FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) is proud to announce the launch of a new program in partnership with Duquesne University, a distinguished institution with deep roots in military tradition and service. Funded by the generous support of Team Foster, this new initiative will utilize WCC’s innovative Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training model to benefit Veterans, the university and the broader Pittsburgh community.
WCC’s MBTR model is centered on the time-honored military tradition of Warriors helping Warriors. In this program, Veterans learn to train service dogs for their fellow Warriors, while fostering their own skills in communication, confidence building, emotional regulation and patience. The program’s focus on peer support and personal growth makes it a natural fit for Duquesne University—a Veteran-centric institution led by President Ken Gormley—that has a profound history of supporting Veterans and an ROTC program dating back to 1917.
“Thanks to the unwavering support of Chris Boissonnault, director of Duquesne’s Office of Military and Veteran Students, who has been a true champion in bringing this program to life, Veterans will now have the powerful opportunity to heal and support one another by learning to train service dogs for their fellow Warriors,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, WCC. “This hands-on experience not only aids in the recovery of our Veterans but also deepens Duquesne University’s long-standing commitment to its military history by directly serving its Veteran students and the surrounding community. We’re also profoundly grateful to Team Foster for their continued dedication, which allows us to extend our reach and support even more Veterans in need.”
“It’s an honor to host the Warrior Canine Connection service dogs in training on campus, especially in support of Duquesne alum Erick Foster and Team Foster,” said Boissonnault. “Veterans are a special part of the Duquesne community and history; we look forward to having these amazing pups and their trainers on campus for their important work.”
This new WCC Pittsburgh program has been made possible thanks to a generous $100,000 gift from Team Foster, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit organization founded by Nick Liermann in honor of his friend and comrade, U.S. Army Captain Erick Foster, who was killed in Iraq in 2007. This program holds particular significance as Foster was from the Pittsburgh area and graduated from Duquesne University. Team Foster’s involvement underscores the deeply personal nature of this initiative, aligning with its mission to support Veterans by helping to place them with highly trained, accredited service dogs.
“I cannot think of a more appropriate partner or location for Team Foster to support accredited service dog training space,” said Nick Liermann, founder and executive director, Team Foster. “Captain Foster would be proud of the support from his alma mater at Duquesne and the Pittsburgh community to help our Veteran teammates.”
The program officially launched in September and is hosted on Duquesne University’s campus in Pittsburgh. A WCC service dog training instructor, along with four service dogs in training, are already working with Veterans in the program. The program is also seeking Puppy Raisers—dedicated volunteers who help raise and train the service dogs during the first two years of their lives.
Veterans interested in learning more about the program or how to get involved are encouraged to visit www.warriorcanineconnection.org.
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Media Contact:
Beth Bourgeois
Warrior Canine Connection
719-216-3206
beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.org
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 Team Foster
Team Foster is a nonprofit organization founded in honor of Army Captain Erick Foster, a Pittsburgh native, after he was killed in action in Iraq. Team Foster raises money to provide accredited, life-saving service dogs to injured and disabled Veterans. Through funding, advocacy and education, Team Foster honors Captain Foster’s legacy of pushing himself and always looking out for his teammates.
Duquesne University
Founded in 1878, Duquesne is consistently ranked among the nation’s top Catholic universities for its award-winning faculty and horizon-expanding education. A campus of nearly 8,200 graduate and undergraduate students, Duquesne prepares students by having them work alongside faculty to discover and reach their goals. The University’s academic programs, community service and commitment to equity and opportunity in the Pittsburgh region have earned national acclaim.
It’s time for bigger goals.
www.duq.edu
Dogs Helping Veterans, the Warrior Canine Connection
Listen in to The Dog Dad podcast, as host Joel David sits down with Sarah Delcore from Warrior Canine Connection to dive into their transformative work connecting service dogs with veterans. Sarah shares insights into the organization’s unique mission, including how they train these exceptional dogs and the healing impact they have on veterans’ lives. We also discuss ways you can get involved, from becoming a puppy foster to supporting programs that even extend into the prison system, where inmates help train future service dogs. Tune in to learn how you can be part of this inspiring journey, supporting both veterans and our loyal canine friends.
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Warriors train service dogs for veterans — and sometimes heal themselves
Dave Snedeker, 52, of Harrisburg, was struggling with feelings of isolation and post-traumatic stress disorder. He had served 24 years in the Army and Army National Guard, including a one-year tour in Afghanistan.
Hospitalized for a second time, he finally was ready to ask for help during his stay at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. Read the full story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Healing from within: A Veteran’s journey to helping others
“I realized I’ve spent my entire career helping others, so it was time to take my own advice and ask for help,” says Anna. “The key is to take the tiniest of steps—put on your clothes and show up.”
A U.S. Army Reserve Veteran, Anna’s life has been shaped by her experiences in service and her share of challenges. Anna moved to the U.S. from Ukraine in 2001. She was 12 at the time and didn’t know a word of English, but when 9/11 happened, she says she understood what was taking place and felt a deep calling to give back.
“Seeing others join the military inspired me to contribute to the country that embraced me,” shared Anna. “In 2009, I joined the military because I wanted to contribute to the nation that welcomed me and offered opportunities I would never have had in the Ukraine.”
Anna enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in 2009, where she gained experience as a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Technician at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and served as a Behavioral Specialist and later as a Behavioral Health Supervisor in Combat Operational Stress Control Units. In 2015, she switched over to the Army National Guard, and during that time, she completed occupational therapy fieldwork at Towson University and worked as an Office Assistant at the Veteran Mental Health Center.
It was in 2021, during her second deployment, that she began losing feeling in her limbs and became paralyzed. She received an unexpected diagnosis—multiple sclerosis—which led to her medical retirement in 2022.
“I’ve always loved psychology and the way we deal with life circumstances,” said Anna. “I truly believe everything happens for a reason,” Anna shares. “I’ve been through my own health issues, lost my fiancé and reached a very low point. I didn’t want to live anymore, but my friends came and got me. That’s when I reached out to Wounded Warrior Project.”
One of her very first WWP events was a training program offered through its partner organization, Warrior Canine Connection (WCC), to learn how to help train a service dog. Anna attended and was hooked. She also enlisted WWP’s help with resume writing and networking, and before long, saw a job opening within the organization—Anna says she knew it was where she was supposed to be.
Today, as an outreach specialist with WWP, Anna continues to make an impact. She connects Veterans with the resources they need, drawing from her own experiences and struggles, to guide others on their paths to healing, which regularly includes WWC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery training program, where Veterans learn to help train service dogs for their fellow Warriors. From the base of Everest to the halls of WWP, Anna’s journey is a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is always a path to healing—one small step at a time.
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Ravens and Tito’s Are Back for a Paw-some 2024 Season!
That’s right, football fans and dog lovers, get ready to cheer extra hard because every time the Ravens complete a pass, you’re helping provide life-changing service dogs to Veterans. This partnership showcases the *ultimate* teamwork—both on the field and in the lives of those who have served our country.
So, grab your purple gear, rally the pack and root for every reception. Every catch brings us one step closer to our fundraising goal, ensuring that Warrior Canine Connection can continue its mission of providing service dogs to those who’ve served our great country.
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WCC Celebrates 2024 Graduates; Dedicates Renovated Barn
Photo credit: Akash Raghu
On Saturday, September 21, Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) marked its 13th annual graduation with an inspiring virtual celebration. The ceremony honored Veterans and their newly partnered assistance dogs, highlighting the incredible transformations these partnerships create. Admiral James Hancock, a retired Navy medical leader, delivered a powerful keynote address. Attendees were also treated to moving videos showcasing each Veteran’s journey and the unbreakable bond they now share with their life-changing, four-legged companions.
After the virtual graduation, over 600 guests — including past and current graduates, family members, puppy parents, and WCC supporters — gathered at the Healing Quarters in Boyds, Md. for an afternoon of fun. It was a perfect day to enjoy the sunshine, delicious Mission BBQ, live music by Lulu’s World Rock Band, and great conversations with fellow Veterans and supporters.
As if that wasn’t enough excitement, WCC also officially dedicated its newly renovated historic dairy barn — The WCC Angel Training Center — named for the beloved family dog of Dan and Gayle D’Aniello, whose leadership and generosity, among many others, helped make the project possible. Angel brought years of joy and love to their family, and we’re excited to see this state-of-the-art facility help us support even more Veterans. (Check out highlights from the celebration and dedication here.)
The newly dedicated Angel Training Center has deep historical significance. Originally constructed in 1938, the barn was designed by the University of Maryland as a dairy facility with the mission of providing milk to troops stationed in the National Capitol Region during World War II. Rather than demolishing the structure, WCC felt strongly about preserving this important piece of history. Now, almost 100 years later, the barn has been thoughtfully renovated and repurposed to continue serving Veterans — this time as a state-of-the-art training facility for service dogs, helping to support Veterans in a new but equally impactful way.
The newly transformed Angel Training Center has received some major upgrades for both the staff and the service dogs. For the staff, there are now dedicated workstations, meeting spaces, restrooms, and even a food prep area to make daily operations more efficient. For the dogs, the facility includes a large, modern training space, kennels, grooming areas, and a laundry nook — everything needed to ensure the pups are well taken care of and properly trained to support Veterans.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the many generous individuals and organizations whose contributions made the Angel Training Center a reality. Special thanks go to Dan and Gayle D’Aniello, the State of Maryland, Julie Walters, a private family foundation, Davis Construction, Montgomery County, Associated General Contractors of America and John and Marcia Shooshan for their leadership and support, as well as the hundreds of individuals who contributed to this incredible project. Your generosity has helped create a lasting impact for our Veterans and service dogs!
All in all, WCC’s 2024 graduation was a truly awesome reminder of the vital role service dogs play in transforming the lives of Veterans. It was a day filled with wagging tails, heartfelt thanks and the comforting knowledge that these new teams will face the future together — side by side, and leash in hand.
If you missed the virtual graduation ceremony or you’d like to watch it again, you can view it online here.
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New Faces at WCC: Sarah Peltzer
During her time at UMD, Sarah worked at the Maryland State Fair Birthing Center, where she educated the public on animal reproduction and birthing processes. Her hands-on experience there, which included assisting in the delivery of piglets, calves and chicks, solidified her interest in reproductive science. When the opportunity arose to join WCC, Sarah knew it was the perfect fit.
“I’ve been loving it—the team is great,” said Sarah. “Being part of getting these dogs into life and seeing how they progress is incredibly rewarding. I can’t wait to see how far they come and how they go on to serve others.”
Sarah has already been hands-on in welcoming new litters, having been involved in the birth of two litters since she started.
Outside of work, Sarah enjoys reading, listening to music, and spending time with her long-time feline companion, Tonks. We’re excited to have Sarah on board and look forward to all the wonderful contributions she’ll make to our team!
Letter: Clifford brought veterans comfort and calm
Friday, Aug. 23, would have been Clifford’s seventh birthday. If you were lucky enough to know Clifford, you’d know he was much more than just a dog. He was a Warrior Canine Connection facility dog, trained to bring comfort and calm in the midst of some of life’s hardest battles. Read the full story in Mountain Xpress.
Warrior Canine Connection and Duquesne University join forces to empower Veterans through service dog training, with support from Team Foster
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) is proud to announce the launch of a new program in partnership with Duquesne University, a distinguished institution with deep roots in military tradition and service. Funded by the generous support of Team Foster, this new initiative will utilize WCC’s innovative Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training model to benefit Veterans, the university and the broader Pittsburgh community.
WCC’s MBTR model is centered on the time-honored military tradition of Warriors helping Warriors. In this program, Veterans learn to train service dogs for their fellow Warriors, while fostering their own skills in communication, confidence building, emotional regulation and patience. The program’s focus on peer support and personal growth makes it a natural fit for Duquesne University—a Veteran-centric institution led by President Ken Gormley—that has a profound history of supporting Veterans and an ROTC program dating back to 1917.
“Thanks to the unwavering support of Chris Boissonnault, director of Duquesne’s Office of Military and Veteran Students, who has been a true champion in bringing this program to life, Veterans will now have the powerful opportunity to heal and support one another by learning to train service dogs for their fellow Warriors,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, WCC. “This hands-on experience not only aids in the recovery of our Veterans but also deepens Duquesne University’s long-standing commitment to its military history by directly serving its Veteran students and the surrounding community. We’re also profoundly grateful to Team Foster for their continued dedication, which allows us to extend our reach and support even more Veterans in need.”
“It’s an honor to host the Warrior Canine Connection service dogs in training on campus, especially in support of Duquesne alum Erick Foster and Team Foster,” said Boissonnault. “Veterans are a special part of the Duquesne community and history; we look forward to having these amazing pups and their trainers on campus for their important work.”
This new WCC Pittsburgh program has been made possible thanks to a generous $100,000 gift from Team Foster, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit organization founded by Nick Liermann in honor of his friend and comrade, U.S. Army Captain Erick Foster, who was killed in Iraq in 2007. This program holds particular significance as Foster was from the Pittsburgh area and graduated from Duquesne University. Team Foster’s involvement underscores the deeply personal nature of this initiative, aligning with its mission to support Veterans by helping to place them with highly trained, accredited service dogs.
“I cannot think of a more appropriate partner or location for Team Foster to support accredited service dog training space,” said Nick Liermann, founder and executive director, Team Foster. “Captain Foster would be proud of the support from his alma mater at Duquesne and the Pittsburgh community to help our Veteran teammates.”
The program officially launched in September and is hosted on Duquesne University’s campus in Pittsburgh. A WCC service dog training instructor, along with four service dogs in training, are already working with Veterans in the program. The program is also seeking Puppy Raisers—dedicated volunteers who help raise and train the service dogs during the first two years of their lives.
Veterans interested in learning more about the program or how to get involved are encouraged to visit www.warriorcanineconnection.org.
###
Media Contact:
Beth Bourgeois
Warrior Canine Connection
719-216-3206
beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.org
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 Team Foster
Team Foster is a nonprofit organization founded in honor of Army Captain Erick Foster, a Pittsburgh native, after he was killed in action in Iraq. Team Foster raises money to provide accredited, life-saving service dogs to injured and disabled Veterans. Through funding, advocacy and education, Team Foster honors Captain Foster’s legacy of pushing himself and always looking out for his teammates.
Duquesne University
Founded in 1878, Duquesne is consistently ranked among the nation’s top Catholic universities for its award-winning faculty and horizon-expanding education. A campus of nearly 8,200 graduate and undergraduate students, Duquesne prepares students by having them work alongside faculty to discover and reach their goals. The University’s academic programs, community service and commitment to equity and opportunity in the Pittsburgh region have earned national acclaim.
It’s time for bigger goals.
www.duq.edu
Building bonds at Warrior Canine Connection
The Asheville chapter of this nonprofit organization introduces local veterans to highly trained canine companions — and they need volunteers to raise the puppies.
City Editor Molly here. I had only been sitting in the Asheville office of Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) for a few minutes when one of the organization’s service dogs trotted in. He was clearly thrilled to see people, bounding between us and sticking his nose in my bag to investigate.
Program Director Amy Guidash told me that this was a standard greeting from Pluto. Read the full story in AVL Today.
Carolina Moment: Warrior Canine Connection a valuable resource for recovering veterans
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Warrior Canine Connection is a nonprofit organization that enlists recovering veterans, called “Warriors,” in a therapeutic mission of learning to train service dogs for their fellow veterans. Click here to check out the full story from WLOS 13 News.