Funding Brings DAV’s Support to WCC for $700,000 Since 2016
BOYDS, Maryland – Today, Warrior Canine Connection announced it has been awarded a generous grant of $200,000 from the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Charitable Service Trust in support of its Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) Training Program. This substantial contribution marks the Trust’s largest gift to WCC to date and reaffirms its commitment to Veteran mental health and support, which are central focus areas for DAV.
“We are profoundly grateful to the DAV Charitable Service Trust for its partnership and continued investment in our organization,” said Rick Yount, executive director and founder, Warrior Canine Connection. “Together, we will continue to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives on our Veterans, ensuring they receive the programming, support and service dog assistance they need to thrive and lead fulfilling lives.”
The MBTR Program, developed by WCC, is designed to help Service Members and Veterans in recovery to train service dogs for their fellow Warriors. In doing so, Warriors 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.
“The Trust is proud to support Warrior Canine Connection because they understand the bond between veterans as much as they understand the animal-human bond,” said DAV Charitable Service Trust President Richard Marbes. “By empowering recovering veterans to train service dogs for fellow veterans in need, WCC instills purpose and provides hope to those who are on their healing journey.”
Since 2016, the Trust’s unwavering support has been instrumental in advancing WCC’s mission. Its total contributions to WCC now amount to an impressive $700,000. Two years ago, WCC bestowed upon DAV the prestigious Wag of the Tail Award, recognizing its remarkable leadership in the field of Veteran support. This grant represents yet another significant milestone in their enduring partnership.
Over the years, WCC has been actively engaged in DAV conferences and events, sharing its expertise and knowledge in service dog training and mental health support for Veterans. In a gesture of gratitude, in 2018 WCC named a puppy in honor of the first female DAV national commander, Delphine Metcalf-Foster, to acknowledge her groundbreaking contributions to the Veterans’ community.
For more information on WCC and its MBTR training program, visit www.warriorcanineconnection.org.
# # #
Media Contact:
Beth Bourgeois
Warrior Canine Connection
beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.org
(719)216-3206
About Warrior Canine Connection
Warrior Canine Connection is a pioneering organization that utilizes a Mission Based Trauma Recovery model to empower returning combat Veterans who have sustained physical and psychological wounds while in service to our country. Based on the concept of Warriors helping Warriors, WCC’s therapeutic service dog training program is designed to mitigate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and other challenges, while giving injured combat Veterans a sense of purpose, and help in reintegrating back into their families and communities. For more information, visit www.warriorcanineconnection.org.
About the DAV Charitable Service Trust
DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Charitable Service Trust is dedicated to a single purpose: empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. To carry out this responsibility, the Trust supports physical and psychological rehabilitation programs, enhances research and mobility for veterans with amputations and spinal cord injuries, benefits aging veterans, aids and shelters veterans experiencing homelessness, and evaluates and addresses the needs of veterans wounded in recent wars and conflicts. For ill and injured veterans of every era, the Trust also supports programs that benefit their caregivers and families. Learn more at cst.dav.org.
Join WCC’s Class of 2023 Virtual Graduation
The virtual ceremony will be marked by powerful Veteran Service Dog Team videos, namesake stories, and so much more!
In addition to the virtual ceremony, WCC will host an in-person celebration at its Healing Quarters in Boyds, Maryland, from 1-4 p.m. ET, and everyone is welcome to join. Members of this year’s graduating class, including Veteran Service Dog Teams, will attend the celebration, as well as many from previous graduations. In addition, puppy parents, who have helped train the dogs, as well as several namesake families who have a personal connection to dogs named after them or a loved one, will also be in attendance.
All graduating service dogs will have completed WCC’s intensive, Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training conducted by Warriors in recovery who learn to train mobility service dogs for fellow Warriors as a means of addressing their own symptoms of combat stress.
Whether virtually or in-person, we hope you will join us to celebrate WCC’s class of 2023!
WCC’s Abigail Named Official U.S. Public Health Service Mascot
Lt. Cmdr. Abigail’s namesake is Abigail Adams, the former First Lady of the United States, who has a historical connection to the service. The origin and history of the USPHS Commissioned Corps trace back to July 16, 1798, when Congress passed an Act, signed by President John Adams, creating the U.S. Marine Hospital Service to protect against the spread of disease from sailors returning from overseas ports and thus began the story of the Public Health Service.
“The mascot is a very welcome resource for Public Health Service officers and the communities we serve. As we continue to see an increase in mental health struggles across the country, I hope Lt. Cmdr. Abigail will serve as a beacon of positivity as she performs her duties.” U.S. Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health, Adm. Rachel Levine
WCC facility dogs receive extensive training and are placed with a primary handler who brings the dog into their place of employment to perform a task for either the employees of the company or the clients of the handler. Facility dogs can perform a variety of tasks, including stress relief and public engagement. Additional WCC facility dogs have been placed in various roles, including several sheriff departments working in roles including alongside a chaplain and in public relations, as well as a Veterans homeless shelter, a Veteran Service Center, among others.
Learn more about Lt. Cmdr. Abigail and her official role, click here.
Siblings Host Yard Sale to Raise Money for WCC
The trio heard about a neighborhood yard sale and a light bulb went off: sell their no-longer-used items to raise money for WCC. Anna, Charlie and Lauren spent an afternoon cleaning out their basement and piling up toys, games and other items they’re no longer interested in to raise some cash for WCC. And to sweeten the deal, mom and Dad, Diana and Tim, offered to match the money their three kids raised toward the donation.
“Our grandpa was in the Air Force,” said Anna. Her mom, Diana, added, “My dad served 22 years in the Air Force before retiring, including serving in Vietnam, so the military and animal connection is something we love to support.”
Not only is the family supportive of the military, but they’re also no strangers to WCC. Friends of a WCC trainer, the family has hosted WCC dogs at their house as part of their training and socialization around children. The family even visited the WCC Healing Quarters in the past to learn more about its mission and meet some of the puppies and dogs in training.
Not to mention, Anna, Charlie and Lauren have two very special pet dogs of their own — Leo and Rocco. Although young, they totally know how happy dogs can make people.
Anna shared, “I just like them a lot. Sometimes they can be sassy and sometimes they can be sweet and cuddle up with you on the couch.”
When asked about how it felt to do all that hard work to help others, all three children were all smiles, and Charlie responded with a resounding “thumbs up.”
Mom and dad are pretty proud, too.
Your generous tax-deductible donation helps WCC breed, train and provide highly skilled assistance dogs to wounded Veterans and Military Families at absolutely no charge to them. To donate or learn more about how you support WCC, click here.
Warrior Spotlight: U.S. Army First Sergeant Alex Brownstein
“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.
# # #
Calling All Dog Lovers: WCC is Seeking Puppy Parent Volunteers
What does being a Puppy Parent entail? Puppy Parent volunteers help care for, raise and train service dogs in training for approximately two years before they go on to be placed with Service Members and Veterans with visible and invisible wounds.
The need for Puppy Parents is at the following locations in Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia:
The journey is not just about training a puppy—it’s about nurturing a future service dog who will bring hope and assistance to one of our nation’s heroes. Please take a moment to learn more and hear just how rewarding the experience of being a Puppy Parent can be here.
To learn more or to fill out a Puppy Parent volunteer application, visit Become a Puppy Parent – Warrior Canine Connection.
WCC’s Dog Days of Summer Movie Watchlist
We tapped our WCC team to share their favorite dog-related movies as inspiration for your next movie night — check them out below.
“Without too much thought my favorite dog movie as of late is a Disney Plus Short that is about 10 minutes long called Kitbull. It’s about a chained-up and neglected Pitbull teaming up with a stray kitten. Their first meeting is initially fraught with posturing and fear and quickly turns into mutual understanding that kindness knows no species. They are a very unlikely and adorable duo that make me cry every time I watch it. Because it’s so short, it’s especially poignant. 10/10 would recommend.”
– Michele T.
“My favorite dog movie (although I haven’t watched it in years because I don’t want to bawl my eyes out) is Homeward Bound. To me, this movie is a story about perseverance and triumph as well as it depicts the wholesomeness of a human-animal bond.”
– Jennifer D.
“Aisle of Dogs has always been a favorite of mine since it was released. The art style is so well done in the movie! The dog characters have great depth to them and represent unique backgrounds and personalities so well! I love the “How it was Made” of the movie. Stop motion figures and such fine details into every shot and scene!! An appreciation of fine details for the best outcome, much like in Dog Training!”
– Ketcher T.
“My favorite dog movie is The Art of Racing in the Rain. I love how the story is told through the dog’s point of view and he’s so insightful. His bond with his owner is so insightful, and I love how he’s so in tune with what’s going on, even when his family isn’t. But it’s not for the faint of heart — a box of tissues is an absolute necessity when watching this one.”
– Beth B.
“My favorite dog movie is Marmaduke. It is just so funny and silly and doesn’t make me cry like most dog movies.”
– Riley S.
“That’s easy … Old Yeller (except the ending) and Benji. I don’t know that there’s any real reason that they are among favorites other than I probably “bonded” with the dogs on some level as a kid. …and since I watched both movies in my childhood (probably as reruns) they bring back memories that extend beyond the movie, I think. I haven’t watched either of them since so I don’t know that I’d have the same affinity for them as I remember having.”
– Kevin S.
“I always loved “Clifford the Big Red Dog” as a kid. I shared the same name with the girl character, Emily Elizabeth so I would tell my friends my mom named me after the book. That wasn’t the truth, but it was fun to play around with. Now, my daughter’s favorite book is Clifford. She literally asks me to read it every day. The cover’s fallen off and the last page is ripped out, but it’s creating new memories with her. My favorite dog movie (and book) is still Clifford. Now, just need to wait until she is old enough to sit through the movie.”
– Emily P.
“I don’t watch dog movies; they make me cry LOL. I do love a Scooby Doo though.”
-Sarah D.
“The Adventures of Milo and Otis – This was one of the first dog movies that I saw when I was little. I loved the friendship between the cat and dog and the adventure that they went on together. Even though their “adventure” took them on separate paths as they grew older, in the end they came back together, and it was like no time had passed. I think the same can be said for humans. It’s a testament to this ride we call life and how the friendships we have evolve and last through our lifetime.”
– Lydia D.
“My favorite dog movie is Balto. It’s one of my favorite childhood movies. My guy stepped up as a sled dog to help deliver an important vaccine in Alaska!”
– Cy F.
Don’t see your favorite on the list? Drop us a line and let us know!
# # #
$200,000 Grant Empowers Warrior Canine Connection’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery Training Program
Funding Brings DAV’s Support to WCC for $700,000 Since 2016
BOYDS, Maryland – Today, Warrior Canine Connection announced it has been awarded a generous grant of $200,000 from the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Charitable Service Trust in support of its Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) Training Program. This substantial contribution marks the Trust’s largest gift to WCC to date and reaffirms its commitment to Veteran mental health and support, which are central focus areas for DAV.
“We are profoundly grateful to the DAV Charitable Service Trust for its partnership and continued investment in our organization,” said Rick Yount, executive director and founder, Warrior Canine Connection. “Together, we will continue to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives on our Veterans, ensuring they receive the programming, support and service dog assistance they need to thrive and lead fulfilling lives.”
The MBTR Program, developed by WCC, is designed to help Service Members and Veterans in recovery to train service dogs for their fellow Warriors. In doing so, Warriors 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.
“The Trust is proud to support Warrior Canine Connection because they understand the bond between veterans as much as they understand the animal-human bond,” said DAV Charitable Service Trust President Richard Marbes. “By empowering recovering veterans to train service dogs for fellow veterans in need, WCC instills purpose and provides hope to those who are on their healing journey.”
Since 2016, the Trust’s unwavering support has been instrumental in advancing WCC’s mission. Its total contributions to WCC now amount to an impressive $700,000. Two years ago, WCC bestowed upon DAV the prestigious Wag of the Tail Award, recognizing its remarkable leadership in the field of Veteran support. This grant represents yet another significant milestone in their enduring partnership.
Over the years, WCC has been actively engaged in DAV conferences and events, sharing its expertise and knowledge in service dog training and mental health support for Veterans. In a gesture of gratitude, in 2018 WCC named a puppy in honor of the first female DAV national commander, Delphine Metcalf-Foster, to acknowledge her groundbreaking contributions to the Veterans’ community.
For more information on WCC and its MBTR training program, visit www.warriorcanineconnection.org.
# # #
Media Contact:
Beth Bourgeois
Warrior Canine Connection
beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.org
(719)216-3206
About Warrior Canine Connection
Warrior Canine Connection is a pioneering organization that utilizes a Mission Based Trauma Recovery model to empower returning combat Veterans who have sustained physical and psychological wounds while in service to our country. Based on the concept of Warriors helping Warriors, WCC’s therapeutic service dog training program is designed to mitigate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and other challenges, while giving injured combat Veterans a sense of purpose, and help in reintegrating back into their families and communities. For more information, visit www.warriorcanineconnection.org.
About the DAV Charitable Service Trust
DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Charitable Service Trust is dedicated to a single purpose: empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. To carry out this responsibility, the Trust supports physical and psychological rehabilitation programs, enhances research and mobility for veterans with amputations and spinal cord injuries, benefits aging veterans, aids and shelters veterans experiencing homelessness, and evaluates and addresses the needs of veterans wounded in recent wars and conflicts. For ill and injured veterans of every era, the Trust also supports programs that benefit their caregivers and families. Learn more at cst.dav.org.
New Faces at WCC: Val Skinner
Val came on board in April and is working at WCC’s Healing Quarters in Boyds, where she is responsible for the evaluation and skill refinement of on-site service dogs in training and advanced training dogs. She will also support puppy parents and puppy development.
“I joined WCC because I really love working with Veterans,” said Val. “They’re relatable, down-to-earth and aren’t here for any other reason than to help make their lives and others’ better. I really appreciate all the time and efforts they put into the training the dogs for these important placements.”
An experienced dog trainer, Val has spent several decades training dogs, beginning with a rescue and placement organization for Rottweilers, followed by several years working with another ADI-accredited service dog organization. Val received her education and training at Bergin University.
When not working, Val enjoys going to the beach, spending time outdoors and cooking up some BBQ with her family.
Please join us in welcoming Val to the WCC team!
Golden Retriever Life: Spreading Smiles
“Our focus has and always will be on our mission to spread smiles,” says Kevin, who has teamed up with his wife Katie on this full-time entrepreneurial journey. “Over the past few years, we’ve been truly blessed to connect with millions of people around the world. We hope our fun-loving content featuring Ellie and Emma brings happiness to your life. We are a community that celebrates the joy of having a dog and the many ways they enrich our lives.”
Kevin and Katie’s journey as content creators has, in their own words, followed a nontraditional path. Kevin is an Army Veteran with an MBA from the University of Minnesota, and Katie practiced as a speech-language pathologist for eight years before pivoting from the medical field to join Kevin in their full-time entrepreneurial journey. It was the philanthropic appeal of animal-assisted therapy that led Kevin and Katie to pursue spreading smiles.
“As an Army pilot, I saw first-hand the benefits of animal-assisted interactions on mental health while deployed overseas. This inspired me to get a puppy, Ellie, and create a similar impact in my local community,” Kevin reflected. “As a therapy dog team, we volunteered in schools, nursing homes, and hospitals for several years. However, in 2020 we were prevented from in-person interactions and pivoted to social media.”
In searching for new ways to spread smiles, GRL found Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) in 2022. “We wanted to connect with a nearby organization that trains service dogs for Veterans. WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery model is unique and impressive! They discovered a way for one dog to impact an average of 60 Veterans! As a Veteran, who has seen first-hand the impact of animal-assisted interactions, I can assure you this organization has a tremendous effect on the lives of Veterans. The work WCC is doing is life-changing to those who have given so much to our country.”
GRL’s support of WCC has come in many forms, from creating collaboration videos with WCC to helping to raise awareness of our No-Fail Mission to holding a 4x4x48 Challenge Fundraiser on GoFundMe, which raised over $34,000 for WCC.
Be sure to follow GRL’s journey on all of their social media platforms! Plus, GRL is working on a new training course/community to help people build better relationships with their dogs. If you head to their website (https://www.goldenretrieverlife.com/training) and leave your email, they will let you know when the course is ready this summer!
Warrior Canine Connection’s Innovative Service Dog Training Program Celebrates 5-Year Milestone at Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court
Veterans Train Service Dogs as Part of Their Own Recovery
Veterans involved in the VTC programming are often required to complete a set number of community service hours. The dog training — offered through WCC — is one of the options on the docket. Training takes place on a weekly basis at the courthouse and Veterans can participate within the WCC program for the duration of their VTC commitment.
Judge Marvin Pope, who has presided over the program since its inception and is a dog lover himself, says he knows the powerful role dogs can play as a friend, companion and confidant.
“When Warrior Canine Connection became a possibility for Veteran Treatment Court, I knew that this was a unique opportunity to give our Veteran clients this “link” to something they may not have experienced before, plus bond them to a “personality” that is faithful, friendly, and most importantly “forgiving” no matter what the client may or may not have done in the past,” said Judge Pope. “I have seen this work so well for so many of our Veteran clients. I want to continue this relationship with Warrior Canine Connection and VTC forever.”
VTC participants learn to train service dogs for their fellow Warriors. In doing so, Veterans 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. Since its inception, Veteran participants have logged more than 1,900 community service hours.
“I always looked forward to working with the dogs; learning how to train them,” shared one VTC graduate. “I like who I am when I get to be with the dogs. I think the dogs understood me even when I couldn’t understand myself. They helped me graduate from the VTC. I want to work with animals and give back.”
Amy Guidash, WCC Asheville program manager and liaison to the Buncombe County VTC Program, says the program has been successful because it focuses on impacting its Veteran participants.
“The Veterans participating have been able to make WCC part of their recovery plan,” said Guidash. “Many of our participants voluntarily continue with the program after completion, staying actively involved by devoting a couple hours per week to give back to their fellow Veterans.”
Kevin Rumley, coordinator for the Buncombe County VTC, has watched the program since it took shape five years ago and continues to be inspired by its impact on the Veterans involved.
“I am amazed by the work of WCC with our VTC veterans,” said Rumley. “Michele, Amy, Robin (WCC staff and volunteers) and the WCC dogs have supported our veterans through every step of the VTC journey. From Phase-1 veterans who are navigating a new life without substances/drugs and all the requirements of the court, to our graduating veterans who are setting future focused goals and working towards careers, WCC is providing the veterans with the skills of self/emotion regulation, behavior modification, and trauma resiliency. I am honored to celebrate five years of our partnership and look forward to another five years of advancing healing for our veterans. WCC saves lives!”