(Press-News.org) New research finds that “man’s best friend” may help slow biological aging in women. This groundbreaking study, focused on female veterans in the United States, is among the first to examine the impact of working with service dogs on this often-overlooked population. By measuring biological indicators of stress, the researchers have uncovered a key insight: the way stress is felt emotionally doesn’t always reflect how it affects the body at a cellular level.
While women have served in the U.S. military for generations, their roles have expanded dramatically since 1948. Yet despite their growing presence and unique experiences, most military studies still center on men – even as women report higher rates of PTSD.
Building on the need for focused research, Florida Atlantic University researchers, in collaboration with the University of Maryland School of Nursing, the Medical College of Georgia, and Warrior Canine Connection, Inc., conducted the study involving female veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. But instead of receiving service dogs, these women volunteered to train them for fellow veterans in need – offering support not just to others, but potentially to themselves.
The study, supported by the National Institutes of Health’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, examined whether this purposeful, mission-driven activity could reduce both biological and psychological stress, and whether previous combat exposure influenced those effects. Until now, the emotional and therapeutic benefits of such unique relationships have been largely unexamined in female veterans.
To measure biological stress, researchers looked at telomere length (a marker of cellular aging) using saliva samples, and heart rate variability (HRV), a sign of nervous system balance, using wearable monitors in participants in the service dog training program group or a comparison group that watched dog training videos. Psychological stress was assessed using validated questionnaires measuring PTSD symptoms, perceived stress, and anxiety at multiple points during the study.
Results, published in the journal Behavioral Sciences, revealed promising biological benefits associated with service dog training – particularly for veterans with combat experience – while improvements in psychological symptoms were seen across all participants, regardless of the intervention.
One of the most striking findings involved telomere length. Veterans who participated in the dog-training program showed an increase in telomere length, suggesting a slowing of cellular aging. In contrast, those in the control group exhibited a decrease in telomere length, indicating accelerated aging. Combat experience significantly influenced these results: veterans with combat exposure who trained service dogs experienced the greatest gains in telomere length, whereas those with combat exposure in the control group saw the most pronounced declines.
On the psychological front, both groups – those who trained dogs and those in the control group – reported significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, anxiety and perceived stress over the eight-week period. However, these mental health improvements were similar across groups, suggesting that simply participating in the study and receiving structured attention may have offered therapeutic value. Unlike the biological findings, psychological outcomes did not appear to be affected by combat exposure.
“Female veterans face unique reintegration challenges that are often overlooked, and traditional PTSD treatments don’t always meet their needs,” said Cheryl Krause-Parello, Ph.D., first author, associate vice president for FAU research, associate executive director, FAU I-Health, and director of C-PAWW™. “Nontraditional approaches like connecting with animals can offer meaningful support. These relationships provide emotional safety and stability, which can be especially powerful for women. But not all veterans can care for a service animal, so animal-related volunteerism may offer similar healing benefits without the burden of ownership.”
The study also suggests that the skills learned during service dog training – such as positive reinforcement and reading animal behavior – may have strengthened participants’ bonds with their own pets at home, offering additional emotional support. Unlike general volunteering, service dog training uniquely blends emotional healing with building a close relationship between veterans and their animals, providing therapeutic benefits that go beyond typical community engagement.
“This research underscores the power of service dog training as a meaningful, non-pharmacological intervention to support the health and healing of female veterans with PTSD,” said Krause-Parello. “It opens the door to more personalized approaches that nurture both the mind and body.”
Female veterans aged 32 to 72 were randomly assigned to either the service dog training program group or a comparison group that watched dog training videos. Both groups took part in one-hour sessions each week for eight weeks. Researchers measured outcomes before, during and after the program.
These findings provide early evidence that non-pharmacological interventions – such as service dog training – may help reduce the physical toll of stress and slow cellular aging in female veterans.
Study co-authors are Erika Friedmann, Ph.D., corresponding author and professor emerita, University of Maryland School of Nursing; Deborah Taber, senior research project coordinator, University of Maryland School of Nursing; Haidong Zhu, M.D., Medical College of Georgia; Alejandra Quintero, a Ph.D. neuroscience student in FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science; and Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection, Inc.
– FAU –
About Florida Atlantic University:
Florida Atlantic University serves more than 32,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses along Florida’s Southeast coast. Recognized as one of only 21 institutions nationwide with dual designations from the Carnegie Classification – “R1: Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production” and “Opportunity College and University” – FAU stands at the intersection of academic excellence and social mobility. Ranked among the Top 100 Public Universities by U.S. News & World Report, FAU is also nationally recognized as a Top 25 Best-In-Class College and cited by Washington Monthly as “one of the country’s most effective engines of upward mobility.” As a university of first choice for students across Florida and the nation, FAU welcomed its most academically competitive incoming class in university history in Fall 2025. To learn more, visit www.fau.edu.
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FAU study finds training dogs helps ease stress, slow aging in women combat veterans
Perhaps you heard about the heartwarming story that went viral earlier this month when, after an 86-year-old Destin woman fell and couldn’t get up one evening while walking her son’s dog Eeyore, the “very good boy” left her side and soon led an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy straight to the moderately injured woman.
It was like a scene out of “Lassie.”
And yet more anecdotal proof that dogs truly are “man’s best friend.”
Turns out, though, that we now have more than just anecdotal stories to showcase the myriad ways dogs can positively benefit our health. Read the full story in The Palm Beach Post.
A Life of Service, A Journey of Healing: U.S. Army Veteran Todd DeLong
But life changed dramatically after a series of brain surgeries to remove an epidermoid cyst, the last in 2010 resulting in a stroke. The surgery left Todd with mobility challenges, vision loss and difficulties with speech. His wife, Nannette, his partner of nearly 40 years, has been by his side through it all.
“Everything about our lives changed in some way,” said Nannette. “There were challenges, yes, but also opportunities to find new ways to live, connect and enjoy life. The support we’ve received has been such a gift.”
For Todd, that support has come largely through Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) and Warrior Canine Connection (WCC). These programs have provided not only therapeutic activities and assistance but also a sense of community and belonging.
WWP connected Todd with a community support specialist who visits twice a week to take him to appointments, events and peer support group meetings. At one of those meetings, Todd, a dog lover, heard Warrior Canine Connection’s Sarah Olson speak, sparking his involvement with the nonprofit. Since then, Todd has completed WCC’s 8-week Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training program, and he now volunteers as an independent dog handler.
“I just like being with the dogs,” Todd shared simply.
Beyond time with the dogs, Todd keeps busy through WWP activities: from football games and movie outings to fly fishing with Project Healing Waters, golfing with Links to Freedom, Tai Chi and even bass guitar lessons through Guitars for Vets. He has also participated in the VA Air Rifle Clinic and attended events like “Day at the Bay,” where Veterans and families enjoy boat rides, Maryland blue crabs and camaraderie.
These programs provide more than just recreation — they offer healing and a renewed sense of identity.
“Being around other Veterans makes a big difference,” Todd said. “We understand each other.”
For Nannette, WWP’s caregiver programming has been equally impactful. She attended a retreat in 2021 that gave her both rest and connection with other caregivers.
“It was invaluable to talk with people who truly understood what it means to care for a loved one every day,” she said. “You leave with friendships, ideas and the reassurance that you’re not alone.”
Together, Todd and Nannette find joy in attending their grandchildren’s soccer games, cheering for James Madison University football and staying loyal to their beloved Philadelphia Eagles. They’ve built a life that balances medical challenges with moments of fun, family and connection.
Looking ahead, Todd is even considering applying for his own service dog through WCC — a step that could add another layer of independence and companionship to his journey.
When asked what keeps them going, Nannette doesn’t hesitate.
“It’s about embracing the support that’s out there and staying open to what life brings. These programs have given Todd opportunities to stay active and engaged, and they’ve given me space to breathe and connect, too. We’re grateful.”
For the DeLongs, healing is a shared journey — and with the help of WWP, WCC and a strong community of Veterans, friends and family, they continue to move forward together.
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Study finds ‘man’s best friend’ slows cellular aging in female veterans
(Press-News.org) New research finds that “man’s best friend” may help slow biological aging in women. This groundbreaking study, focused on female veterans in the United States, is among the first to examine the impact of working with service dogs on this often-overlooked population. By measuring biological indicators of stress, the researchers have uncovered a key insight: the way stress is felt emotionally doesn’t always reflect how it affects the body at a cellular level.
While women have served in the U.S. military for generations, their roles have expanded dramatically since 1948. Yet despite their growing presence and unique experiences, most military studies still center on men – even as women report higher rates of PTSD.
Building on the need for focused research, Florida Atlantic University researchers, in collaboration with the University of Maryland School of Nursing, the Medical College of Georgia, and Warrior Canine Connection, Inc., conducted the study involving female veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. But instead of receiving service dogs, these women volunteered to train them for fellow veterans in need – offering support not just to others, but potentially to themselves.
The study, supported by the National Institutes of Health’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, examined whether this purposeful, mission-driven activity could reduce both biological and psychological stress, and whether previous combat exposure influenced those effects. Until now, the emotional and therapeutic benefits of such unique relationships have been largely unexamined in female veterans.
To measure biological stress, researchers looked at telomere length (a marker of cellular aging) using saliva samples, and heart rate variability (HRV), a sign of nervous system balance, using wearable monitors in participants in the service dog training program group or a comparison group that watched dog training videos. Psychological stress was assessed using validated questionnaires measuring PTSD symptoms, perceived stress, and anxiety at multiple points during the study.
Results, published in the journal Behavioral Sciences, revealed promising biological benefits associated with service dog training – particularly for veterans with combat experience – while improvements in psychological symptoms were seen across all participants, regardless of the intervention.
One of the most striking findings involved telomere length. Veterans who participated in the dog-training program showed an increase in telomere length, suggesting a slowing of cellular aging. In contrast, those in the control group exhibited a decrease in telomere length, indicating accelerated aging. Combat experience significantly influenced these results: veterans with combat exposure who trained service dogs experienced the greatest gains in telomere length, whereas those with combat exposure in the control group saw the most pronounced declines.
On the psychological front, both groups – those who trained dogs and those in the control group – reported significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, anxiety and perceived stress over the eight-week period. However, these mental health improvements were similar across groups, suggesting that simply participating in the study and receiving structured attention may have offered therapeutic value. Unlike the biological findings, psychological outcomes did not appear to be affected by combat exposure.
“Female veterans face unique reintegration challenges that are often overlooked, and traditional PTSD treatments don’t always meet their needs,” said Cheryl Krause-Parello, Ph.D., first author, associate vice president for FAU research, associate executive director, FAU I-Health, and director of C-PAWW™. “Nontraditional approaches like connecting with animals can offer meaningful support. These relationships provide emotional safety and stability, which can be especially powerful for women. But not all veterans can care for a service animal, so animal-related volunteerism may offer similar healing benefits without the burden of ownership.”
The study also suggests that the skills learned during service dog training – such as positive reinforcement and reading animal behavior – may have strengthened participants’ bonds with their own pets at home, offering additional emotional support. Unlike general volunteering, service dog training uniquely blends emotional healing with building a close relationship between veterans and their animals, providing therapeutic benefits that go beyond typical community engagement.
“This research underscores the power of service dog training as a meaningful, non-pharmacological intervention to support the health and healing of female veterans with PTSD,” said Krause-Parello. “It opens the door to more personalized approaches that nurture both the mind and body.”
Female veterans aged 32 to 72 were randomly assigned to either the service dog training program group or a comparison group that watched dog training videos. Both groups took part in one-hour sessions each week for eight weeks. Researchers measured outcomes before, during and after the program.
These findings provide early evidence that non-pharmacological interventions – such as service dog training – may help reduce the physical toll of stress and slow cellular aging in female veterans.
Study co-authors are Erika Friedmann, Ph.D., corresponding author and professor emerita, University of Maryland School of Nursing; Deborah Taber, senior research project coordinator, University of Maryland School of Nursing; Haidong Zhu, M.D., Medical College of Georgia; Alejandra Quintero, a Ph.D. neuroscience student in FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science; and Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection, Inc.
– FAU –
About Florida Atlantic University:
Florida Atlantic University serves more than 32,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses along Florida’s Southeast coast. Recognized as one of only 21 institutions nationwide with dual designations from the Carnegie Classification – “R1: Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production” and “Opportunity College and University” – FAU stands at the intersection of academic excellence and social mobility. Ranked among the Top 100 Public Universities by U.S. News & World Report, FAU is also nationally recognized as a Top 25 Best-In-Class College and cited by Washington Monthly as “one of the country’s most effective engines of upward mobility.” As a university of first choice for students across Florida and the nation, FAU welcomed its most academically competitive incoming class in university history in Fall 2025. To learn more, visit www.fau.edu.
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Together for Veterans: Team Foster & WCC in Action
Team Foster was founded by Army Reservist and attorney Nick Liermann in memory and honor of his treasured friend, Captain Erick Foster, who was killed in action in Iraq. Nick wanted to ensure Erick’s legacy would live on by supporting other Veterans facing visible and invisible wounds of war. What began as a heartfelt tribute has grown into a thriving nonprofit with a powerful mission: “No Hero Left Behind.” Through events, fundraising and community outreach, Team Foster works tirelessly to educate, advocate, community-build and raise funds to help service dog organizations, including WCC, provide these highly skilled dogs to Veterans at no cost.
In 2024, WCC honored Team Foster with a Wag of the Tail Award in recognition of their outstanding partnership. To date, Team Foster has contributed $500,000 in support of WCC, helping expand our programs in Pennsylvania that train and place highly skilled service dogs with Veterans living with physical and psychological wounds. Their generosity continues to make a real and lasting impact.
In Philadelphia, Team Foster’s funding is supporting the training of Tugger, the second “Phillies Pup,” a WCC service dog in training named after U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and late Phillies great Tug McGraw. Earlier support helped train Major, who is now thriving with a military family. In Pittsburgh at Duquesne University, Team Foster’s financial support enables Veterans in the community to participate in WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program, directly extending the reach and impact of these vital programs.
“Nick and Team Foster are dogged in their passion for serving Veterans,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, WCC. “Their continued support helps us train more dogs, reach more Veterans and deliver on our shared mission of healing. We’re proud to work side-by-side with Team Foster to serve those who served us.”
And from Team Foster’s side, Nick will tell you this partnership is about more than just financial support — it’s about shared values, community and honoring the sacrifices of our nation’s heroes.
“Captain Foster didn’t just push himself, he inspired those around him to take care of each other,” shared Liermann. “The partnership between WCC and Team Fosters embodies Captain Foster’s legacy of showing up for our community, pushing one another and connecting through a shared sense of purpose to take care of our teammates.”
At WCC, we know we cannot do this work alone. Partners like Team Foster remind us that when people come together in support of our Veterans, the possibilities are endless. To Nick, the Team Foster staff and Board, their volunteers and every supporter who makes this work possible — thank you.
Together, we’re making sure no hero is left behind.
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Boyds-based Warrior Canine Connection helps veterans heal with service dogs
A national shortage of people who raise puppies is delaying the process
Warrior Canine Connection is a national nonprofit that trains and pairs service dogs with veterans. Its goal is to help them recover from post-traumatic stress and reconnect with their families and communities. But a national shortage of people who raise puppies is delaying the process, leaving many veterans waiting.
Check out the full story in BethesdaToday.
Warrior Canine Connection helps veterans heal with service dogs
BOYDS, Md. — Warrior Canine Connection is a national nonprofit that trains and pairs service dogs with veterans. Its goal is to help them recover from post-traumatic stress and reconnect with their families and communities. But a national shortage of people who raise puppies is delaying the process, leaving many veterans waiting. Watch the full story from Capital News Service.
Celebrating WCC’s Class of 2025
The festivities didn’t stop online — more than 600 members of the WCC community gathered in person at the WCC Healing Quarters in Boyds, Maryland. Guests traveled from near and far to enjoy delicious food and pup-friendly treats, live music, photo booth, tours of our beautifully renovated barn, and most importantly, to connect and celebrate the incredible achievements of our Veterans and military families and the dogs who support them. This year’s event was made paw-sible thanks to the love and dedication of our volunteers and supporters.
Congratulations to all our graduates, and a huge thank-you to the volunteers and supporters who make this life-changing work possible!
Missed the live stream — or want to watch again? Watch the full WCC 2025 Graduation ceremony here.
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WCC in the News: NBC’s TODAY
We’re actively seeking volunteers to join this amazing effort! Becoming a WCC Puppy Raiser gives you the chance to transform lives, and we’re making these opportunities more flexible so you can contribute in ways that fit your schedule and lifestyle.
Watch NBC’s TODAY story here and be inspired. Want to get involved? Learn more about being a WCC Puppy Raiser here.
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Honoring Veterans, One Name at a Time
The namesake program, which began in 2013, is a way to honor and celebrate Veterans by saying their names and telling their stories. We receive name nominations from the public, though we are currently only accepting female name nominations due to the large number of male nominations we already have waiting.
Naming a service dog in training after a Veteran means a lot to the namesake families, especially knowing that the dog named in their honor will be serving Veterans and the Veteran community. Here are just a few of the testimonials we have received from namesake families:
“Oh, wow. That’s my father. So happy to see Chappy carrying on service to our country.”
“Thank you SO much for this announcement and designation. We are all so touched at this honor for our father and know that William will be an inspiration for both he and his companion.
“I am excited, and I’m sure Steve is too, that our dad is also going to have a puppy named after him. He was an animal lover, just like our mom.”
“Omg! This was the last thing I expected to see this morning. I’m his big brother. We served together. Thank you so much. This means so much to our family.”
“We served together in the Corps him, his brother, my best friend Casey, all holding it down for Hollywood Florida, like it was our own battalion. He was loud, wild, and had more energy than a six pack of rip it. We miss him.”
“Thank you so very much. I am overwhelmed by your organization’s honoring me by naming one of your Warrior puppies after me. Coming at the holiday season this is especially meaningful as I spent Christmas 1970 in Da Nang 54 years ago. I appreciate the very nice write up on Facebook along with the picture of me and my namesake. The picture was taken in Da Nang in 1971 and was a favorite of my parents.”
“I feel it to be such an honor that my grandmother’s name is connected to such an important helpmate for a Veteran of today.”
Not only is it impactful to the namesake family, but the Veterans who end up being placed with a WCC dog also find it powerful. They often reflect about how much it means that the dog they are placed with is also carrying the name and story of a fellow Veteran.
If you have a female name nomination you would like to submit, please fill out this form: https://warriorcanineconnection.tfaforms.net/4899776
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Tugger the service pup visits Delaware Valley veteran’s home
Ahead of Thursday’s First Responders Night at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies, Team Foster and Warrior Canine Connection joined the beloved Tugger the service pup for a special visit to the Delaware Valley Veteran’s Home to celebrate and honor local vets. Read the full story on MLB.com.