Warrior Canine Connection Therapy Inspires Hope for Thousands of Injured Combat Veterans.

$850,000 Donation from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Helps Fund New Warrior Healing Quarters

Brookeville, MD  (June 3, 2014) –  Warrior Canine Connection (WCC), a non-profit that utilizes clinically based canine therapy to bring hope and healing to thousands of wounded warriors, has been awarded an $850,000 grant by The Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation. The grant will support the development of the Warrior Canine Connection Healing Quarters in Germantown, MD.

The new facility, which will serve as Warrior Canine Connection’s headquarters, will enable the organization to dramatically expand their nationally recognized Canine Connection Therapy program. The program was specifically designed to provide a safe, effective, non-pharmaceutical alternative therapy for combat trauma. The program addresses the ongoing needs of warriors with psychological wounds, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), as well as those who require highly trained service dogs.

“As a former Navy Surgeon, I am all too aware of the high price that our combat Veterans have paid in recent conflicts,” said Dr. Robert Rosenbaum (LCDR, USN, Ret.), President of WCC’s Board of Directors.  “As a neurosurgeon, I have personally witnessed both the challenges and critical need for promising treatment modalities like those provided by WCC. With the support of The Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation, I believe WCC’s impressive program will be able to successfully serve thousands more Veterans with debilitating injuries.”

“Our country’s wounded Veterans, who have sacrificed so very much to protect the freedoms we enjoy as Americans, deserve not only our respect, but also our support,” said entrepreneur, philanthropist and Marine Corps Veteran Bob Parsons. “By rallying together to create a home for critical therapies such as the Canine Connection program, I believe we can really make a difference in the long-term health and well-being of our injured service men and women.”

Through a one of a kind apprentice-in-residence program, WCC enlists service members who are currently battling the effects of combat stress in the critical mission of training service dogs for fellow wounded warriors. Over the course of two years, more than 60 warriors can experience relief from their psychological wounds through participation in the training of a single dog.

“It’s almost impossible to put into words how very important working with these dogs has been to me,” said one program participant. “Training these dogs has helped me rebuild my confidence level and feel like I am functioning as an effective member of the Army and of society.”

A portion of the Foundation’s award has been earmarked as a challenge grant whereby the Foundation will match all donations, dollar for dollar, up to $300,000 to support the construction and operation of the new Center.

“With this amazing new facility and location, we will be able to reach out to an underserved Veteran population while remaining in close proximity to our existing programs in the National Capital Region,” said Rick Yount, Warrior Canine Connection founder and executive director. “The 80 acre property will act as a new ‘Healing Quarters’ for wounded warriors, their families and medical caregivers.”