Wednesdays are Fran Frazier’s favorite day of the week. Before the pandemic, that’s the day she would make the 45-minute drive from her home in Northern Virginia to the Warrior Canine Connection Healing Quarters in Boyds, Maryland to take photographs of the puppies on-site.
You know the ones — the adorable pics that chronicle the growth and development of the puppies each week, sometimes they even include sunglasses or some other holiday-related décor… they’re the photos that result in countless oohs and ahhs from WCC’s followers on Facebook and all of us, really.
“It fills the heart — you can’t help but be happy while you’re there, especially knowing they have such important jobs ahead, it’s thrilling to be part of their early stages,” said Fran.
Fran says she feels like an “imposter” photographing the puppies. That’s because she spent two years assisting Lori Marshall, the previous WCC volunteer photographer, with the weekly photos. Fran says she learned a lot from Lori, including setting up lights, the backdrop stand and advanced puppy cuddling techniques (Fran refers to Lori as “the puppy whisperer”). When Lori left, Fran and a couple other volunteers stepped in to give photography and puppy-wrangling a shot. That was more than a year ago now.
In fact, Fran’s been so inspired by the process that she upgraded her iPhone camera to a real one, although she confesses, shooting and editing photos is a process she’s still finetuning.
Fran won’t take all the photo credit, though; she’s quick to tell you that there are two-to-three volunteers who show up each week to take photos — notably, Paula McCorry, Kristen Durning and Sally Katz, and she says that the photos wouldn’t happen without them.
When you ask Fran about herself, take note not to use the word “retired” — that’s not a term in her vocabulary. As she will tell you, she “opened a new chapter” in her life several years ago, after decades of working in the nonprofit sector and with government and trade associations. She’ll tell you through a smile, this next chapter includes puppy photography and the pursuit of the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe — something that is also synonymous with Fran around WCC’s headquarters.
“She’s going to need to find a new hobby, because if you ask me, she’s ALREADY perfected her chocolate chip recipe,” Allison Pitcher, digital communications specialist, WCC. “We love her cookies but hate them at the same time — for those of us trying to watch our sugar intake.”
Not long after one new chapter began for Fran, another ended — this one, the unexpected, heartbreaking, life-changing kind: Fran’s husband, Tim Henline, who was also very involved in volunteering for WCC, passed away in November 2019.
Both Fran and Tim got involved with WCC in 2013 after seeing how important a friend’s service dog was to her. They knew they wanted to somehow get involved and discovered WCC. By sheer fluke, Fran says she found the WCC puppy cam on Explore.org and knew they had to get involved. The duo began puppy petting early on, which evolved into helping with the whelping box and other duties.
“Tim and I were/are so proud to help support the organization and its mission and grateful for the opportunity to do so,” said Fran. “WCC was so very supportive during Tim’s illness and passing…. it sure is an amazing group of people. And it continues to be a very important and supportive chapter for me. What began as puppy petting became such a special part of our lives, and having Mackie and Ann fill our hearts and home is a truly special gift,” said Fran.
Fran and Tim also became caretakers to breeder dog Ann, who has had three beautiful litters of pups. They were also delighted to welcome Mackie, a wonderful career-change Golden Retriever, into their home.
Fran says she can’t help but continue using the word “we” when sharing stories and information about her life. Since losing Tim, she says life has been an adjustment. But having Ann and Mackie is slowly but surely helping her round out her days.
“The opportunity, in any way possible, to support WCC’s mission to help recovering Warriors reconnect with life, their families, their communities, and each other is truly an honor and a privilege,” said Fran. “We are so very grateful to those who serve this Nation.”
WCC’s on-site volunteer program has been halted since March, except for only mission-critical needs. Warrior Canine Connection is excited and hopeful about having our volunteers back on-site when it’s safe and responsible to do so.
Warrior Canine Connection in Need of Puppy Parent Volunteers
November 10, 2020 – A special announcement just in time for Veterans Day- Warrior Canine Connection needs puppy parent volunteers.
The organization is headquartered in Boyds and provides specially trained service dogs to Military veterans nationwide. WCC Puppy Parent Program Manager Cheryl Bingham says although becoming a volunteer takes work, it is extremely rewarding because the puppies grow up and help veterans in need heal.
MyMCMedia spoke with Bingham and local puppy parent Susan Kenedy to learn more about the process. Watch the MyMCMedia story here.
Warrior Canine Connection Awarded $35,000 Grant from SAGA Foundation for Menlo Park Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 10, 2020
BOYDS, Md. – Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) has received a $35,000 grant from SAGA Foundation to support its therapeutic service dog training program at its Menlo Park Campus of the VA Palo Alto Care System. This marks the third grant to WCC from SAGA, bringing the organization’s contribution to WCC to nearly $100,000.
WCC’s program is unique from other service dog organizations in that it 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 Mission Based Trauma Recovery (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.
“We appreciate SAGA Foundation’s continued support and sustained commitment to helping Veterans in need,” said Rick Yount, executive director and founder, Warrior Canine Connection. “This grant funding is crucial in helping us to continue providing Veterans in California with the healing benefits that come from the human-animal bond.”
Due to support provided by SAGA Foundation, in 2019, WCC’s was able to achieve the following impact in California:
“SAGA Foundation recognizes those who have sacrificed so that we can live in a free country,” said David Bartoshuk, president of SAGA Foundation. “We are grateful to be able to help our veterans by way of this amazing, impactful program.”
WCC has been providing its Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training program for Veterans at the Menlo Park Campus of the Palo Alto Health Care System since 2012.
SAGA Foundation awards annual grants through a selective application and review process, placing priority on organizations that focus on leadership, underserved youth, safety & security and global peace.
For more information, please contact Beth Bourgeois, Warrior Canine Connection, at beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.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 SAGA Foundation
SAGA Foundation assists nonprofit organizations focusing on the issues of leadership, underserved youth, safety and security, and global peace. We collaborate with nonpartisan, nondenominational, entrepreneurial nonprofit organizations to help them work smarter, reach further, and have lasting impact. Visit https://sagafoundation.org/ to learn more.
Addy, 9, Bakes Cupcakes Fur a Good Paws — to Benefit WCC
Addy, like her fellow fourth-graders at Sinking Springs Elementary School in York, Pennsylvania, has been doing virtual schooling from home. She says she misses her friends and teachers but due to the pandemic, is making the best of the situation. That includes taking up a new hobby: baking.
“I started with peanut butter cookies; I went on YouTube and found the recipe,” said Addy. “Then I moved on to another cookie, then cupcakes, then brownies. I have tried all different kinds of recipes. I don’t worry about perfection; I just enjoy making them.”
After dozens of different recipes, Addy got the idea to turn her love of baking into a fundraiser for Warrior Canine Connection. She created a Facebook event and invited family and friends to come by her house to purchase cupcakes during a three-hour window one day over Labor Day weekend.
Not only did she sell out in an hour, she raised $425 for WCC in the process.
“I wanted to raise money for a group and I had a couple of options, and I liked the Warrior Canine Connection best because I like dogs and because Emily (one of WCC’s trainers) works there and she’s part of our family,” said Addy.
As you might imagine, baking six varieties for a total of 130 cupcakes is no small feat for anyone, let alone a 9-year-old, novice baker. You might assume she had some help, right?
“Mom is not the baker,” said Amanda Albright, Addy’s mom. “I just make sure the kitchen stays in one piece; I am not the baker, that’s all Addy.”
Addy baked all 130 cupcakes the day before the fundraiser. Then the day of, she got up at 5 a.m. to make the icing and decorate each one; it was a five-hour labor of love.
And as Addy’s mom, Amanda, will tell you, the experience was also a larger life lesson for her 9-year-old daughter.
“She told me, ‘You know Mommy, I really feel proud of myself,’ and it felt good as a mom to see her accomplish something she put her mind to and that she was doing something to help others,” said Amanda.
Addy says she plans to host a second fundraiser for WCC, likely around April 21st to coincide with her 10th birthday. Whether she’ll bake cupcakes or cookies is still to be determined.
Want to try one of Addy’s favorite recipes? This pumpkin cupcake with pumpkin spice cream cheese is from the Love Bakes Good Cakes blog and is one of the six Addy made for her fundraiser.
“I like the pumpkin flavor and while they are baking it smells so good in the kitchen. Pumpkin cupcakes remind me of fall and that is my favorite season,” said Addy.
Coming Home Well Podcast: Warrior Canine Connection
September 12, 2020 – In this episode, Tyler Pieron with Coming Home Well interviews Rick Yount, the Executive Director and founder of Warrior Canine Connection (warriorcanineconnection.org/), who breed, train and place service dogs with severely wounded veterans. What makes Warrior Canine Connection special is they include veterans and injured service members in all aspects of preparing a dog as a service animal, from taking care of puppies to socializing them to training the dogs. This special approach allows a single service dog to help more than 60 warriors as they go from a purpose-bred puppy to a fully trained service dog helping a severely wounded veteran. Listen to the Coming Home Well podcast on Warrior Canine Connection here.
Warrior Canine Connection holds a virtual graduation ceremony for its Class of 2020
October 1, 2020 – Warrior Canine Connection pawtastically graduated its Class of 2020 in a virtual ceremony that united eight newly minted service dogs with their furever veteran.
“There’s just this relationship with humans and dogs that I think transcends any other animal pairing that’s out there,” explained Army Staff Sgt. Danny Farrar, who was paired with Eli. “And they get the joy of being around you. I’m not sure any other animal gets that same type of joy from being around you, and you also get the joy that comes from being around them.” Read the complete ConnectingVets.com story here.
Meet WCC’s Class of 2020!
Warrior Canine Connection was honored to introduce its 2020 graduating class of Veteran Service Dog Teams, facility dogs and breeder dogs during its eighth annual graduation on Saturday, September 26th.
This year’s ceremony marked WCC’s first virtual ceremony, a format change made due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 500 people tuned in for the virtual ceremony. If you missed it or perhaps you’d just like to see it again, you can watch it here.
Congratulations to WCC’s Class of 2020!
WCC’s Virtual Graduation Gets Rave Reviews
The EPWs are a group of WCC supporters that number in the thousands and is made up of volunteers from all over the country. The group’s moniker grew out of their collective love for WCC’s puppies and the Veterans they grow up to support.
In a “normal” graduation year, the EPWs help with the annual event, including its organization and execution, even hosting a pre-graduation happy hour. But they do much more for WCC than just assist with its graduation ceremony; they also help to raise awareness, fundraise and provide support to the organization in numerous other ways throughout the entire year.
Although there was some disappointment about not being able to see each other in-person at this year’s graduation, the EPWs also had many praises for this year’s event.
“It was a beautiful graduation and weekend. There were moments of tears and joy that touched my soul… it really was well done… next best thing to being together.”
– Sandi Rosenberg
“I watched it from beginning to end. I thought it was fantastic!”
– Robin Baus Artura
“My first attendance at a WCC graduation! Being in Australia, I would not have been able to attend in person. I love this virtual format. It was very touching. Great to have the veterans speak. As many have said, it was probably less stressful for them, which is good. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to put this all together. Very well done. Truly grateful.”
– Ming Ng
“It was a beautiful graduation. So many joyful moments, and so many moments where I needed a lot of Kleenex! The graduation touched my heart. I wish that we all could have been together, but I really enjoyed the whole event!”
– Leslie Shear
Typically, Veterans graduating with their service dogs participate in the ceremony during the ritual “leash passing” with their dog’s puppy parent who helped raise their dog. This year, due to the virtual format, we were able to hear from the Veterans up close and personal about their relationships with their newfound best friends. And judging by some of the EPW’s input, that was a welcome change.
“I especially loved hearing the veterans speak. They’re usually so overwhelmed by all the people at the in-person ceremony.”
– Julie Hansen
“I missed seeing everyone in person, but I enjoyed the virtual graduation ceremony. The national anthem was wonderful and brought me to tears. I really enjoyed hearing from the veterans and seeing the service dogs interacting with them and their families.”
– Taffy Zoab
“It was much better than I had anticipated! Kudos to all who helped put it together. I too think the veterans seemed more relaxed. Loved seeing Spencer, he did an awesome job hosting and hearing his story. I didn’t want it to end. I’ve re-watched it three times already!”
– Cheryl Cannone
“It was very well done. I LOVED seeing video of the veterans with their dogs and hearing them speak about the impact these dogs have on them. Keynote speaker was awesome as well. It was all great!
– Anna Middeke
“I found myself feeling depressed most of the weekend, just because I was missing all of my friends and our in-person visit. That being said, graduation was awesome. Thank goodness for the technology and the opportunity to still visit with friends and see our beloved WCC dogs graduate. The videos were an added plus as we got to know more about the puppy parents and about the veterans receiving the dogs. To have each veteran say a little something on video was an added bonus. I believe the veteran was comfortable addressing us in this manner and it added a real human component to our “WCC Family.”
– Sandy Goga
“I really LOVED graduation is this format. I thought hearing from the Veterans was so meaningful and really brings all the work preparing the dogs for their future full circle. It really put the focus on the Veterans.”
– Ericka Johanek
“I loved the pre-graduation posts about the dogs, veteran partners and Puppy Parents….it was fun to learn about them in advance. I missed being there, but I think this was a huge success for our very first virtual event. Fun Virtual Happy Hour! It was great getting to see folks and celebrate. Loved the concert by Josh Gallagher! I loved the playing of the National Anthem…made me put my hand on my heart. I really loved hearing all the veterans videos…I felt like I learned so much about each of them and the Puppy Parents. It was so nice to get to know them. The video that Alice made was stellar and such a great capture of the entire event! A treasured memory.”
– Cindy Meyers
“This was my 1st WCC graduation. It was wonderful. The keynote speaker, stories and phtoos about vets and parents were so moving. Thank you for making this happen.”
– Leila Collins
Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s WCC graduation possible!
Warrior Canine Connection Hosts 2002 Graduation Virtually
September 30, 2020 – Although this year marked Warrior Canine Connection’s eighth annual graduation, it was their first virtual ceremony. The special presentation showcased successful service dog placements that will help veterans in need nationwide. Watch the full story on MyMCMedia.com here.
Fran Frazier: Puppy Photographer, Chocolate Chip-Cookie Maker and Standout Volunteer
You know the ones — the adorable pics that chronicle the growth and development of the puppies each week, sometimes they even include sunglasses or some other holiday-related décor… they’re the photos that result in countless oohs and ahhs from WCC’s followers on Facebook and all of us, really.
“It fills the heart — you can’t help but be happy while you’re there, especially knowing they have such important jobs ahead, it’s thrilling to be part of their early stages,” said Fran.
Fran says she feels like an “imposter” photographing the puppies. That’s because she spent two years assisting Lori Marshall, the previous WCC volunteer photographer, with the weekly photos. Fran says she learned a lot from Lori, including setting up lights, the backdrop stand and advanced puppy cuddling techniques (Fran refers to Lori as “the puppy whisperer”). When Lori left, Fran and a couple other volunteers stepped in to give photography and puppy-wrangling a shot. That was more than a year ago now.
In fact, Fran’s been so inspired by the process that she upgraded her iPhone camera to a real one, although she confesses, shooting and editing photos is a process she’s still finetuning.
Fran won’t take all the photo credit, though; she’s quick to tell you that there are two-to-three volunteers who show up each week to take photos — notably, Paula McCorry, Kristen Durning and Sally Katz, and she says that the photos wouldn’t happen without them.
When you ask Fran about herself, take note not to use the word “retired” — that’s not a term in her vocabulary. As she will tell you, she “opened a new chapter” in her life several years ago, after decades of working in the nonprofit sector and with government and trade associations. She’ll tell you through a smile, this next chapter includes puppy photography and the pursuit of the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe — something that is also synonymous with Fran around WCC’s headquarters.
“She’s going to need to find a new hobby, because if you ask me, she’s ALREADY perfected her chocolate chip recipe,” Allison Pitcher, digital communications specialist, WCC. “We love her cookies but hate them at the same time — for those of us trying to watch our sugar intake.”
Not long after one new chapter began for Fran, another ended — this one, the unexpected, heartbreaking, life-changing kind: Fran’s husband, Tim Henline, who was also very involved in volunteering for WCC, passed away in November 2019.
Both Fran and Tim got involved with WCC in 2013 after seeing how important a friend’s service dog was to her. They knew they wanted to somehow get involved and discovered WCC. By sheer fluke, Fran says she found the WCC puppy cam on Explore.org and knew they had to get involved. The duo began puppy petting early on, which evolved into helping with the whelping box and other duties.
“Tim and I were/are so proud to help support the organization and its mission and grateful for the opportunity to do so,” said Fran. “WCC was so very supportive during Tim’s illness and passing…. it sure is an amazing group of people. And it continues to be a very important and supportive chapter for me. What began as puppy petting became such a special part of our lives, and having Mackie and Ann fill our hearts and home is a truly special gift,” said Fran.
Fran and Tim also became caretakers to breeder dog Ann, who has had three beautiful litters of pups. They were also delighted to welcome Mackie, a wonderful career-change Golden Retriever, into their home.
Fran says she can’t help but continue using the word “we” when sharing stories and information about her life. Since losing Tim, she says life has been an adjustment. But having Ann and Mackie is slowly but surely helping her round out her days.
“The opportunity, in any way possible, to support WCC’s mission to help recovering Warriors reconnect with life, their families, their communities, and each other is truly an honor and a privilege,” said Fran. “We are so very grateful to those who serve this Nation.”
WCC’s on-site volunteer program has been halted since March, except for only mission-critical needs. Warrior Canine Connection is excited and hopeful about having our volunteers back on-site when it’s safe and responsible to do so.
New Faces at WCC
Sarah joined WCC’s team in July as the Veterans and Military Family Service Manager. As a licensed mental health professional, in this role she will interview Veteran applicants to help determine their needs and how a service dog can help improve their daily living, provide support to Veterans throughout the service dog application and training process, and on-going follow-up support to graduates of the program.
Having served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Sarah is a Veteran herself and brings her experience and unique perspective to WCC’s team.
“I was working in cybersecurity — a completely unrelated field while in the Marine Corps but it was during that time that I became interested in social work and helping Veterans,” said Sarah. “It was there through the people I met and their experiences with trauma and PTSD that I knew I wanted to work in a capacity to help Veterans.”
Prior to coming to WCC, Sarah worked at a skilled nursing home facility and previously interned at the Veterans Health Administration. Sarah graduated from the Simmons School of Social Work in Boston, Mass. with her master’s degree in 2018, and she completed her undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of Maryland, University College.
An avid animal lover since childhood, Sarah says she believes strongly that service animals can play a key role in the rehabilitation of service members and Veterans and is excited to be a part of the WCC community.
“Everyone is very open and friendly, you can tell that they all want what’s best for the Veterans and the dogs and that they’re really rooting for the best for all of them,” said Sarah. “It’s been such a positive experience to watch the Veterans work with the dogs and how they interact”
Sarah has a cat named Kit-Kat the Kitty Cat. When not working, she enjoys gardening and being outdoors.