New Faces at WCC – December 2024

Please join us in welcoming three “new faces” to Warrior Canine Connection (WCC). Desiree Kirby, Kayla Prince and Laura Osborne all joined our pack this fall. We’re happy to introduce you to each of them below.

Desiree Kirby, Business & Human Resources Manager

Desiree may be new to our team, but she’s no stranger to WCC; She began raising service dog in training, Dash, last year. Originally from Northeast Ohio, Desiree followed her passion for wildlife and the environment to Maryland, earning her degree in Environmental Science & Policy from the University of Maryland in 2010.

Before joining us, Desiree honed her skills with the U.S. Army at their Veterinary Treatment Facility in Washington and in private practices across Virginia and Maryland. She excelled in leadership, technical management, and creating meaningful relationships within her teams and communities. Desiree’s connection to WCC runs deep, having worked closely with us while at Olney-Sandy Spring Veterinary Hospital.

“The team has been great, everybody has been so welcoming and just a joy to work with, it’s refreshing. I’m just really happy to be here, honestly. Raising a service dog has given me a level of patience that I never knew I had.”

She lives in Germantown with her husband Mike, an animal keeper at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, their Border Collie named Ticket and WCC’s Dash. They also care for an impressive array of reptiles. When not working, you’ll find Desiree hiking, traveling and baking, which she shared is one of her very favorite hobbies. (Cakes and all kinds of cupcakes are her favorite items to bake.)

Laura Osborne, Accounting Assistant/Bookkeeper

We’re also excited to welcome Laura Osborne as WCC’s new part-time Accounting Assistant/Bookkeeper. Laura is rejoining the workforce after dedicating 23 years to raising her family, during which she also managed bookkeeping for her husband’s business. Laura attended George Mason University on a track scholarship and earned her economics degree with a concentration in accounting. She brings a keen eye for detail and an organized, proactive approach that will be a great asset to our team.

“It’s a wonderful atmosphere here—I feel welcomed, it’s peaceful, and I love my workspace,” said Laura. “I’ve often ridden my bike past and noticed the sign, and I was drawn to the generous and compassionate mission of supporting Veterans. The work truly makes a difference; the dogs help Veterans find a renewed sense of purpose. I’m proud to be part of this organization, even in a small way.”

Outside of work, Laura enjoys biking, gardening and kayaking. She and husband Dale, who have been married for 25 years, have three children, a German Shepherd, and two cats are active and enthusiastic members of their community. Please join us in welcoming Laura to WCC!

Kayla Prince, Veteran Training Program Coordinator

Kayla joined the WCC team in September, bringing a strong background in both psychology and dog training. A Maryland native, she previously worked as a certified dog trainer, specializing in helping family dogs with fear-based behavioral issues. With a degree in psychology from Goucher College and a master’s in social work from the University of Maryland, Kayla was drawn to WCC’s Mission-Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program as the perfect combination of her background in social work, her passion for dog training, and her belief in the healing power of the Human Animal Bond.

At WCC, Kayla works primarily with the MBTR program at headquarters and at the Platoon Veterans Services Center in Frederick. She also contributes to the MBTR program at the Veterans Treatment Court in Baltimore.

“I love it. I remember calling my friend after the interview and saying this is where I want to be, and I’ve felt the same every day since,” said Kayla. “We’re all a team working towards the same goals of helping veterans. I get to see the positive impact that helping to train the dogs has on our volunteers in each session. Having an office cat (Summer) is a huge perk too!”

When she’s not working, you can find Kayla soaking up the sun at Rehoboth Beach. She also enjoys time with her family, including her two rescue cats, Morgan and Watson, who she’s even trained using clicker training.

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