Tag Archive for: 2022 WCC Graduation

Wounded Warrior Project Honored with 2022 Wag of the Tail Award from Warrior Canine Connection

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Award Presentation Made During WCC’s 2022 Graduation

BOYDS, Maryland – Warrior Canine Connection (WCC), a nonprofit that breeds, trains, and places highly-skilled service dogs with Service Members and Veterans with physical and psychological wounds, announced Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) as a Wag of the Tail Award recipient during its 2022 graduation ceremony. All Wag of the Tail Award honorees exemplify and share WCC’s No-Fail Mission and commitment to supporting our nation’s Veterans.

Wounded Warrior Project has supported WCC’s mission since 2020, helping to propel its unique animal-assisted therapy program to new sites across the country. Thanks to WWP’s support, in 2021, WCC was able to provide 526 wounded Veterans with 4,000 hours of programming.

“Being a Veteran-focused organization, we couldn’t ask for a better partner than Wounded Warrior Project as Veterans are at the core of both our missions, and their success is aligned with our own,” said Rick Yount, founder, and executive director, of Warrior Canine Connection. “Wounded Warrior Project’s partnership, investment in our organization, and ability to provide critically important support to our nation’s Warriors has been nothing short of amazing. I look forward to our continued partnership and working together to impact more Veterans’ lives through the therapeutic power of four legs and a wet nose.”

WWP began in 2003 and has since served the growing needs of wounded, injured, and ill post-9/11 veterans, their families, and caregivers through free programs and services. The organization provides free services in mental health, physical health, career counseling, long-term rehabilitative care, and advocacy. WWP’s continued support of WCC and other nonprofit partners has made a significant difference in expanding and transforming the life-changing resources and programs available to America’s wounded Veterans.

Two additional 2022 Wag of the Tail Awards were presented during the commencement ceremony; John Shooshan, the founder of The Shooshan Company, which specializes in property management, development, acquisition, and engineering services, was also acknowledged for his support of the Veteran community. Mission BBQ and its founders, Rosemarie and Bill Kraus, were also honored for their generous support of WCC, not only by providing delicious meals but also through their volunteerism to the organization and leadership support.

 

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Media contact:
Beth Bourgeois
Warrior Canine Connection
beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.org
719-216-3206

 

 

 

Largest Class of Veterans and Service Dogs Set to Graduate as part of Warrior Canine Connection’s Class of 2022

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Ceremony Highlighted during National Service Dog Month Observance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2022

BOYDS, Maryland – Saturday, September 24th promises a paw-sitively exciting event, as Veterans and their newly paired service dogs will graduate as part of Warrior Canine Connection’s class of 2022—its largest class to date. While the commencement ceremony will take place virtually at 11 am on WCC’s Facebook page, the nonprofit will host an in-person celebration at its Healing Quarters in Boyds, Md. immediately following the online event.

The virtual ceremony will be marked by powerful Veteran journey video vignettes, namesake stories, and keynote remarks from Governor Larry Hogan, who has a strong record of providing support for Veterans resources and benefits.

Members of this year’s graduating class, including Veteran Service Dog Teams, will attend the celebration, as well as those from previous graduations. In addition, puppy parents, who have helped train the dogs, as well as several namesake families who have a personal connection to dogs named after them or a loved one, will also be in attendance.

Graduating service dogs will have completed WCC’s intensive, Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training conducted by Warriors in recovery who learn to train mobility service dogs for fellow Warriors as a means of addressing their own symptoms of combat stress.

Media is invited to attend this event. The graduation celebration promises plenty of great b-roll opportunities, as well as interviews with Veterans and their new service dogs, past graduates and WCC staff.

Media interested in attending are asked to RSVP to Beth Bourgeois, WCC, at 719-216-3206 or beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.org .

 

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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. For more information, visit www.warriorcanineconnection.org.