(Press-News.org) New research finds that “man’s best friend” may help slow biological aging in women. This groundbreaking study, focused on female veterans in the United States, is among the first to examine the impact of working with service dogs on this often-overlooked population. By measuring biological indicators of stress, the researchers have uncovered a key insight: the way stress is felt emotionally doesn’t always reflect how it affects the body at a cellular level.
While women have served in the U.S. military for generations, their roles have expanded dramatically since 1948. Yet despite their growing presence and unique experiences, most military studies still center on men – even as women report higher rates of PTSD.
Building on the need for focused research, Florida Atlantic University researchers, in collaboration with the University of Maryland School of Nursing, the Medical College of Georgia, and Warrior Canine Connection, Inc., conducted the study involving female veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. But instead of receiving service dogs, these women volunteered to train them for fellow veterans in need – offering support not just to others, but potentially to themselves.
The study, supported by the National Institutes of Health’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, examined whether this purposeful, mission-driven activity could reduce both biological and psychological stress, and whether previous combat exposure influenced those effects. Until now, the emotional and therapeutic benefits of such unique relationships have been largely unexamined in female veterans.
To measure biological stress, researchers looked at telomere length (a marker of cellular aging) using saliva samples, and heart rate variability (HRV), a sign of nervous system balance, using wearable monitors in participants in the service dog training program group or a comparison group that watched dog training videos. Psychological stress was assessed using validated questionnaires measuring PTSD symptoms, perceived stress, and anxiety at multiple points during the study.
Results, published in the journal Behavioral Sciences, revealed promising biological benefits associated with service dog training – particularly for veterans with combat experience – while improvements in psychological symptoms were seen across all participants, regardless of the intervention.
One of the most striking findings involved telomere length. Veterans who participated in the dog-training program showed an increase in telomere length, suggesting a slowing of cellular aging. In contrast, those in the control group exhibited a decrease in telomere length, indicating accelerated aging. Combat experience significantly influenced these results: veterans with combat exposure who trained service dogs experienced the greatest gains in telomere length, whereas those with combat exposure in the control group saw the most pronounced declines.
On the psychological front, both groups – those who trained dogs and those in the control group – reported significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, anxiety and perceived stress over the eight-week period. However, these mental health improvements were similar across groups, suggesting that simply participating in the study and receiving structured attention may have offered therapeutic value. Unlike the biological findings, psychological outcomes did not appear to be affected by combat exposure.
“Female veterans face unique reintegration challenges that are often overlooked, and traditional PTSD treatments don’t always meet their needs,” said Cheryl Krause-Parello, Ph.D., first author, associate vice president for FAU research, associate executive director, FAU I-Health, and director of C-PAWW™. “Nontraditional approaches like connecting with animals can offer meaningful support. These relationships provide emotional safety and stability, which can be especially powerful for women. But not all veterans can care for a service animal, so animal-related volunteerism may offer similar healing benefits without the burden of ownership.”
The study also suggests that the skills learned during service dog training – such as positive reinforcement and reading animal behavior – may have strengthened participants’ bonds with their own pets at home, offering additional emotional support. Unlike general volunteering, service dog training uniquely blends emotional healing with building a close relationship between veterans and their animals, providing therapeutic benefits that go beyond typical community engagement.
“This research underscores the power of service dog training as a meaningful, non-pharmacological intervention to support the health and healing of female veterans with PTSD,” said Krause-Parello. “It opens the door to more personalized approaches that nurture both the mind and body.”
Female veterans aged 32 to 72 were randomly assigned to either the service dog training program group or a comparison group that watched dog training videos. Both groups took part in one-hour sessions each week for eight weeks. Researchers measured outcomes before, during and after the program.
These findings provide early evidence that non-pharmacological interventions – such as service dog training – may help reduce the physical toll of stress and slow cellular aging in female veterans.
Study co-authors are Erika Friedmann, Ph.D., corresponding author and professor emerita, University of Maryland School of Nursing; Deborah Taber, senior research project coordinator, University of Maryland School of Nursing; Haidong Zhu, M.D., Medical College of Georgia; Alejandra Quintero, a Ph.D. neuroscience student in FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science; and Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection, Inc.
– FAU –
About Florida Atlantic University:
Florida Atlantic University serves more than 32,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses along Florida’s Southeast coast. Recognized as one of only 21 institutions nationwide with dual designations from the Carnegie Classification – “R1: Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production” and “Opportunity College and University” – FAU stands at the intersection of academic excellence and social mobility. Ranked among the Top 100 Public Universities by U.S. News & World Report, FAU is also nationally recognized as a Top 25 Best-In-Class College and cited by Washington Monthly as “one of the country’s most effective engines of upward mobility.” As a university of first choice for students across Florida and the nation, FAU welcomed its most academically competitive incoming class in university history in Fall 2025. To learn more, visit www.fau.edu.
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Proof in the Paws: Research Backs Power of Service Dogs
It’s something Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) has long seen in action: working with service dogs can make a meaningful difference in a Veteran’s healing. Now, research from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and the University of Maryland (UMD) is backing that up with hard data, showing that service dog training can improve health outcomes — and may even slow cellular aging for female Veterans with post-traumatic stress (PTS).
Funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the study was conducted from 2018 through 2022 and tracked female Veterans as they participated in an eight-week service dog training program. Researchers collected physiological data at the start, middle and end of the program, including heart-rate variability, saliva samples and continuous monitoring of both participants and their dogs. The goal? To see how hands-on interaction with service dogs affects stress, wellbeing and overall health.
WCC supported the hands-on portion of the study through its Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program, which helps Veterans learn to train service dogs for their fellow Warriors. While the control group viewed training videos, Veterans in WCC’s eight-week MBTR program worked directly with a service dog, building consistency and trust by partnering with the same dog each week. WCC also managed the monitoring equipment throughout the study, enabling the UMD and FAU research teams to focus on data collection and analysis.
The study also involved support from multiple researchers and collaborating institutions who helped design the methodology and capture the physiological data that made these findings possible. Together, the teams at FAU, UMD and WCC demonstrated how meaningful, hands-on service dog training through MBTR can be for female Veterans’ mental and physical wellbeing.
This hands-on approach not only generated valuable data but also highlighted meaningful impacts for participants. Mar Leifeld, assistant director of MBTR programs at WCC, who helped coordinate the organization’s involvement, noted one significant outcome: “We saw participants who might not usually seek out services for themselves get involved just to help with the study. Many have continued long after the research ended, forming lasting connections through our programs.”
The results make clear what WCC has always known: service dog training isn’t just a program — it’s a pathway to resilience, connection and lasting health benefits. And thanks to this collaborative research, the broader Veteran community can now see the measurable impact for themselves.
To learn more about WCC’s MBTR programming, visit www.warriorcanineconnection.org.
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Ravens’ Nick Moore Laces Up for Veterans and Service Dogs
When the Baltimore Ravens took the field for their Week 12 matchup against the New York Jets, long snapper Nick Moore carried more than team pride into the game — he carried a cause close to his heart. As part of this year’s NFL My Cause My Cleats initiative, Moore selected Warrior Canine Connection (WCC), using his custom-designed cleats to honor Veterans and the WCC service dogs who support them.
Ravens Nick Moore MCMC
The cleats, created by artist Alex Andrews of A22 Customs, stood out on the turf with bold imagery that reflected WCC’s mission. Moore, who has long felt a deep connection to both animals and the military community, said the choice was an easy one.
“For my wife and I, animals are something that we’re really passionate about, along with the military,” Moore said. “WCC helps animals get trained and gets them in good homes and gives the Veterans and their families the assistance and help they need.”
WCC pairs highly trained service dogs with Veterans and engages Service Members in its therapeutic Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training. The program teaches Veterans how to work with service dogs in training for their fellow Warriors. In the process, Veterans can also benefit from skills development in communication, confidence building, accountability, emotional regulation and patience to promote an act of service while receiving a therapeutic benefit. Moore’s participation in My Cause My Cleats brought national visibility to that work, especially as millions tuned in to watch the Ravens–Jets game on CBS and Paramount+. For Andrews, bringing Moore’s vision to life was a meaningful opportunity.
“To create a pair for My Cause My Cleats is more than painting or designing, it’s helping athletes amplify the foundations, charities and projects that matter most,” Andrews said. “It’s bigger than football. Knowing these stories get showcased on the biggest stage in the game makes every pair feel like a real opportunity to spread awareness and make an impact.”
Moore’s one-of-a-kind cleats will be auctioned off this month, with proceeds benefiting WCC.
For WCC, Moore’s choice was both an honor and an invaluable moment of visibility. And for Moore, it was a chance to use the NFL platform for good — highlighting the strength, resilience and healing that come from the human-canine bond.
As the league’s annual campaign continues to shine light on important causes across the country, Moore’s support serves as a reminder of how one player — and one pair of cleats — can help bring greater awareness to a mission that changes lives.
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Where Purpose Meets Possibility: The WCC–Jessup Partnership
Eight WCC dogs (WCC’s Chappy, Rock, Matt, Thomas, Miller, Oscar, VJ and Stan) currently call JCI home. These hopeful future service dogs are raised and trained by incarcerated Veterans and other incarcerated volunteers, along with furlough Puppy Raisers, through WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program.
WCC’s MBTR program teaches Veterans how to work with service dogs in training, which fulfills a time-honored military tradition of Warriors helping Warriors. In the process, the Veteran can also benefit from skills development in communication, confidence building, accountability, emotional regulation and patience to promote an act of service while receiving a therapeutic benefit.
“Seeing the service dog training program take root at JCI has been incredibly impactful,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “It’s not only helping incarcerated Veterans build new skills and purpose but empowering them to help others through the dogs they train. It’s become a true win-win partnership that changes lives on both ends of the leash.”
Each week, WCC instructor Val Skinner leads classes that teach handlers and dogs trust, patience and responsibility. The program mirrors military structure, with participants advancing through ranks as their skills grow. Dogs live in the cells with their handlers — two men and one dog per cell — fostering deep bonds, shared care and accountability.
“The collaboration between DPSCS and the Warrior Canine Connection stands as a powerful model of rehabilitation through service,” said Carolyn J. Scruggs, Secretary of Public Safety & Correctional Services. “By training future service dogs, our participants gain invaluable skills and, most importantly, a renewed capacity for empathy and responsibility. This unique work extends its positive impact far beyond the facility walls—it builds confidence, fosters compassion, and directly supports the long-term success of participants reentering the community. Ultimately, this program helps heal two populations at once, preparing individuals for a productive future and delivering life-changing support to the Veterans they serve.”
And the voices of those involved show just how deeply it’s making an impact.
One handler shared, “I joined to help my fellow brothers and sisters who are suffering with PTSD, I want to contribute while incarcerated so I can try to repair some of the pain I caused. Free or incarcerated, I am still a veteran, and I will continue to help where I can.”
Another participant reflected, “This is the first time in many years I’ve gotten to care for something besides myself.”
A different participant added, “Aside from giving back to the community, I also knew it would help me with my own personal anxiety/PTSD issues.”
One Veteran trainer noted, “Warrior Canine Connection has given me more purpose in life and has given me the opportunity to give back to my fellow veteran community” — proof that this partnership is about much more than dog training.
“It is good to give back to our communities, with the suicide rate of veterans on the rise these support dogs can make a significant difference. Not only does this program purposeful but it also gives the dogs purpose, WCC is a great program, and it helps people across the board,” shared another trainer.
Furthermore, participants often stay involved across multiple dog placements, earning certificates of achievement and even letters of recommendation for parole consideration.
“The commitment I see from the Veterans is amazing. They take real pride in the dogs and what they’re doing for others,” said Skinner.
Even those not directly involved feel the program’s impact. Onlookers from the yard next to the outdoor training area often line up along the fence to watch the puppies at work and play. “It’s contagious — the positivity spreads throughout the facility,” shared Skinner.
A new puppy will soon join the Jessup pack as WCC’s Rock graduates from the program to continue advanced training toward becoming a certified service dog.
Funds from Boeing and the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families help make this program possible.
Nearly three years into their collaboration, WCC and Jessup have created a powerful example of transformation through service — changing lives, fostering hope and strengthening communities, one paw at a time.
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Warrior Canine Connection Service Dog Bea Honored with 2025 AKC® Humane Fund Award for Canine Excellence (ACE)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BOYDS, Maryland – Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) is proud to announce that Bea, a WCC-trained Labrador Retriever, has been selected as the 2025 winner of the American Kennel Club (AKC) Humane Fund Award for Canine Excellence (ACE) in the Service Dog category.
Bea was honored for the profound difference she has made in the life of her partner, U.S. Marine Corps and Air National Guard Veteran Buddy Niner. Since being paired through WCC, Bea has helped Buddy reclaim stability, purpose and joy — impact felt not only by him, but by his family, his firehouse crew and the community.
“Bea and Buddy are an amazing Veteran Service Dog Team whose partnership has made a remarkable difference,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director of Warrior Canine Connection. “They are a glowing example of the Warrior-Canine Connection in action, and their ACE Award recognition is a well-deserved celebration of the hope, healing and teamwork they exemplify every day.”
Bea instinctively senses when Buddy is in distress, waking him from night terrors and providing calm, grounding reassurance. Her support has significantly reduced his anxiety, improved his sleep and empowered him to take on new responsibilities, including a firefighter position at the Letterkenny Army Depot, where Bea accompanies him daily. Her presence in the firehouse brings comfort and steadiness to everyone around her, helping the entire crew navigate the emotional toll of challenging calls.
Bea’s influence extends beyond Buddy’s service. She’s helped him reconnect with family life, embrace new experiences and re-engage with the world in ways he once thought impossible.
Bea is the second WCC dog to earn this national honor. WCC’s Luke received the AKC ACE Service Dog Award in 2020, marking another proud milestone for the organization and underscoring its commitment to training highly skilled service dogs who change lives.
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Warrior Canine Connection Enlists Warriors to Train Service Dogs for Fellow Warriors!
Maria Milito of Maria’s Mutts and Stuff Podcast on iHeart chats with Warrior Canine Connection’s Mar Leifeld, Assistant Director of MBTR–Mission Based Trauma Recovery–programs. They discuss how veterans with PTSD help train puppies to become service dogs for veterans who need one. Warrior Canine Connection says: “One dog can help more than 80 warriors” so give a listen and learn! (This is their third time on Maria’s Mutts & Stuff!) Listen to the full conversation here.
2025 Veterans Day Restaurant Deals
2025 Veterans Day Deals
***Please note that these offers are subject to change and may not be available in all areas. It is recommended that you verify with the restaurant.***
WCC Partners:
Chick-Fil-A: All military Veterans are invited to receive a Free Chick-fil-A Chicken Biscuit during breakfast hours, or a Free Original Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich during lunch/dinner hours.
Firehouse Subs: Active-duty military personnel and Veterans can enjoy any size sub and receive a second sub for free with valid military ID
Mission BBQ: Free Sandwich
Paisanos Pizza: Check your local location for this year’s deal
WCC’s Staff Favorites:
Buffalo Wild Wings: Veterans and active-duty service members get 10 free boneless wings and fries with valid ID. Available for dine-in or, if ordering from a Buffalo Wild Wings GO location, available for walk-in/orders placed at the counter only.
The Greene Turtle: Free meal (up to $15), dine-in only
Longhorn Steak House: 10% discount on a meal
Outback Steakhouse: 15% discount and free Bloomin Onion. Also a “Veterans Day Rain Check” for a free Bloomin Onion to deployed service men and women
More Deals:
Applebees: Free full-sized entree (Dine-in only)
Bubbakoo’s Burritos: To honor veterans and active-duty military members, Bubbakoo’s Burritos is offering a free Taco Trio for in-restaurant orders at all locations nationwide on Nov. 11 for guests with a valid military ID.
California Pizza Kitchen: Free entree and beverage
Chili’s – Free Meal *Valid only on 11/11/2024. Military ID required to redeem offer. No substitutions. Cannot be combined with other offers. Offer only available for dine-in from limited menu. Beverages and gratuity not included.
CiCi’s Pizza: Veterans and Active duty Military eat free on Veterans Day 11/11
Cracker Barrel: Enjoy a free sunrise pancake special this Veterans Day. Valid on 11/11/25, while supplies last. Dine-in only, proof of military service required.
Golden Corral: free meal for Veterans All current U.S. service members, retired military, and Veterans may join Golden Corral for a free “Thank You” Buffet and Beverage on Monday, November 11, 2024 | 4PM-Close
IHOP: Veterans and Active Military enjoy a FREE Red, White and Blueberry Pancake Combo between 7AM-7PM
Olive Garden: Free entree
Red Robin: Free Red’s Big Tavern Burger
Ruby Tuesdays: Free meal
Silver Diner: 25% Off
TGI Fridays: Free meal off a special menu between 11AM and 5PM
Texas Road House: Complimentary Meal
Wienerschnitzel: Veterans and active-duty military in uniform or with a military ID are invited to enjoy a free Original Chili Dog, Small Fries, and Small Soda at participating locations nationwide.
FAU study finds training dogs helps ease stress, slow aging in women combat veterans
Perhaps you heard about the heartwarming story that went viral earlier this month when, after an 86-year-old Destin woman fell and couldn’t get up one evening while walking her son’s dog Eeyore, the “very good boy” left her side and soon led an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy straight to the moderately injured woman.
It was like a scene out of “Lassie.”
And yet more anecdotal proof that dogs truly are “man’s best friend.”
Turns out, though, that we now have more than just anecdotal stories to showcase the myriad ways dogs can positively benefit our health. Read the full story in The Palm Beach Post.
A Life of Service, A Journey of Healing: U.S. Army Veteran Todd DeLong
But life changed dramatically after a series of brain surgeries to remove an epidermoid cyst, the last in 2010 resulting in a stroke. The surgery left Todd with mobility challenges, vision loss and difficulties with speech. His wife, Nannette, his partner of nearly 40 years, has been by his side through it all.
“Everything about our lives changed in some way,” said Nannette. “There were challenges, yes, but also opportunities to find new ways to live, connect and enjoy life. The support we’ve received has been such a gift.”
For Todd, that support has come largely through Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) and Warrior Canine Connection (WCC). These programs have provided not only therapeutic activities and assistance but also a sense of community and belonging.
WWP connected Todd with a community support specialist who visits twice a week to take him to appointments, events and peer support group meetings. At one of those meetings, Todd, a dog lover, heard Warrior Canine Connection’s Sarah Olson speak, sparking his involvement with the nonprofit. Since then, Todd has completed WCC’s 8-week Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training program, and he now volunteers as an independent dog handler.
“I just like being with the dogs,” Todd shared simply.
Beyond time with the dogs, Todd keeps busy through WWP activities: from football games and movie outings to fly fishing with Project Healing Waters, golfing with Links to Freedom, Tai Chi and even bass guitar lessons through Guitars for Vets. He has also participated in the VA Air Rifle Clinic and attended events like “Day at the Bay,” where Veterans and families enjoy boat rides, Maryland blue crabs and camaraderie.
These programs provide more than just recreation — they offer healing and a renewed sense of identity.
“Being around other Veterans makes a big difference,” Todd said. “We understand each other.”
For Nannette, WWP’s caregiver programming has been equally impactful. She attended a retreat in 2021 that gave her both rest and connection with other caregivers.
“It was invaluable to talk with people who truly understood what it means to care for a loved one every day,” she said. “You leave with friendships, ideas and the reassurance that you’re not alone.”
Together, Todd and Nannette find joy in attending their grandchildren’s soccer games, cheering for James Madison University football and staying loyal to their beloved Philadelphia Eagles. They’ve built a life that balances medical challenges with moments of fun, family and connection.
Looking ahead, Todd is even considering applying for his own service dog through WCC — a step that could add another layer of independence and companionship to his journey.
When asked what keeps them going, Nannette doesn’t hesitate.
“It’s about embracing the support that’s out there and staying open to what life brings. These programs have given Todd opportunities to stay active and engaged, and they’ve given me space to breathe and connect, too. We’re grateful.”
For the DeLongs, healing is a shared journey — and with the help of WWP, WCC and a strong community of Veterans, friends and family, they continue to move forward together.
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Study finds ‘man’s best friend’ slows cellular aging in female veterans
(Press-News.org) New research finds that “man’s best friend” may help slow biological aging in women. This groundbreaking study, focused on female veterans in the United States, is among the first to examine the impact of working with service dogs on this often-overlooked population. By measuring biological indicators of stress, the researchers have uncovered a key insight: the way stress is felt emotionally doesn’t always reflect how it affects the body at a cellular level.
While women have served in the U.S. military for generations, their roles have expanded dramatically since 1948. Yet despite their growing presence and unique experiences, most military studies still center on men – even as women report higher rates of PTSD.
Building on the need for focused research, Florida Atlantic University researchers, in collaboration with the University of Maryland School of Nursing, the Medical College of Georgia, and Warrior Canine Connection, Inc., conducted the study involving female veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. But instead of receiving service dogs, these women volunteered to train them for fellow veterans in need – offering support not just to others, but potentially to themselves.
The study, supported by the National Institutes of Health’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, examined whether this purposeful, mission-driven activity could reduce both biological and psychological stress, and whether previous combat exposure influenced those effects. Until now, the emotional and therapeutic benefits of such unique relationships have been largely unexamined in female veterans.
To measure biological stress, researchers looked at telomere length (a marker of cellular aging) using saliva samples, and heart rate variability (HRV), a sign of nervous system balance, using wearable monitors in participants in the service dog training program group or a comparison group that watched dog training videos. Psychological stress was assessed using validated questionnaires measuring PTSD symptoms, perceived stress, and anxiety at multiple points during the study.
Results, published in the journal Behavioral Sciences, revealed promising biological benefits associated with service dog training – particularly for veterans with combat experience – while improvements in psychological symptoms were seen across all participants, regardless of the intervention.
One of the most striking findings involved telomere length. Veterans who participated in the dog-training program showed an increase in telomere length, suggesting a slowing of cellular aging. In contrast, those in the control group exhibited a decrease in telomere length, indicating accelerated aging. Combat experience significantly influenced these results: veterans with combat exposure who trained service dogs experienced the greatest gains in telomere length, whereas those with combat exposure in the control group saw the most pronounced declines.
On the psychological front, both groups – those who trained dogs and those in the control group – reported significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, anxiety and perceived stress over the eight-week period. However, these mental health improvements were similar across groups, suggesting that simply participating in the study and receiving structured attention may have offered therapeutic value. Unlike the biological findings, psychological outcomes did not appear to be affected by combat exposure.
“Female veterans face unique reintegration challenges that are often overlooked, and traditional PTSD treatments don’t always meet their needs,” said Cheryl Krause-Parello, Ph.D., first author, associate vice president for FAU research, associate executive director, FAU I-Health, and director of C-PAWW™. “Nontraditional approaches like connecting with animals can offer meaningful support. These relationships provide emotional safety and stability, which can be especially powerful for women. But not all veterans can care for a service animal, so animal-related volunteerism may offer similar healing benefits without the burden of ownership.”
The study also suggests that the skills learned during service dog training – such as positive reinforcement and reading animal behavior – may have strengthened participants’ bonds with their own pets at home, offering additional emotional support. Unlike general volunteering, service dog training uniquely blends emotional healing with building a close relationship between veterans and their animals, providing therapeutic benefits that go beyond typical community engagement.
“This research underscores the power of service dog training as a meaningful, non-pharmacological intervention to support the health and healing of female veterans with PTSD,” said Krause-Parello. “It opens the door to more personalized approaches that nurture both the mind and body.”
Female veterans aged 32 to 72 were randomly assigned to either the service dog training program group or a comparison group that watched dog training videos. Both groups took part in one-hour sessions each week for eight weeks. Researchers measured outcomes before, during and after the program.
These findings provide early evidence that non-pharmacological interventions – such as service dog training – may help reduce the physical toll of stress and slow cellular aging in female veterans.
Study co-authors are Erika Friedmann, Ph.D., corresponding author and professor emerita, University of Maryland School of Nursing; Deborah Taber, senior research project coordinator, University of Maryland School of Nursing; Haidong Zhu, M.D., Medical College of Georgia; Alejandra Quintero, a Ph.D. neuroscience student in FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science; and Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection, Inc.
– FAU –
About Florida Atlantic University:
Florida Atlantic University serves more than 32,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses along Florida’s Southeast coast. Recognized as one of only 21 institutions nationwide with dual designations from the Carnegie Classification – “R1: Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production” and “Opportunity College and University” – FAU stands at the intersection of academic excellence and social mobility. Ranked among the Top 100 Public Universities by U.S. News & World Report, FAU is also nationally recognized as a Top 25 Best-In-Class College and cited by Washington Monthly as “one of the country’s most effective engines of upward mobility.” As a university of first choice for students across Florida and the nation, FAU welcomed its most academically competitive incoming class in university history in Fall 2025. To learn more, visit www.fau.edu.
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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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