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

Become a Puppy Parent

Puppy Parents raise our service dogs for approximately two years before the dogs graduate and are placed with a forever Veteran. Each puppy goes home with their Puppy Parent between the age of 8-12 weeks. To be considered for this important task, you must be willing and able to provide the following support and training for the WCC service dog in training:

  • Provide a stable, safe, consistent and loving environment
  • Provide the dog with access to new places, new people and new experiences
  • Supervise the dog throughout the day
  • Teach the dog manners and basic commands
  • Keep the dog on a leash at all times or supervised in a securely fenced area
  • Closely monitor the dog’s progress and submit monthly reports
  • Attend weekly training classes, including social outings that build skills and confidence
  • Provide the dog with age-appropriate socialization opportunities
  • Ensure that the WCC dog is the only dog under the age of one in your home
  • Agree to return the dog upon request
  • Transport the dog to the veterinarian when necessary
  • Depending on program location, you may be required to drop off/pick up the dog at the training office during the work week.

*Some locations require the puppy parent to take the service dog in training to work.

Requirements

  • Main handler must be 18+ years of age
  • Dogs in the household must be well-mannered, older than one year of age, fully vaccinated and be well cared for
  • Provide documentation and reporting when required
  • Participate in ongoing communications with WCC staff

If it seems like a major commitment, it is — but it is one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever undertake. For an inside look at the life of a puppy parent, please watch both of these videos, one featuring WCC’s Donnie and the other featuring WCC’s Stacy.

Warrior Canine Connection Covers

  • The cost of approved veterinary visits
  • Medications (including monthly Heartgard and Nexgard)
  • Basic equipment (leash, harness, vest and crate)
  • Dog Food

Puppy Parent Covers

  • Toys
  • Replacement items
  • Transportation costs; we cannot reimburse for mileage or gas at this time
  • Treats

Application Process

  • The first step in the process is to complete and submit a volunteer application
  • You will be contacted for an interview with WCC staff
    • The interview will include insight into our training processes and style. You will also gain knowledge of the dedication required to raise one of our future service dogs.
  • Attend Basic Training classes
  • Be patient until a dog becomes available
  • Consider becoming a Puppy Sitter in the interim

Questions? Contact puppyparent@warriorcanineconnection.org

Recent Posts

  • Warrior Canine Connection: Veterans recover from war, one dog at a time March 24, 2023
  • WCC Bench Madness – 2023 March 8, 2023
  • UPenn launches therapy dog program to assist America’s heroes March 7, 2023
  • Local content creators raise money for Warrior Canine Connection March 2, 2023
  • Warrior Spotlight: April Ames-Chase February 15, 2023

Featured Video

Contact Us

14934 Schaeffer Road
Boyds, MD 20841

(T) 301.260.1111
info@warriorcanineconnection.org

Connect with us!

Warrior Canine Connection
is a 501(c)(3)
Nonprofit Organization
# 45-2981579

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