You’re staying at home and inside as much as possible — doing your part to help flatten the curve. Looking for some good ways to occupy your time? Look no further! We tapped our Warrior Canine Connection team to share some of their favorite dog and Veteran-inspired book recommendations to help you pass the time. Read lots and be well!
Jennifer Wilder, Director of Development
Recommendation: Made for Each Other by WCC’s own Meg Olmert
“I love Made for Each Other because it was the first book to really dive into the roots of humans’ connection with animals, and the chemistry behind how those bonds are formed. Authored by WCC’s own Meg Olmert, the book really helps explain the science behind what WCC hears all too often—that dogs are good medicine!”
Ann Spader, Service Dog Training Instructor, Denver, Colorado
Recommendation: Merle’s Door – Lessons from a Freethinking Dog by Ted Kerasote
“So many books I’ve read are geared towards how you can get the most out of a dog and your relationship — it’s often one–sided. This book focuses on how both a person and a dog can learn from each other in a give–and–take relationship. There share a lot of interesting stories and experiences.”
and
Recommendation #2: Tribe by Sebastian Junger
“Obviously working with Veterans, I am always interested in new perspectives about the prevalence of PTSD during modern times. Tribe focuses more on how the community someone is a part of might impact their experiences or how they process those experiences versus just focusing on the person alone. Especially during these times of social isolation and uncertainty of the future, I feel it is more important that we come together as communities or tribes and support each other so that we can all get through this together.”
Tim O’Boyle, Facilities Manager
Recommendation: Chained Eagle: The Heroic Story of the First American Shot Down over North Vietnam by Jr. Everett Alvarez and Anthony S. Pitch
“This is the most amazing book about a prisoner of war. This is not a boring history book — it’s about a hero who became a POW on day two of the war and he shares his story until the time he was released nine years later. Even if you aren’t a history buff, you will still be engaged and amazed. One last thing, this hero lives here in Montgomery County, Maryland.”
Emily McNeal, Service Dog Training Instructor
Recommendation: Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell
“I chose this book for the sake of not being serious and needing a little cute comedy, plus, I have the same name as Clifford’s owner, Emily Elizabeth.”
and
Recommendation #2: Ashley’s War: The Untold Story of a Team of Women Soldiers on the Special Ops Battlefield by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
“This particular story is of a high-charging female soldier who led with honor and mission-first mentality. While she lost her life, her legacy lives on. Side note: I do her CrossFit workout every year and visited her memorial at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington.”
Rick Yount, Executive Director & Founder
Recommendation: “My favorite dog-related pick is “Meg Daley Olmert’s, Made for Each Other, the Biology of the Human Animal Bond. Meg’s book cracked the code and drove the science regarding Oxytocin’s role in the healing power of dogs.’
“My favorite Veteran-related books is Sergeant Back Again by Charles Coleman. It is referred to as, ‘The Vietnam War Novel that made PTSD real.’“
Alison Alford, Development Assistant
Recommendation: A Good Dog by Jon Katz
“I recommend any book by author Jon Katz. He has written multiple dog books, and I’m sure you’ll love any book that you pick up by him! His books are filled with humor, compassion, and a deep respect for our canine companions.”
A few other favorites on Alison’s list include:
Marley & Me by John Grogan
Call of the Wild by Jack London
White Fang by Jack London
Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
James Herriot’s Dog Stories
Shelley Smith, Service Dog Training Instructor, Menlo Park, California
Recommendation: Tribe by Sebastian Junger and On Assimilation: A Ranger’s Return from War by Leo Jenkins.
“These two books were really helpful when I first started at giving me context and finding a place to start in the military culture. One more that’s much lighter reading, is Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War by Mary Roach. It’s just fun to reach and give me a chance to be a nerd and learn stuff in an approachable format!”
DAV Charitable Trust Helping Veterans Heal Through Support of WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery Training Program
Doug Arbon and his family can’t say enough about how much they’ve enjoyed participating in Warrior Canine Connection’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training program.
The MBTR training program is unique in that it enlists Service Members and Veterans in recovery to help train service dogs for a fellow Warrior. Those involved in the training benefit from the process along the way, including improved communication skills, improved self-esteem and lower anxiety.
This summer, Doug will medically retire from the Army, a career in which he says he’s been honored to serve in for 15 years active duty and five years as a Reservist. He started his career in the Naval Reserves, then he enlisted in the Army and a few years later he was commissioned as an Officer in the Army. He spent most of his career as a military intelligence officer, so he can’t share many details about the who, what, where or when of his service.
Aside from concerns about life post-military, Doug and his family are also grappling with larger health issues. Both Doug and his son have undergone surgeries for cancer due to a shared rare genetic mutation called SDHB. Doug has also finished radiation treatment for additional cancerous tumors that have grown since his initial surgery. His daughter also wrestles with serious health issues, including debilitating migraines. But Doug says being around the WCC service dogs in training has been a most welcome distraction.
“Since we started the program, we noticed a huge difference when we’re around the dogs,” says Doug. “Just being around them changes our outlook. We feel like we’re giving back a little bit and it really helps to know we’re helping to train these amazing dogs that will go on to serve Veterans and their family members who really deserve them.”
Warrior Canine Connection’s MBTR program is funded, in part, by Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Service Trust. The Trust recently provided WCC with a $150,000 grant to support MBTR; this latest grant to WCC brings The Trust’s total support to $350,000 over the past four years.
“We are so thankful to DAV Charitable Trust’s continued support for our programs,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “They have been an amazing partner — not just founded on financial support, but a shared philosophy when it comes to improving the lives of our nation’s Veterans.”
The Trust was established for the single purpose of empowering Veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. As part of that mission, the Trust ensures charitable initiatives around the country have the resources they need to benefit our nation’s heroes. That includes programs that provide service dogs to Veterans, including Warrior Canine Connection.
The Arbon family is hoping that once responsible to do so, that they can return to WCC to continue training service dogs for their future placement with fellow Warriors.
“WCC’s program is helping so many Service Members and Veterans, me included,” said Doug. “We’d go back in a heartbeat — we were going once a week and we’ve seen a loss without that connection already. Just being around those dogs has really made a huge impact on our family. There’s a little bit more happiness, a little bit more peace in the family after we see these dogs and have that experience.”
Thank you, DAV Charitable Trust, for your continued support of WCC and our nation’s Veterans. Visit https://cst.dav.org/ to learn more.
Great Quarantine Reads, Recommended by WCC Staff
Jennifer Wilder, Director of Development
Recommendation: Made for Each Other by WCC’s own Meg Olmert
“I love Made for Each Other because it was the first book to really dive into the roots of humans’ connection with animals, and the chemistry behind how those bonds are formed. Authored by WCC’s own Meg Olmert, the book really helps explain the science behind what WCC hears all too often—that dogs are good medicine!”
Ann Spader, Service Dog Training Instructor, Denver, Colorado
Recommendation: Merle’s Door – Lessons from a Freethinking Dog by Ted Kerasote
“So many books I’ve read are geared towards how you can get the most out of a dog and your relationship — it’s often one–sided. This book focuses on how both a person and a dog can learn from each other in a give–and–take relationship. There share a lot of interesting stories and experiences.”
and
Recommendation #2: Tribe by Sebastian Junger
“Obviously working with Veterans, I am always interested in new perspectives about the prevalence of PTSD during modern times. Tribe focuses more on how the community someone is a part of might impact their experiences or how they process those experiences versus just focusing on the person alone. Especially during these times of social isolation and uncertainty of the future, I feel it is more important that we come together as communities or tribes and support each other so that we can all get through this together.”
Tim O’Boyle, Facilities Manager
Recommendation: Chained Eagle: The Heroic Story of the First American Shot Down over North Vietnam by Jr. Everett Alvarez and Anthony S. Pitch
“This is the most amazing book about a prisoner of war. This is not a boring history book — it’s about a hero who became a POW on day two of the war and he shares his story until the time he was released nine years later. Even if you aren’t a history buff, you will still be engaged and amazed. One last thing, this hero lives here in Montgomery County, Maryland.”
Emily McNeal, Service Dog Training Instructor
Recommendation: Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell
“I chose this book for the sake of not being serious and needing a little cute comedy, plus, I have the same name as Clifford’s owner, Emily Elizabeth.”
and
Recommendation #2: Ashley’s War: The Untold Story of a Team of Women Soldiers on the Special Ops Battlefield by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
“This particular story is of a high-charging female soldier who led with honor and mission-first mentality. While she lost her life, her legacy lives on. Side note: I do her CrossFit workout every year and visited her memorial at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington.”
Rick Yount, Executive Director & Founder
Recommendation: “My favorite dog-related pick is “Meg Daley Olmert’s, Made for Each Other, the Biology of the Human Animal Bond. Meg’s book cracked the code and drove the science regarding Oxytocin’s role in the healing power of dogs.’
“My favorite Veteran-related books is Sergeant Back Again by Charles Coleman. It is referred to as, ‘The Vietnam War Novel that made PTSD real.’“
Alison Alford, Development Assistant
Recommendation: A Good Dog by Jon Katz
“I recommend any book by author Jon Katz. He has written multiple dog books, and I’m sure you’ll love any book that you pick up by him! His books are filled with humor, compassion, and a deep respect for our canine companions.”
A few other favorites on Alison’s list include:
Marley & Me by John Grogan
Call of the Wild by Jack London
White Fang by Jack London
Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
James Herriot’s Dog Stories
Shelley Smith, Service Dog Training Instructor, Menlo Park, California
Recommendation: Tribe by Sebastian Junger and On Assimilation: A Ranger’s Return from War by Leo Jenkins.
“These two books were really helpful when I first started at giving me context and finding a place to start in the military culture. One more that’s much lighter reading, is Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War by Mary Roach. It’s just fun to reach and give me a chance to be a nerd and learn stuff in an approachable format!”
A Letter from Mike
AGC has been an amazing partner to WCC and its program for years, including its sponsorship of the WCC barn renovation project. Once completed, the historic dairy barn will provide much-needed space for WCC to provide its Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training program to Service Members and Veterans, as well as critical facilities needed to breed, train and pair future service dogs.
In the article, which Mike II wrote himself, he shares his thanks to AGC for its continued support of WCC and how honored he is to be named after the late Mike Timura, who was not only an Army Air Corps Veteran but a longstanding member of AGC. You can read it for yourself, here.
To Our Volunteers… Thank you!
April marks National Volunteer Month. And while all WCC volunteer programs and events have been suspended due to COVID-19 to ensure the health, safety and welfare of our dedicated supporters and our team members, we still want to say a heartfelt thank you to all of you who have dedicated your time, talents and treasures to our organization.
We have so many volunteers who make such a significant investment in our organization each year. These numbers are nothing short of amazing! We are truly humbled and honored by all of you. Here’s a snapshot of the impact volunteers had on WCC and its programs in 2019.
● Total Volunteer Hours: 61,449
● Total Unique Volunteers: 1,022
● Total Veteran Volunteer Hours: 981
● Total Military Family Volunteer Hours: 4172
● Cost savings to WCC: $1,562,648.00
As Sarah Olson, WCC volunteer coordinator will tell you, whenever WCC makes an ask, many volunteers jump at the call.
“If we ever have an immediate need, whether it’s to fill a volunteer shift or it’s to transport puppies and dogs, last-minute calls to make bland diet, we always have such a tremendous response, it’s overwhelming,” said Olson. “People are ready to jump in for anything we need them to do — from the small stuff to the big stuff. It’s incredibly humbling to know we have that many supporters who are willing to do whatever it takes to help dedicate time to our mission.”
A prime example was WCC’s Community Clean-up Day, which took place at the end of February. The event was pulled together quickly following a tornado that touched down earlier in the month and caused significant damage to several structures at WCC’s Healing Quarters. Registration for volunteers went live online and, within hours, dozens of volunteers had registered to help. More than 100 volunteers spent 545 hours that single afternoon helping to clean-up, repair and transforms WCC’s grounds.
We know our volunteers could chose to support any organization, and we sincerely appreciate that you continue to choose WCC. Your unwavering support and dedication to our mission are helping to make a difference in the lives of our nation’s heroes, thank you.
Why are our volunteers so engaged? Each volunteer has their own reason.
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Virtual Classes New Norm for WCC
Veterans whose Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) programming was interrupted by the current global crisis are receiving weekly emails from WCC with resources and instructional videos. The content focuses on training skills, canine behavior and theories of learning, and other foundational training techniques.
Warrior Canine Connection is hopeful that the virtual social engagement, content and consistency of programming will allow Veteran participants to make even greater contributions to the dogs’ advancement, as well as their own personal progress. Right now, the goal is to keep as many Warriors involved in MBTR programming as possible to ensure they have the critically important Warrior Canine “Connections” that research shows reduce stress and isolation.
“This is a new design for all of us at WCC, so we’re learning as we go in an attempt to serve our Veterans, and ensure they continue seeing the benefits of MBTR, albeit virtually,” said Emily McNeal. “The challenge is a fun one as we work to create new content and educational pieces!”
And so far, it’s working well.
In addition to the Veterans and Service Members, it’s also crucial to keep the service dogs in training on regular training schedules. Those currently in the training pipeline and participating in MBTR will go on to be placed with Service Members and Veterans with visible and invisible wounds, once it’s responsible to do so.
Puppy Parents, volunteers who raise WCC’s service dogs in training for up to two years, also have new online programming dedicated to helping them keep future service dogs on-track. Although they typically come to WCC’s program sites once a week for classes, they’re now logging on to their computers and phones to take a class. So far, puppy parents in Boyds, Maryland; Denver, Colorado; Menlo Park, California and Asheville, North Carolina are participating in the online classes.
Service Dog Training Program Manager Kevin Simpson, who leads WCC’s service dog training program, says, “The ability to continue with group classes is helping restore a sense of normalcy for us all — if even only a little bit. And although face-to-face training is preferred, it is nice to see the teams working together in their home environments, too. Everyone appears relaxed with the online support and the training instructors are still able to provide immediate feedback as the puppy parents practice skills — it’s working.”
In these extraordinary times, we’re fortunate to have not only have each other but also extraordinary technology to help see us through.
Love at First Click
“There were these six puppies and this mom, and she was so good with these puppies,” said Stacey. “They just made me smile… I wasn’t even petting them or holding them but the next day, I had to get back on that camera, I don’t know why, but I had to see the puppies.”
That was Holly’s Half Dozen, Warrior Canine Connection’s second-ever litter of pups back in 2012. (Rain’s Patriotic Pups Litter was the first.)
At the time, Stacey, her husband and their two sons had just moved from Detroit, Michigan to Green Bay, Wisconsin. Although the move was made for cleaner air, wider spaces and a better quality of life, with no friends or family locally, Stacey felt like her walls were closing in around her. She never thought — not for one second — that she would find solace in a website full of puppies.
“It was the best click on a computer that I have ever made in my life,” says Stacey. “It has opened up so much for me in the way of friendships, happiness and support when I lost my own pup. It’s just knowing that these pups are going on for greater things to help the Warriors who have defended our country, our way of life.”
While she says the mission and puppies, of course, are what drew her in, she found much more than that on the site.
“At first, I just watched and read the chat thread on the site,” says Stacey. “Someone made a comment, I can’t remember what it was, but I posted… and it was the beginning of some really good friendships. I found myself sharing on the site and talking with people who helped me through some really tough times.”
But it’s not only the friendships, Stacey also credits the site for helping to deepen her relationship with her own sons. Both of her boys have ADHD and Asperger’s Syndrome, so finding things that hold their interest and that they enjoy is challenging.
“When they were younger, the kids would watch and count the pups in the litter, call out each of their names by their colors,” said Stacey. “And when they learned that each dog was named after actual people, they became really hooked and would read all of the name announcements.”
She adds with a laugh, “My son could tell me the names of each of the litters, but could he clean his room? No.”
Life has changed a lot since then. The boys are grown and are preoccupied with other interests. Stacey has a full-time job supporting a trucking service, which has become very busy with the current demand on our trucking and shipping industry due to COVID-19.
Stacey still routinely tunes into the puppy cam and chats with her fellow Extreme Puppy Watchers (EPWs), a tight-knit group of people who follow the WCC puppy cam. She says she hopes to one day make it to a WCC graduation and meet Molly Morelli, WCC’s director of dog programs.
She says “I will always be in debt to Rick and Molly for allowing us into their living room and their lives. From that one webcam, a blue bear bed, and a whole lot of wonderful people, WCC is something VERY special to me.”
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.