At Warrior Canine Connection (WCC), we are fortunate to collaborate with incredible partners who share our mission of serving Veterans. One of those valued partners is Team Foster, a nonprofit that has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us to help more Veterans access the healing power of service dogs. Together, we’ve been able to make an extraordinary impact — and we couldn’t be more grateful.
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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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.
‘He was my reason to stay’: Air Force veteran credits service dog with saving her life
MONTGOMERY COUNTY — September is Service Dog Awareness Month, and WMAR-2 News is taking a closer look at the incredible bond between veterans and their service animals. One veteran’s four-legged partner not only helps her heal, but also saved her life. Watch the full story on WMAR News 2 Baltimore.
Couple Helps Train Service Dogs Amid Nationwide Shortage
For the last ten years, Pat and Jane Hipsley have been volunteering as puppy raisers who open up their home to puppies who will hopefully one day become service dogs. It comes amid a national shortage for volunteer puppy raisers. Saturday TODAY’s Peter Alexander reports. Watch the full story on NBC’s Today.
WCC’s 2025 Graduation Program
Click Here to Download WCC’s 2025 Graduation Program