We are fairly sure that most of you will agree with us that dogs possess incredible power. Dogs not only bring joy into our lives but also have this innate ability to provide comfort, help us heal and make a day seem brighter.
Over the last three years, we’ve been honored to support Warrior Canine Connection (WCC), an organization whose mission is as inspiring as it is impactful: helping Veterans heal through the training and partnership of service dogs.
WCC was founded by Executive Director, Rick Yount, who first witnessed the extraordinary healing ability of a Golden Retriever named Gabe. What began as one dog making a difference has become a nationally recognized program that empowers Veterans to heal through what WCC calls Mission-Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR).
Their model is unique. Veterans not only receive service dogs, but some of them also help train the dogs. During this training process, these Veterans rediscover their purpose, build confidence and gain therapeutic benefits. They also experience the reward of knowing they are helping a fellow Veteran, as the dog they train will go on to assist another person in a meaningful way. In this capacity, each dog touches many lives before being matched with their forever partner.
How are these special dogs chosen for such a big role?
Most of the dogs in the WCC program are Labrador Retrievers that have been carefully bred and selected for a lineage that exhibits confidence, resilience and a temperament for the job required. But that is only the start. From their first weeks, WCC’s training team and volunteers shape each puppy’s journey, preparing them and setting them up for success for whatever path they take, because not every dog’s journey looks the same. Some graduate as full-fledged service dogs and go home with a Veteran (about 25 each year), while others become military family support dogs, work as facility dogs or find another specialized career.
The special bond that runs deep.
The impact these dogs have on the lives of all the Veterans involved is hard to summarize in a sound bite. Their influence looks different for each and runs deep. For some, the WCC dogs help provide the confidence to step out of the house and back into the world again, whether running errands to the grocery store or meeting a friend for a coffee and a bite to eat. For others, they serve as a lifeline during moments of PTSD. Because, yes, these dogs are trained to sense when their human is struggling and provide the grounding to help bring them back to a place of calm. These may seem like small things you and I take for granted, but this is not the case for a Veteran in the WCC program. These are life-changing moments that remind us how powerful the bond between a human and a dog truly is.
The foundational training of WCC for these service dogs goes beyond just service—it focuses on building trust and connection. They make sure that every moment with a dog is an opportunity to strengthen that bond, regardless of whether it’s time out on a walk, a session of playing fetch or a specific training task. I love and hope each of us dog parents can share this with our dogs: celebrate small wins, reward the good, be intentional, never stop engaging and always support the bond you have. Do that, and you don’t just raise a “well-behaved dog”; instead, you build a relationship that lasts a lifetime.
How do the dogs get their names?
WCC further honors Veterans by naming the dogs in their programs after them. Every single dog is named after a Veteran. It is a deeply meaningful way of keeping stories alive and making sure the names of those who have served our country are spoken and remembered. Plus, it makes each dog a living legacy. It’s a powerful gesture that demonstrates the deep commitment WCC has to our Veterans.
What happens after the dogs go home with their Veteran?
The relationship between WCC and its Veterans doesn’t stop once the dog goes home. That support keeps going. The Client Services team is there through the entire matching process and stays connected long after. Veterans and their dogs are part of the WCC family for life. They become a pack in every sense of the word. And each year, every graduating team is invited back to WCC to reconnect with each other, recertify for public access and learn new skills that can help further deepen the bond with their dog.
Our way of saying “thank you”.
As a veteran-led company that is deeply connected to the dog community, Bow Wow Labs is proud to play a small role in this mission. Each year, we provide Bow Wow Buddy® Starter Kits to WCC’s graduating dogs and their Veteran partners, and we also donate Bow Wow Buddy® Safety Devices and SafeFit® Bully Sticks for the puppies and young dogs while in training. It’s our way of saying “thank you” to the dogs who give so selflessly, to the Veterans who have already given so much to our country and to this phenomenal organization.
But the heart of this story isn’t about us, it’s about the lessons WCC reminds us of: that healing often comes through service, that trust and patience build unshakable bonds and that the love of a dog can restore hope in the darkest of times.
We are endlessly grateful to Warrior Canine Connection for the work they do. To the Veterans, volunteers and every dog that passes through their program, thank you for showing us what resilience, service and unconditional love truly look like.
If you’d like to learn more about how you can support Warrior Canine Connection through volunteering, donations or simply spreading the word, please visit warriorcanineconnection.org.
Because when dogs and people come together with love and purpose, everyone heals.
Johnna Devereaux is a Clinical Pet Nutritionist, canine wellness expert and Chief Nutrition Officer for Bow Wow Labs.
* This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical or veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon or perceived as specific medical or veterinary advice.
**The points of view expressed above are those of our clinical nutritionist and are supported by science, her education and experience. We are committed to providing the best, most straightforward, and most helpful information possible to help keep your dog happy, healthy and safe.
