FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 2020

Boyds, Md. – Warrior Canine Connection has received a $30,000 grant from the Mead Family Foundation in support of its Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) service dog training program for Service Members and Veterans with visible and invisible wounds.

“Especially in this difficult time, we are so grateful to have the partnership of outstanding foundations, like the Mead Family Foundation,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection “Veterans with pre-existing mental health conditions are particularly vulnerable given our current global situation since the economic impact and the need for social distancing can increase feelings of loneliness. Public health experts anticipate a surge in demand for mental health care services due to the pandemic, underscoring how critical it is for WCC’s mission with wounded Veterans to continue.”

WCC’s MBTR programming is unique from other service dog organizations in that the organization enlists Service Members and Veterans who are in recovery to help train the dogs for their fellow Warriors. Anchored in performing a military support mission, the participants in WCC’s MBTR program concurrently benefit from the program while serving others. Program participants receive therapeutic benefits from skills development in communication, confidence building, accountability, emotional regulation and patience to promote an act of service.

Beginning in March, WCC quickly moved all of its MBTR programming to virtual formats such as training videos and online instructional tools to help Veterans stay engaged and facilitate their continued rehabilitation. In-person programming will resume at most WCC program locations in July, in accordance with state and local guidelines.

For more information, please contact Beth Bourgeois, Warrior Canine Connection, at beth.bourgeois@warriorcanineconnection.org or 719-216-3206.

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.