Creighton & Papa: Continuing to Serve

For retired Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant Creighton Scott, the transition from military service to civilian life came with challenges, but also with an unexpected source of strength and purpose. Enter Warrior Canine Connection (WCC), where Creighton not only worked to help train dogs for his fellow Veterans, but also met Papa, his own service dog and loyal partner. Papa now supports him in his daily life and has helped reignite his commitment to helping others.

As graduates of WCC’s Class of 2024, Creighton and Papa are powerful reminders of the impact these dogs have on the lives of those who served. Their journey reflects the heart of WCC’s mission and sets the stage for the next chapter with the upcoming Class of 2025. Watch Creighton and Papa’s story here.
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Warrior Spotlight: Jonathon & Hutton’s Journey

When Army Veteran Jonathon Kohl woke up in a hospital bed in 2013, doctors told his parents he would likely never walk again. He had survived a helicopter crash while serving in Afghanistan—just four months into his deployment and three years into his military career. The traumatic brain injury he sustained, along with other physical wounds, erased his memories and changed the course of his life forever. 

Jonathon doesn’t remember the crash. In fact, he has limited memories of his life before it. But what he does remember is what’s come since—especially the impact of Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) and Warrior Canine Connection (WCC). 

Jonathon is an active participant in WWP’s Independence Program, which provides long-term support for Veterans with moderate-to-severe brain injuries. Through the program, he receives help with transportation, attends music and art therapy and participates in adaptive sports like rock climbing, Soldier Ride and his personal favorite—golf. 

“I won’t say I’m any good, it’s just for fun,” shared Jonathon. 

The Independence Program not only supports Jonathon with connections, appointments and daily needs—it also gives his parents, Micha and Paul, a much-needed break to focus on their own responsibilities and well-being.  

Jonathon also regularly attends WWP’s virtual peer support groups and finds connection and motivation among other Warriors walking similar paths. 

It was through WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program that Jonathon met Hutton, the dog who would become his constant companion and a key part of his healing journey—providing daily support, comfort and stability. Veterans in the program help train service dogs for fellow Warriors, and Jonathon and Hutton officially graduated as a WCC Veteran Service Dog Team in 2022. 

“He’s very loyal,” says Jonathon. “He predicts things I need and does them without me asking—like picking up dropped items or getting my cane. He’s given me another responsibility. I think about him more than myself sometimes.” 

The match has been life-changing, not only for Jonathon but for his entire family. His parents Micha and Paul, who have been active in his recovery since the accident and took over as his full-time caregivers after his divorce, also went through WCC’s advanced handler training so they could better support “Team Hutton.” 

“He now has responsibilities,” said Paul. “He makes sure Hutton is fed, and we team up for baths and nail trims. Hutton’s become a big part of our lives.” 

Jonathon’s involvement with WCC didn’t stop at graduation. He continues to participate in MBTR and helps socialize future service dogs, giving back to the community that has given him so much. 

In recognition of his perseverance and spirit, Jonathon was honored as the first recipient of WCC’s “Spirit of Gabe” award at the organization’s inaugural Ruff Mudder event. When he’s not working with Hutton or training other dogs, you might find him lifting weights or hanging out with the drone club at Walter Reed. 

The road hasn’t been easy. But through WWP, WCC and the loyalty of a dog named Hutton, Jonathon Kohl has found healing, independence and a renewed sense of purpose. 

To hear Jonathon talk about his relationship with Hutton, visit https://youtu.be/D-FuoOj5Mu0?si=m8d6MXWZVvGDDqGd. 

Learn more about Wounded Warrior Project’s Veteran programs and support here.

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Finding connection through canine companionship: Veterans and the power of puppy socialization

For many Veterans, adjusting to life after service comes with unique challenges. Through a partnership between Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) and Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), Veterans are finding healing, connection and camaraderie in an unexpected way—through adorable puppies.

Exposure to people, touch, sound and other stimuli are a crucial part of a puppy’s development. That’s why WCC starts the socialization of its future service dogs when pups are just 4-5 weeks old. WCC’s puppy socialization program takes place multiple times a week, offering Veterans, including those involved in WWP’s programming, military families and those on the waitlist for a service dog, the chance to interact with these adorable puppies.

But as Lauren Tyler, WCC’s Breeding and Puppy Development manager, who helps coordinate the sessions, will tell you, beyond puppy enrichment and training exercises, these gatherings are providing another deep impact—a space for Veterans to connect with one another in a meaningful way.

“The program is really about connection,” Tyler says. “Yes, we’re working with future service dogs, but what also stands out besides the puppies is the sense of community being built. It’s a space where Veterans can bond, share experiences, make new friends and find support from people who truly understand them.”

One of those WWP participants is retired Air Force Major Idola Gunn, who retired in 2014 after 28.5 years on active duty. Major Gunn learned about WCC’s puppy socialization program through WWP. After losing her 11+ year old dogs in 2017 and 2019, Gunn was eager to learn more about the program. Fast forward a couple of years, and she has since participated a half-dozen times and attended two WCC service dog graduations.

“I left military service with mental and physical disabilities,” said Gunn. “Throughout my career, I have met several Department of Defense working dogs, however, they are doing just that, ‘working.’ WCC’s puppy socialization program is a feel-good activity that allows you to spend time with and eventually help train the dogs. I have seen the interactions with other Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, and to see their faces while they are cuddling and snuggling these pups, it is simply great. It was something I truly needed in my life.”

For retired Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Sarah Gooch, the program provided an unexpected yet deeply fulfilling outlet after sustaining head trauma and lengthy rehabilitation.

“If we lived closer, I’d be there all the time,” Gooch says. “It doesn’t matter what kind of day I was having—when I got to go in and work with the puppies, I couldn’t help but smile. It was my nirvana.”

Her connection with WCC became even more personal when WCC service dog, “Sarah Lu,” was named after her through its namesake program.

“It was such an honor,” said Gooch. “The puppy parents were incredible, and they even brought her to my retirement. That moment meant everything to me.”

Gooch believes that programs like this, and many others than WWP offers, not only help Veterans focus on something positive but also serve as an opportunity to reconnect with a part of themselves that may have been lost.

“It helps to refocus, to bring some joy back into your life,” she says. “And the best part? You’re never alone in it. There’s always someone there who understands what you’re going through.”

While each Veteran’s journey is different, one thing remains the same—the importance of connection. Whether it’s sharing stories over a training session or simply sitting with a puppy and finding a moment of peace, WCC’s puppy socialization program provides a unique kind of healing and connection.

“There’s always a different group of people volunteering,” Gunn says. “You meet people from different branches of service, different walks of life—it’s a great opportunity to share. Even just the ride out there is soothing.”

For many, this program is more than just an event on a calendar. It’s a lifeline. It’s a place where Veterans can find understanding, companionship and a sense of purpose—all while helping to ready some adorable puppies for their first stages of training.

“If you’re on the fence about it, just try it,” Gunn encourages. “It’s an awesome program. Pick and choose what resonates with you and take that step. You never know how much it might change your life.”

To learn more about Wounded Warrior Project’s programs, visit https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

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Healing Together: Wounded Warrior Project’s Project Odyssey and the Power of Dogs

For Veterans navigating life after military service, programs like Wounded Warrior Project’s (WWP) Project Odyssey provide critical tools for healing and resilience. Through outdoor activities and group-based skill-building, Project Odyssey helps Veterans build resiliency by reconnecting with themselves and others.

Project Odyssey is a 12-week program that helps strengthen coping and communication skills through group activities, outdoor experiences and a 5-day in-person workshop. Over the past three years, Warrior Canine Connection’s (WCC) Asheville team has supported several sessions, bringing their service dogs in training to interact with Veterans as part of WCC’s Mission-Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program.

“Project Odyssey really aligns well with our Mission-Based Trauma Recovery curriculum,” says Amy Guidash, WCC’s program director. “We absolutely love working with Wounded Warrior Project—they’re fabulous partners. It’s another opportunity to bring the healing power of working with service dogs to a whole different group of Veterans. We’re able to show how the skills they’re learning in Project Odyssey—like clear communication, impulse control, and relationship building—connect directly to their work with the dogs.”

During in-person workshop, the goal is to challenge Warriors to get out of their comfort zones, learn new skills on how to approach different experiences and help with connecting the experience to improve their own coping skills and build resiliency to when challenging their own lives. Then, after they’ve left, the idea is to use the things they’ve learned during the program to adapt, cope and build a better life. For many participants, joining the program alone takes courage.

“It’s amazing to see Warriors come together for a week,” says Alex Jankowski, Project Odyssey Specialist, WWP. “Even just getting on a plane to attend can be a huge step. Watching them move out of their comfort zones, form connections and build camaraderie is incredible. That’s part of the magic—seeing their growth and the support networks they create.”

The program intentionally keeps the in-person activities under wraps until the last moment to challenge participants to stay present and adaptable, teaching them to apply those lessons to real-life scenarios.

WCC’s service dogs bring an added depth to these experiences, helping Veterans practice patience, communication and trust.

“It’s amazing how quickly Veterans connect with the dogs,” Guidash says. “There are so many lightbulb moments where they realize, ‘If I can communicate this effectively with a dog, I can do it in other areas of my life, too.’”

Guidash recalls one session where two female Veterans initially stayed on the sidelines due to their reservations about dogs.

“By the end, they were fully engaged—interacting with the dogs, laughing and even taking selfies with them,” she says. “It was incredible to witness that shift. In such a short time, the dogs helped build a positive connection, fostering trust and emotional breakthroughs.”

WWP values WCC’s contributions to Project Odyssey, seeing it as a meaningful addition.

“When we partnered with WCC, the excitement among participants was palpable,” Jankowski says. “Many of them have personal connections to dogs, so being part of the training process hit home. It added a new layer of connection to the experience.”

For WCC, the collaboration is equally impactful.

“We’re so grateful to be a small part of the work WWP is doing with Project Odyssey,” Guidash says. “The program is making such a meaningful impact on Veterans’ lives, and we’re honored to support that.”

For Veterans who attend Project Odyssey each year, time spent with WCC’s service dogs is more than just heartwarming—it’s transformative. These interactions teach valuable life skills and offer Veterans a new way to connect—with themselves, with others, and with the world around them.

Healing can take many forms—a peer’s encouragement, a mentor’s guidance or the wag of a dog’s tail. For these Veterans, every small step forward is a testament to their resilience and the life-changing power of programs like Project Odyssey. To learn more about WWP’s Project Odyssey program, visit https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/programs/project-odyssey.

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Healing from within: A Veteran’s journey to helping others

Anna Cherepnina stood at Everest Base Camp, taking in the breathtaking view and reflecting on her journey; She had gone from the depths of despair to scaling new heights of hope—both figuratively and literally. Just a year earlier, Anna was overwhelmed by darkness, struggling to find any reason to keep going. With time and patience, she rebuilt her life and now helps others do the same as an outreach specialist with Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).

“I realized I’ve spent my entire career helping others, so it was time to take my own advice and ask for help,” says Anna. “The key is to take the tiniest of steps—put on your clothes and show up.”

A U.S. Army Reserve Veteran, Anna’s life has been shaped by her experiences in service and her share of challenges. Anna moved to the U.S. from Ukraine in 2001. She was 12 at the time and didn’t know a word of English, but when 9/11 happened, she says she understood what was taking place and felt a deep calling to give back.

“Seeing others join the military inspired me to contribute to the country that embraced me,” shared Anna. “In 2009, I joined the military because I wanted to contribute to the nation that welcomed me and offered opportunities I would never have had in the Ukraine.”

Anna enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in 2009, where she gained experience as a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Technician at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and served as a Behavioral Specialist and later as a Behavioral Health Supervisor in Combat Operational Stress Control Units. In 2015, she switched over to the Army National Guard, and during that time, she completed occupational therapy fieldwork at Towson University and worked as an Office Assistant at the Veteran Mental Health Center.

It was in 2021, during her second deployment, that she began losing feeling in her limbs and became paralyzed. She received an unexpected diagnosis—multiple sclerosis—which led to her medical retirement in 2022.

“I’ve always loved psychology and the way we deal with life circumstances,” said Anna. “I truly believe everything happens for a reason,” Anna shares. “I’ve been through my own health issues, lost my fiancé and reached a very low point. I didn’t want to live anymore, but my friends came and got me. That’s when I reached out to Wounded Warrior Project.”

One of her very first WWP events was a training program offered through its partner organization, Warrior Canine Connection (WCC), to learn how to help train a service dog. Anna attended and was hooked. She also enlisted WWP’s help with resume writing and networking, and before long, saw a job opening within the organization—Anna says she knew it was where she was supposed to be.

Today, as an outreach specialist with WWP, Anna continues to make an impact. She connects Veterans with the resources they need, drawing from her own experiences and struggles, to guide others on their paths to healing, which regularly includes WWC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery training program, where Veterans learn to help train service dogs for their fellow Warriors. From the base of Everest to the halls of WWP, Anna’s journey is a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is always a path to healing—one small step at a time.

 

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Keisha Peterson-Anderson: A Healing Journey Through Warrior Canine Connection

We are privileged to introduce you to U.S. Navy IT3 Keisha Peterson-Anderson, whom we met through Warrior Canine Connection’s (WCC) Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training program in partnership with Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). We are honored to share her Warrior story. 

U.S. Navy IT3 Keisha Peterson-Anderson was working at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001—the day American Airlines Flight 77 was hijacked and crashed into the building, killing all 64 people on the plane and 125 people in the Pentagon.

Two weeks would pass before Keisha received official confirmation that Kevin, a dear friend and colleague who worked in another side of the building, had died in the horrific tragedy. 

“I did what most people do, you grieve and try to move on,” said Keisha. “But I wasn’t really grieving, I was in shock. I got up and went to work every day … I look back now and wonder how I was functional. I literally went to work the day after 9/11.” 

Keisha served 8 years and 10 months of active duty before separating from the Navy in late 2001. She remained in the D.C. area and became a government contractor working in various organizations in the IT and intel field. But emotionally, Keisha says she was just ‘going through the motions.’ 

After some persuasion from a friend, Keisha attended a Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) event. She felt great camaraderie with fellow brothers and sisters in arms, and attended multiple functions, including an Odyssey (retreat), Soldier Rides, and other local activities and outings. Slowly but surely, the events became the impetus for Keisha to start therapy. 

It was at one of those local events that Keisha heard Sarah Olson from WCC speak about the organization’s MBTR training program. 

“Every day on Earth is an ongoing sense of therapy,” says Keisha. “When things happen to you as a person, you can’t just go to eight therapy sessions and be healed. I was really living a half-normal life because of the trauma I experienced.” 

Not only did Keisha complete the 8-week MBTR program, but so did her son, Taryn, 15.   

“Being at WCC was so therapeutic to me,” said Keisha. “We were never really into dogs before, but it made me feel like I had a need, and this animal was here to help and had a need itself. The training was freaking amazing for me and my son. That training, although completed, is still soothing to me, and helping me to get over something that happened 22 years ago. It brought a lot of wonderful feelings and resolve to our every day.” 

In fact, the experience, coupled with her ongoing therapy, impacted Keisha so much that she is now on the WCC waitlist for a service dog. 

To learn more about WWP’s programs, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org. For more information about WCC’s MBTR program, visit www.warriorcanineconnection.org. 

 

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Warrior Spotlight: Andrew Miller

Today we introduce you to U.S. Air Force Captain (ret.) Andrew Miller. He’s a Veteran who Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) had the pleasure of meeting through its Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training program in partnership with Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). We are honored to share his story.

A horrific car accident in February 2021 prompted U.S. Air Force Captain (ret.) Andrew Miller to medically retire. Andrew has no recollection of the 4-5 months spent in the hospital immediately following the wreck. He underwent multiple surgeries, requiring 19 screws in his leg and treatment for a traumatic brain injury (TBI). As a pilot with a strong passion for flying, Andrew was grounded and felt disconnected and without purpose.

But Andrew says there are two things that have helped him on his continued healing journey: group workouts with WWP and working with WCC’s service dogs in training. 

While at Walter Reed recovering, Andrew attended workouts at the Under Armour Headquarters offered through WWP. The group workouts not only helped him feel connected but went a long way in his physical rehabilitation.

“It was really nice being able to have discussions with other people who speak the same language [military] as you,” said Andrew. “I went from those early days of not being able to walk at all to being able to run again.”

In fact, a few months back, Andrew completed the Army Ten-Miler. He openly shares, “It wasn’t through lack of effort. I took it slowly and steadily, one day at a time.” 

He also learned about WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training program through WWP. Andrew started by taking a class at its headquarters in Boyds, Maryland. He really enjoyed it, so he took more classes, and completed the eight-week MBTR training program. Soon after, he committed to classes to become an independent handler, meaning he helped care for the service dogs in training and assisted WCC service dog training instructors where needed. 

“When I see dogs, it just brings a huge smile to my face. When I learned about WCC’s program, I had just medically retired and was looking forward to an opportunity and something to do. It was super beneficial for me in reattaching and realizing I could still have a purpose, even if it was connecting with a dog—I still have a purpose and I found that to be very, very inspiring,” shared Andrew. 

Growing up, Andrew aspired to become an astronaut. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he learned to fly. While there, he flew gliders and taught survival school. Following graduation, he attended pilot training and completed six deployments —five flying and one on the ground.

“I wanted to learn to fly, but once I got there, I got to see a lot more purpose in being in the military,” said Andrew. “It really inspired me to find a deeper purpose for serving.” 

Although Andrew is currently unable to fly, he’s found another way to serve—by teaching others. Andrew is now working for​ ​a regional subsidiary of American Airlines using his experience to teach new pilots how to fly. He’s not only found purpose but has set two new goals for 2024: working with his next WCC dog and completing a half-marathon. 

To learn more about WWP’s program, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.  

Warrior Spotlight: Molly O’Connell’s Journey of Healing and Hope

Three years ago, as she was being rushed into emergency surgery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center during the COVID pandemic, doctors told U.S. Air Force Major (ret.) Molly O’Connell and her husband that there was a chance she may not walk again — it would depend on the severity of the damage to her spinal cord.  

Molly recently shared her story with us after attending Warrior Canine Connection’s (WCC) Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training program in partnership with Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). We are privileged to share her warrior story below.  

Molly enlisted in the Air Force after high school and spent 20 years serving her country. During the first 10 years of her military career, she was enlisted in mortuary services. She then went on to get her nursing degree and became an officer, where she spent an additional 10 years caring for others.  

Molly had always had spinal issues during her service and deployments. She had undergone previous surgeries, including a neck fusion and spine surgery. But in 2020, she was diagnosed with cauda equina syndrome, a diagnosis that means she had compressed nerves at the base of her spinal column causing severe pain and paralysis from the waist down. She underwent emergency surgery at Walter Reed. 

“It took two years for me to start walking again,” said Molly, “I completed intensive physical therapy and came home in a motorized wheelchair. My husband pulled in the driveway and showed me the ramp that the VA installed for me at the front door of the house, and right then I swore I was going to walk again and remove that ramp, and I did.” 

Walking again was a tremendous feat, but despite overcoming that huge physical hurdle, Molly says it took a toll on her mental health due to her “new normal,” and she became extremely depressed. This change meant she had to walk away from her nursing career and several other hobbies she had. 

“Even though my body was getting better, mentally, I was not doing well at all,” says Molly. “You can do all the exercises in the world, but that doesn’t help when you are feeling alone and down.” 

She started seeing a therapist at the Steven A. Cohen Clinic who told her about Warrior Canine Connection’s (WCC) Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training program. Molly says the mere mention of dogs had her immediately interested. 

She attended WCC’s eight-week Mission Based Trauma Recovery training program, helping to train service dogs in training for other Veterans. But during the process, she learned a lot about herself. 

“MBTR has completely turned my life around … I want to live now, I want to do stuff, I want to become an ambassador for WCC,” said Molly. “I am obsessed with animals and being able to be social again really helped me mentally. I think there’s so much to be said for people who come back from deployment — they might have medical wounds that are going to heal, but being able to return to life and be part of a community again is a huge part of it.” 

Molly also credits her husband, Vince Holtmann, who served eight years in the Air Force, with much of her recovery. Her physical challenges meant they could no longer ride bikes and work out together, like they used to. Together, they attended Wounded Warrior Project’s program, Project Odyssey, a couple’s retreat of sorts, where they were able to spend quality time and reconnect. 

“The one-week program [Project Odyssey] focused on ways to re-engage and communicate with each other while more importantly, to relearn one another after life-changing events. Both WCC and WWP have been awesome. They’ve helped give me a sense of purpose. Before entering the military, I often wondered why people leave the service and keep talking about years and years later. I never thought that would be me, but there is that sense of camaraderie you miss … it’s like a big family with so much in common to talk about that a lot of people in the outside world can’t relate to … I was still missing that and being around other Veterans and sharing common ground helped me feel like I wasn’t going through it alone.” 

After completing WCC’s MBTR training, Molly signed up as a volunteer and is helping to train future service dogs. 

Molly also shares her name with WCC’s Molly, an honor she accepted after her husband nominated her as a namesake for the yellow Labrador Retriever and current service dog in training. 

To learn more about WWP’s programs, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org. For more information about WCC’s MBTR program, visit www.warriorcanineconnection.org.  

Warrior Spotlight: U.S. Army First Sergeant Alex Brownstein

U.S. Army First Sergeant Alex Brownstein says serving in the military has been the most meaningful thing he’s done in his life. We met him through Warrior Canine Connection’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training program in partnership with Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). We are honored to share his Warrior story. 

“First and foremost, for me, service to others is a very big thing, it’s kind of what has guided me for the past 18 years, different trials, different tribulations,” said Brownstein. “I frame it as if what I am doing benefits others, not just myself, I am doing something right. It’s been so impactful and has also afforded me the opportunity to see the world, have new experiences, and tackle some challenging assignments.” 

Brownstein has endured several challenging assignments over the course of the past 18 years, including three deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was during one of his tours in Afghanistan that he sustained a traumatic brain injury due to exposure to an improvised explosive device (IED). 

It was shortly after that when a physician told Brownstein about WWP and its programming that many Veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) benefit from. Brownstein enjoyed several events, including trivia nights, virtual events, and other outdoor activities.  

It was at one WWP event that he discovered WCC and its MBTR training program. Essentially, Service Member and Veteran participants help train service dogs for fellow Warriors over the course of eight weeks. Through the training, Veterans help their comrades in arms, they can also benefit from therapeutic aspects of the program including increased impulse control, sleep and emotional regulation, as well as decreased stress levels, depression and hypervigilance. 

“I loved it, absolutely loved it,” said Brownstein. “I’m not a very social person, so it allowed me to interact and integrate with a group of Veterans and volunteers through WCC in an environment where there was no pressure, no stress, you were there to help with the dogs and participate in a program that will help Veterans in need. I felt very strongly connected to it — it had the added benefit of showing me another way to decrease my own levels of stress and provided me with purpose outside of my military career.” 

Now stationed at Fort Meade in Maryland, Brownstein works as an organizational leader, helping to take care of other soldiers. In fact, he also recently arranged to have his team visit WCC to learn more about the program and interact with the dogs. 

“It reinforced the incredible bond that can be had between a human and a dog,” said Brownstein. “Some of the bonds I’ve had in the military are the strongest I’ll ever have, and I found a lot of similarities with the dogs.” 

To learn more about WWP’s programs, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org. For more information about WCC’s MBTR program, visit www.warriorcanineconnection.org. 

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Army Veteran Finds Healing in Helping Others

Today we introduce you to U.S. Army Reserve Sergeant First Class (Ret.) Paul Kelly, who’s had a unique military career. Post-retirement, he has devoted his time and talents to multiple volunteer efforts—all to benefit his fellow Veterans.

Paul Kelly was always intrigued by the military; his father was a U.S. Marine, and his uncles served, too. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1979 and spent four years on active duty as an infantry solider in Northern Germany before becoming an electrician for the federal government, where he built a 30-year career.

But after the events of 9/11, Paul was compelled to re-enlist—20 years after his original service—only, this time in the U.S. Army Reserves, where he served as a construction engineer and a basic electricity instructor. During that time, he completed a one-year deployment to Iraq in 2003 and three deployments to Afghanistan from 2008 to 2012, where he worked as a construction engineer with the Army Corps of Engineers before retiring in 2015.  

It was during his last deployment that Paul was injured in the line of duty. He shared, “I got the Purple Heart … it’s not the kind of award you want, but I’m honored to have received it.”

A family man at heart, after retiring from his 30-year electrician career in 2018, Paul enjoyed spending more time with his wife, Annie, two grown children and his three grandchildren. He also dove into volunteer efforts, including serving as a mentor with Wounded Warrior Project’s (WWP) Mentor Program; founding the Poolesville Military Support Group; acting as Veteran Liaison with Frederick County Hospice; and helping to train service dogs through Warrior Canine Connection’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training program. 

Paul works closely with Wounded Warrior Project’s peer support group. The group meets monthly to talk amongst each other, and they also participate in other activities including indoor sky diving, axe throwing, arcades, and WWP’s Project Odyssey.

“It’s a good bunch of guys, we share things that work for us in a comfortable setting, and it’s a great bonding experience,” said Paul. “We all miss the camaraderie the military provided.”

He also volunteers with WCC. In fact, what started as his volunteer participation in its eight-week Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training program, has long since led to him being a regular volunteer fixture at WCC’s Healing Quarters at both its Boyds and Frederick, Maryland, locations.  

“I learned about WCC in the newspaper, so I called them six months before I retired to see if I could help them out,” said Paul. “I wanted to help them, and the program ended up being therapy for me. What I get out of it is just phenomenal, like magic healing,” said Paul.  

Paul says volunteering for nonprofit organizations that support Veterans, including WCC and Wounded Warrior Project, brings him purpose, while helping him at the same time. He didn’t anticipate it, but by helping others, has helped him. “Both organizations are wonderful, and both have helped me out a lot,” says Paul. “And I’m happy to give back to them because they’ve done so much for me.”

In fact, working with WCC’s service dogs in training spurred Paul to enroll in an online course to become a certified, professional dog trainer. He says he wants to specialize in training service dogs and is actively visiting seniors and Veterans with his own dog, Luke, a 5-year-old Golden Retriever, who is a therapy dog. 

Contact Us

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info@warriorcanineconnection.org


Warrior Canine Connection
is a 501(c)(3)
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