Program Made Possible Thanks to Funding from Team Foster
BOYDS, Maryland – The Perelman School of Medicine and its Veterans Care Excellence Program (VCEP) at the University of Pennsylvania is going to the dogs. Starting this month, Warrior Canine Connection (WCC), a nonprofit that breeds, trains and places highly skilled service dogs with Service Members and Veterans with physical and psychological trauma, will provide an on-site service dog training program for Penn Veteran students, staff and those served by the university.
The program will utilize WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training model, in which Veterans learn how to train service dogs for their fellow Warriors. The program fulfills a time-honored military tradition of Warriors helping Warriors, and in doing so, Veterans can also benefit from their own skills development in communication, confidence building, accountability, emotional regulation and patience.
The new program is made possible thanks to a generous $100,000 gift from Team Foster, a local Philadelphia-based Veteran support organization dedicated to serving disabled Veterans through community support, Veteran peers and highly trained service dogs.
“Fueled by the support of Team Foster, we are honored to partner with an educational institution of Penn’s distinction,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “To have a program like this accessible on campus is incredible—as it will allow Veteran students and staff to more actively engage and benefit from the program, while helping to serve other Veterans by helping to meet the incredible need for service dogs.”
VCEP at Penn established a formalized structure to guide the existing and continued growth and development of Penn Medicine’s programs and services for Veterans in an effort to create a streamlined and supportive culture of care. The program oversees the recruiting, training and success-building of Veteran employees at the health system and ensures Veteran patients served by Penn receive optimum care. In addition, the VCEP program helps streamline the process of navigating health care benefits with those from Veteran Affairs.
“The Veteran Care Excellence Program at Penn Medicine and the Penn Veteran Collaborative Consortium program is honored to partner with Warrior Canine Connection and Team Foster,” said Paula Crawford-Gamble, RN, MSN, CAPT, NC, USN (Ret), Veterans Care Excellence Liaison, Penn. “Together we are excited to help our service members in need reconnect with life, their families, their communities, and each other through this innovative program.’” Crawford-Gamble has a service dog of her own from WCC, named Dollie.
“Team Foster has partnered with service dog organizations across the region for years; this is a long-overdue opportunity to bring a reputable, best-in-class partner to the Philadelphia area,” said Nick Liermann, founder and executive director, Team Foster. “Service dogs literally save lives. Partnering with Warrior Canine Connection and Penn provides Philadelphia-area Veterans access to these amazing animals—something our area desperately needs.”
The program officially launched in October and is located on Penn’s campus. A WCC service dog training instructor, along with five service dogs in training, are already based at the location.
The program is actively seeking Puppy Parents, volunteers who help raise and train the service dogs in training for up to the first two years of their lives. Veterans interested in learning more about the program can email mbtr@warriorcanineconnection.org or visit warriorcanineconnection.org.
For more information, please contact Beth Bourgeois, Warrior Canine Connection, at beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.org or 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 Team Foster
Team Foster fights for the unmet needs of injured and disabled Veterans by bringing together civilians, Veterans and highly trained service dogs.
We do this by:
·Helping Veterans obtain highly trained service dogs they need at no cost;
·Providing grants for the unmet needs of Veterans and their service dog;
·Ensuring Veteran service dogs receive the highest quality training;
·Promoting awareness of service-related PTSD and TBI and advocating for the long-term needs of our Veterans.
Learn more at www.teamfoster.org.
Military Family Appreciation Month: WCC’s Hullett — the Piece the Bell Family Didn’t Know They Were Missing
WCC’s No-Fail Mission not only pairs service dogs with Veterans, but it also provides support to Veterans and military family members through the placement of its Military Family Support Dogs (MFSD). The Bell family is one of many who has received a WCC MFSD earlier this year. And as they told us, they can’t imagine their lives without Hullett, a lovable yellow Labrador Retriever.
A family of five, the Bell family is always bustling; kids are seemingly always running to sports, extracurricular events and friend’s houses. There’s Myla, 14; Macie, 12; Branson, 10; Amy, also known as “mom;” and Michael, aka “dad,” U.S. Marine Corps Major in his 22nd year of active-duty service. So as Amy told us, they were curious how Hullett joining their family might impact their routines.
“He [Hullett] is the missing piece we never knew … he’s a just the best, we can’t imagine life without him now, he’s involved in our everyday decisions of what we do, where we go, and if he’s coming with us,” said Amy Bell. “Our family dynamic has changed for the better. With such a busy household, he has actually helped bind us, taught the kids responsibility through their chores and, of course, he provides tons of fun and is always giving us something to talk about.”
Hullett initially went through advanced training but based on his strengths and skills, WCC trainers found him to be a better fit as a MFSD. Trainers describe him as a smart, driven boy who loves to cuddle and be surrounded by people.
When it came to being paired with a dog from WCC, neither coat color nor gender mattered to the Bells, Amy said their only pre-requisite, which was her specific request, was “my dog must love the water,” (said with a laugh). Mission complete: Hullett spent his first summer with the Bell family enjoying the backyard pool.
Hullett is named after Army Sergeant First Class David W. Hullett, Retired, who dedicated his life to serving his country and others in need. During his military career of 21 years, he was deployed to Asia, Europe and Africa, including a very challenging humanitarian mission to Somalia in support of Operation Restore Hope. Upon his return from Somalia, Sergeant First Class Hullett and his family moved to Panama where he provided support to Operations Safe Haven and Safe Passage while assigned to the Jungle Operations Training Center.
Amy says being a member of a military family, the namesake is super special and loves when people ask about his name and sharing information about David and his service. Learn more about the Bell family here.
If you would like to learn more about WCC’s MFSD program, click here.
New Penn medical school program matches service dogs with veterans
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A new program at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania aims to improve the lives of veterans, both on staff and in the community through service animals, like four-month-old Mosko.
Mosko is a playful pup undergoing some serious training.
Check out the full story on WPVI News 6 here.
Warrior Canine Connection Partners with University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine to Bring Therapeutic Service Dog Training Program to Veterans on Campus
Program Made Possible Thanks to Funding from Team Foster
BOYDS, Maryland – The Perelman School of Medicine and its Veterans Care Excellence Program (VCEP) at the University of Pennsylvania is going to the dogs. Starting this month, Warrior Canine Connection (WCC), a nonprofit that breeds, trains and places highly skilled service dogs with Service Members and Veterans with physical and psychological trauma, will provide an on-site service dog training program for Penn Veteran students, staff and those served by the university.
The program will utilize WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training model, in which Veterans learn how to train service dogs for their fellow Warriors. The program fulfills a time-honored military tradition of Warriors helping Warriors, and in doing so, Veterans can also benefit from their own skills development in communication, confidence building, accountability, emotional regulation and patience.
The new program is made possible thanks to a generous $100,000 gift from Team Foster, a local Philadelphia-based Veteran support organization dedicated to serving disabled Veterans through community support, Veteran peers and highly trained service dogs.
“Fueled by the support of Team Foster, we are honored to partner with an educational institution of Penn’s distinction,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “To have a program like this accessible on campus is incredible—as it will allow Veteran students and staff to more actively engage and benefit from the program, while helping to serve other Veterans by helping to meet the incredible need for service dogs.”
VCEP at Penn established a formalized structure to guide the existing and continued growth and development of Penn Medicine’s programs and services for Veterans in an effort to create a streamlined and supportive culture of care. The program oversees the recruiting, training and success-building of Veteran employees at the health system and ensures Veteran patients served by Penn receive optimum care. In addition, the VCEP program helps streamline the process of navigating health care benefits with those from Veteran Affairs.
“The Veteran Care Excellence Program at Penn Medicine and the Penn Veteran Collaborative Consortium program is honored to partner with Warrior Canine Connection and Team Foster,” said Paula Crawford-Gamble, RN, MSN, CAPT, NC, USN (Ret), Veterans Care Excellence Liaison, Penn. “Together we are excited to help our service members in need reconnect with life, their families, their communities, and each other through this innovative program.’” Crawford-Gamble has a service dog of her own from WCC, named Dollie.
“Team Foster has partnered with service dog organizations across the region for years; this is a long-overdue opportunity to bring a reputable, best-in-class partner to the Philadelphia area,” said Nick Liermann, founder and executive director, Team Foster. “Service dogs literally save lives. Partnering with Warrior Canine Connection and Penn provides Philadelphia-area Veterans access to these amazing animals—something our area desperately needs.”
The program officially launched in October and is located on Penn’s campus. A WCC service dog training instructor, along with five service dogs in training, are already based at the location.
The program is actively seeking Puppy Parents, volunteers who help raise and train the service dogs in training for up to the first two years of their lives. Veterans interested in learning more about the program can email mbtr@warriorcanineconnection.org or visit warriorcanineconnection.org.
For more information, please contact Beth Bourgeois, Warrior Canine Connection, at beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.org or 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 Team Foster
Team Foster fights for the unmet needs of injured and disabled Veterans by bringing together civilians, Veterans and highly trained service dogs.
We do this by:
·Helping Veterans obtain highly trained service dogs they need at no cost;
·Providing grants for the unmet needs of Veterans and their service dog;
·Ensuring Veteran service dogs receive the highest quality training;
·Promoting awareness of service-related PTSD and TBI and advocating for the long-term needs of our Veterans.
Learn more at www.teamfoster.org.
Veterans train service dogs for wounded warriors in Baltimore City courtroom
BALTIMORE (WMAR) — It’s an unusual place to train dogs but in a Baltimore City courtroom, it’s serving a deeper purpose.
“It is a wonderful thing to watch. I think it’s therapeutic for the veterans,” said Baltimore City District Judge Halee Weinstein. Watch the full story from WMAR News 2 Baltimore.
Wounded Warrior Project Honored with 2022 Wag of the Tail Award from Warrior Canine Connection
Award Presentation Made During WCC’s 2022 Graduation
BOYDS, Maryland – Warrior Canine Connection (WCC), a nonprofit that breeds, trains, and places highly-skilled service dogs with Service Members and Veterans with physical and psychological wounds, announced Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) as a Wag of the Tail Award recipient during its 2022 graduation ceremony. All Wag of the Tail Award honorees exemplify and share WCC’s No-Fail Mission and commitment to supporting our nation’s Veterans.
Wounded Warrior Project has supported WCC’s mission since 2020, helping to propel its unique animal-assisted therapy program to new sites across the country. Thanks to WWP’s support, in 2021, WCC was able to provide 526 wounded Veterans with 4,000 hours of programming.
“Being a Veteran-focused organization, we couldn’t ask for a better partner than Wounded Warrior Project as Veterans are at the core of both our missions, and their success is aligned with our own,” said Rick Yount, founder, and executive director, of Warrior Canine Connection. “Wounded Warrior Project’s partnership, investment in our organization, and ability to provide critically important support to our nation’s Warriors has been nothing short of amazing. I look forward to our continued partnership and working together to impact more Veterans’ lives through the therapeutic power of four legs and a wet nose.”
WWP began in 2003 and has since served the growing needs of wounded, injured, and ill post-9/11 veterans, their families, and caregivers through free programs and services. The organization provides free services in mental health, physical health, career counseling, long-term rehabilitative care, and advocacy. WWP’s continued support of WCC and other nonprofit partners has made a significant difference in expanding and transforming the life-changing resources and programs available to America’s wounded Veterans.
Two additional 2022 Wag of the Tail Awards were presented during the commencement ceremony; John Shooshan, the founder of The Shooshan Company, which specializes in property management, development, acquisition, and engineering services, was also acknowledged for his support of the Veteran community. Mission BBQ and its founders, Rosemarie and Bill Kraus, were also honored for their generous support of WCC, not only by providing delicious meals but also through their volunteerism to the organization and leadership support.
# # #
Media contact:
Beth Bourgeois
Warrior Canine Connection
beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.org
719-216-3206
‘It’s such a gift’: service dogs help Maryland vets combat PTSD
October 18, 2022 – HANOVER, Md (WMAR) — A Maryland training center is preparing dogs to help wounded warriors combat PTSD.
“It’s so profound. It’s such a gift,” said Army veteran Maja Reuss. Watch the full story on WMAR here.
Every Name Has a Story
The namesake program has a profound impact on those being honored as well as their family and friends. United States Army Chief Warrant Officer Erik Kesterson was nominated by his mother, Dolores Kesterson. Erik was killed in action in Iraq in 2003 while serving as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot for the 101st Airborne Division. Dolores had the opportunity to virtually meet the service dog named in honor of Erik.
“He looks like he has Erik’s spirit in him,” Dolores said while wiping her eyes with a tissue. “Just looking at him, he’s touched my life. He’s just beautiful. Erik would be so honored.”
Another distinctive aspect of WCC’s program is that it enlists Service Members and Veterans to help train the service dogs for others. This No-Fail Mission aligns with the warrior ethos of caring for your brother and sister in arms. The Veterans and Service Members doing the training know their hard work will contribute to helping a fellow Veteran or Service Member in need, while also receiving therapeutic benefits themselves.
United States Navy Lieutenant Commander Danielle “Purple” Thiriot is an active-duty Service Member who was also nominated for WCC’s namesake program. The service dog bearing her name was recently placed with a Veteran, and Danielle shared how much it means to her knowing a service dog named in her honor is helping other Veterans.
“It’s an honor to have ‘Purple’ named after me and to know that she will live a life dedicated to serving Veterans,” said Danielle. She was even able to meet the dog named in her honor. “I love dogs and have enjoyed watching her progress through training. I had the chance to meet ‘Purple’ in California last year and learned we share a love of food!”
The namesake program is a special part of WCC’s mission. Not only is the organization dedicated to helping and serving Veterans and Service Members suffering from visible and invisible wounds with its MBTR program, but it’s important to remember and celebrate Veterans with the namesake program.
“Our Service dogs have an important mission—to carry on the legacies of these heroes while helping recovering Veterans who have sacrificed so much for our nation,” says Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “We feel it’s important that those Veterans have their stories told and their lives honored through our namesake program. We believe when a Veteran’s name is spoken, they are always remembered.”
Congratulations to WCC’s Class of 2022!
This year’s ceremony took place virtually, with hundreds of supporters tuning from all over the globe via Facebook live to watch. The ceremony was capped by a story about each graduating Veteran Service Dog Team, along with keynote remarks from Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. There was an outpouring of comments posted live on the page about the dogs, this year’s placements, namesakes, and more. (And although we couldn’t see them, we heard there were a few tears, too).
For those of you who missed the ceremony or perhaps would like to watch all the amazing Veteran Service Dog Team stories again, you can watch it online here.
Again, congratulations and best wishes to WCC’s Class of 2022!
Hugglehounds Creates WCC’s Luke and Tommy II Lookalikes to Help Raise Funds for WCC
This year, Hugglehounds’ Huggle Cause™ initiative is supporting WCC by donating a portion of proceeds from the sale of every Limited-Edition Luke and Tommy II Knottie® to WCC’s No-Fail Mission.
When Ryan Garrison, Air Force Veteran, learned his service dog Luke had a toy named after him, he immediately jumped online and placed an order.
“With PTSD, I have flashbacks to negative times but seeing this gave me a flashback and a flood of memories — Luke winning the AKC Award and getting paired with him,” said Garrison. “It’s always a good day when you get those kinds of flashbacks. We ended up buying a little more than one; Luke got one, both boys got one, and I got one to put away for safe keeping. Luke is a very special dog with an amazing talent and dedication to his mission. I am very honored and humbled that Hugglehounds made a toy to represent Warrior Canine Connection.”
Air Force Veteran Ryan Boyles, who is paired with WCC’s Tommy II, was also surprised by the very special designation.
“When we found out we were so excited we rushed to the site to buy one,” said Boyles. “We were completely caught off guard and had no idea that they were naming the new stuffy after our Tommy. When we got our Hugglehound in we showed Tommy, who instantly turned back into a puppy. He ran all over playing. He loves his new Hugglehound.”
You, too, can purchase your very own Limited-Edition Luke and Tommy II Knottie® from Hugglehounds here. Better act quickly, as once they’re gone, they’re gone. Thankfully, their service dog namesakes live on and continue to bring smiles and support to their Veterans and their families.
New Faces at WCC
We are pleased to introduce you to two new members of WCC’s pack! Join us in welcoming both Cyrus Fenwick, social media coordinator, and Samantha Johnson, development officer, to our team. Learn more about our new team members below.
Cyrus “Cy” Fenwick joins Warrior Canine Connection after having spent several years working as a member of the media—both at ESPN and NBC Sports Washington. When the pandemic hit, Cy took time to re-evaluate his professional path and decided to switch to the nonprofit world.
“I love dogs and feel strongly about the need for mental health support, and Veterans, so when I saw the job posting at WCC, it immediately spoke to me,” said Cy. “Seeing how much these dogs help people moves me to my core; it makes me excited to come to work every day knowing that I’m contributing to a beautiful cause that I believe in.”
Cy grew up in The Plains, Virginia, with two older sisters and four dogs. And he comes from a proud military family; his grandfather served as a decorated Air Force Lieutenant Colonel in Vietnam.
Cy studied broadcast and digital journalism at Syracuse University. He is married to Sarah, his wife of almost one year, and they have two dogs (a Jack Russell Terrier named Rus and a rescue Chihuahua named Starfox). Outside of work, Cy has enjoyed fostering 12 dogs—all of whom have been adopted, and he loves making bread, going hiking and kayaking and spending time with family and friends.
Samantha says having a dad who served in Army Airborne definitely shaped the way grew up and fostered her appreciation for Veterans.
“I fell in love with WCC when I saw the job posting,” said Samantha. “This role combines my love of dogs and support for Veterans. Coming from a military background, our mentality was always ‘we help our own,’ and I knew I wanted in. Everything’s amazing … everyone is so awesome, they welcomed me with open arms.”
After working as a vet tech, Samantha used her bachelor’s degree in biology as a genetic counselor assistant for a genetic testing company.
When she’s not still volunteering with her former veterinary clinic, Samantha enjoys rock climbing, checking out local events, including the “Live at 5” concerts in Frederick, and hanging out with friends. A devout animal-lover, Samantha has a cherished yellow Lab named Rudy.