The barn renovation at Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) is officially underway! It’s a big deal for all of us at WCC and a major milestone. Yep, we hit a few bumps along the way, thanks to the pandemic and some budget hurdles, but good things take time, right?
WCC felt strongly about renovating the 1938 barn on the property instead of demolishing it and rebuilding due to the rich history it had in serving Veterans. The barn was initially designed by the University of Maryland and built as a dairy barn to provide milk for the troops in the National Capitol Region. Nearly 100 years later—the barn will be poised to serve a different, but equally important role in supporting our Nation’s Veterans.
First things first: Phase one is a wrap! We had to do some serious structural TLC to keep the integrity of our beloved barn intact. That came with a price tag of more than $750k and included shoring up beams, installing new posts and installing a new well.
Now, it’s all about phase two — converting the barn into a space that’s not just pretty but practical, too. Currently underway, the floor is being torn up where the elevator will be installed, followed by masonry work inside the elevator shaft walls.
But that’s not all … the new barn will also feature a brand-new addition, which will be a 28’ x 115’ kennel area. That’s 14 new indoor kennels with all the creature comforts, from heating to air conditioning. Grooming area? Check. Canine care staff workstation? Double-check.
None of this would have been possible without countless generous donors and Davis Construction, which has helped with every phase of this project from planning to execution.
“I am over the moon about finally getting the construction started,” said WCC Director of Facilities Kim Vaughan, who is overseeing the project. “Davis Construction has been an incredible partner, supporting us through the ups and downs, offering ideas, and generously contributing by doing the job at their cost.”
When completed, the first floor of the barn will house office space for trainers, restrooms, large service dog training area, food prep area, laundry nook, and veterinary office. The upper floor will have administrative offices and meeting space. Despite snow on the ground, the old metal roof is currently being replaced with new plywood and roof paper, topped with a fresh, green sheet metal roof to make it cohesive with the rest of the property.
The project was able to move from the drawing board to construction thanks to hundreds of gifts from individuals and generous leadership gifts from Dan and Gayle D’Aniello, the State of Maryland, Julie Walters, a private family foundation, Montgomery County, Associated General Contractors of America, and John and Marcia Shooshan, among many others.
Timeline for completion? September 2024. This massive project is our way of stepping up to ensure WCC can provide the support Veterans deserve and meet the growing demand for its programs and services. And hey, if you want to be part of this epic transformation, check out how you can pitch in here.
To watch the progress in action, check out the WCC construction page here.
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Service dog training in prison | PHOTOS
See photos of the launch of the Warrior Canine Connection service dog program in Maryland’s state prison system by Karl Merton Ferron in The Baltimore Sun.
Warrior Canine Connection behind bars
SSUP, Md. — Opening the door for a disabled veteran?
No problem.
A Labrador retriever named “Wes” is in training to someday help a veteran with visible or invisible wounds through a program called Warrior Canine Connection at the maximum-security prison in Jessup and his trainer is a veteran as well, but he happens to be incarcerated. Check out the full story from WMAR News 2 here.
Maryland inmates and veterans benefit from Warrior Canine Connection program
BALTIMORE — A few months ago, Warrior Canine Connection partnered with the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to bring a service dog training program to the maximum-security Jessup Correctional Institution. Check out the full story from WJZ News here.
Warrior Canine Connection and Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Partner on Service Dog Training Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Incarcerated Individuals to Train Service Dogs for Veterans with Visible and
Invisible Wounds
BOYDS, Md. – In a groundbreaking partnership, Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) is excited to announce the launch of its new service dog training program at the Jessup Correctional Institution in Jessup, Maryland. Through this innovative program, incarcerated individuals will raise and train puppies that will become highly skilled service dogs for future placement with Veterans with visible and invisible wounds.
“We’re thrilled to launch this program in partnership with the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “This program represents a powerful synergy of rehabilitation and support for Veterans and provides incarcerated individuals with an opportunity to help their fellow brothers and sisters in arms.”
In this unique program, Veteran incarcerated individuals will participate in WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training program, which will be led by WCC’s expert staff. Inmate trainers will learn how to care for, socialize, and teach basic obedience and specialized skills to puppies who will ultimately become service dogs. This collaboration provides the inmates with a positive purpose during their incarceration and the chance to develop skills that can aid in their rehabilitation, future employment opportunities, and contribute to a meaningful cause.
“The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services is proud to serve and honor America’s wounded veterans by partnering with Warrior Canine Connection to provide life-changing service dogs,” said Carolyn J. Scruggs, Secretary of DPSCS. “This is an excellent restorative justice program, allowing incarcerated veterans to pay society back in a most meaningful way.”
Funding for this new program at Jessup is made possible thanks to the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs and Boeing.
“Veterans know better than most that service can be healing. I am proud that the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs can support this program to allow incarcerated veterans to continue to serve their fellow veterans,” said Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Anthony Woods. “The service dogs trained through this program will be a game-changer for our veterans and families, helping them lead richer and more rewarding lives.”
“We are proud to partner with Warrior Canine Connection to expand this important recovery program to even more veterans,” said Linwood Ham, Boeing’s director of military and veteran affairs. “Through this unique partnership, we are supporting veterans while providing incarcerated individuals an opportunity to give back in a meaningful way.”
For more information about Warrior Canine Connection and its Mission Based Trauma Recovery training programs, visit www.warriorcanineconnection.org.
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Media Contact:
Beth Bourgeois
Warrior Canine Connection
beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.org
719-216-3206
Fur-midable Friends: The Science Behind Dogs and Our Well-Being
According to a recent study published in The Journal of Nursing Administration (JONA), the calming effect of dogs extends beyond the physical realm and includes the virtual companionship found on screens.
For Rachel Lacy, who works in the gynecological oncology department at University of Virginia Hospital, the findings resonate strongly.
“Having the puppy cams, like the ones at Warrior Canine Connection, gives our staff moments of happiness and relief in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful working environment,” said Rachel Lacy, senior quality assurance specialist GYN ONC, University of Virginia Hospital. “The moment of reprieve is a welcome one especially in our oncology service line.”
The research findings revealed a notable decrease in self-reported anxiety among nurse leaders both individually and collected after participating in animal-related engagement (ARE) and support what Explore.org and WCC set out to prove through the puppy cam.
“The premise of starting Explore.org was to educate people about animals, bringing them into their living rooms,” said Courtney Huq, social media director, Explore.org. “Our viewers tell us often that puppy cams provide an uplifting dose of happiness, a break from day-to-day stress—that they’re the perfect antidote. It’s great to see the research catching up that.”
The live, 24/7 Warrior Canine Connection puppy cam hosted by Explore.org, has been in existence since July 2013. And in that time, millions of people have tuned in from all over the world. Over the years, WCC and Explore.org have heard not just from nurses, but also from teachers who have shown the feed in their classroom, doctors in ICUs during the height of the pandemic, and many, many other people, like Jane Jensen, who found relief in the camera while battling cancer a few years ago.
“I had that live stream up almost 24 hours a day for months; it literally got me through the chemotherapy treatments,” said Jane. “It was truly a spirit-saver—there’s no question. I didn’t have the energy or interest to watch TV, read or even eat at that point. I would just sit there and watch the puppies and they would make me smile. As an animal-lover, watching them helped lower my blood pressure and they just made my heart sing.”
Although WCC’s mission directly supports Service Members, Veterans and their families, we are thrilled at the reach our programs have extended far beyond specific community.
For more details on the research findings, you can access the complete JONA study here.
Share the (Puppy) Love!
Raising the Woof: WCC’s Barn Renovation for Enhanced Veteran Support
WCC felt strongly about renovating the 1938 barn on the property instead of demolishing it and rebuilding due to the rich history it had in serving Veterans. The barn was initially designed by the University of Maryland and built as a dairy barn to provide milk for the troops in the National Capitol Region. Nearly 100 years later—the barn will be poised to serve a different, but equally important role in supporting our Nation’s Veterans.
First things first: Phase one is a wrap! We had to do some serious structural TLC to keep the integrity of our beloved barn intact. That came with a price tag of more than $750k and included shoring up beams, installing new posts and installing a new well.
Now, it’s all about phase two — converting the barn into a space that’s not just pretty but practical, too. Currently underway, the floor is being torn up where the elevator will be installed, followed by masonry work inside the elevator shaft walls.
But that’s not all … the new barn will also feature a brand-new addition, which will be a 28’ x 115’ kennel area. That’s 14 new indoor kennels with all the creature comforts, from heating to air conditioning. Grooming area? Check. Canine care staff workstation? Double-check.
None of this would have been possible without countless generous donors and Davis Construction, which has helped with every phase of this project from planning to execution.
“I am over the moon about finally getting the construction started,” said WCC Director of Facilities Kim Vaughan, who is overseeing the project. “Davis Construction has been an incredible partner, supporting us through the ups and downs, offering ideas, and generously contributing by doing the job at their cost.”
When completed, the first floor of the barn will house office space for trainers, restrooms, large service dog training area, food prep area, laundry nook, and veterinary office. The upper floor will have administrative offices and meeting space. Despite snow on the ground, the old metal roof is currently being replaced with new plywood and roof paper, topped with a fresh, green sheet metal roof to make it cohesive with the rest of the property.
The project was able to move from the drawing board to construction thanks to hundreds of gifts from individuals and generous leadership gifts from Dan and Gayle D’Aniello, the State of Maryland, Julie Walters, a private family foundation, Montgomery County, Associated General Contractors of America, and John and Marcia Shooshan, among many others.
Timeline for completion? September 2024. This massive project is our way of stepping up to ensure WCC can provide the support Veterans deserve and meet the growing demand for its programs and services. And hey, if you want to be part of this epic transformation, check out how you can pitch in here.
To watch the progress in action, check out the WCC construction page here.
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Warrior Spotlight: Andrew Miller
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.
Media Advisory: Warrior Canine Connection, DPSCS Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs, MDVA Secretary Anthony Woods and More Launch Service Dog Program
(JESSUP, MD) – Tuesday, January 30th at 11 a.m. at Jessup Correctional Institution, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs hosts Warrior Canine Connection and Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Woods for the launch of the Warrior Canine Connection service dog program, the newest restorative justice program in State prisons.
Warrior Canine Connection has placed three service dogs-in-training behind the walls of the maximum-security Jessup Correctional Institution, where incarcerated men will train them throughout their journey to eventually becoming service dogs for wounded American heroes. The Department is proud to partner with Warrior Canine Connection. The partnership has even named a dog in honor of Governor Wes Moore.
“This program facilitated by Warrior Canine Connection and the Department is the epitome of restorative justice,” said Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs. “I’ve witnessed the powerful connection and bond between the dogs and our incarcerated men and women who participate in similar restorative justice programs, and the impact programs like this have on the lives of our incarcerated population is life changing.”
Warrior Canine Connection is a nonprofit organization that breeds, trains and places highly skilled service dogs with Service Members and Veterans with visible and invisible wounds. The nonprofit utilizes its Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training model to help recovering Warriors train dogs for their fellow Veterans. In doing so, the participant can also benefit from skills development in communication, confidence building, accountability, emotional regulation and patience to promote an act of service while receiving a therapeutic benefit.
Demonstration of the dogs’ skills will be displayed, and Governor Moore’s namesake service dog, Wes, will be present for media and photographs.
WHO:
MD DPSCS Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs
MDVA Secretary Anthony Woods
Warrior Canine Connection Founder and Executive Director Rick Yount
WHEN:
Tuesday, Jan. 30th, 11 AM
WHERE:
Jessup Correctional Institution
7805 House of Correction Rd
Jessup, MD
Media interested in attending should RSVP to Mark Vernarelli by Friday, January 26th at 3 pm: Mark.Vernarelli@maryland.gov
Warrior Canine Connection: ‘Puppy parents’ sought for veteran service dogs program
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Puppy parents to help puppies grow into veteran service dogs are in demand in Asheville, and it’s for a worthy cause.
Warrior Canine Connection, which invites veterans into the therapeutic mission and process of training service dogs that will be paired with fellow wounded warriors, is looking for puppy parents. Check out the full story on WLOS News 13.