WCC is on a mission to make a real difference for our nation’s wounded Warriors so that they may live the fullest life possible. In the following interview, USAF Veteran Ryan shares the journey that led him to his canine partner, Luke. Ryan’s experience with WCC gives a true sense of how service dogs impact the lives of our Service Members and Veterans.
How did you learn about Warrior Canine Connection, and what appealed to you about the program?
While working at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, my wife Julie (who is a board-certified music therapist) was introduced to Rick Yount, Executive Director of WCC. During this time she learned about WCC and would always talk about visiting the dogs in training at the end of the day. At the same time I was admitting to myself that I did have PTSD and needed help.
After a few months in to treatment doctors placed me on some medication that altered me in ways I did not like. Julie suggested I look into the program, since I am a dog lover. After spending a couple of days thinking about it, I took her advice and put in an application because I needed an alternative to medication.
How open were you to the idea of a canine partner?
I was not skeptical, as I have seen the positive effects of dogs helping people. In fact, Julie connected some of our family’s friends who were in need of a military family support dog to WCC. Seeing the positive changes that Cadence (who is now a full-fledged service dog with public access) brought to the Service Member and his family, I knew that this was a good idea.
Once you were involved in the WCC program, how long did it take before you were partnered with Luke? What was the matching process like?
It was approximately two years from the time I began the application process (June 2014) to having Luke live with us (February 2016). In February 2015 I was interviewed by WCC Service Dog Trainer Danielle, who told me based on my needs (PTSD and mobility issues due to lower back injury) that I would need a large male lab, a dog WCC had few of at the time.
For the first year, I went to WCC’s puppy enrichment center (PEC) four times to pet new puppies and visit. The second year I started going once a month to meet with Danielle for training sessions where I learned commands and worked on timing. After four months of that, I started going to the PEC weekly where I worked with approximately 12 dogs in various stages of their training. One of those dogs was Luke. In fact, I was there the week Luke returned from his training in Menlo Park, CA.
The first time I worked with him was a very good, relaxing day. He was listening to everything I said and was very well mannered. I went home and told Julie about Luke – the cool dog I worked with that day. That Sunday I told Cadence’s family about Luke – coincidentally, they had met Luke that week as well after a training session with Cadence.
For the next few weeks, I worked with other dogs and Luke every once in a while. Training sessions always seemed easier and more relaxing with Luke. In December, I received an email from WCC saying that Danielle wanted to meet with us before we trained that day. When I arrived trainers shared that Luke and I worked really well together and that we were a match! And after some advanced training together, Luke would be placed with me! We increased our training to two days a week.
The first week of February 2016, Luke became my service dog, and I became his Veteran.
Was the adjustment of having a canine partner easy or did it take a while to find a comfortable routine? Was it complicated for you to have a canine partner so involved in your day-to-day life?
I think it was an easy adjustment having Luke with me. For the first two weeks he was always tethered to me at home and at work. During this time we remained at home, away from public areas as this made the bonding process very easy.
When I found out I would be receiving Luke I went to my command, and asked if it was okay to bring Luke to work. I was routed up the chain and within two days I was informed that it would be fine. Everyone at work was supportive and for a month people asked “When is your dog coming?” When Luke finally came to work, I did not see it as a big deal. However, now almost everyone from shop looks forward to Luke coming in.
In terms of recovery/well-being, how important is Luke? What do you think that journey would look like without your canine partner?
As a result of three deployments to combat areas, I have struggled with depression, anxiety, anger, suicidal thoughts, and lower back pain and numbness in my right leg. Since Luke has come into my life, I don’t feel as depressed or as anxious. On any given day, Luke responds to my anxiety by nudging my leg and/or physically positioning himself between me, and the person I am interacting with.
My attention shifts from the situation to Luke where I can reward him for letting me know I am getting anxious. He is helping me to become more self-aware at work and at home. This is SO HELPFUL in my recovery process. Since Luke is a large dog, he helps me stand from seated positions, which was an unfortunate struggle before Luke came into the picture.
Associated General Contractors of America Undertakes Centennial Project: Renovation of Historic Barn at WCC’s Healing Quarters
January 5, 2018 – The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) is celebrating 100 years by undertaking an historic project to help our Nation’s wounded Veterans heal from the invisible wounds of war. As its centennial project, AGC is focusing on the renovation of an historic barn at the Warrior Canine Connection’s Healing Quarters in Boyds, Maryland. The project will create much-needed space for WCC’s training programs and provide overnight accommodations for Veterans visiting WCC for advanced training with service dogs. Read all about the project in AGC’s magazine, Constructor.
Wounded warriors receive service dogs in ceremony
October 7, 2017 – Germantown, MD (LocalDVM.com) –For the past five years, the Warrior Canine Connection has worked to prove that sometimes the best medicine has four legs and a wet nose. After six months of waiting, former army infantry officer Dan Berschinski was officially given the leash of his service dog Buntz. Read full article and watch clip here.
From puppies to alums: WCC celebrates recent graduating class of service dogs
October 9, 2017 – Germantown, MD (Meredith Tibbets, Stars and Stripes) — They waited for months, and finally it was time for the veterans to receive the newest addition to their families.
More than twenty therapy and service dogs “graduated” from the Warrior Canine Connection on Saturday at Germantown, near the group’s headquarters in Boyds. After training for more than two years while living with their “puppy parents,” all the dogs are now with the veterans they were trained to specifically help. Read the full article.
Position Description: Managing Director
Managing Director
Reporting to the Founder and Executive Director of WCC, the Managing Director will be responsible for all internal operations and will have the following responsibilities:
Program Operational Leadership:
External Relationship Development:
Strategic Plan Implementation:
Key Qualifications
As a prerequisite, the successful candidate must believe in the core values of WCC and be driven by the mission. The candidate should demonstrate a passion for breaking new ground to lead social change. Beyond that, we are ideally seeking a candidate that has proven experience in scaling a multi-site organization and a demonstrated ability to both lead and build the capabilities of a driven, bright, diverse team.
The successful candidate will most likely have had management experience with a non-profit organization. As noted, this is an organization driven by the values of its people, so experience in managing a “values-driven” organization will be highly prized. Additional requirements are:
To apply for this position, please email a cover letter and resume to: hr@warriorcanineconnection.org
Please put your last name, first name and “Managing Director” in the subject line. This position is currently open and we will accept applications until the position is filled. Serious applicants with the required experience will be contacted for interviews.
Radio Interview: American Heroes Network
December 27, 2016 – Rick Yount, WCC Executive Director, was the guest during the one-hour interview about post-traumatic stress, the effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy, and the Warrior Canine Connection program. Listen to the interview here.
Licking their wounds: Trained dogs assist, comfort wounded Airmen
March 29, 2016 – Brookeville, Md. (AFNS) — Staff Sgt. Ryan Garrison embraces his service dog Luke at their home in Glen Burnie, Md. Read the article.
A graduation ceremony for dogs marks a step in healing for wounded veterans
October 8, 2016 – Rockville, Maryland – Ryan Garrison’s service dog wouldn’t stop bugging him.
At a dinner outing with his wife, Julie, at Fleming’s Steakhouse in Baltimore, Garrison was growing nervous, clenching his hands. Being in public spaces had been a problem for the veteran since his return from Iraq, where he fractured two disks in his spine escaping a grenade blast in 2007. Read the complete Washington Post story here.
Video: Warrior Canine Connection at Navy Conference
May 18, 2016 – National Harbor (All Hands Update, U.S. Navy) — Warrior Canine Connection demonstrates how service dogs help each person they come in contact with. View the video.
“Luke became my service dog, and I became his Veteran.”
How did you learn about Warrior Canine Connection, and what appealed to you about the program?
While working at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, my wife Julie (who is a board-certified music therapist) was introduced to Rick Yount, Executive Director of WCC. During this time she learned about WCC and would always talk about visiting the dogs in training at the end of the day. At the same time I was admitting to myself that I did have PTSD and needed help.
After a few months in to treatment doctors placed me on some medication that altered me in ways I did not like. Julie suggested I look into the program, since I am a dog lover. After spending a couple of days thinking about it, I took her advice and put in an application because I needed an alternative to medication.
How open were you to the idea of a canine partner?
I was not skeptical, as I have seen the positive effects of dogs helping people. In fact, Julie connected some of our family’s friends who were in need of a military family support dog to WCC. Seeing the positive changes that Cadence (who is now a full-fledged service dog with public access) brought to the Service Member and his family, I knew that this was a good idea.
Once you were involved in the WCC program, how long did it take before you were partnered with Luke? What was the matching process like?
It was approximately two years from the time I began the application process (June 2014) to having Luke live with us (February 2016). In February 2015 I was interviewed by WCC Service Dog Trainer Danielle, who told me based on my needs (PTSD and mobility issues due to lower back injury) that I would need a large male lab, a dog WCC had few of at the time.
For the first year, I went to WCC’s puppy enrichment center (PEC) four times to pet new puppies and visit. The second year I started going once a month to meet with Danielle for training sessions where I learned commands and worked on timing. After four months of that, I started going to the PEC weekly where I worked with approximately 12 dogs in various stages of their training. One of those dogs was Luke. In fact, I was there the week Luke returned from his training in Menlo Park, CA.
The first time I worked with him was a very good, relaxing day. He was listening to everything I said and was very well mannered. I went home and told Julie about Luke – the cool dog I worked with that day. That Sunday I told Cadence’s family about Luke – coincidentally, they had met Luke that week as well after a training session with Cadence.
For the next few weeks, I worked with other dogs and Luke every once in a while. Training sessions always seemed easier and more relaxing with Luke. In December, I received an email from WCC saying that Danielle wanted to meet with us before we trained that day. When I arrived trainers shared that Luke and I worked really well together and that we were a match! And after some advanced training together, Luke would be placed with me! We increased our training to two days a week.
The first week of February 2016, Luke became my service dog, and I became his Veteran.
Was the adjustment of having a canine partner easy or did it take a while to find a comfortable routine? Was it complicated for you to have a canine partner so involved in your day-to-day life?
I think it was an easy adjustment having Luke with me. For the first two weeks he was always tethered to me at home and at work. During this time we remained at home, away from public areas as this made the bonding process very easy.
When I found out I would be receiving Luke I went to my command, and asked if it was okay to bring Luke to work. I was routed up the chain and within two days I was informed that it would be fine. Everyone at work was supportive and for a month people asked “When is your dog coming?” When Luke finally came to work, I did not see it as a big deal. However, now almost everyone from shop looks forward to Luke coming in.
In terms of recovery/well-being, how important is Luke? What do you think that journey would look like without your canine partner?
As a result of three deployments to combat areas, I have struggled with depression, anxiety, anger, suicidal thoughts, and lower back pain and numbness in my right leg. Since Luke has come into my life, I don’t feel as depressed or as anxious. On any given day, Luke responds to my anxiety by nudging my leg and/or physically positioning himself between me, and the person I am interacting with.
My attention shifts from the situation to Luke where I can reward him for letting me know I am getting anxious. He is helping me to become more self-aware at work and at home. This is SO HELPFUL in my recovery process. Since Luke is a large dog, he helps me stand from seated positions, which was an unfortunate struggle before Luke came into the picture.
DC Reporter Training Service Dog in Honor of Wounded Warrior
Washington, D.C. (Washington Free Beacon) — A D.C. reporter is working with a national service dog charity in order to train a puppy in honor of a Marine who was wounded while serving in Iraq. Andrea McCarren, an award-winning multimedia reporter at Washington’s CBS affiliate, is raising an English Labrador Retriever named for Marine Corporal Justin Bunce. Once trained, “Bunce,” the puppy, will be placed with a wounded warrior in need of physical or psychological assistance. McCarren and Bunce are part of the non-profit Warrior Canine Connection. Read the full article.