Philadelphia Phillies spokesperson Michele DeVicaris introduces Tugger, a 10-week-old service dog-in-training, a new addition to the team’s off-field roster. Watch the full story on Good Morning America here.
On a recent episode of Coffee with Ken Biberaj, host Ken visits Warrior Canine Connection in Boyds, Maryland to sit down with founder Rick Yount and explore how this pioneering nonprofit is transforming the way we support veterans. Through an innovative model, Warrior Canine Connection enlists service members to help train future service dogs—giving them purpose, connection, and a path to healing from PTSD and combat-related trauma. Watch the full interview on Coffee with Ken Biberaj here.
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:
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.
“I grew up with a lot of helicopters overhead, and I always wanted to fly or have something to do with aviation,” said Kayla Foliente. “When I’m up there, I just feel free—my physical limitations don’t matter as much.”
Kayla, 21, has always wanted to become a pilot. She is an active member of Civil Air Patrol – the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, and works with radios along with being a UAS technician, meaning she helps assist with search and rescue missions using drones. She joined Civil Air Patrol with hopes of eventually flying but was grounded due to a physical disability that impacts her mobility.
Kayla has been a regular fixture at Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) since she was 12. You may recognize her last name—her dad, Rod, had beloved WCC service dog Cadence, who passed away in 2022. This year, Rod graduated with his second WCC service dog, Hixon. Kayla has attended several graduations, programs, and events at WCC, getting to know WCC’s staff all along the way.
“They [Cadence and Hixon] completely changed our lives, and they kept our family together,” said Kayla. “Cadence saved my dad’s life, and I will always be grateful. And Hixon has done a great job carrying on her legacy.”
During a recent visit to WCC, Kayla mentioned her love of planes to Kim Vaughan, WCC’s director of facilities, who lives in an air park. And it wasn’t long after a plan was set into motion.
“Knowing how passionate Kayla is about flying, I asked some neighbors who own a Cessna if they would be willing to take her up, and I think they were just as excited about it as Kayla was,” said Kim Vaughn, WCC director of facilities. “Linda and Randy Burdette, both who are Army Veterans, graciously flew not only Kayla, but also her dad Rod and Kayla’s mom, Christina, for an afternoon cruise. It was a great day.”
Kayla added, “It was incredible … Randy let me help fly and help land, and it just felt so natural, I just loved it. Basically, anything aviation, I want in on it … my head is always in the clouds.”
As a thank you to Linda and Randy, Kayla, who is also a talented artist, drew a photo of their plane for them.
Shortly thereafter, Kayla was invited to the Flying Circus Aerodrome and Air Show in Bealeton, Va. While there, pilot Chuck Tippett flew her in his Waco, and another pilot flew Kayla in his Grasshopper.
As a thank you, Kayla broke out her brushes and painted a remarkable picture for Chuck of his Waco.
“It was just incredible, I am so thankful for these amazing opportunities,” said Kayla.
Asked about any turbulence on the flights, Kayla replied, “The more bumps, the better!”
Special thanks to Linda and Randy Burdette, Chuck Tippett, WCC’s Kim Vaughan and all the folks at the Flying Circus, and everyone else who made these special flights possible!
Service Dog Training Program Helps Wounded Veterans Avoid Incarceration
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Warrior Canine Connection is offering a new program to support the Veterans Treatment Court in Asheville, North Carolina. Working with the Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court, the WCC program utilizes service dog training as a community service option for Veterans involved with the criminal justice system.
“We are honored to be able to provide service dog training as a community service option in participation with the Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “Several Veteran participants have shared that they feel good about their volunteerism — helping to train the dogs but what they didn’t realize going in was just how much the training of the dogs would end up helping them. That’s a powerful testimonial to the impact these service dogs in training are having on our nation’s Veterans, and we’re thrilled to be providing this service in Asheville.”
The Asheville-based program marks the sixth WCC program working with Veteran Treatment Court programs, including four sites (Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Francisco and San Mateo Counties) in California and in Baltimore. The VTC program utilizes WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) model in which Veterans work to overcome the stress of combat by training service dogs for their fellow Veterans.
One Asheville participant shared the following thoughts on his participation in the VTC program:
“I love working with Clifford. As a combat-wounded Veteran, I have struggled physically (32 surgeries) and emotionally; to make human connections and to find my tribe after the Marines has been difficult. I think this is because I just don’t feel safe in my own skin, let alone around others. Working with Clifford, I feel normal. I feel like a person again. Who knew that working with these dogs would help me feel more like a human. Because of the work we are doing in WCC, I am able to speak to other people [now]. The best way to put it — Clifford keeps me calm. He is always happy to see me. And he responds to my moods. I am learning that I can control how I feel. And instead of being alone with my thoughts, I am often focusing on Clifford.”
Veterans involved in the courts are often required to complete a set number of community service hours. The dog training — offered through WCC — is one of the options on the docket. Training takes place on a weekly basis at the courthouse and Veterans can participate within the WCC program for the duration of their VTC commitment.
“I am so excited to have the VTC working with the Warrior Canine Connection,” said Honorable Judge Marvin Pope. “WCC (Amy and Clifford) has brought a new sense of joy into the courtroom that directly mirrors our non-punitive and supportive approach. I am seeing Veterans that are otherwise isolated and reserved (from unaddressed PTSD symptomatology) coming to life. Through this new modality, Veterans are learning critical skills of self-regulation, pro-social development and self-soothing. While we are training the service animal, it is actually a mutual process of growth and healing.”
The program teaches Veterans how to work with service dogs in training which helps not only to meet their legal community service obligations but also 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.
Starting in 2008, states and counties in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs created a system of Veterans Treatment Courts throughout the nation. To date, these VTCs have used treatment to help rehabilitate more than 10,000 Veterans with mental health and/or substance dependence and legal issues. Despite these efforts, tens of thousands of Veterans continue to need similar assistance.
For some Veterans, symptoms of post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury can contribute to their misconduct, such as increased risk-taking, self-medication and other behavioral issues that result in their subsequent, and sometimes repeated, involvement in the criminal justice system.
The WCC VTC Program was developed and implemented thanks in part to a 2017 grant provided by the Bob Woodruff Foundation. The Foundation had provided a previous 2016 grant to WCC to oversee a feasibility plan to use service dogs as a community service option.
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, help in reintegrating back into their families and communities, and a potential career path as a service dog trainer. For more information, visit www.warriorcanineconnection.org.
About Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court
The mission of the Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) is to promote public safety through accountability and responsibility. The Veterans Treatment Court utilizes a non-adversarial, team approach to providing a host of mental health, addiction, trauma, behavioral, and psychosocial services and supports to veterans facing non-violent felony charges. We assist and support Veterans and their families as they move through a coordinated effort among the court and community-based Veteran services while improving their quality of life. Buncombe County is now on the cutting edge of recovery-based diversion court programs and serves as an example for criminal justice reform. Learn more by visiting www.buncombeveteranscourt.com. For more information, contact VTC Coordinator Kevin Rumley at (828) 259-6601.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 31, 2018
AURORA, Colorado – Today, Warrior Canine Connection announced that it is partnering with the Marcus Institute for Brain Health at the Anschutz Medical Campus to offer service dog training as part of its roster of MIBH’s interventions available to its patients.
This new Aurora-based location marks 10 program sites where WCC administers its Mission Based Trauma Recovery model, whereby Warriors recovering from post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries help train service dogs for their fellow Veterans.
“We are proud to partner with the Marcus Institute for Brain Health and thrilled to expand our programming to the Colorado Front Range area,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “MIBH is a premier service provider for our nation’s Veterans, and we consider it a privilege to offer service dog training as part of its extensive program offerings to help our Warriors heal and grow.”
The Marcus Institute for Brain Health (MIBH) provides specialty care for military Veterans and retired athletes struggling with mild to moderate traumatic brain injuries (including concussion) and co-morbid psychological health issues. MIBH offers comprehensive care for the physical, emotional and cognitive changes that can accompany trauma to the head. Emphasis is placed on detailed evaluation and treatment; each patient is treated as an individual with a personalized treatment plan.
“The Marcus Institute for Brain Health is delighted to have Warrior Canine Connection join us in partnership here on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus in caring for military Veterans with TBI and psychological health conditions,” said Dr. James Kelly, executive director, MIBH. “WCC’s Ann Spader and one-year-old Labrador Retriever “Joseph” have brought unique opportunities for health and wellness to our interdisciplinary treatment program. We are certain that involving our patients in service dog training adds a dimension of holistic well-being and social engagement that WCC has become renown for introducing to the care of those with the invisible wounds of war.”
Each service dog training session runs for a total of four weeks. “Joseph,” the resident service dog in training, will soon be accompanied by a second dog that will be added to the program in the coming weeks.
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, help in the reintegration back into their families and communities, and promote consideration of a potential career path as a service dog trainer. For more information, visit warriorcanineconnection.org.
About Marcus Institute for Brain Health
At the MIBH, our complete focus is to help you get better. People struggling with the persistent effects of mild to moderate brain injuries see changes in emotions, physical functioning, and thinking. These changes directly affect everyday life and impact how we see ourselves as well as relationships with family, friends, and co-workers. At the MIBH, we believe in wellness for you and for your loved ones. We encourage your family to participate in your care. Health and wellness extend to all parts of your life, and we believe that with the right tools we can help make this your reality.
For many years, people struggled alone with mild to moderate brain injuries. Concussions have been misunderstood as “just a bump on the head.” Today we know differently. There are clear changes in brain functioning after injury and for many people there are long-term changes. This is the reality for military Veterans who may also struggle with PTS, depression, and anxiety. Our retired athletes are faced with the possibility of sport-related brain changes. We know that treatment for TBIs and changes in psychological health requires a sophisticated healthcare team. The MIBH exists to fill this critical need for comprehensive, customized care.
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Warrior Canine Connection
is a 501(c)(3)
Nonprofit Organization
# 45-2981579