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.
Rick Yount has been involved in animal-assisted therapy for the past 22 years. He combined his social work knowledge and service dog training background to develop a novel intervention to help servicemembers who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Learn more in this week’s episode of The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast here.
Funding to Support WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery Training Program
BOYDS, Maryland – Veterans Help Group (VHG) has generously donated $10,000 for a second consecutive year to Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) to help support placement of skilled service dogs with wounded Veterans, and the organization’s unique Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program. The MBTR program enlists Service Members and Veterans to help train service dogs for fellow Warriors as part of their own treatment for invisible wounds of war.
“Warrior Canine Connection deeply appreciates the continued support from Veterans Help Group,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “Their unwavering dedication, care and resources are truly making a difference in the lives of Veterans and their families, and we are immensely thankful not only for their support but to have such an amazing partner in them.”
WCC’s MBTR program teaches Veterans how to work with service dogs in training, which fulfills a time-honored military tradition of Warriors helping Warriors. In doing so, the Veteran can also benefit from skills development in communication, confidence building, accountability, emotional regulation and patience to promote an act of service while receiving a therapeutic benefit.
Matt Sauerwald, President of Veterans Help Group, stated: “We think Warrior Canine Connection is one of the best veterans’ nonprofits in the country and are privileged to be able to support them again. We also look forward to helping educate their veterans about Social Security and VA disability benefits in a forthcoming newsletter.”
Veterans Help Group was founded more than 15 years ago to advocate for disabled Veterans in securing their disability benefits.
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.
About Veterans Help Group
Veterans Help Group is committed to improving the quality of life for Veterans and their families by aggressively advocating for the favorable and timely resolution of their disability claims. The group is able to serve Veterans in all 50 States. For more information, visit www.veteranshelpgroup.com.
War takes a physical, emotional, and mental toll on someone that only combat veterans understand. In fact, when many veterans return home, they have trouble adjusting to the life they used to know. That is where Warrior Canine Connection comes in. Watch the full story on RFD TV here.
Dear Friends,
There’s an adage that says, “One of the greatest gifts you can give is your time,” and I couldn’t agree more. Being that April marks Volunteer Appreciation Month, I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to all of you who have given so generously of your time and talents to help WCC fulfill its mission. We simply couldn’t do what we do without your support — you are extraordinary!
In fact, I’d like to show you the impact that all our volunteers have on our organization. This infographic showcases a few key stats from 2018.
As you can see, volunteers spent more than 50,000 hours (more than 50,000!) volunteering on behalf of WCC last year. That’s nothing short of amazing! Approximately 40,000 of those hours are spent by our Puppy Parents – helping to train future service dogs. What isn’t taken into account are the almost two years they spend helping to raise our amazing pups — caring for, feeding, transporting and nurturing these wonderful future service dogs in training.
All these numbers are impressive and impactful but what you can’t quantify are the life-changing relationships that have been built through our volunteer network, the friendships, caring and compassion and true “connections” that enable us to do our jobs and provide the much-needed support to our Veterans in need. That’s a true intangible, and it wouldn’t be possible without all of you.
Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your unwavering support and dedication to WCC and our nation’s Veterans.
Sincerely,
Rick Yount
March 6, 2019 – More than 200 survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI), their family members and caregivers, and service providers are gathered in Daniels, West Virginia for the 3rd Annual West Virginia Conference on TBI. Among the speakers on the agenda is Warrior Canine Connection Founder and Executive Director Rick Yount, who was invited back to speak for the second year in a row.
“I am so delighted to have the opportunity to be here in West Virginia and speak at this conference again,” said Yount. “The amount of practical knowledge, expertise on TBI and resources available to survivors and their family members is really impressive and underscores the availability of options, treatment and, most importantly, hope for the recovery for our Veterans with TBI.”
Themed “From Surviving to Thriving: Growth After a TBI,” topics being covered during the three-day conference center on improving communication, sexual health following a TBI, rehabilitation efforts, self-advocacy, behavioral health and substance abuse, among many other topics.
Of course, Rick’s talk centered on the use of its Mission Based Trauma Recovery training model, whereby Warriors in recovery are enlisted to train service dogs for their fellow Veterans. The training process and subsequent placement of highly trained service dogs can both serve as valuable tools in the TBI recovery process.
The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Program at the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities is proud to serve as the state’s designated lead agency for the coordination of services for West Virginians with TBI. The TBI Program is a collaboration between the state funded Traumatic Brain Injury Services and the federally funded Traumatic Brain Injury Implementation Partnership Grant. TBI is defined as a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the brain’s function. In West Virginia, anoxia due to near drowning is also considered a traumatic brain injury. To date, no other forms of anoxia are considered traumatic in nature in West Virginia.
Learn more about the TBI Program at the WVC Center for Excellence in Disabilities here.
December 17, 2018 – What does “A Day in the Life” look like for Rick Yount, WCC founder and executive director? Find out in this article in The Native Influence.
Warrior Canine Connection
is a 501(c)(3)
Nonprofit Organization
# 45-2981579