Suzanne Brown Archives - Warrior Canine Connection

This year, Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) had one of its own participate in the Department of Defense’s annual “Warrior Games,” an athletic competition for Service Members and Veterans with visible and invisible wounds that is televised on ESPN. CAPT (Ret.) Suzanne Brown, who served in the United States Coast Guard for over 25 years and is now a Service Dog Training Instructor for WCC, had the opportunity to travel to Orlando for two weeks in August to compete. Suzanne was accompanied by her service dog, WCC’s Holli Ann, and came home with 10 medals and some wonderful stories to share.

“The overall experience was pretty amazing. It was amazing being around all the other wounded Warriors and seeing each other overcoming challenges whether they are physical or emotional,” said Suzanne. “I definitely made some new friends and even people who we were competing against, you become friends. Everyone is supporting each other. You want to win but it’s about supporting each other.”

While Suzanne participated in cycling, rowing, track, and swimming, she had a clear favorite.

“Swimming was my favorite by far. That’s my happy place. I’m very comfortable in the pool. It’s so great to be able to get back to swimming.” Suzanne credits Holli Ann for helping her feel comfortable in a pool again after her service. “It had been a number of years. Some of the struggles were just getting to a pool and being comfortable in that loud and crowded environment again. Holli Ann helped me because I had to focus on her instead of focusing on my fears. I had to focus on getting her used to the environment,” said Suzanne.

When Suzanne took Holli Ann with her to cheer on teammates in the rowing competition, it was Holli Ann who grabbed ESPN’s attention. “We were going to go cheer everyone else on. I had Holli Ann by my side and we went and stood right in the middle of the cheering section with all the people I knew in front of the rowers. Holli Ann was on ESPN because while we were cheering Holli Ann was licking everyone’s faces.”

Despite Holli Ann’s attempt to steal the spotlight, Suzanne was the star of the show, winning 10 total medals including three gold medals in swimming (50-meter freestyle, 100-meter freestyle and 50-meter backstroke) and four silver medals in track (200-meter sprint, 400-meter sprint, 800-meter race and 1500-meter race). Suzanne was also named the winner of the “Heart of the Team” Award.

Another aspect of the Warrior Games that Suzanne enjoyed was getting to know the other athletes. “I enjoyed the opportunities to hang out with the athletes in smaller groups.” It was a positive experience for Suzanne to interact with other Warriors who might have had similar or shared experiences. “It’s people that kind of get it. We are all there for our own reasons. Maybe different reasons but similar. That was probably the best experience.”

Holli Ann was able to enjoy the social scene, too, as she got to enjoy daily “puppacinos” from the coffee stand. “Holli Ann for sure ate better than I did. She got her treats and her pup cup every single day.”

The Warrior Games were an experience that Suzanne says she couldn’t have done without having Holli Ann by her side. “I don’t think I could have done it without her. I joked with someone that it is almost like you have this little safety bubble around you. It made me comfortable being around these new people. It was two weeks and some of the things we went to I would have never done by myself. Holli Ann was a trooper.”

Would Suzanne consider participating in future Warrior Games? “Only if I have Holli Ann with me.”

Warrior Canine Connection’s pack has grown! We are excited to introduce you to two new members of our team.

Michele Tate
Michele joined WCC in mid-November 2021 as a service dog training instructor at WCC’s program in Asheville, North Carolina. She has vast experience working with a wide variety of breeds and temperaments, as well as service and rescue organizations. In her role, she will oversee the puppy program and work closely with WCC’s highly valued puppy parents.

Michele graduated from the University of North Dakota with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She then received her training at Starmark Dog Training Academy, where she specialized in task training and behavior modification.

Prior to coming to WCC, Michele spent four years working with service dogs and Veterans, so this is not new territory to her. She says the military population is one she’s always been interested in supporting, as she has a partner who is a Veteran and family members who are Veterans and active-duty Service Members.

“It’s been amazing to see how quickly WCC’s purpose-bred dogs pick up on skills, how calm and easy going they are,” said Michele. “Of course, they have well-rounded lives with puppy parents, exposure to people, sounds, and other stimuli from the time they’re only a few weeks old and then formalized training … but it’s been magical to watch that come together.”

Michele has two dogs, Brin and Red, and when not at WCC, she enjoys swimming, riding her bike, cooking, and reading.

Suzanne Brown
In late November, we also welcomed Suzanne Brown as a service dog training instructor who will work in a part-time capacity at our Healing Quarters in Boyds, Maryland. Suzanne graduated from the Coast Guard Academy with a bachelor’s in Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering, and she earned advanced engineering degrees at the University of Michigan. She served over 25 years active duty in the U.S. Coast Guard before retiring as a Captain in 2020.

Suzanne has volunteered at WCC for the past few years and served in almost every volunteer role from whelping/puppy watcher to puppy parent and she helped coordinate WCC’s Inaugural Ruff Mutter event.

She has extensive experience with the MBTR program, where she discovered her passion for training service dogs, both as a participant and running WCC’s Extended Veteran Program for fellow Veterans who complete the MBTR program and want to continue training service dogs for fellow Veterans.

“I came to know WCC at a really rough time in my life and they really helped me through that,” says Suzanne. “I have seen firsthand the impact that working with the dogs has as well as the difference a service dog can make on a Veteran’s life. WCC’s programs, both the placement of service dogs and utilizing military members and Veterans to help train the service dogs in training, have not only helped me but so many military members and Veterans in their recovery process. Those invisible wounds are real and it’s hard to explain but the dogs have such a tremendously positive impact. I came in at the right time, and now I want to actively help others through WCC’s mission.”

Outside of work, Suzanne enjoys spending time with Baxter, her 14-year-old pet Golden Retriever. Suzanne also used to compete in triathlons and says she is focusing on becoming more active. Suzanne is also a volunteer coach for adaptive/para-swimming and triathlons.

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