Since Robin Martin began volunteering with Warrior Canine Connection in 2012, she’s had a running tally of 22 dogs who’ve been in out and of her house — and her heart. She has been a puppy parent to five dogs, helped train several spirited dogs and she’s puppy sat countless others.
Currently, Robin is puppy parent to WCC service dogs in training, Manion and Mike II. She and husband, Kent, live in Cleveland, South Carolina, which is roughly an hour away from Asheville, North Carolina; that’s where WCC runs a service dog training program in conjunction with the Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC). It’s a program Robin says resonates with her in more ways than one.
“It’s the mission — the whole Veteran mission,” says Robin. “My Dad was a Veteran and he served three tours in Vietnam. I was an Army nurse and served at the old Water Reed. It’s something I believe in; I’ve seen what these dogs can do. I love every second of it, every minute of it — right down to every piece of dog hair in the house.”
The Buncombe County VTC program included WCC’s service dog training in its programming in 2018. Since then, it has become one of the most popular programs among the Veterans involved — a program that Robin has played a huge part in. In fact, WCC Service Dog Training Instructor Amy Guidash says Robin’s help has made it possible for WCC to take on several additional Veterans groups that are now participating in WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training program, including the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville and FIRST at Blue Ridge, a residential therapeutic community for individuals and Veterans with substance abuse disorders.
“Robin is a strong handler who takes on some of the more challenging dogs on purpose,” said Amy Guidash. “Her consistency is what we know to be really helpful. She wants the dogs to succeed, and she’ll be the first one to say, ‘hey, you know this dog isn’t a pet, right?’ She is 100-percent dedicated to fulfilling the standards WCC upholds. Robin can be direct, yet is open, confident and friendly at the same time, which allows for great communication with the Veterans. She is an absolute joy to be around, and we’re just so thankful that she’s part of the Asheville program.”
Robin got involved with WCC while working for The Home Depot, where she spent 20 years as a District Service Manager. In fact, it was Alice Belthoff, whose name you may recognize as an Extreme Puppy Watcher (EPW) and a dedicated WCC volunteer, who first connected with Robin back in 2012; she sent a letter to The Home Depot requesting some assistance for the old WCC property in Brookeville. The note was forwarded to Robin from the local store manager, and shortly after, she went out to the old WCC headquarters, where she met Rick (Founder of WCC) and Molly (WCC Director of Dog Programs) for the first time.
“While I was there visiting, Molly put a puppy in my arms and it was game over,” said Robin. “I filled out an application right away, completed the required training and was a puppy parent before long. The Home Depot was great and helped provide all of the materials and manpower to convert the garage at the old Brookeville headquarters into WCC’s first Puppy Enrichment Center, and I’ve been hooked ever since.”
So hooked that Robin and Kent, who have both since retired and had planned to move to from Maryland to South Carolina to slow down and leave the bustle of D.C., actually postponed their move until they knew the WCC program at the VTC in Buncombe County, N.C. was up and running, so as not to miss a beat.
First, there was Flurry, then Tommy, followed by Calli, and now Manion and Mike II, no matter how many dogs pass through her doors, Robin says each one leaves its own impact.
“[Said through tears] A little piece of your heart goes every time you pass that leash,” says Robin. “There’s no way you can raise these dogs for 18 months to two years and not become attached, because they don’t trust you if you don’t love them, so you have to love them to get them to do what you want them to do. And it’s so worth it seeing them go on to help our Veterans.”
While the dogs go on to serve a bigger purpose, Robin says one thing she finds unchanged is the friendships and connections she’s built through WCC.
“I have four children and four grandchildren but the EPW community has expanded my family,” said Robin. “We have such a network of support… my mother’s in a nursing home, and on my tough days, I can reach out to any single EPW and they are there to support us — just like we are for all of them. It’s such a special community; I have life-long friends now and people I go on vacation with, and it all dates to the first “paw-ty” in Brookeville.”
Please join us in giving Robin a round of “a-paws” for her unwavering commitment, dedication and support of WCC’s programs, the Veterans it serves and all the people she’s touched along the way.
Warrior Canine Connection Earns GuideStar’s Platinum Status
Great news! Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) has received the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, the world’s largest source of nonprofit information. GuideStar launched the Platinum participation level to help nonprofits celebrate their results.
By sharing metrics that highlight the progress WCC is making toward its mission, the organization is helping donors better evaluate and compare nonprofits by providing tangible insight into the impact of the organization’s services and interventions.
“We are privileged to receive GuideStar’s Platinum distinction — it’s an honor we don’t take lightly,” said Jennifer Wilder, director of development, Warrior Canine Connection. “We know how hard donors work for their money, and there are countless nonprofits for them to choose to support; this information provides transparency on how WCC is achieving its mission of serving our nation’s Veterans and Service Members.”
To achieve this level, WCC included extensive information in its GuideStar Profile — including in-depth financial information, qualitative information about its goals, strategies and capabilities, and quantitative information about results and advances toward its mission.
Community Clean-up Day Recap
Project lead, David Burnett, and volunteer team repair lattice around trailers on Community Clean-up Day. View more photos.
Armed with shovels, rakes and brooms, and bundled in layers of clothing to combat the cold and wind, more than 100 community volunteers from the Boyds, Maryland area and well beyond, participated in Warrior Canine Connection’s (WCC) Community Clean-up Day to help with tornado damage repair efforts this past Saturday.
The event, the first of its kind for WCC — and hopefully its last — was set up after a tornado touched down on its Healing Quarters on Friday, February 7th. The storm caused significant property damage, including the destruction of several structures on its grounds but, thankfully, no people or animals were hurt in the storm.
“It’s amazing to see the outpouring of help here from volunteers in our community,” said Rick Yount, executive director and founder, Warrior Canine Connection. “One of the amazing things is that we have a lot of engaged volunteers and staff that are not only willing to help inside our facility but also outside of it; we are so appreciative of their efforts.”
With heavy machinery clean-up work complete, volunteers were enlisted to help with projects including rebuilding/repairing structures, mending and repainting fencing, assembling new furniture, regrading and reseeding grassy areas, among many other projects.
Volunteers were divided into teams to assist with each project. David Burnett, a Navy Veteran and WCC volunteer, served as a project leader for the lattice repair work for two of the trailers used for training and staff workspace damaged in the storm. No stranger to WCC, David regularly volunteers around WCC’s facility and in the training center but said when he learned of information for the first WCC Community Day, he jumped on board.
“I’m pleased to be part of this effort, and we’ve got a great bunch here — there’s a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of skill and everyone is willing to pool their knowledge to figure out the best way to complete this project,” said Burnett.
In total, participants donated 545 hours of volunteer service during Saturday’s event. In addition to those that donated their hard work and labor, numerous more contributed to the day’s success by cooking and dropping off items to fuel hungry stomachs.
Many supporters and volunteers have also helped from afar since the tornado touched down; to-date more than $25,146 has been raised in donations to help with the repair and new construction at WCC. The February 7th storm further underscores the importance to push forward on the renovation and construction of the Healing Quarters to ensure we have a safe, permanent building for staffing, training and running operations.
To learn more or donate, please visit http://bit.ly/32v3Uab
Community Clean Up Day Photo Gallery
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Warrior Canine Connection Offers a New Program at Asheville’s Veterans Treatment Court
February 27, 2020 – Listen in to Maria’s Mutts and Stuff podcast on iHeartRadio to hear Warrior Canine Connection’s Executive Director Rick Yount, along with Kevin Rumley, coordinator for the Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court in Asheville, N.C., talk about how they’re working together to provide service dog training to Veterans involved in the legal process while continuing the tradition of Warriors helping Warriors.
Warrior Canine Connection Receives $30,000 from Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2020
BOYDS, Md. – Warrior Canine Connection recently received $30,000 in funding from the Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program to help support the placement of service dogs with Veterans with visible and invisible wounds in Maryland.
The Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program was passed in 2017 and is part of the state’s Department of Veterans Affairs. The program, which helps to educate the community about therapy and service dog programs and provide funding for the placement of those dogs with Veterans, was passed through the legislature with the entire Senate co-sponsoring the law.
“We are beyond thrilled to not only receive this funding, which will go a long way to support our program to help Veterans but also by the commitment, cooperation and support from our legislators, who helped make this program a reality,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “It’s no secret that service dogs are an amazing tool to help in the Veteran recovery process and by making them more available, together, we can help serve more of our nation’s heroes.”
Trained service dogs can console and are able to bring out even the most isolated personality. Service dogs have also been found to reduce the hypervigilance that has been found to be common in Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as depression and anxiety.
Of course, the Maryland Veterans Service Animals Program wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the state’s Department of Veterans Affairs.
“We are pleased to partner with Warrior Canine Connection and to support the training of service dogs for our veterans,” said George Owings, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs. “For our veterans who have honorably served in the military and who have also given so much to our state and nation, this is but one way we can give back.”
Senator Simonaire, the son of a Veteran, sponsored the bill to provide help to Veterans in a unique and special way.
“There are many issues facing our veteran population, and the work that Warrior Canine is doing is making a difference,” said Senator Simonaire. “I am thankful for the partnership we have created with non-profits to provide more services, especially through these wonderful and adorable dogs.”
Simonaire was first elected to the Maryland State Senate in 2006 to represent District 31, which is a part of Northern Anne Arundel County.
For more information, please contact Beth Bourgeois, Warrior Canine Connection, at beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.org or 719-216-3206.
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.
Handpicked by WCC: Dog Quotes We Love
There’s no shortage of ways to talk about how much we adore our dogs. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the WCC team put together a list of quotes that we love about our four-legged friends.
Quotes We Love
Emily M., Service Dog Training Instructor
“You can always find hope in a dog’s eyes.”
– Unknown
Beth B., Media Relations Officer
“Everyone thinks they have the best dog. And none of them are wrong.”
– W.R. Purche
Tim O., Facilities Assistant
“All his life he tried to be a good person. Many times, however, he failed. For, after all, he was only human. He wasn’t a dog.”
– Charles M. Schulz
Sydney F., Service Dog Training Instructor
“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.”
– Roger Caras
Alyssa M., Social Media Specialist
“Be the kind of person your dog thinks you are.”
– Unknown
Rick Y., Founder and Executive Director
“Happiness is a warm puppy.”
– Charles M. Schulz
Jennifer W., Director of Development
“Sometimes the best medicine has four legs and a wet nose.”
– Huff, WCC Service Dog
Emily F., Service Dog Training Instructor
“Everything I need to know I learned from my dog.”
– Richard Smith
Jeff H., Director of Operations
“Be alert as you watch a dog at play or at rest. Let the animal teach you to feel at home in the now, to celebrate life by being completely present. You just watch the tail … with some dogs you just look at them – just a little look is enough – and their tail goes …’ Life is good! Life is good!’ And they are not telling themselves a story of why life is good. It’s a direct realization.”
– Eckhart Tolle
Cheryl B., Puppy Parent Program Manager and Trainer
“Among the things in my life that I thank God for the most, is the love He gave me for animals. My heart would be emptier, and life would be less without them.”
– Unknown
Kevin S., Service Dog Training Instructor
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
– James 1:17
Sam H., Service Dog Training Instructor
“Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made.”
– Roger A. Caras
Katie G., Client Liaison
“In life, it’s not where you go – it’s who goes with you.”
– Snoopy
Allison P., External Relations Manager
“I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source.”
– Doris Day
Don’t see your favorite dog quote listed? Share yours with us on our Facebook page at @warriorcanineconnection!
Robin Martin: A Pawsitively Outstanding WCC Volunteer
Currently, Robin is puppy parent to WCC service dogs in training, Manion and Mike II. She and husband, Kent, live in Cleveland, South Carolina, which is roughly an hour away from Asheville, North Carolina; that’s where WCC runs a service dog training program in conjunction with the Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC). It’s a program Robin says resonates with her in more ways than one.
“It’s the mission — the whole Veteran mission,” says Robin. “My Dad was a Veteran and he served three tours in Vietnam. I was an Army nurse and served at the old Water Reed. It’s something I believe in; I’ve seen what these dogs can do. I love every second of it, every minute of it — right down to every piece of dog hair in the house.”
The Buncombe County VTC program included WCC’s service dog training in its programming in 2018. Since then, it has become one of the most popular programs among the Veterans involved — a program that Robin has played a huge part in. In fact, WCC Service Dog Training Instructor Amy Guidash says Robin’s help has made it possible for WCC to take on several additional Veterans groups that are now participating in WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training program, including the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville and FIRST at Blue Ridge, a residential therapeutic community for individuals and Veterans with substance abuse disorders.
“Robin is a strong handler who takes on some of the more challenging dogs on purpose,” said Amy Guidash. “Her consistency is what we know to be really helpful. She wants the dogs to succeed, and she’ll be the first one to say, ‘hey, you know this dog isn’t a pet, right?’ She is 100-percent dedicated to fulfilling the standards WCC upholds. Robin can be direct, yet is open, confident and friendly at the same time, which allows for great communication with the Veterans. She is an absolute joy to be around, and we’re just so thankful that she’s part of the Asheville program.”
Robin got involved with WCC while working for The Home Depot, where she spent 20 years as a District Service Manager. In fact, it was Alice Belthoff, whose name you may recognize as an Extreme Puppy Watcher (EPW) and a dedicated WCC volunteer, who first connected with Robin back in 2012; she sent a letter to The Home Depot requesting some assistance for the old WCC property in Brookeville. The note was forwarded to Robin from the local store manager, and shortly after, she went out to the old WCC headquarters, where she met Rick (Founder of WCC) and Molly (WCC Director of Dog Programs) for the first time.
“While I was there visiting, Molly put a puppy in my arms and it was game over,” said Robin. “I filled out an application right away, completed the required training and was a puppy parent before long. The Home Depot was great and helped provide all of the materials and manpower to convert the garage at the old Brookeville headquarters into WCC’s first Puppy Enrichment Center, and I’ve been hooked ever since.”
So hooked that Robin and Kent, who have both since retired and had planned to move to from Maryland to South Carolina to slow down and leave the bustle of D.C., actually postponed their move until they knew the WCC program at the VTC in Buncombe County, N.C. was up and running, so as not to miss a beat.
First, there was Flurry, then Tommy, followed by Calli, and now Manion and Mike II, no matter how many dogs pass through her doors, Robin says each one leaves its own impact.
“[Said through tears] A little piece of your heart goes every time you pass that leash,” says Robin. “There’s no way you can raise these dogs for 18 months to two years and not become attached, because they don’t trust you if you don’t love them, so you have to love them to get them to do what you want them to do. And it’s so worth it seeing them go on to help our Veterans.”
While the dogs go on to serve a bigger purpose, Robin says one thing she finds unchanged is the friendships and connections she’s built through WCC.
“I have four children and four grandchildren but the EPW community has expanded my family,” said Robin. “We have such a network of support… my mother’s in a nursing home, and on my tough days, I can reach out to any single EPW and they are there to support us — just like we are for all of them. It’s such a special community; I have life-long friends now and people I go on vacation with, and it all dates to the first “paw-ty” in Brookeville.”
Please join us in giving Robin a round of “a-paws” for her unwavering commitment, dedication and support of WCC’s programs, the Veterans it serves and all the people she’s touched along the way.
Veteran Spotlight: Kody & Derek
Five years later, and Kody says he can’t imagine his life without black Lab and Warrior Canine Connection service dog Derek.
“It’s a different experience for everyone, and for me, it took some time to bond with Derek,” said Kody. “It wasn’t immediate but, slowly yet surely, he got me doing things and learning about things I wouldn’t do before I got him. He’s made such a big difference in my life and my relationships that I have with other people. Now, I never want him to be away from me.”
Kody, who served in the Air National Guard for 14 years, served two deployments — the first in Iraq in 2009 and a second in Afghanistan in 2012. During the second deployment, Kody was part of a special 10-man agricultural team tasked with teaching sustainability best practices to the local villagers in Logar and Wardak Provinces. It was during a mission in Logar Province that Kody was wounded in a mortar round blast and sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Quatie was informed of the blast and Kody’s injuries, but it wasn’t until he got home from Afghanistan that she could tell that things weren’t right; he experienced debilitating migraines, nightmares and flashbacks, all of which were impacting his ability to work, sleep and function.
Shortly after, Kody went to the National Intrepid Center of Excellence in Bethesda for treatment. It was there that Kody participated in WCC’s service dog training program. Quatie said she could see a change in him when he interacted with the dogs, and that’s when she urged him to consider getting a service dog for himself. Although resistant at first, Kody filled out an application with WCC.
“Before Derek came along, it got to the point where Kody was pretty paranoid and was scared to leave the house,” said Quatie. “When I left for work, he would shut all the blinds and lock the door — going out to dinner or to church was pretty nonexistent. Derek has been phenomenal, he’s helped Kody more than any medication ever has, it’s been incredible.”
Since being matched with Derek five years ago, Kody has gone on to finish his Master’s in Animal Science at Oklahoma State — a pursuit he abandoned years before due to his daily battle with PTSD and TBI.
More recently, the duo has traveled with nonprofit Samaritan’s Purse to help with disaster relief efforts, where Kody says Derek is always a big hit.
“Even though he’s my service dog, he helps other Veterans in the process of working these events,” said Kody. “You can see the joy on their faces when they get to interact with him. Everyone enjoys getting to play with Derek and hug on him when we have some downtime.”
And Derek has impacted the entire family in a way they never imagined.
“We got to meet the real Derek’s [namesake] Mom,” said Quatie. “It was so phenomenal to meet her and just hear more about her son’s life. It gives us an opportunity to continue to say his name and talk about the special person Derek was named after — it’s just incredibly special to us.”
When asked to describe the impact Derek has had on Kody, he simply replies, “He’s like a kid and a spouse merged into one; I never go anywhere without him.”
Quatie adds, “We love having him [Derek] in our home. It’s amazing to see Kody and the progress he’s made with Derek in his life; there’s no way he would be where he’s at today without a service dog. It’s been a real healing journey and has made him a better husband and dad.”
Our Year in Numbers – 2019
Happy New Year! Before we get too far into 2020, I’d like to take a moment to celebrate Warrior Canine Connection’s achievements with you. Every year we experience growth and 2019 was no exception! We saw expansion in our programs, including reaching more Warriors through Mission Based Trauma Recovery sessions, breeding and even our own team.
This past year, WCC welcomed 9 litters of puppies and 50 new service dogs in training into our program. We provided 3,637 hours of MBTR programming and served 804 unique Service Members, Veterans and their families.
With the start of a new year and new decade, 2020 promises to be another year full of opportunities and exciting challenges. I know WCC will meet each day with determination and a commitment to serve more Veterans. Thank you for your continued support, dedication and another unforgettable year. You have helped us get to where we are, and we could not have accomplished what we did in 2019 without you.
Tenor Anthony Kearns Headlined ‘Fourth Annual Holiday Cocktails And Songs Of The Season’ In Washington, D.C.
January 3, 2020 – On Thursday night before Christmas 2019, the Phoenix Hotel in downtown Washington DC was the scene of the “Fourth Annual Holiday Cocktails and Songs of the Season” celebration, featuring international celebrity tenor, Anthony Kearns.
White House Correspondent Kevin Corke was Master of Ceremonies for this inspiring evening that took place in the shadow of the nation’s Capitol building. The highlighted charity this year was the Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) — and the guests of honor included World War II veterans of Operation Overlord, the Normandy invasion of 1944. Read the complete story here.