Warrior Canine Connection

Veterans Court Program

Location: San Mateo County and Santa Clara County, CA

Issue Area: Rehabilitation and Recovery

Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) captures the benefits of service dogs for two complementary veteran populations: veterans with invisible wounds experience a healing benefit from the responsibility, routine, and regimen of training service dogs, and mobility-impaired veterans subsequently gain a permanent canine companion. The training process employs WCC’s innovative canine connection therapy program and harnesses the human-animal bond to reduce the trainers’ symptoms of combat trauma. This BWF investment will enable Warrior Canine Connection to explore whether canine training might be included in the range of justice treatment plans available for veterans in legal distress, and develop the appropriate strategy, business plan and relationships. BWF will provide both resources and expertise to this partner, helping them forge opportunities for veteran canine programs nationally.