Did you know every service dog and service dog-in-training at Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) is named in honor of a Veteran? While most know WCC for our unique animal-assisted therapy program Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) and placing service dogs with Veterans, we also celebrate Veterans through our namesake program.
The namesake program, which began in 2013, is a way to honor and celebrate Veterans by saying their names and telling their stories. We receive name nominations from the public, though we are currently only accepting female name nominations due to the large number of male nominations we already have waiting.
Naming a service dog in training after a Veteran means a lot to the namesake families, especially knowing that the dog named in their honor will be serving Veterans and the Veteran community. Here are just a few of the testimonials we have received from namesake families:
“Oh, wow. That’s my father. So happy to see Chappy carrying on service to our country.”
“Thank you SO much for this announcement and designation. We are all so touched at this honor for our father and know that William will be an inspiration for both he and his companion.
“I am excited, and I’m sure Steve is too, that our dad is also going to have a puppy named after him. He was an animal lover, just like our mom.”
“Omg! This was the last thing I expected to see this morning. I’m his big brother. We served together. Thank you so much. This means so much to our family.”
“We served together in the Corps him, his brother, my best friend Casey, all holding it down for Hollywood Florida, like it was our own battalion. He was loud, wild, and had more energy than a six pack of rip it. We miss him.”
“Thank you so very much. I am overwhelmed by your organization’s honoring me by naming one of your Warrior puppies after me. Coming at the holiday season this is especially meaningful as I spent Christmas 1970 in Da Nang 54 years ago. I appreciate the very nice write up on Facebook along with the picture of me and my namesake. The picture was taken in Da Nang in 1971 and was a favorite of my parents.”
“I feel it to be such an honor that my grandmother’s name is connected to such an important helpmate for a Veteran of today.”
Not only is it impactful to the namesake family, but the Veterans who end up being placed with a WCC dog also find it powerful. They often reflect about how much it means that the dog they are placed with is also carrying the name and story of a fellow Veteran.
If you have a female name nomination you would like to submit, please fill out this form: https://warriorcanineconnection.tfaforms.net/4899776
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Celebrating WCC’s Class of 2025
The festivities didn’t stop online — more than 600 members of the WCC community gathered in person at the WCC Healing Quarters in Boyds, Maryland. Guests traveled from near and far to enjoy delicious food and pup-friendly treats, live music, photo booth, tours of our beautifully renovated barn, and most importantly, to connect and celebrate the incredible achievements of our Veterans and military families and the dogs who support them. This year’s event was made paw-sible thanks to the love and dedication of our volunteers and supporters.
Congratulations to all our graduates, and a huge thank-you to the volunteers and supporters who make this life-changing work possible!
Missed the live stream — or want to watch again? Watch the full WCC 2025 Graduation ceremony here.
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WCC in the News: NBC’s TODAY
We’re actively seeking volunteers to join this amazing effort! Becoming a WCC Puppy Raiser gives you the chance to transform lives, and we’re making these opportunities more flexible so you can contribute in ways that fit your schedule and lifestyle.
Watch NBC’s TODAY story here and be inspired. Want to get involved? Learn more about being a WCC Puppy Raiser here.
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Honoring Veterans, One Name at a Time
The namesake program, which began in 2013, is a way to honor and celebrate Veterans by saying their names and telling their stories. We receive name nominations from the public, though we are currently only accepting female name nominations due to the large number of male nominations we already have waiting.
Naming a service dog in training after a Veteran means a lot to the namesake families, especially knowing that the dog named in their honor will be serving Veterans and the Veteran community. Here are just a few of the testimonials we have received from namesake families:
“Oh, wow. That’s my father. So happy to see Chappy carrying on service to our country.”
“Thank you SO much for this announcement and designation. We are all so touched at this honor for our father and know that William will be an inspiration for both he and his companion.
“I am excited, and I’m sure Steve is too, that our dad is also going to have a puppy named after him. He was an animal lover, just like our mom.”
“Omg! This was the last thing I expected to see this morning. I’m his big brother. We served together. Thank you so much. This means so much to our family.”
“We served together in the Corps him, his brother, my best friend Casey, all holding it down for Hollywood Florida, like it was our own battalion. He was loud, wild, and had more energy than a six pack of rip it. We miss him.”
“Thank you so very much. I am overwhelmed by your organization’s honoring me by naming one of your Warrior puppies after me. Coming at the holiday season this is especially meaningful as I spent Christmas 1970 in Da Nang 54 years ago. I appreciate the very nice write up on Facebook along with the picture of me and my namesake. The picture was taken in Da Nang in 1971 and was a favorite of my parents.”
“I feel it to be such an honor that my grandmother’s name is connected to such an important helpmate for a Veteran of today.”
Not only is it impactful to the namesake family, but the Veterans who end up being placed with a WCC dog also find it powerful. They often reflect about how much it means that the dog they are placed with is also carrying the name and story of a fellow Veteran.
If you have a female name nomination you would like to submit, please fill out this form: https://warriorcanineconnection.tfaforms.net/4899776
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Tugger the service pup visits Delaware Valley veteran’s home
Ahead of Thursday’s First Responders Night at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies, Team Foster and Warrior Canine Connection joined the beloved Tugger the service pup for a special visit to the Delaware Valley Veteran’s Home to celebrate and honor local vets. Read the full story on MLB.com.
‘He was my reason to stay’: Air Force veteran credits service dog with saving her life
MONTGOMERY COUNTY — September is Service Dog Awareness Month, and WMAR-2 News is taking a closer look at the incredible bond between veterans and their service animals. One veteran’s four-legged partner not only helps her heal, but also saved her life. Watch the full story on WMAR News 2 Baltimore.
Couple Helps Train Service Dogs Amid Nationwide Shortage
For the last ten years, Pat and Jane Hipsley have been volunteering as puppy raisers who open up their home to puppies who will hopefully one day become service dogs. It comes amid a national shortage for volunteer puppy raisers. Saturday TODAY’s Peter Alexander reports. Watch the full story on NBC’s Today.
WCC’s 2025 Graduation Program
Click Here to Download WCC’s 2025 Graduation Program
For each Baltimore Ravens reception, Tito’s Handmade Vodka to donate $100 to veteran service dog nonprofit Warrior Canine Connection
by Marcus Dieterle
There’s another reason for fans to root for the Baltimore Ravens this football season.
For every reception the Ravens make, Tito’s Handmade Vodka will donate $100 (up to $35,000) to Warrior Canine Connection, a nonprofit that trains service dogs for veterans. Read the full story in Baltimore Fishbowl here.
Around Town: Baltimore Ravens partner with Tito’s and Catches for Canines for donation program
The Baltimore Ravens, Tito’s and Catches for Canines are partnering for the Warrior for Canine Connection donation program. Watch the live segment on WJZ here.
One Month Out: Warrior Canine Connection’s 2025 Graduation to Celebrate Courage, Companionship and Service on September 20
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Celebrate National Service Dog Month with this year’s graduating service dogs and the Veterans, families and communities they serve
BOYDS, Md. — The countdown is on! In exactly one month, Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) will introduce its 2025 graduates — Veteran Service Dog Teams, Facility Dogs, Military Family Support Dogs and other assistance dogs who have made a meaningful difference in the lives of Warriors with visible and invisible wounds — during a virtual celebration on Saturday, September 20. The ceremony will be streamed on WCC’s YouTube channel. Everyone is welcome to watch, cheer and share.
“Graduation is our favorite day of the year because it’s where hope meets impact,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “You’ll hear moving stories from Veterans and families, and you’ll meet the extraordinary dogs who stand by their side through every challenge. It’s a celebration of resilience, service and the power of the human-canine bond.”
September is National Service Dog Month, making this year’s graduation the perfect time to recognize the extraordinary impact of these highly trained assistance dogs. WCC is an Assistance Dogs International (ADI)-accredited service dog organization, meeting the highest standards in training and care for both dogs and handlers.
Through WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery training model, each dog can positively impact dozens of Veterans during training. Through the program, Warriors learn to train service dogs for fellow Veterans as part of their own treatment for PTSD. In doing so, they gain therapeutic benefits including improved communication and reduced anxiety along the way.
What to expect on Sept. 20
Join us
Watch on YouTube
14934 Schaeffer Road
WCC’s Healing Quarters,
Boyds, MD 20841
Expect to see many of this year’s graduates, alumni teams, Puppy Raisers, volunteers, staff and supporters.
RSVP/Details: https://warriorcanineconnection.tfaforms.net/5150918
Story Ideas:
Media:
Media are invited to attend the in-person celebration. Interviews, photos, b-roll, and story opportunities are available. For more information, please contact Beth Bourgeois at beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.org or 719-216-3206.
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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.