Since he was a kid, Nick has always loved art—painting, drawing, and he even did some professional tattoo work for a period. He loves finding beauty in unexpected places. And dog training is one of them.
In fact, Nick, a Marine Corps Veteran, just hit a huge milestone—he’s completed 250 Mission Based Trauma Recovery hours! Nick has been participating in Warrior Canine Connection’s service dog training program at its Asheville, N.C. location since March 2020.
“It’s one of the best therapeutic methods I’ve ever encountered, and I’ve tried a lot of different things,” said Nick. “I’ve tried horticulture, sitting with therapists and psychiatrists, which I still do, but I really prefer going to see the dogs.”
Nick enlisted in the Marine Corps and went to boot camp at age 17. Originally, he wanted to be an aircraft mechanic but soon found out he was color blind. He was drawn to journalism and photography and ended up attending the Defense Information School.
“I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world,” says Nick. “I got to see parts of every other job, covered amazing stories, saw a lot of interesting things, and learned a lot from a lot of people through the Marine Corps. I also really valued the camaraderie.”
Three and a half years into his service, his diagnosis restricted him from being able to re-enlist and he sought treatment.
“I don’t know what I’d do without the VA, honestly,” said Nick. “They help me with medication and really everything … they’ve been a huge help to me.”
It was through the VA’s programs that Nick learned about WCC’s service dog training program. Once he got started, he was hooked.
“I set a goal to complete 100 sessions, then 150, and then 200,” said Nick. “Truth is, I don’t see myself stopping, I enjoy the sessions so much, and it’s helped me immensely with my anxiety and with learning about myself. I have also learned a lot about how to talk to the dogs, handle them, and training in general. Both you and the dog benefit so much when you know how to communicate with each other.”
Nick balances the training sessions with his schoolwork; he’s studying business management at Asheville-Buncombe Community College, where he says he hopes to learn to one day combine his business skills with his passion for art.
Amy Guidash, who runs WCC’s program in Asheville, says “Nick has come a long way since he started the program. He’s been so committed to it, that not only has he learned a lot about training and formed amazing relationships with the dogs, he’s also become a great resource and help to his fellow Veterans who are new to the program.”
“When I first started, I was uncomfortable and wanted to stop,” said Nick. “My advice to others is to dip your toe in the pool … get outside of your comfort zone a bit, keep fighting to stay and it will get more comfortable. Talk to people, make friends, and bond with people in the program who have close to or some of the same experiences as you, so you are never alone.”
Nick, who works a lot with WCC’s service dog in training, Danny, says he hopes to one day get his own service dog.
“Dogs are powerful—knowing you have something living and breathing next to you, it’s true companionship,” said Nick. “They don’t judge you for anything at all. And they just have playful and compassionate souls … they look to you to help with a lot of things, too.”
Program helps veterans with PTSD through service dog training
June 3, 2021 – BOYDS, Md. — Dole is a rambunctious black Labrador and loves being outdoors. He’s a service dog-in-training and is still getting schooled.
“Well, he’s a little bit of a goof, which is probably why they matched him with me,” said retired U.S. Air Force Col. John Bryk. Watch the full story on WMAR News 2 in Baltimore here.
In Memory of Dee Greenly
“Every once in a while, a dog enters your life and changes everything.”
– Anonymous
Kathryn Greenly says that quote is particularly true for her husband, Dee Greenly, who passed away in December 2020. On June 14, Kathryn, along with family members and friends, will celebrate Dee’s life. And there will be a lot to celebrate—as Dee lived a very purposeful and inspiring 86 years.
Dee’s eight-plus decades on earth are marked by significant accomplishments, milestones, and his passions. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1950-1954, where he was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Rochester. He also spent 31 years working at NASA, where he served in several capacities tied to safety, reliability, and quality. He shared almost three decades of marriage with his wife, Kathryn; April would have marked their 30th wedding anniversary. He was also a father to two children, Jeffrey Dee, and Lisa Anne, from his previous marriage. And he was devoted to his faith; he spent several years doing mission work.
As Kathryn will tell you, another one of his great passions was Abraham or “Abe”—the dog that came into his life and changed everything.
“Dee had a purpose for living after he got Abe,” says Kathryn. “I was working, and Dee was retired, and he was kind of lonely. Getting Abe gave him a new purpose. He would walk with him, care for him and it gave him a desire to stay active and keep physically fit.”
Abe was from the Golden Rule Assistance Dogs Program, which Rick Yount, executive director and founder of Warrior Canine Connection, started and ran back in Morgantown, West Virginia many years ago—prior to starting WCC.
Abe was a puppy from a litter that Rick’s dog and muse, Gabe, sired—the sole male in the litter of seven. Dee was the first Veteran that Rick matched with a service dog based on the chemistry he saw between Dee and Abe.
Rick says Dee inspired him and the teens who helped to train Abe at the Alternative Learning Center (ALC), as Dee devoted his time to form connections with all Abe’s teen trainers. Rick also added that Dee’s gratitude to the kids in the ALC helped many of them to see themselves differently, realizing the positive impact that they were making in their community.
After Abe and Dee “graduated” from boot camp in 2004, Abe was Dee’s faithful helper and companion for more than 12 years.
“Abe was a gentleman … he was calm, he was just such a loving dog … so many people knew Abe but didn’t even know us—he was just that kind of dog,” said Kathryn.
In fact, he was so special of a dog, that Dee told Kathryn he wanted to be buried with his special dog’s remains. On June 14, Dee and Abe will be interred at the Grafton National Veterans Memorial cemetery together.
Rick, who will attend the ceremony in Grafton, the small W.Va. town where Gabe was born, shared, “It will be an honor to be a part of Dee’s celebration of life and reflect on his influence on my life’s path. I was blessed to witness Dee’s and Abe’s Warrior Canine “connection” from the beginning and now when they will rest together at the Grafton National Veterans Memorial Cemetery. I would love to name a future WCC puppy, “Dee,” to honor Dee Greenly and his service to all of us.”
New Faces at WCC
Pictured here with his beautiful family, Freddy joined WCC as its new part-time Digital Communications Specialist in April. In his role, Freddy will use his photo and video journalism expertise to help WCC share its powerful stories of using the human-animal bond to assist Service Members and Veterans with visible and invisible wounds.
Freddy is a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserves at Joint Base Andrews, where he focuses on air transportation and logistics. He also runs his own media company that specializes in video production work and is currently pursuing a degree in graphic communications at the University of Maryland.
He says he came to WCC for an opportunity to marry his professional media skills with a personal passion to help fellow Service Members and Veterans.
“I definitely feel like I am on the right team and on the right side of history here at WCC,” said Freddy. “It’s a great place to be and all the people are so educated, friendly, and doing great things. I get to not only see the impact these dogs have but also the people supporting and training them … it’s just great, I love it here.”
Freddy lives nearby in Frederick, Maryland, with his wife, Eliana, their two adorable children, Emma, 5, and Nolan, 2, and their dog, Toby.
Farewell to Frankie
May 26, 2021 – This is not a eulogy. Frank, named after U.S. Army Air Corps Lieutenant Francis Misciagna, is a dog I’ve been helping to train as part of Warrior Canine Connection, a non-profit that trains service dogs for wounded veterans. He’s finished with training and is moving on to be a facility dog at a veterans homeless shelter, so last weekend I had him over for a sleepover to say goodbye. Read the full story in The Stanford Daily here.
The Art of Dog Training
In fact, Nick, a Marine Corps Veteran, just hit a huge milestone—he’s completed 250 Mission Based Trauma Recovery hours! Nick has been participating in Warrior Canine Connection’s service dog training program at its Asheville, N.C. location since March 2020.
“It’s one of the best therapeutic methods I’ve ever encountered, and I’ve tried a lot of different things,” said Nick. “I’ve tried horticulture, sitting with therapists and psychiatrists, which I still do, but I really prefer going to see the dogs.”
Nick enlisted in the Marine Corps and went to boot camp at age 17. Originally, he wanted to be an aircraft mechanic but soon found out he was color blind. He was drawn to journalism and photography and ended up attending the Defense Information School.
“I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world,” says Nick. “I got to see parts of every other job, covered amazing stories, saw a lot of interesting things, and learned a lot from a lot of people through the Marine Corps. I also really valued the camaraderie.”
Three and a half years into his service, his diagnosis restricted him from being able to re-enlist and he sought treatment.
“I don’t know what I’d do without the VA, honestly,” said Nick. “They help me with medication and really everything … they’ve been a huge help to me.”
It was through the VA’s programs that Nick learned about WCC’s service dog training program. Once he got started, he was hooked.
“I set a goal to complete 100 sessions, then 150, and then 200,” said Nick. “Truth is, I don’t see myself stopping, I enjoy the sessions so much, and it’s helped me immensely with my anxiety and with learning about myself. I have also learned a lot about how to talk to the dogs, handle them, and training in general. Both you and the dog benefit so much when you know how to communicate with each other.”
Nick balances the training sessions with his schoolwork; he’s studying business management at Asheville-Buncombe Community College, where he says he hopes to learn to one day combine his business skills with his passion for art.
Amy Guidash, who runs WCC’s program in Asheville, says “Nick has come a long way since he started the program. He’s been so committed to it, that not only has he learned a lot about training and formed amazing relationships with the dogs, he’s also become a great resource and help to his fellow Veterans who are new to the program.”
“When I first started, I was uncomfortable and wanted to stop,” said Nick. “My advice to others is to dip your toe in the pool … get outside of your comfort zone a bit, keep fighting to stay and it will get more comfortable. Talk to people, make friends, and bond with people in the program who have close to or some of the same experiences as you, so you are never alone.”
Nick, who works a lot with WCC’s service dog in training, Danny, says he hopes to one day get his own service dog.
“Dogs are powerful—knowing you have something living and breathing next to you, it’s true companionship,” said Nick. “They don’t judge you for anything at all. And they just have playful and compassionate souls … they look to you to help with a lot of things, too.”
Therapy puppies show appreciation for MedStar nurses | Get Uplifted
May 7, 2021 – MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — There is probably no better way to get uplifted than puppies.
America’s nurses deserve respect year-round, but especially after the incredibly trying year they’ve had.
For Nurses Appreciation Week, some local nurses definitely got some love, in the form of puppy love! Watch the WUSA 9 News story here.
MedStar Montgomery Nurses Get Puppy Love
May 7, 2021 – National Nurses Week runs from May 6 through May 12 and MedStar Montgomery Medical Center kicked off the occasion with a special visit from several 7-week-old golden retriever puppies.
The puppies were brought by the Warrior Canine Connection in Boyds. The organization raises puppies to assist veterans as trained service dogs. Watch the story on MyMCMedia.org here.
Photos: Nurses Day at MedStar Montgomery in Olney
May 6, 2021 – In honor of National Nurses Day, MedStar Montgomery Medical Center in Olney honored its nurses by bringing in some therapy puppies from Warrior Canine Connection in Boyds. Councilmember Evan Glass also stopped by to express his appreciation to the nurses.
Here’s a look at the nurses taking a much-needed break to enjoy some love from 7-week-old golden retriever puppies. See the photos on MyMCMedia.org here.
Donate Your Birthday to WCC on Facebook
Some of WCC’s amazing supporters have already discovered that Facebook allows you to dedicate your special day by creating a birthday fundraiser. I couldn’t believe how easy it was! In five simple steps (and less than five minutes), I filled in my information, chose WCC as the beneficiary, set a goal, picked a photo, and posted my fundraiser.
While I would be honored and humbled to have you support my birthday fundraiser, more importantly—I’m asking that you, too, consider making a commitment each and every year to dedicate your birthday to honoring the sacrifice of our nation’s Veterans. Just think of the impact we could all make together if every WCC Facebook follower had a life-changing birthday! You can find instructions on how to set up your Facebook birthday fundraiser to support Veterans through WCC’s service dog training programs on the WCC Facebook page here.
Thanks for making my day extra special and for your support of WCC’s critically important work.
May the 4th be with you and all of us!
Rick Yount
Executive Director & Founder
Warrior Canine Connection
The human-animal bond
May 2, 2021 – Not all Soldiers walk on two legs and carry a rifle.
The U.S. Military has partnered with canine warriors in every conflict since the Revolutionary War. Chip, a canine sentry of the U.S. Army, was the most decorated dog in World War II. Read the full story in the Desert Lightning News here.