FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2020
BOYDS, Md. – Warrior Canine Connection recently received $30,000 in funding from the Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program to help support the placement of service dogs with Veterans with visible and invisible wounds in Maryland.
The Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program was passed in 2017 and is part of the state’s Department of Veterans Affairs. The program, which helps to educate the community about therapy and service dog programs and provide funding for the placement of those dogs with Veterans, was passed through the legislature with the entire Senate co-sponsoring the law.
“We are beyond thrilled to not only receive this funding, which will go a long way to support our program to help Veterans but also by the commitment, cooperation and support from our legislators, who helped make this program a reality,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “It’s no secret that service dogs are an amazing tool to help in the Veteran recovery process and by making them more available, together, we can help serve more of our nation’s heroes.”
Trained service dogs can console and are able to bring out even the most isolated personality. Service dogs have also been found to reduce the hypervigilance that has been found to be common in Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as depression and anxiety.
Of course, the Maryland Veterans Service Animals Program wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the state’s Department of Veterans Affairs.
“We are pleased to partner with Warrior Canine Connection and to support the training of service dogs for our veterans,” said George Owings, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs. “For our veterans who have honorably served in the military and who have also given so much to our state and nation, this is but one way we can give back.”
Senator Simonaire, the son of a Veteran, sponsored the bill to provide help to Veterans in a unique and special way.
“There are many issues facing our veteran population, and the work that Warrior Canine is doing is making a difference,” said Senator Simonaire. “I am thankful for the partnership we have created with non-profits to provide more services, especially through these wonderful and adorable dogs.”
Simonaire was first elected to the Maryland State Senate in 2006 to represent District 31, which is a part of Northern Anne Arundel County.
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.
