BOYDS, Maryland – Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) is expanding its impact thanks to a major, multi-year grant from Mae Philanthropies. Committed to sparking sustainable change, funds from Mae Philanthropies will be used to enhance WCC’s PAWS and MBTR programing, bringing more animal-assisted therapy to Veterans and increasing the number of highly trained service dogs placed with those who need them most. Together, Mae Philanthropies and WCC are ensuring more Veterans experience the life-changing support of a service dog.

“This incredible support from Mae Philanthropies means more Veterans will experience the impact of a service dog,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director of Warrior Canine Connection. “Their generosity helps us grow our PAWS programming at VA hospitals, train more service dogs and connect more Veterans with the healing power of these remarkable animals.”

This generous grant from Mae Philanthropies will help WCC expand its impact in several ways:

• Enhance PAWS Act Pilot Programs – Funds will be used to support WCC’s work at two PAWS Act pilot sites in North Carolina and California, ensuring more Veterans with PTSD receive the benefits of service dog training. Signed into law in 2021, the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act calls for the VA to integrate the training of service dogs as part of its PTSD treatment program at VA hospitals.
• Expand WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) Program – The grant will support WCC’s MBTR training program at all WCC locations, where Veterans train service dogs for fellow service members while developing skills in communication, confidence and emotional regulation.
• Cover Service Dog Placement Costs – The grant will also help place more highly trained service dogs with Veterans who need them.
• Increase Service Dog Availability – Through this partnership, Mae Philanthropies and WCC will collaborate to explore how to best grow the number of skilled service dogs available to Veteran clients.

Mae Philanthropies’ investment in WCC underscores a shared commitment to supporting Veterans through evidence-based therapeutic programs and service dog placement. By addressing both immediate needs and long-term sustainability, this partnership will create lasting change in the lives of those who have served.

For more information about Warrior Canine Connection and its programs, visit www.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.

About Mae Philanthropies
Mae Philanthropies is dedicated to addressing critical societal challenges by partnering with organizations to provide resources, expertise, and support that drive impactful and measurable change. Guided by its mission to foster collaboration and continuous learning, Mae Philanthropies envisions a world where enduring solutions are created through collective efforts. For more information, visit www.maephilanthropies.org.