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Warrior Canine Connection enlists recovering Warriors in a therapeutic mission of learning to train service dogs for their fellow Veterans.
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Tag Archive for: WCC Healing Quarters

Raising the Woof: WCC’s Barn Renovation for Enhanced Veteran Support

January 25, 2024

The barn renovation at Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) is officially underway! It’s a big deal for all of us at WCC and a major milestone. Yep, we hit a few bumps along the way, thanks to the pandemic and some budget hurdles, but good things take time, right?

WCC felt strongly about renovating the 1938 barn on the property instead of demolishing it and rebuilding due to the rich history it had in serving Veterans. The barn was initially designed by the University of Maryland and built as a dairy barn to provide milk for the troops in the National Capitol Region. Nearly 100 years later—the barn will be poised to serve a different, but equally important role in supporting our Nation’s Veterans.

First things first: Phase one is a wrap! We had to do some serious structural TLC to keep the integrity of our beloved barn intact. That came with a price tag of more than $750k and included shoring up beams, installing new posts and installing a new well.

Now, it’s all about phase two — converting the barn into a space that’s not just pretty but practical, too. Currently underway, the floor is being torn up where the elevator will be installed, followed by masonry work inside the elevator shaft walls.

But that’s not all … the new barn will also feature a brand-new addition, which will be a 28’ x 115’ kennel area. That’s 14 new indoor kennels with all the creature comforts, from heating to air conditioning. Grooming area? Check. Canine care staff workstation? Double-check.

None of this would have been possible without countless generous donors and Davis Construction, which has helped with every phase of this project from planning to execution.

“I am over the moon about finally getting the construction started,” said WCC Director of Facilities Kim Vaughan, who is overseeing the project. “Davis Construction has been an incredible partner, supporting us through the ups and downs, offering ideas, and generously contributing by doing the job at their cost.”

When completed, the first floor of the barn will house office space for trainers, restrooms, large service dog training area, food prep area, laundry nook, and veterinary office. The upper floor will have administrative offices and meeting space. Despite snow on the ground, the old metal roof is currently being replaced with new plywood and roof paper, topped with a fresh, green sheet metal roof to make it cohesive with the rest of the property.

The project was able to move from the drawing board to construction thanks to hundreds of gifts from individuals and generous leadership gifts from Dan and Gayle D’Aniello, the State of Maryland, Julie Walters, a private family foundation, Montgomery County, Associated General Contractors of America, and John and Marcia Shooshan, among many others.

Timeline for completion? September 2024. This massive project is our way of stepping up to ensure WCC can provide the support Veterans deserve and meet the growing demand for its programs and services. And hey, if you want to be part of this epic transformation, check out how you can pitch in here.

To watch the progress in action, check out the WCC construction page here.

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https://warriorcanineconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_sm.svg 0 0 WCC Comms https://warriorcanineconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_sm.svg WCC Comms2024-01-25 23:19:362024-01-29 18:57:20Raising the Woof: WCC’s Barn Renovation for Enhanced Veteran Support

Largest Class of Veterans and Service Dogs Set to Graduate as part of Warrior Canine Connection’s Class of 2022

September 20, 2022

Ceremony Highlighted during National Service Dog Month Observance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2022

BOYDS, Maryland – Saturday, September 24th promises a paw-sitively exciting event, as Veterans and their newly paired service dogs will graduate as part of Warrior Canine Connection’s class of 2022—its largest class to date. While the commencement ceremony will take place virtually at 11 am on WCC’s Facebook page, the nonprofit will host an in-person celebration at its Healing Quarters in Boyds, Md. immediately following the online event.

The virtual ceremony will be marked by powerful Veteran journey video vignettes, namesake stories, and keynote remarks from Governor Larry Hogan, who has a strong record of providing support for Veterans resources and benefits.

Members of this year’s graduating class, including Veteran Service Dog Teams, will attend the celebration, as well as those from previous graduations. In addition, puppy parents, who have helped train the dogs, as well as several namesake families who have a personal connection to dogs named after them or a loved one, will also be in attendance.

Graduating service dogs will have completed WCC’s intensive, Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training conducted by Warriors in recovery who learn to train mobility service dogs for fellow Warriors as a means of addressing their own symptoms of combat stress.

Media is invited to attend this event. The graduation celebration promises plenty of great b-roll opportunities, as well as interviews with Veterans and their new service dogs, past graduates and WCC staff.

Media interested in attending are asked to RSVP to Beth Bourgeois, WCC, at 719-216-3206 or beth.bourgeois@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.

https://warriorcanineconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_sm.svg 0 0 WCC Comms https://warriorcanineconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_sm.svg WCC Comms2022-09-20 18:20:302022-09-20 19:08:57Largest Class of Veterans and Service Dogs Set to Graduate as part of Warrior Canine Connection’s Class of 2022

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Contact Us

14934 Schaeffer Road
Boyds, MD 20841

(T) 301.260.1111
info@warriorcanineconnection.org

Warrior Canine Connection
is a 501(c)(3)
Nonprofit Organization
# 45-2981579

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