FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2019
BOYDS, Md. – The America’s Heroes Charity Golf Tournament, an annual fundraiser hosted by the Naval Postgraduate School Alumni Association and Foundation (NPSAAF), raises donations to support wounded Service Members, Veterans and their families. This year, the tournament generously provided Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) with $140,000 for its service dog training program for Veterans; the amount brings NPSAAF’s total donated to WCC over the past five years to $934,394.
“We are humbled and so grateful to have received this level of support from the Naval Postgraduate School Alumni Association and Foundation — not just this year but for the past five years!,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “This gift is not only a magnificent gesture of support for our programs, it’s also a testament to this amazing community that is doing so much to support our Service Members, Veterans and their families.”
An annual event since 2006, the America’s Heroes Charity Golf Tournament has raised more than $1.8M in donations since its inception. This year, close to 200 golfers turned out to participate in the golf tournament on the Monterey Peninsula, and close to 350 people joined the fundraising dinner.
“Charities like Warrior Canine Connection have been the focus of our America’s Heroes Charity Golf Tournament for 14 years,” says Rich Patterson, CEO of the Naval Postgraduate School Alumni Association and Foundation. “We are proud to support WCC and the vital service this organization provides to our country’s veterans.”
This tournament, coupled with other fundraisers in California, plays a significant role in supporting the operations of WCC’s Menlo Park, California site. Through the Menlo Park site, WCC is providing its Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training and other partner programs in the area.
To learn more, visit the America’s Heroes Charity Golf Tournament website.
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.
About the Naval Postgraduate School Alumni Association and Foundation
The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Alumni Association & Foundation supports and advances the mission of NPS, our nation’s premier military graduate institution. Top military and civilian leaders come to NPS to learn how to combat current and future national security challenges. We support these leaders during their time at NPS and after they graduate to continue serving around the world. We also fund defense innovation research at NPS that directly impacts and strengthens our Department of Defense. For more information, visit www.npsfoundation.org .
“Warrior Canine Connection” hosts event to honor and help veterans
November 10, 2019 – ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — The nonprofit “Warrior Canine Connection” hosted a Veterans Day appreciation and fundraising event in Asheville on Saturday.
The nonprofit breeds, trains, and places services dogs with recovering veterans.
The event not only focused on honoring veterans, but also helping them recover from visible and invisible wounds. Watch the complete WLOS story here.
Warrior Canine Connection Helps Veterans Heal
November 8, 2019 – In honor of Veterans Day, MyMCMedia checked in with a local organization that gives back to those who fought for our country in a special way. Warrior Canine Connection helps veterans all year round.
Officials say since the organization started in 2011, they’ve helped more than four thousand veterans through Mission Based Trauma Recovery. Click here to watch the complete story from Montgomery County Media.
Secretary’s Message: November 2019
November 6, 2019 – Governor Larry Hogan declared 2019 the Year of the Veteran, a yearlong observance to raise awareness of the brave service and sacrifice our United States veterans and families have made for Maryland and our country. While our nation will celebrate on Veterans Day, the governor’s declaration is an important reminder that we should appreciate our veterans every day. It also inspired us at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to reaffirm our commitment to Maryland’s 380,000 veterans. Read the complete news release here.
Veterans train service dogs for fellow veterans
October 29, 2019 — An unlikely connection between two heroes who never got the chance to meet. The memory of NYC Fire Marshal Ronald Bucca, who lost his life on 9/11 while saving others, lives on in “Bucca,” a service dog named after him. Watch the complete News12 story here.
America’s Heroes Charity Golf Tournament Raises $140,000 for Warrior Canine Connection; Brings Total Given to WCC Over Five Years to More than $900k
October 30, 2019
BOYDS, Md. – The America’s Heroes Charity Golf Tournament, an annual fundraiser hosted by the Naval Postgraduate School Alumni Association and Foundation (NPSAAF), raises donations to support wounded Service Members, Veterans and their families. This year, the tournament generously provided Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) with $140,000 for its service dog training program for Veterans; the amount brings NPSAAF’s total donated to WCC over the past five years to $934,394.
“We are humbled and so grateful to have received this level of support from the Naval Postgraduate School Alumni Association and Foundation — not just this year but for the past five years!,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “This gift is not only a magnificent gesture of support for our programs, it’s also a testament to this amazing community that is doing so much to support our Service Members, Veterans and their families.”
An annual event since 2006, the America’s Heroes Charity Golf Tournament has raised more than $1.8M in donations since its inception. This year, close to 200 golfers turned out to participate in the golf tournament on the Monterey Peninsula, and close to 350 people joined the fundraising dinner.
“Charities like Warrior Canine Connection have been the focus of our America’s Heroes Charity Golf Tournament for 14 years,” says Rich Patterson, CEO of the Naval Postgraduate School Alumni Association and Foundation. “We are proud to support WCC and the vital service this organization provides to our country’s veterans.”
This tournament, coupled with other fundraisers in California, plays a significant role in supporting the operations of WCC’s Menlo Park, California site. Through the Menlo Park site, WCC is providing its Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training and other partner programs in the area.
To learn more, visit the America’s Heroes Charity Golf Tournament website.
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.
About the Naval Postgraduate School Alumni Association and Foundation
The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Alumni Association & Foundation supports and advances the mission of NPS, our nation’s premier military graduate institution. Top military and civilian leaders come to NPS to learn how to combat current and future national security challenges. We support these leaders during their time at NPS and after they graduate to continue serving around the world. We also fund defense innovation research at NPS that directly impacts and strengthens our Department of Defense. For more information, visit www.npsfoundation.org .
Howl-o-ween Safety Tips for your Dog
No tricks, no treats: That bowl of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not the dog. Chocolate in all forms — especially dark or baking chocolate — can be very dangerous. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause health issues. If you do suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, call your veterinarian immediately.
Costumes: If you’re planning to dress up your dog, be sure to have him try on the costume before the holiday. Make sure that it doesn’t impair mobility, sight or ability to breathe and that it doesn’t include any small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces.
If your dog is stressed, manage it like you would any other stress, and first make sure that you’re not anxious; your dog will synchronize with you, so make sure to use that to their advantage.
Second, lighten the mood with the usual “this is fun” attitude and, of course, give lots of treats and rewards!
If your dog doesn’t acclimate well to wearing the costume, considering only putting on some pieces at a time to lessen the stress bit-by-bit. If the costume is truly too much for him, you may want to skip it altogether.
Warrior Canine Connection holds special Halloween-themed training classes in advance of the holiday and encourages puppy parents to dress up their service dogs in training as a trial run.
Keep dogs inside the house: With your door constantly opening and closing to greet trick-or-treaters, it’s a good idea to keep your dog inside on Halloween night. Putting your dog in a crate can help reduce stress and prevent him from darting outside the door.
Halloween can also be a good training opportunity; presenting your dog with plenty of positive reinforcements while seeing the strange visitors approach your door will give him exposure to new stimuli. However, trainers caution that if you sense uncertainty or fear, you should provide your dog with more space between it and the ghost or goblin at your door and reward him with the highest-value treats. It is important not to force your dog to go past their threshold of success.
Have a happy and safe Halloween!
Wendy Notari, Warrior Canine Connection Volunteer, Receives 2019 Governor’s Service Award
Photo Credit: Maryland Judiciary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2019
BOYDS, Md. – One of Warrior Canine Connection’s own pack members, volunteer Wendy Notari, will receive high honors today; she is being awarded the Maryland Governor’s 2019 Service Award for her exemplary dedication, time and selfless service to the nonprofit, which breeds, trains and places service dogs with Service Members and Veterans with visible and invisible wounds.
“WCC’s most inspiring achievements are not measured in dollars, rather in the spirit of our volunteers, like Wendy Notari and her noble work on behalf of others and our organization,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, WCC. “This award couldn’t be more well-deserved and is a powerful testament to Wendy’s dedication and passion for serving our community and our nation’s Veterans.”
Wendy Notari began volunteering with WCC in December 2016. Since then, she’s performed every task asked of her, including whelping, working with service dogs in training, being a puppy parent and volunteering at community events. Most recently, she began volunteering with WCC at the Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) in Baltimore City, where she travels every Tuesday to volunteer her time serving as a liaison between the service dogs in training and the Veteran participants. In 2018 alone, Wendy volunteered an astounding 1,332 hours with WCC in a variety of roles.
“I am very honored to be recognized for something that is immensely rewarding for me and brings so much joy to my life,” said Wendy Notari. “Supporting Warrior Canine Connection’s mission of serving the Veteran community has been incredibly fulfilling to me. Prior to joining WCC, my life had revolved around raising my three boys. When they all moved on to college, I wasn’t sure how to fill my sudden abundance of time. I volunteered with several other organizations that served the homeless and underprivileged and found it rewarding, but I truly found my passion helping to raise service dogs for Veterans. I am inspired every day by the way these dogs touch the lives of everyone they meet, particularly our nation’s wounded Warriors. I am the lucky one to have found this opportunity with Warrior Canine Connection.”
The Governor’s Service Awards are presented by the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism each year. The award recognizes Marylanders for their significant volunteer contributions to the state and its citizens and their work to change Maryland for the better. This year, the awards recognized volunteer service during 2018.
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.
These Warrior Canine Connection puppies have some pretty big shoes to fill
October 9, 2019 – Is there anything better than puppies and World War II veterans?
Yes! Puppies named in honor of World War II veterans.
The aptly dubbed Operation Overlord Litter has been named in honor of some of the heroes of D-Day by Warrior Canine Connection. Read the full story on ConnectingVets.com here.
Warrior Canine Connection’s Class of 2019
The following Veteran Service Dog Teams were introduced into WCC’s 2019 class of graduates.
SSG Spencer Milo, USA, Retired, and Service Dog Joseph
CAPT John Halsema, USN, and Service Dog McGhee
SSgt Ryan Boyles, USAF, and Service Dog Tommy
Col Dennis Fowler, USAF, Retired, and Service Dog Lou
The following Military Family Support Dogs were placed with their forever families. Military Family Support dogs help facilitate family relationships, including companionship, support and unconditional love for our military families.
SFC Mark Hughes, USA, Separated, with Military Family Support Dog Pegasus
MAJ Richard Star, USA, and Military Family Support Dog Otis
WCC also placed one facility dog this year. Facility dogs are paired with Veterans to work in a treatment or healthcare facility that provides care for active-duty Service Members and Veterans.
LCpl Kevin Rumley, USMC, and Facility Dog Clifford; the pair is working together at the Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court.
As well as these graduates, the following are six additions to WCC’s breeding program and will produce future litters of service dogs:
Cooper
Donna
Meli
Beverly
Charlie II
Dani
Helping People, Changing Lives
“I started volunteering at WCC as a way our entire family could be involved together,” said Ericka Johanek, WCC volunteer and self-proclaimed Extreme Puppy Watcher (EPW). “As an Air Force family, it’s a way to give back to fellow members of our community who have given so much. Seeing the change the dogs make in our military members so they can live full and rewarding lives is so rewarding! I love being able to spread the word about what WCC does to our community.”
While some volunteers are drawn to WCC because of their own military connections, others admittedly are drawn by the puppies.
“I came for the puppies and stayed for the mission!” said Kim Rice, WCC EPW and long-time volunteer. “I helped plan the first event at WCC and was then asked to help plan the first graduation … the rest is history! I love volunteering for WCC in general, but graduation is my favorite. Graduation is an opportunity to celebrate all the hard work of the trainers and puppy parents, but most importantly, welcome the new graduates into the pack and celebrate their new chapter in life. It’s also a bit of a homecoming as many past graduates come back to visit WCC for graduation. It’s great to see the graduates and their families catching up with each other, staff and EPWs, and of course–did I mention the puppies!”
Each year, more than 800 volunteers touch every aspect of WCC’s programs through their generous gifts of time and talent. Key roles volunteers play include puppy parents, puppy sitters, puppy petting, facility maintenance, event and administrative support, and fundraising, among others.
On behalf of a grateful organization, thank you to all WCC’s volunteers for your dedication and support — for at times dropping some of your own responsibilities to help fulfill those of others. Thank you for seeing the need and rising to the challenge. Thank you for sharing your time and talents to help improve the lives of the others. But most of all, thank you for your kindness, full hearts and conviction for serving our nation’s Veterans.