Terry Reece has always had a passion for travel. And dogs. He managed to successfully combine his love of both, and to date, has helped transport 116 dogs and puppies for Assistance Dog International-accredited organizations, including Warrior Canine Connection, to and from locations all over the U.S. and Canada.
Terry spent 33 years working for American Airlines before retiring last year. He was, as he says, “a behind-the-scenes guy,” working in the Passenger Tariffs Department. Roughly seven years ago, he saw an internal post requesting volunteers to help with the company’s Puppies in Flight program, which uses employee volunteers to transport puppies and older assistance dogs to ADI-accredited trainers and programs, and he jumped at the opportunity.
“It’s like dogs are almost built into my DNA, so when I saw the call for volunteers and training, I immediately responded,” said Terry. “I liked it so much … flying with the puppies on the plane is a rather enjoyable experience, so I continued to do it. It’s for such a good purpose … it helps these programs out, it helps them to fulfill their missions, and I made a promise to a very close relative a long, long time ago that was unable to take advantage of a service animal before he passed, so this kind of helps me fulfill a promise, too.”
And fulfill that promise he has … for the past six-plus years, roughly twice a month, Terry has boarded a flight to pick up a puppy or a dog and traveled to pick him or her up and then delivered him or her to their new training site, home and the next step in their future. The locations and dogs change but there’s a recurring theme on all those trips.
“I have had on more than one occasion — almost verbatim — have someone say ‘oh, this flight just got a whole lot better’ more times than I can recount,” says Terry. “And let’s face it, having a puppy onboard tends to have a calming influence for the entire trip, which we can all use, especially these days.”
Terry has transported quite a few dogs for Assistance Dogs of the West (ADI), a partner program of WCC’s, and through ADI, learned about WCC’s programming.
“Thanks to volunteers like Terry, and American Airline’s Puppies in Flight program, we have been able to get service dogs in training to locations where they can get plugged into training and best serve our Veterans in need,” said Molly Morelli, director of dog programs, Warrior Canine Connection. “We are so appreciative of all the support, and the whole process has formed this amazing little community of people who just want to help others, it’s pretty remarkable. Terry’s volunteer efforts are just one more example of how these dogs are helping to form new bonds, new relationships, and positively impacting lives.”
But the job isn’t always glamorous. With travel layovers and cancellations, there are sometimes challenges along the way.
“I have to be quite diplomatic because everyone always wants to pet the dogs,” said Terry. “I see it as a great opportunity to educate people about service dogs. Overall, the people come up and ask about the dog, the vest they’re wearing, and that’s my opportunity to do the advocacy piece and talk about these organizations that are doing great things with these dogs. It really does engage a lot of passengers because they’re so curious about the dog not being in the kennel and wearing a vest.”
As you might imagine, Terry has had his share of both touching as well as laughable moments while transporting puppies and dogs.
“I learned that I don’t care a lot for these airports that are totally carpeted [laughs],” but it’s not a big deal, I always have plenty of pee pads with me,” said Terry. “I learned to always carry puppies off the plane after a few hours and get them to a relief area or to put them down on a pee pad.”
Terry admits that more than a dog or two have tugged at his heartstrings over the years.
“In the first few trips I did, I did tear up a time or two, but thank goodness, I am a Saint Bernard guy [laughs],” said Terry. “I did have a talk with myself afterward that I can’t react like that it — it’s not about me, it’s about helping someone else you may likely never meet and do something good that will help someone else.”
WCC would like to extend a very special thank you to Terry and volunteers like him who give so much of themselves to help Veterans.
Puppy Parents Needed to Raise Service Dogs for Veterans
Warrior Canine Connection is seeking puppy lovers to help raise a future service dog for present and former members of the United States military.
“We are in dire need of puppy parent volunteers,” said Beth Bourgeois, media relations officer for the nonprofit in Boyds. The organization seeks at least a dozen puppy parents. Read the full story on MYMCMedia.org here.
Warrior Canine Connection Receives Mission-Critical Equipment Grant from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation
Boyds, Md. – With the new year in full swing, Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) is now better equipped to keep the community of Boyds safe thanks to a grant from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. The $50,000 grant will be used to purchase a much-needed transportation vehicle for service dogs.
“We want to extend our gratitude to Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation and our local Firehouse Subs in Germantown for providing us with this grant,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “The transportation vehicle will be used to bring our mission-critical programming to our service dogs in training and allow our partner organizations to attend training and educational events in Boyds.”
WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program is unique from other service dog organizations in that the organization enlists Service Members and Veterans who are in recovery to help train the dogs for their fellow Warriors. Anchored in performing a military support mission, the participants in WCC’s MBTR program concurrently benefit from the program while serving others. Program participants receive therapeutic benefits from skills development in communication, confidence building, accountability, emotional regulation, and patience to promote an act of service.
Providing its MBTR program at locations across multiple states, the majority of WCC’s MBTR sessions require the transport of dogs. Currently, WCC can only transport two to three service dogs in training at a time due to the small vehicles owned by the organization. With 86 dogs currently in the two-year training pipeline, and an estimated 30 additional dogs joining the program in the coming months, it is essential for WCC to have the ability to transport multiple dogs at a time.
This year, WCC is seeing programming levels returning to pre-pandemic levels. In 2021, WCC provided more hours of MBTR service than ever before in its history — logging 3,897 hours of MBTR sessions to Veterans and is on track to break organizational records for service delivery again this year. Currently, it is estimated that one dog can impact as many as 60 different Veterans. However, as our organization grows and our population of dogs in training increases, the transportation capacity must also increase.
For the past 16 years, donations have been the driving force behind Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation® supporting first responders and public safety organizations nationwide. During the most recent grant cycle, the Foundation awarded 127 grants to public safety organizations across the country. The 127 grants totaling nearly $3 million were given to organizations in need of critical lifesaving equipment and resources.
For more information, please contact Beth Bourgeois, Warrior Canine Connection at beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.org or 719-216-3206.
To donate and learn more about Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, visit FirehouseSubsFoundation.org.
# # #
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 Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation
In 2005, the Firehouse Subs founders established the 501(c)(3), non-profit Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. The charity provides lifesaving equipment, prevention education, scholarships and continued education, and disaster relief for first responders and public safety organizations, as well as support for members of the military. Since inception, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has awarded more than $65 million to hometown heroes in 49 states and Puerto Rico.
Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation is honored to be listed as a four-star nonprofit organization, the highest designation, by Charity Navigator. Charity Navigator is the nation’s largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities. Grant allocations are made possible thanks to the overwhelming support of Firehouse Subs restaurants and generous donors. More than 70% of the funds raised for the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation come from the generosity of Firehouse Subs guests and the restaurant brand. Please consider supporting a Firehouse Subs restaurant near you! To donate and learn more about Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, visit FirehouseSubsFoundation.org.
Service Puppies in Training Help Army Veteran with Patience and Peace of Mind
Veteran Service Dog Team Dian Smith & Chuck: Life BC and AC
It was during her last tour of duty in the UK that she met, Mark, a DoD firefighter, the love of her life and husband of 31 years now. That was also about the time Desert Storm started. She and Mark both volunteered to travel to support U.S. military efforts, but both were held at their respective duty stations to help support staff.
In 1991, Dian felt it was time to get out and move on to something different; she left the Air Force and moved stateside. She became a veterinary technician, where she worked for a while, then she went back to bioenvironmental engineering as a DoD employee for several years.
In 1994, she and Mark had their son, Shannon Mark, who is now a DoD firefighter on the same crew her husband used to run all those years ago.
Life was moving on, but Dian wasn’t. She found herself experiencing severe anxiety and depression that prevented her from doing a lot of things. She sought help from medical experts.
“I was dealing with PTSD for many years and didn’t know it until I finally got diagnosed by the VA,” said Dian. “The diagnosis was a shock … I was floored. I had internalized a lot of things I had gone through in the military and didn’t even realize it.”
A doctor recommended she get a service dog. Not being a post 9/11 Veteran, she said she didn’t realize a service dog was an option for her. Her research yielded Warrior Canine Connection (WCC). It took a while but after applying, Dian was matched with Chuck, or rather, as she says, ‘Chuck picked her’ in February 2020.
After Chuck
“He’s been such a blessing, I can’t even begin to tell you how much he’s changed my life,” said Dian. “I wouldn’t go anywhere without a safety, which would mean a friend, so I didn’t leave my house unless I was with one of those 2-3 people, and one of them was my husband, and he’s a firefighter and he works 48 on, 48 off, and he teaches around the country, so I am alone a lot. Then I got Chuck, and I can go anywhere now. I can go to Costco … I can go anywhere, do anything because I have him. Being able to focus on him, helps me deal with my issues.”
Dian still participates in therapy and says Chuck is the perfect complement to all of them.
“Because I have Chuck, using the tools I’ve learned from my doctors, coupled together is much more effective,” said Dian. “When I’m stressed, he recognizes that and alerts me by nudging my hand with his nose. If I don’t react to that, he’ll jump up and let me know. We’re just so in-tune with each other.”
Flying? That wasn’t an option without medication before Chuck. Now, it’s a safe space with him by her side.
When he’s not working, Dian says Chuck’s a regular dog who enjoys playing with her other two pet dogs, Sawyer and Tallulah. But no matter what, Chuck’s always somewhere nearby. The two can regularly be found at church together, where the duo manages guest services and they also volunteer with another local program that helps others through equine therapy.
Dian says life is a beautiful journey and that she wouldn’t trade her earlier experiences for the world but that she’s happy to be in a good place — with Chuck right by her side every step of the way.
You can follow Chuck and Dian’s adventures together on Facebook. Next month marks Chuck’s fourth birthday, so be sure to follow along, as Dian promises there will be a celebration complete with homemade doggie cookies and plenty of birthday photos.
Terry Reece: The Puppy Porter of the Sky
Terry spent 33 years working for American Airlines before retiring last year. He was, as he says, “a behind-the-scenes guy,” working in the Passenger Tariffs Department. Roughly seven years ago, he saw an internal post requesting volunteers to help with the company’s Puppies in Flight program, which uses employee volunteers to transport puppies and older assistance dogs to ADI-accredited trainers and programs, and he jumped at the opportunity.
“It’s like dogs are almost built into my DNA, so when I saw the call for volunteers and training, I immediately responded,” said Terry. “I liked it so much … flying with the puppies on the plane is a rather enjoyable experience, so I continued to do it. It’s for such a good purpose … it helps these programs out, it helps them to fulfill their missions, and I made a promise to a very close relative a long, long time ago that was unable to take advantage of a service animal before he passed, so this kind of helps me fulfill a promise, too.”
And fulfill that promise he has … for the past six-plus years, roughly twice a month, Terry has boarded a flight to pick up a puppy or a dog and traveled to pick him or her up and then delivered him or her to their new training site, home and the next step in their future. The locations and dogs change but there’s a recurring theme on all those trips.
“I have had on more than one occasion — almost verbatim — have someone say ‘oh, this flight just got a whole lot better’ more times than I can recount,” says Terry. “And let’s face it, having a puppy onboard tends to have a calming influence for the entire trip, which we can all use, especially these days.”
Terry has transported quite a few dogs for Assistance Dogs of the West (ADI), a partner program of WCC’s, and through ADI, learned about WCC’s programming.
“Thanks to volunteers like Terry, and American Airline’s Puppies in Flight program, we have been able to get service dogs in training to locations where they can get plugged into training and best serve our Veterans in need,” said Molly Morelli, director of dog programs, Warrior Canine Connection. “We are so appreciative of all the support, and the whole process has formed this amazing little community of people who just want to help others, it’s pretty remarkable. Terry’s volunteer efforts are just one more example of how these dogs are helping to form new bonds, new relationships, and positively impacting lives.”
But the job isn’t always glamorous. With travel layovers and cancellations, there are sometimes challenges along the way.
“I have to be quite diplomatic because everyone always wants to pet the dogs,” said Terry. “I see it as a great opportunity to educate people about service dogs. Overall, the people come up and ask about the dog, the vest they’re wearing, and that’s my opportunity to do the advocacy piece and talk about these organizations that are doing great things with these dogs. It really does engage a lot of passengers because they’re so curious about the dog not being in the kennel and wearing a vest.”
As you might imagine, Terry has had his share of both touching as well as laughable moments while transporting puppies and dogs.
“I learned that I don’t care a lot for these airports that are totally carpeted [laughs],” but it’s not a big deal, I always have plenty of pee pads with me,” said Terry. “I learned to always carry puppies off the plane after a few hours and get them to a relief area or to put them down on a pee pad.”
Terry admits that more than a dog or two have tugged at his heartstrings over the years.
“In the first few trips I did, I did tear up a time or two, but thank goodness, I am a Saint Bernard guy [laughs],” said Terry. “I did have a talk with myself afterward that I can’t react like that it — it’s not about me, it’s about helping someone else you may likely never meet and do something good that will help someone else.”
WCC would like to extend a very special thank you to Terry and volunteers like him who give so much of themselves to help Veterans.
Shooshan’s Gift Boosts WCC’s Efforts
“I have always had an admiration for our military and am a big fan, and virtually all my life, I’ve had dogs, so Warrior Canine Connection is a great intersection of both of those things,” said Shooshan.
This year, John’s generous support allowed WCC to hire a new service dog trainer position and provided for the purchase of a new skid steer to support its facilities and construction efforts. He has committed to additional funding over the next four years that will support the continued salary of the trainer.
“Multi-year support from friends, like John, is so important to WCC,” said Jennifer Wilder, director of development at WCC. “His thoughtful gift is not only helping us build capacity so that we can support more Veterans today, but also far into the future. History tells us that the invisible wounds of war will not quickly diminish. John’s gift is helping us be prepared to provide WCC services to Veterans however long they are needed.”
John says his affinity for the military started when he was young; his father served in World War II, and he had hoped to follow in his father’s footsteps. At the time of his high school graduation, a parent’s written consent was required to enlist in the military. His father encouraged John to go to school for a year first and then decide. He got involved in school and sports and time marched on.
“I think I would have been a better person had I served, one regret I have is that I didn’t have the courage to go back and do that, so I’ve always held our military in the highest esteem because they had the courage to do that and take those steps,” said John.
John and his company have built several buildings for the Department of Defense and the intelligence industry. He says he spent more than half of his career trying to find ways to serve where he couldn’t when he was younger. And providing for WCC is one more way.
“If you’ve had dogs, you know they’re unique and very different from people,” said Shooshan. “Someone once told me that dog spelled backward is God, they’re just such affectionate, caring, and kind creatures, and they provide a safe, physical and spiritual connection, especially for people who have been scarred physically or emotionally. And what I really like about Warrior Canine Connection’s unique training process is that it isn’t a one-for-one program — it has the capacity to impact so many Veterans’ lives along the way.”
John and his granddaughter, Lucy, recently visited WCC’s Healing Quarters (see photo above) and had the opportunity to cuddle some future service dogs. Although small, snuggly, and adorable, he remarked that each one holds so much promise to impact so many Veterans’ lives in the future.
“We don’t have this country without the sacrifices for what our military has made for us,” said John. “We live in the greatest country in the world, but we often lose sight of the fact that there are individuals and families that make huge sacrifices when we go to war. God forbid they don’t come home, these wars come at a price and these families chose to protect our country and it’s our duty to support them every way we can.”
Thank you, John, for your generous support and continued partnership.
New Faces at WCC
Warrior Canine Connection’s pack has grown! We are excited to introduce you to two new members of our team.
Michele joined WCC in mid-November 2021 as a service dog training instructor at WCC’s program in Asheville, North Carolina. She has vast experience working with a wide variety of breeds and temperaments, as well as service and rescue organizations. In her role, she will oversee the puppy program and work closely with WCC’s highly valued puppy parents.
Michele graduated from the University of North Dakota with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She then received her training at Starmark Dog Training Academy, where she specialized in task training and behavior modification.
Prior to coming to WCC, Michele spent four years working with service dogs and Veterans, so this is not new territory to her. She says the military population is one she’s always been interested in supporting, as she has a partner who is a Veteran and family members who are Veterans and active-duty Service Members.
“It’s been amazing to see how quickly WCC’s purpose-bred dogs pick up on skills, how calm and easy going they are,” said Michele. “Of course, they have well-rounded lives with puppy parents, exposure to people, sounds, and other stimuli from the time they’re only a few weeks old and then formalized training … but it’s been magical to watch that come together.”
Michele has two dogs, Brin and Red, and when not at WCC, she enjoys swimming, riding her bike, cooking, and reading.
Suzanne Brown
In late November, we also welcomed Suzanne Brown as a service dog training instructor who will work in a part-time capacity at our Healing Quarters in Boyds, Maryland. Suzanne graduated from the Coast Guard Academy with a bachelor’s in Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering, and she earned advanced engineering degrees at the University of Michigan. She served over 25 years active duty in the U.S. Coast Guard before retiring as a Captain in 2020.
Suzanne has volunteered at WCC for the past few years and served in almost every volunteer role from whelping/puppy watcher to puppy parent and she helped coordinate WCC’s Inaugural Ruff Mutter event.
She has extensive experience with the MBTR program, where she discovered her passion for training service dogs, both as a participant and running WCC’s Extended Veteran Program for fellow Veterans who complete the MBTR program and want to continue training service dogs for fellow Veterans.
“I came to know WCC at a really rough time in my life and they really helped me through that,” says Suzanne. “I have seen firsthand the impact that working with the dogs has as well as the difference a service dog can make on a Veteran’s life. WCC’s programs, both the placement of service dogs and utilizing military members and Veterans to help train the service dogs in training, have not only helped me but so many military members and Veterans in their recovery process. Those invisible wounds are real and it’s hard to explain but the dogs have such a tremendously positive impact. I came in at the right time, and now I want to actively help others through WCC’s mission.”
Outside of work, Suzanne enjoys spending time with Baxter, her 14-year-old pet Golden Retriever. Suzanne also used to compete in triathlons and says she is focusing on becoming more active. Suzanne is also a volunteer coach for adaptive/para-swimming and triathlons.
Veterans discover the healing powers of service dogs
December 27, 2021 – BALTIMORE (WBFF) — For the longest time, war veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – or PTSD – relied on medications to ease their pain.
Lately, however, some veterans have found relief from service dogs. Watch this powerful story by WBFF Fox 45 News here.
End of Year Giving: A New Family Holiday Tradition
Each daughter was given two $10 gift certificates to Global Giving so they could choose a cause they wanted to support to help others. Low and behold, Warrior Canine Connection was one of the selections for Lydia. An animal-lover, she selected WCC and a second organization that supports horses.
“It felt good because it was the gift that mommy was giving us to give to something else, so it felt the gift was to give, and I feel like giving is sometimes better than receiving,” said Lydia. “It just felt good to help out and I hope I get to do it again next year.”
Her sister, Madeline, knew she wanted to do something to help children, so she selected a food bank and a second organization that supports rescue dogs.
“It was my first time, but it was exciting and also hard because there are so many great causes I wanted to support,” said Madeline. “It was really nice … I’ve made presents and gotten presents before, but it felt really nice to give something to someone or an animal that really needed it. I mean, I just felt it was really nice to be part of something that was helping people.”
Pretty sage words for 8 and 10-year-olds. And mom Stephanie, couldn’t be prouder.
“They were really excited, it was really cool, they were very excited about looking through the different nonprofits and were really interested in watching the videos and learning about different organizations,” said Stephanie. “Lydia turned to me and said ‘mama, this really was a cool present.’ This was definitely a winner, and we will keep doing this.”
The fact that they both chose animal-related organizations came as no surprise to Stephanie, as they have a well-loved 4.5-year-old Lab, Skye, at home.
“He is cute … and he wags his tail all the time, even when he’s throwing up,” shared Lydia. (Side note: Mom explained through laughter that Skye is perfectly healthy and rarely gets sick but that some things just stick out in children’s minds.)
Madeline added, “I think he [Skye] has a very cute, very sweet personality … he’s loving and sweet but also a little bit bumbling. He’s a Lab, he loves his people and his food.”
Of course, both Madeline and Lydia are also excited about another annual tradition — Santa’s upcoming visit. Judging by their interest in helping others, it’s safe to say both of them will be on his “nice list.”
End-of-year giving of any amount makes a huge impact for many nonprofits, including WCC. All donations are tax-deductible and help WCC breed, train and provide highly skilled assistance dogs to wounded Veterans and Military Families at absolutely no cost to them. If you would like to follow the Wilsons’ lead, and start your own year-end giving tradition, visit https://warriorcanineconnection.org/get-involved/donate/
A World War II veteran meets his Warrior Canine Connection namesake
December 22, 2021 – Bucci meets Bucci.
Warrior Canine Connection held a special meeting between one of its service dogs in training and the 98-year-old World War II veteran he is named after on Dec. 15 in Catonsville, Maryland. Read the full story on ConnectingVets.com here.