like to show you the impact that all our volunteers have on our organization. This infographic showcases a few key stats from 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see, volunteers spent more than 50,000 hours (more than 50,000!) volunteering on behalf of WCC last year. That’s nothing short of amazing! Approximately 40,000 of those hours are spent by our Puppy Parents – helping to train future service dogs. What isn’t taken into account are the almost two years they spend helping to raise our amazing pups — caring for, feeding, transporting and nurturing these wonderful future service dogs in training.

All these numbers are impressive and impactful but what you can’t quantify are the life-changing relationships that have been built through our volunteer network, the friendships, caring and compassion and true “connections” that enable us to do our jobs and provide the much-needed support to our Veterans in need. That’s a true intangible, and it wouldn’t be possible without all of you.

Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your unwavering support and dedication to WCC and our nation’s Veterans.

Sincerely,

 

 

Rick Yount

New Faces at WCC

Warrior Canine Connection is pleased to introduce you to two new team members. Please join us in welcoming…

Sarah Olson is the new volunteer coordinator for WCC. Sarah works with all the different individuals and groups who help support WCC’s mission. In her role, she supports just about every WCC program through the recruitment, coordination and placement of all our amazing volunteers.

No stranger to the military, Sarah is married is Mike, a 21-year Army Veteran, and they and their four daughters have lived all over the country, including Fort Bragg, Fort Knox, Fort Drum, Madison, Wisconsin and Fort Belvoir.

After multiple deployments, one of their daughters began wrestling with severe anxiety, which led her family to apply for a military family support dog from WCC. They were paired with Black Lab Stacey, who graduated in WCC 2018 class.

“Stacey has transformed our family,” says Sarah. “The unconditional love that she has brought to our family, how she loves my daughter and all of us — no matter what — has been absolutely life-changing for us. I am a WCC advocate now turned staff member and consider it a true privilege to now get to help others.”

Sarah received her degree in elementary education from Western Kentucky University and comes to WCC after teaching kindergarten for three years. Throughout the years, she also helped create and manage several military and school volunteer programs.

Meet Amy Guidash. Based in Asheville, North Carolina, Amy runs the WCC service dog training program in conjunction with Buncombe County’s Veterans Treatment Court.

Amy can routinely be found in the courtroom with her lovable sidekick Clifford, a Golden Retriever from the Greatest Generation litter. Together, they provide training instruction and outings for Veterans involved in the legal system. She says the program has been such a success, several Veterans who’ve already completed their community service hours continue to volunteer with WCC’s program simply because they love it.

And so does Amy.

“Having a background in mental health, I went through a lot with a lot of people,” said Amy. “The progress and impact you see when people interact with the dogs are amazing; you can see them make these automatic connections, and that’s something that’s hard to find in mental health because it’s a long-term process. With dogs, you can often see the light bulbs go on and see an immediate connection. It’s an absolute passion of mine to take the two worlds and use them together for the greater good.”

Amy has a Master’s in marriage and family therapy from Seton Hill University. She is married and has two daughters.

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