Wounded Warrior Project Archives - Warrior Canine Connection

Stronger Together: WCC and Wounded Warrior Project Partner to Power Connection and Healing

March 26, 2026

When organizations share a deep commitment to serving Veterans, collaboration becomes more than a partnership — it becomes a powerful way to expand impact and reach more lives together.

That spirit has been on full display as Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) and Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) teamed up to host two Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) sessions in the Pittsburgh area. Together, the events offered area Veterans an introduction to WCC’s innovative Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program and reinforced what’s possible when like-minded organizations work side by side.

While MBTR is traditionally delivered as an eight-week program, these sessions were designed as one-day, hands-on experiences for Veterans connected through WWP to engage with service dogs in training and with one another. During MBTR, Veterans learn how to train service dogs for their fellow Warriors. In the process, they also build skills such as communication, confidence, accountability, emotional regulation and patience — promoting an act of service while experiencing therapeutic benefits themselves.

“Sessions like this open people’s eyes to just how powerful dogs can be,” said Sue Watson, WCC Pittsburgh program manager and service dog training instructor. “The impact is incredible — and even if it’s just for an afternoon, you can feel the camaraderie, the connection and the lift it gives everyone in the room.”

Each gathering welcomed a small group, creating space for meaningful conversation and connection. The sessions began with food and introductions before five service dogs in training — WCC’s Poyner, Jimmy, Lego, Ski and Ash — took center stage alongside their Puppy Raisers, who shared the significance behind the dogs’ namesakes and their roles in their journeys.

Participants were guided through a mini MBTR experience, learning core principles such as the stages of canine learning, the “yes” marker, bonding, check-ins and introductory training commands. Veterans observed stress cueing and interacted directly with the dogs, applying what they learned in real time.

“For me, the hypervigilance is always there … that feeling that you have to keep looking over your shoulder,” said Tim Nicotra, Air Force Veteran. “But when I’m out with a WCC dog, I know he has my back. Instead of scanning everything around me, I can focus on him and just be in the moment. Even after finishing the eight-week MBTR program, I keep coming back because working with the dogs is so positive. I also want people to understand how much these dogs can help — and how much unconditional love they give.”

All participating Veterans were connected through WWP, underscoring the organization’s commitment to ensuring Veterans have access to a wide range of programs and partners that support their wellbeing.

“We believe the strongest outcomes for Veterans happen when organizations stop operating in silos and start amplifying each other’s strengths,” said Ashley Bunce, WWP’s director of community partnerships and investments. “WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery model is exactly the kind of purposeful, proven programming we’ve been proud to stand behind since 2020. Bringing WWP-connected Veterans into these sessions means more warriors have access to healing pathways they may never have found otherwise. That’s the power of a true ecosystem of care.”

WWP’s support of WCC reflects its broader investment in strengthening the ecosystem of nonprofits dedicated to serving Veterans and their families. By collaborating on MBTR sessions, and exploring recurring opportunities, WWP is helping expand access to mission-driven approaches to alternative therapy, connection and recovery. Warriors are benefiting from the physiological and psychological animal-human connection.

For many Veterans, the experience goes far beyond learning dog training techniques. Working side by side toward a shared goal fosters trust and teamwork, creating a renewed sense of connection and purpose. Just as meaningful is the opportunity to spend time with fellow Veterans in an environment that feels welcoming, supportive, and grounded in something positive.

Together, these sessions demonstrate how collaboration can amplify impact — creating new interventions for engagement, healing and connection. Learn more about how you can get involved with either of these organizations by visiting: www.woundedwarriorproject.org and www.warriorcanineconnection.org.
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A Life of Service, A Journey of Healing: U.S. Army Veteran Todd DeLong

October 23, 2025

After more than two decades of service in the U.S. Army, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Todd DeLong knows what it means to live with both pride and sacrifice. Todd’s 22-year career began in the infantry before he transitioned into military intelligence and eventually network security. His final role, serving as Battalion Commander in the First Information Operations Command at Fort Belvoir, was one of leadership, responsibility and commitment.

But life changed dramatically after a series of brain surgeries to remove an epidermoid cyst, the last in 2010 resulting in a stroke. The surgery left Todd with mobility challenges, vision loss and difficulties with speech. His wife, Nannette, his partner of nearly 40 years, has been by his side through it all.

“Everything about our lives changed in some way,” said Nannette. “There were challenges, yes, but also opportunities to find new ways to live, connect and enjoy life. The support we’ve received has been such a gift.”

For Todd, that support has come largely through Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) and Warrior Canine Connection (WCC). These programs have provided not only therapeutic activities and assistance but also a sense of community and belonging.

WWP connected Todd with a community support specialist who visits twice a week to take him to appointments, events and peer support group meetings. At one of those meetings, Todd, a dog lover, heard Warrior Canine Connection’s Sarah Olson speak, sparking his involvement with the nonprofit. Since then, Todd has completed WCC’s 8-week Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training program, and he now volunteers as an independent dog handler.

“I just like being with the dogs,” Todd shared simply.

Beyond time with the dogs, Todd keeps busy through WWP activities: from football games and movie outings to fly fishing with Project Healing Waters, golfing with Links to Freedom, Tai Chi and even bass guitar lessons through Guitars for Vets. He has also participated in the VA Air Rifle Clinic and attended events like “Day at the Bay,” where Veterans and families enjoy boat rides, Maryland blue crabs and camaraderie.

These programs provide more than just recreation — they offer healing and a renewed sense of identity.

“Being around other Veterans makes a big difference,” Todd said. “We understand each other.”

For Nannette, WWP’s caregiver programming has been equally impactful. She attended a retreat in 2021 that gave her both rest and connection with other caregivers.

“It was invaluable to talk with people who truly understood what it means to care for a loved one every day,” she said. “You leave with friendships, ideas and the reassurance that you’re not alone.”

Together, Todd and Nannette find joy in attending their grandchildren’s soccer games, cheering for James Madison University football and staying loyal to their beloved Philadelphia Eagles. They’ve built a life that balances medical challenges with moments of fun, family and connection.

Looking ahead, Todd is even considering applying for his own service dog through WCC — a step that could add another layer of independence and companionship to his journey.

When asked what keeps them going, Nannette doesn’t hesitate.

“It’s about embracing the support that’s out there and staying open to what life brings. These programs have given Todd opportunities to stay active and engaged, and they’ve given me space to breathe and connect, too. We’re grateful.”

For the DeLongs, healing is a shared journey — and with the help of WWP, WCC and a strong community of Veterans, friends and family, they continue to move forward together.
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Creighton & Papa: Continuing to Serve

July 29, 2025

For retired Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant Creighton Scott, the transition from military service to civilian life came with challenges, but also with an unexpected source of strength and purpose. Enter Warrior Canine Connection (WCC), where Creighton not only worked to help train dogs for his fellow Veterans, but also met Papa, his own service dog and loyal partner. Papa now supports him in his daily life and has helped reignite his commitment to helping others.

As graduates of WCC’s Class of 2024, Creighton and Papa are powerful reminders of the impact these dogs have on the lives of those who served. Their journey reflects the heart of WCC’s mission and sets the stage for the next chapter with the upcoming Class of 2025. Watch Creighton and Papa’s story here.
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Warrior Spotlight: Angela Bonanno Finds Healing Through Service and Dogs

July 15, 2025

Angela Bonanno is the kind of person who makes you wonder if there’s anything she doesn’t do.

She’s a mom, a wife, a dog lover, an X-ray and MRI tech and a Coast Guard Veteran. And now, she’s training to become a Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Team Leader and preparing to raise her first Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) service dog in training.

It’s a life full of movement and purpose—traits that first led Bonanno to military service. But behind her drive and positivity are the lasting, invisible wounds she carries from that time. Her journey from injury to healing has been long—and ongoing—but throughout it all, a deep commitment to service has remained her compass.

“9/11 played a major role in my decision to join the Coast Guard,” she says. “I was in college when the towers fell, and it changed everything. A month later, I was in the recruiter’s office enlisting—I felt a strong pull to do something that truly mattered.”

Bonanno served for six years, including aboard the U.S. Cutter Jarvis and at Sector San Francisco, where she worked as an electrician. But it was during her time at sea that everything changed. A military sexual trauma and traumatic brain injury altered the course of her life—and her career.

She was discharged in November 2007. What followed was one of the darkest chapters of her life.

“I felt completely lost,” she says. “The first year out was brutal. I didn’t know where to turn. I had no direction, and I was in pain—emotionally and physically.”

Then she found the Wounded Warrior Project.

“I started with baby steps,” she says. “Just showing up to events, meeting other Veterans who got it. That connection saved me.”

WWP introduced her to a supportive community—and to Warrior Canine Connection. Dogs, as it turns out, had always been part of her story.

“I grew up with Labs. After my first therapy stay at the Menlo Park VA in 2010, I met some of the service dogs on site and just fell in love,” she recalls. “There’s always been a dog in my life helping me stay grounded.”

In 2024, Bonanno participated in WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program at the Menlo Park VA, where Veterans help train future service dogs for fellow Warriors.

“I didn’t realize how much I was missing until I started working with the WCC dogs. My mood shifted. I felt calmer, more present. I knew then—I wanted to raise one of these dogs.”

That dream is now coming true. Angela has completed puppy-sitter training and will soon become a WCC Puppy Raiser. She and her family are preparing to welcome Rudy, a service dog in training, into their home. Her 3-year-old daughter Gianna is equally excited.

“She’s obsessed with dogs,” Bonanno laughs. “She makes report cards for the Puppy Raisers and brings them to training sessions. She’s going to be the best helper.”

Her husband, Robert, a firefighter, is fully onboard. WCC puppies have even visited his fire station.

As if that weren’t enough, Bonanno is also training to become a WWP Team Leader, which will allow her to host peer-support events and help guide other Veterans on their own paths to healing.

“I’ve been through it—I am still going through it,” she says. “But now I know how to navigate it, and I want to help other Veterans find that light too.”

That’s exactly what WWP and WCC have given her: belonging, purpose and hope. Whether through raising service dogs, mentoring others, or simply showing up, Bonanno is committed to continuing her mission of service.

“Service was what led me into the military,” she says. “And service is what’s helping me heal. This is the next chapter, and it’s a good one.”
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Warrior Spotlight: Jonathon & Hutton’s Journey

May 19, 2025

When Army Veteran Jonathon Kohl woke up in a hospital bed in 2013, doctors told his parents he would likely never walk again. He had survived a helicopter crash while serving in Afghanistan—just four months into his deployment and three years into his military career. The traumatic brain injury he sustained, along with other physical wounds, erased his memories and changed the course of his life forever.

Jonathon doesn’t remember the crash. In fact, he has limited memories of his life before it. But what he does remember is what’s come since—especially the impact of Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) and Warrior Canine Connection (WCC).

Jonathon is an active participant in WWP’s Independence Program, which provides long-term support for Veterans with moderate-to-severe brain injuries. Through the program, he receives help with transportation, attends music and art therapy and participates in adaptive sports like rock climbing, Soldier Ride and his personal favorite—golf.

“I won’t say I’m any good, it’s just for fun,” shared Jonathon.

The Independence Program not only supports Jonathon with connections, appointments and daily needs—it also gives his parents, Micha and Paul, a much-needed break to focus on their own responsibilities and well-being.

Jonathon also regularly attends WWP’s virtual peer support groups and finds connection and motivation among other Warriors walking similar paths.

It was through WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program that Jonathon met Hutton, the dog who would become his constant companion and a key part of his healing journey—providing daily support, comfort and stability. Veterans in the program help train service dogs for fellow Warriors, and Jonathon and Hutton officially graduated as a WCC Veteran Service Dog Team in 2022.

“He’s very loyal,” says Jonathon. “He predicts things I need and does them without me asking—like picking up dropped items or getting my cane. He’s given me another responsibility. I think about him more than myself sometimes.”

The match has been life-changing, not only for Jonathon but for his entire family. His parents Micha and Paul, who have been active in his recovery since the accident and took over as his full-time caregivers after his divorce, also went through WCC’s advanced handler training so they could better support “Team Hutton.”

“He now has responsibilities,” said Paul. “He makes sure Hutton is fed, and we team up for baths and nail trims. Hutton’s become a big part of our lives.”

Jonathon’s involvement with WCC didn’t stop at graduation. He continues to participate in MBTR and helps socialize future service dogs, giving back to the community that has given him so much.

In recognition of his perseverance and spirit, Jonathon was honored as the first recipient of WCC’s “Spirit of Gabe” award at the organization’s inaugural Ruff Mudder event. When he’s not working with Hutton or training other dogs, you might find him lifting weights or hanging out with the drone club at Walter Reed.

The road hasn’t been easy. But through WWP, WCC and the loyalty of a dog named Hutton, Jonathon Kohl has found healing, independence and a renewed sense of purpose.

To hear Jonathon talk about his relationship with Hutton, visit https://youtu.be/D-FuoOj5Mu0?si=m8d6MXWZVvGDDqGd.

Learn more about Wounded Warrior Project’s Veteran programs and support here.

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Finding connection through canine companionship: Veterans and the power of puppy socialization

February 26, 2025

For many Veterans, adjusting to life after service comes with unique challenges. Through a partnership between Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) and Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), Veterans are finding healing, connection and camaraderie in an unexpected way—through adorable puppies.

Exposure to people, touch, sound and other stimuli are a crucial part of a puppy’s development. That’s why WCC starts the socialization of its future service dogs when pups are just 4-5 weeks old. WCC’s puppy socialization program takes place multiple times a week, offering Veterans, including those involved in WWP’s programming, military families and those on the waitlist for a service dog, the chance to interact with these adorable puppies.

But as Lauren Tyler, WCC’s Breeding and Puppy Development manager, who helps coordinate the sessions, will tell you, beyond puppy enrichment and training exercises, these gatherings are providing another deep impact—a space for Veterans to connect with one another in a meaningful way.

“The program is really about connection,” Tyler says. “Yes, we’re working with future service dogs, but what also stands out besides the puppies is the sense of community being built. It’s a space where Veterans can bond, share experiences, make new friends and find support from people who truly understand them.”

One of those WWP participants is retired Air Force Major Idola Gunn, who retired in 2014 after 28.5 years on active duty. Major Gunn learned about WCC’s puppy socialization program through WWP. After losing her 11+ year old dogs in 2017 and 2019, Gunn was eager to learn more about the program. Fast forward a couple of years, and she has since participated a half-dozen times and attended two WCC service dog graduations.

“I left military service with mental and physical disabilities,” said Gunn. “Throughout my career, I have met several Department of Defense working dogs, however, they are doing just that, ‘working.’ WCC’s puppy socialization program is a feel-good activity that allows you to spend time with and eventually help train the dogs. I have seen the interactions with other Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, and to see their faces while they are cuddling and snuggling these pups, it is simply great. It was something I truly needed in my life.”

For retired Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Sarah Gooch, the program provided an unexpected yet deeply fulfilling outlet after sustaining head trauma and lengthy rehabilitation.

“If we lived closer, I’d be there all the time,” Gooch says. “It doesn’t matter what kind of day I was having—when I got to go in and work with the puppies, I couldn’t help but smile. It was my nirvana.”

Her connection with WCC became even more personal when WCC service dog, “Sarah Lu,” was named after her through its namesake program.

“It was such an honor,” said Gooch. “The puppy parents were incredible, and they even brought her to my retirement. That moment meant everything to me.”

Gooch believes that programs like this, and many others than WWP offers, not only help Veterans focus on something positive but also serve as an opportunity to reconnect with a part of themselves that may have been lost.

“It helps to refocus, to bring some joy back into your life,” she says. “And the best part? You’re never alone in it. There’s always someone there who understands what you’re going through.”

While each Veteran’s journey is different, one thing remains the same—the importance of connection. Whether it’s sharing stories over a training session or simply sitting with a puppy and finding a moment of peace, WCC’s puppy socialization program provides a unique kind of healing and connection.

“There’s always a different group of people volunteering,” Gunn says. “You meet people from different branches of service, different walks of life—it’s a great opportunity to share. Even just the ride out there is soothing.”

For many, this program is more than just an event on a calendar. It’s a lifeline. It’s a place where Veterans can find understanding, companionship and a sense of purpose—all while helping to ready some adorable puppies for their first stages of training.

“If you’re on the fence about it, just try it,” Gunn encourages. “It’s an awesome program. Pick and choose what resonates with you and take that step. You never know how much it might change your life.”

To learn more about Wounded Warrior Project’s programs, visit https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

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Healing Together: Wounded Warrior Project’s Project Odyssey and the Power of Dogs

December 23, 2024

For Veterans navigating life after military service, programs like Wounded Warrior Project’s (WWP) Project Odyssey provide critical tools for healing and resilience. Through outdoor activities and group-based skill-building, Project Odyssey helps Veterans build resiliency by reconnecting with themselves and others.

Project Odyssey is a 12-week program that helps strengthen coping and communication skills through group activities, outdoor experiences and a 5-day in-person workshop. Over the past three years, Warrior Canine Connection’s (WCC) Asheville team has supported several sessions, bringing their service dogs in training to interact with Veterans as part of WCC’s Mission-Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program.

“Project Odyssey really aligns well with our Mission-Based Trauma Recovery curriculum,” says Amy Guidash, WCC’s program director. “We absolutely love working with Wounded Warrior Project—they’re fabulous partners. It’s another opportunity to bring the healing power of working with service dogs to a whole different group of Veterans. We’re able to show how the skills they’re learning in Project Odyssey—like clear communication, impulse control, and relationship building—connect directly to their work with the dogs.”

During in-person workshop, the goal is to challenge Warriors to get out of their comfort zones, learn new skills on how to approach different experiences and help with connecting the experience to improve their own coping skills and build resiliency to when challenging their own lives. Then, after they’ve left, the idea is to use the things they’ve learned during the program to adapt, cope and build a better life. For many participants, joining the program alone takes courage.

“It’s amazing to see Warriors come together for a week,” says Alex Jankowski, Project Odyssey Specialist, WWP. “Even just getting on a plane to attend can be a huge step. Watching them move out of their comfort zones, form connections and build camaraderie is incredible. That’s part of the magic—seeing their growth and the support networks they create.”

The program intentionally keeps the in-person activities under wraps until the last moment to challenge participants to stay present and adaptable, teaching them to apply those lessons to real-life scenarios.

WCC’s service dogs bring an added depth to these experiences, helping Veterans practice patience, communication and trust.

“It’s amazing how quickly Veterans connect with the dogs,” Guidash says. “There are so many lightbulb moments where they realize, ‘If I can communicate this effectively with a dog, I can do it in other areas of my life, too.’”

Guidash recalls one session where two female Veterans initially stayed on the sidelines due to their reservations about dogs.

“By the end, they were fully engaged—interacting with the dogs, laughing and even taking selfies with them,” she says. “It was incredible to witness that shift. In such a short time, the dogs helped build a positive connection, fostering trust and emotional breakthroughs.”

WWP values WCC’s contributions to Project Odyssey, seeing it as a meaningful addition.

“When we partnered with WCC, the excitement among participants was palpable,” Jankowski says. “Many of them have personal connections to dogs, so being part of the training process hit home. It added a new layer of connection to the experience.”

For WCC, the collaboration is equally impactful.

“We’re so grateful to be a small part of the work WWP is doing with Project Odyssey,” Guidash says. “The program is making such a meaningful impact on Veterans’ lives, and we’re honored to support that.”

For Veterans who attend Project Odyssey each year, time spent with WCC’s service dogs is more than just heartwarming—it’s transformative. These interactions teach valuable life skills and offer Veterans a new way to connect—with themselves, with others, and with the world around them.

Healing can take many forms—a peer’s encouragement, a mentor’s guidance or the wag of a dog’s tail. For these Veterans, every small step forward is a testament to their resilience and the life-changing power of programs like Project Odyssey. To learn more about WWP’s Project Odyssey program, visit https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/programs/project-odyssey.

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Healing from within: A Veteran’s journey to helping others

October 7, 2024

Anna Cherepnina stood at Everest Base Camp, taking in the breathtaking view and reflecting on her journey; She had gone from the depths of despair to scaling new heights of hope—both figuratively and literally. Just a year earlier, Anna was overwhelmed by darkness, struggling to find any reason to keep going. With time and patience, she rebuilt her life and now helps others do the same as an outreach specialist with Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).

“I realized I’ve spent my entire career helping others, so it was time to take my own advice and ask for help,” says Anna. “The key is to take the tiniest of steps—put on your clothes and show up.”

A U.S. Army Reserve Veteran, Anna’s life has been shaped by her experiences in service and her share of challenges. Anna moved to the U.S. from Ukraine in 2001. She was 12 at the time and didn’t know a word of English, but when 9/11 happened, she says she understood what was taking place and felt a deep calling to give back.

“Seeing others join the military inspired me to contribute to the country that embraced me,” shared Anna. “In 2009, I joined the military because I wanted to contribute to the nation that welcomed me and offered opportunities I would never have had in the Ukraine.”

Anna enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in 2009, where she gained experience as a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Technician at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and served as a Behavioral Specialist and later as a Behavioral Health Supervisor in Combat Operational Stress Control Units. In 2015, she switched over to the Army National Guard, and during that time, she completed occupational therapy fieldwork at Towson University and worked as an Office Assistant at the Veteran Mental Health Center.

It was in 2021, during her second deployment, that she began losing feeling in her limbs and became paralyzed. She received an unexpected diagnosis—multiple sclerosis—which led to her medical retirement in 2022.

“I’ve always loved psychology and the way we deal with life circumstances,” said Anna. “I truly believe everything happens for a reason,” Anna shares. “I’ve been through my own health issues, lost my fiancé and reached a very low point. I didn’t want to live anymore, but my friends came and got me. That’s when I reached out to Wounded Warrior Project.”

One of her very first WWP events was a training program offered through its partner organization, Warrior Canine Connection (WCC), to learn how to help train a service dog. Anna attended and was hooked. She also enlisted WWP’s help with resume writing and networking, and before long, saw a job opening within the organization—Anna says she knew it was where she was supposed to be.

Today, as an outreach specialist with WWP, Anna continues to make an impact. She connects Veterans with the resources they need, drawing from her own experiences and struggles, to guide others on their paths to healing, which regularly includes WWC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery training program, where Veterans learn to help train service dogs for their fellow Warriors. From the base of Everest to the halls of WWP, Anna’s journey is a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is always a path to healing—one small step at a time.

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Keisha Peterson-Anderson: A Healing Journey Through Warrior Canine Connection

May 1, 2024

We are privileged to introduce you to U.S. Navy IT3 Keisha Peterson-Anderson, whom we met through Warrior Canine Connection’s (WCC) Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training program in partnership with Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). We are honored to share her Warrior story.

U.S. Navy IT3 Keisha Peterson-Anderson was working at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001—the day American Airlines Flight 77 was hijacked and crashed into the building, killing all 64 people on the plane and 125 people in the Pentagon.

Two weeks would pass before Keisha received official confirmation that Kevin, a dear friend and colleague who worked in another side of the building, had died in the horrific tragedy.

“I did what most people do, you grieve and try to move on,” said Keisha. “But I wasn’t really grieving, I was in shock. I got up and went to work every day … I look back now and wonder how I was functional. I literally went to work the day after 9/11.”

Keisha served 8 years and 10 months of active duty before separating from the Navy in late 2001. She remained in the D.C. area and became a government contractor working in various organizations in the IT and intel field. But emotionally, Keisha says she was just ‘going through the motions.’

After some persuasion from a friend, Keisha attended a Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) event. She felt great camaraderie with fellow brothers and sisters in arms, and attended multiple functions, including an Odyssey (retreat), Soldier Rides, and other local activities and outings. Slowly but surely, the events became the impetus for Keisha to start therapy.

It was at one of those local events that Keisha heard Sarah Olson from WCC speak about the organization’s MBTR training program.

“Every day on Earth is an ongoing sense of therapy,” says Keisha. “When things happen to you as a person, you can’t just go to eight therapy sessions and be healed. I was really living a half-normal life because of the trauma I experienced.”

Not only did Keisha complete the 8-week MBTR program, but so did her son, Taryn, 15.

“Being at WCC was so therapeutic to me,” said Keisha. “We were never really into dogs before, but it made me feel like I had a need, and this animal was here to help and had a need itself. The training was freaking amazing for me and my son. That training, although completed, is still soothing to me, and helping me to get over something that happened 22 years ago. It brought a lot of wonderful feelings and resolve to our every day.”

In fact, the experience, coupled with her ongoing therapy, impacted Keisha so much that she is now on the WCC waitlist for a service dog.

To learn more about WWP’s programs, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org. For more information about WCC’s MBTR program, visit www.warriorcanineconnection.org.

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Warrior Spotlight: Andrew Miller

January 24, 2024

Today we introduce you to U.S. Air Force Captain (ret.) Andrew Miller. He’s a Veteran who Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) had the pleasure of meeting through its Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training program in partnership with Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). We are honored to share his story.

A horrific car accident in February 2021 prompted U.S. Air Force Captain (ret.) Andrew Miller to medically retire. Andrew has no recollection of the 4-5 months spent in the hospital immediately following the wreck. He underwent multiple surgeries, requiring 19 screws in his leg and treatment for a traumatic brain injury (TBI). As a pilot with a strong passion for flying, Andrew was grounded and felt disconnected and without purpose.

But Andrew says there are two things that have helped him on his continued healing journey: group workouts with WWP and working with WCC’s service dogs in training.

While at Walter Reed recovering, Andrew attended workouts at the Under Armour Headquarters offered through WWP. The group workouts not only helped him feel connected but went a long way in his physical rehabilitation.

“It was really nice being able to have discussions with other people who speak the same language [military] as you,” said Andrew. “I went from those early days of not being able to walk at all to being able to run again.”

In fact, a few months back, Andrew completed the Army Ten-Miler. He openly shares, “It wasn’t through lack of effort. I took it slowly and steadily, one day at a time.”

He also learned about WCC’s Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training program through WWP. Andrew started by taking a class at its headquarters in Boyds, Maryland. He really enjoyed it, so he took more classes, and completed the eight-week MBTR training program. Soon after, he committed to classes to become an independent handler, meaning he helped care for the service dogs in training and assisted WCC service dog training instructors where needed.

“When I see dogs, it just brings a huge smile to my face. When I learned about WCC’s program, I had just medically retired and was looking forward to an opportunity and something to do. It was super beneficial for me in reattaching and realizing I could still have a purpose, even if it was connecting with a dog—I still have a purpose and I found that to be very, very inspiring,” shared Andrew.

Growing up, Andrew aspired to become an astronaut. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he learned to fly. While there, he flew gliders and taught survival school. Following graduation, he attended pilot training and completed six deployments —five flying and one on the ground.

“I wanted to learn to fly, but once I got there, I got to see a lot more purpose in being in the military,” said Andrew. “It really inspired me to find a deeper purpose for serving.”

Although Andrew is currently unable to fly, he’s found another way to serve—by teaching others. Andrew is now working for a regional subsidiary of American Airlines using his experience to teach new pilots how to fly. He’s not only found purpose but has set two new goals for 2024: working with his next WCC dog and completing a half-marathon.

To learn more about WWP’s program, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

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