FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 21, 2020

BOYDS, Md. – Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) has received a $90,000 grant from Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) in support of its innovative Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program and to expand its program reach to additional Service Members and Veterans who are registered with WWP.

“We are honored to have the support of Wounded Warrior Project — one of the foremost Veteran service organizations dedicated to supporting post-9/11 Service Members and Veterans,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection. “Our partnership and this funding for programs will help us to bring canine-assisted therapy to those who will benefit from it most.”

WCC’s MBTR programming is unique from other service dog organizations in that the organization enlists Service Members and Veterans who are in recovery to help train the dogs for their fellow Warriors. Anchored in performing a military support mission, the participants in WCC’s MBTR program concurrently benefit from the program while serving others. Program participants receive therapeutic benefit from skills development in communication, confidence building, accountability, emotional regulation and patience to promote an act of service.

“The long-term resiliency and well-being of the military community requires ever-changing and innovative care solutions,” said WWP CEO Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Linnington. “Service dogs meaningfully improve quality of life and mental health for wounded veterans, and we’re proud to support the amazing work of Warrior Canine Connection.”

WCC will also host WWP warriors at its Healing Quarters in Boyds, Md. on a monthly basis to engage in MBTR programming, early socialization activities with puppies, recreational therapy and volunteer activities.

In the past two years, WCC has expanded its services to communities where Veterans are falling through the cracks and at high risk due to their avoidance of, or lack of, access to DoD or VA care. Specifically, WCC has recently enhanced its efforts to provide MBTR services for Veterans at community-based intervention sites serving Veterans and some of the many VA-administered Veterans Treatment Courts that have emerged throughout the country. Diversification of WCC’s MBTR delivery sites is allowing WCC to not only work with critically-ill Veteran populations in hospital settings, but also the vast population of Veterans who may remain undiagnosed and instead opt to seek help through VA community centers, resource centers, and other non-profit organizations, like Wounded Warrior Project.

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 Wounded Warrior Project
Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more.