A former international model, world traveler, government employee, and more, Kay, 84, has packed eight-plus decades of adventure, relationships, and lessons in her life’s journey.
With an infectious sense of humor, Kay jokingly muses over her new adventures — adapting to macular degeneration and hearing issues. But in the next breath, her tone turns grateful for Cindy, her sister, who has been helping her adapt to her new life changes.
Kay says a lot of people don’t like to talk about it, but age has given her comfort with her own mortality. It’s also given her cause to think about what she wants to leave behind when she’s no longer around. That’s why she elected to leave a portion of her estate to Warrior Canine Connection in her will.
“I was made aware of Warrior Canine Connection by my nephew who is a retired Marine,” said Kay. “He talked to me about it because I’m at a stage of my life where I need to make those plans. I’m grateful to leave something behind and to leave the money with those who I think are going to spend it well and do good with it, and I’m tickled to death to support this organization in particular.”
Military service has strong roots in Kay’s family. She was married to Clark, who has since passed, but spent his career as an engineer in the Marine Corps. Her nephew (Cindy’s son) was an explosive ordnance disposal tech in the Marines. And her oldest great nephew is currently attending The U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
“It’s a population that has not been served as well as they should have been,” said Kay. “We are a fairly small family, and we have ties to and history and support of military service, so we’ve always felt strongly about the military and helping others. I’m from a small town, and we have small-town values, which usually involves helping out other people … we like to look out, rather than look in.”
On her many visits, Cindy totes along her laptop so she and Kay can enjoy watching the WCC live puppy cam on Explore.org together — a simple pleasure that brings both comfort and joy.
“We’ve had the puppy cam on all day … we’re watching the little dickens that became king of the hill, started an uproar with the others, and then they all went to sleep,” says Kay chuckling.
Kay says she’s lived a happy, interesting life, and she’s pleased to not only chat and share stories but to also know a piece of her will be passed along after she’s gone.
“It’s my hope that my story might encourage other people to do the same,” said Kay. “It’s wonderful to see the money go to where it will do good.”
Discover how easy it is to support Warrior Canine Connection beyond a lifetime. To learn more, visit https://warriorcanineconnection.org/get-involved/donate/
98-year-old WWII veteran meets his canine namesake
December 19, 2021
CATONSVILLE, Md. — United States Army Private First Class Alfred Francis Bucci remembers a lot more than he forgets at the age of 98.
“We went and landed in the heart of France on November 1st or 2nd of 1944,” he said. Watch the full story on WBFF Fox News 45 here.
WCC Featured on Small Town Big Deal
WCC was recently featured on the popular TV show Small Town Big Deal during its Veterans Day special. Hosted by Rodney Miller and Jann Carl, the show shines a spotlight on the amazing and inspiring things happening in small towns and farm communities across America … towns like Boyds, Maryland. Watch the story here.
WCC’s 2021 Holiday Gift Guide
The holidays are just around the corner! Have you made your list and checked it twice? We are sharing some great gift ideas that your friends and family will not only love but that will also support WCC’s programs by purchasing at the same time.
WCC 2021 Ornament
An annual tradition since 2014, this year’s ornament design features a round metal enamel design showcasing “10” for WCC’s milestone anniversary. The ornament includes a blue ribbon for ease of hanging.
WCC 2022 Cuteness Calendars
Ready to turn the page on 2021? You’re in luck, as the WCC 2022 calendars are also available, complete with adorable photos of some of the lovable WCC pups you’ve come to know and love.
Paracord Bracelet
This unisex bracelet isn’t only good-looking, it’s functional! A paracord bracelet can be used to tie up gear, make shelter, fish for food, and various other uses, which makes them extremely useful in the outdoors. Its nylon construction can withstand nature’s elements, making it the go-to survival tool in emergency preparation kits.
To check out these great items and others, visit WCC’s online store here.
Thank You to Our Generous Donors
Wow! Thanks to the generosity and support from hundreds of donors, Warrior Canine Connection raised $40,627 during Giving Tuesday. We would like to say a heartfelt *thank you* to all the amazing donors who helped make this year’s day of giving such a success!
If you’re not familiar with its observance, Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past nine years, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity.
Thanks to all of you, these much-appreciated funds will support WCC’s No-Fail Mission to Service Members and Veterans with visible and invisible wounds.
However, our work is far from done. More than 500,000 Veterans are suffering from the invisible wounds of war, and WCC’s unique form of animal-assisted therapy and placement of highly trained service dogs is proven to help Veterans in need. Help us assist our nation’s recovering Warriors by donating now.
Leaving a Legacy
A former international model, world traveler, government employee, and more, Kay, 84, has packed eight-plus decades of adventure, relationships, and lessons in her life’s journey.
With an infectious sense of humor, Kay jokingly muses over her new adventures — adapting to macular degeneration and hearing issues. But in the next breath, her tone turns grateful for Cindy, her sister, who has been helping her adapt to her new life changes.
Kay says a lot of people don’t like to talk about it, but age has given her comfort with her own mortality. It’s also given her cause to think about what she wants to leave behind when she’s no longer around. That’s why she elected to leave a portion of her estate to Warrior Canine Connection in her will.
“I was made aware of Warrior Canine Connection by my nephew who is a retired Marine,” said Kay. “He talked to me about it because I’m at a stage of my life where I need to make those plans. I’m grateful to leave something behind and to leave the money with those who I think are going to spend it well and do good with it, and I’m tickled to death to support this organization in particular.”
Military service has strong roots in Kay’s family. She was married to Clark, who has since passed, but spent his career as an engineer in the Marine Corps. Her nephew (Cindy’s son) was an explosive ordnance disposal tech in the Marines. And her oldest great nephew is currently attending The U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
“It’s a population that has not been served as well as they should have been,” said Kay. “We are a fairly small family, and we have ties to and history and support of military service, so we’ve always felt strongly about the military and helping others. I’m from a small town, and we have small-town values, which usually involves helping out other people … we like to look out, rather than look in.”
On her many visits, Cindy totes along her laptop so she and Kay can enjoy watching the WCC live puppy cam on Explore.org together — a simple pleasure that brings both comfort and joy.
“We’ve had the puppy cam on all day … we’re watching the little dickens that became king of the hill, started an uproar with the others, and then they all went to sleep,” says Kay chuckling.
Kay says she’s lived a happy, interesting life, and she’s pleased to not only chat and share stories but to also know a piece of her will be passed along after she’s gone.
“It’s my hope that my story might encourage other people to do the same,” said Kay. “It’s wonderful to see the money go to where it will do good.”
Discover how easy it is to support Warrior Canine Connection beyond a lifetime. To learn more, visit https://warriorcanineconnection.org/get-involved/donate/
Following Commands: UMSON Studies Military Veterans with PTSD as They Train Service Dogs
November 29, 2021 – Todd, Laura, Lucy. From the sound of it, the two military veterans could be mentioning relatives or teammates. Yet their tone is more like that of teachers, recalling star pupils or the class clown who later shaped up. Charles, Dewey, Shannon.
All those named are indeed pupils — canine ones. They are service dogs in training, and the classroom is usually a field among farms in Boyds, Md. The students are Golden or Labrador Retrievers that are bred, trained, and placed by Warrior Canine Connection (WCC), a nonprofit organization serving veterans and military families. Read the full story in Catalyst here.
Hometown Hero: Pause for Paws
It’s not every day that someone gets to tell their story to the United States Congress and not every story moves Congress to act. Read this story on Warrior Canine Connection in the November 2021 edition of Lifestyle Potamic here. (Story begins on page 12.)
Warrior Canine Connection The Dogist Fund Recipient, November 2021
To Honor our Veterans
In honor of Veterans Day, we’re raising money for Warrior Canine Connection. WCC utilizes a Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) model to help recovering veterans reconnect with life, their families, their communities, and each other. Their program has veterans training service dogs for other veterans, so more lives are impacted through the training process. We’re hoping to raise $10,000 for Warrior Canine Connection. Help us honor our veterans today by making a donation through The Dogist Fund – 100% of donations will go to training these future PTSD service dogs. To read the complete story in The Dogist, click here.
Warrior Canine Connection: training service dogs for our nation’s heroes
November 11, 2021
WASHINGTON (ABC7) — Brian van de Graaff visited Warrior Canine Connection in Boyds, Maryland, where a dedicated team is helping train service dogs to help our veterans with visible and invisible wounds. Watch the story on Good Morning Washington here.
Giving Day: Warrior Canine Connection
November 11, 2021
For Veterans Day, KTVU highlights the work of the Warrior Canine Connection, which pairs veterans with service dogs to help them meet their physical and emotional needs. Alexis Baker spoke to Mornings on 2 about the training that goes into making the program a success. Watch the story on KTVU Fox 2 here.