Warrior Stories
Why Dogs Work: The Science of the Warrior Canine Connection
By Meg Daley Olmert Despite the tens of billions of dollars being spent on Veteran health care, many Veterans continue to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). In a 2011 editorial in the Journal of the America Medical Association, military medical researcher, Charles Hoge M.D., summed up the efficacy of […]
Dogs Making a Difference: Ryan & Luke
Ryan Garrison is many things to many people. He’s a husband to beloved wife, Julie. A father of two. Retired U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant E5. And most recently, a college graduate; this spring, Ryan completed his degree in organizational leadership from Wright State University. And soon, he will be the president of a nonprofit […]
Sugar-Coated Angel Making Life So Much Sweeter
Army Veteran Sandy Wilson and husband Nick have lived in their current neighborhood for 25 years. It wasn’t until last year that Sandy got to know her neighbors. That’s when she was paired with her service dog Barb, and they began walking together every morning. During one walk, a neighbor nicknamed Barb “Sugar-Coated Angel,” and […]
Sam and Rachael: Together Every Step of the Way
Retired Army Chemical Technician Samuel Smith can’t imagine his life without service dog Rachael, a four-year-old Golden Retriever. “She makes me more outgoing, more willing to talk to people,” says Sam. “I used to be a real introvert and didn’t want to be around people — was lost in my own head. Because she’s so […]
Seth & Murphy: Constant Companions
“Even on a bad day, it’s hard not to look at Murphy and smile.” Seth says it’s hard to fully explain the difference WCC Military Family Support Dog Murphy has made in his life. “I look at Murphy and (except when he gets into the cat’s food) generally just experience a feeling of happiness,” says […]
Dynamic Duo: Wesley & Levi
If you follow many of the WCC service dog teams on Facebook, you may be familiar with the handsome and talented Levi — a Golden Retriever from Holly’s Half Dozen litter. He can be seen in videos saying his prayers, playing dead and even snuggling with his best pal and family pet, Abby the hamster. […]
