Warrior Canine Connection
Warrior Canine Connection is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates the Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) model, training service dogs with recovering Veterans and placing them at no cost with wounded Warriors. Programs operate at VA facilities, Veterans Treatment Courts, and military medical centers across multiple U.S. states.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersBoyds, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Warrior Canine Connection does
Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2008 by Rick Yount and headquartered at 14934 Schaeffer Road, Boyds, Maryland. The organization operates a therapeutic service dog training program in which recovering Service Members and Veterans participate in its Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) model, helping to train Labrador and Golden Retriever service dogs that are subsequently placed with fellow wounded Warriors. WCC breeds, raises, and trains its own purpose-bred dogs, providing them at no cost to eligible Veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and other visible and invisible wounds. The organization also places facility dogs at military medical centers such as Walter Reed and the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, and provides Military Family Support Dogs.
WCC's product portfolio includes the flagship MBTR program, the Service Dog Training and Placement program, a Puppy Raiser volunteer program, facility dog placements, Military Family Support Dogs, and Veterans Treatment Court programs. Distribution is conducted directly through embedded sites at VA facilities (Menlo Park VA, NICoE), Veterans Treatment Courts (Baltimore City, Asheville), the Marcus Institute for Brain Health in Denver, and since 2024, the NCIS Electronic Storage Detection K-9 program. Since inception, more than 4,000 service members have helped train puppies in the program.
The revenue model is entirely donation- and grant-driven. WCC raises funds from individual donors, corporate sponsorships (Boeing, PetSmart Charities, Redwire), and foundation grants (Wounded Warrior Project, Healthcare Initiative Foundation, SAGA Foundation, Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, TD Charitable Foundation, Mead Family Foundation, AGC Charities, Veterans United Foundation, Veterans Help Group, Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program). Documented grants across 2018-2024 total approximately $775,000. The organization maintains a 4-star Charity Navigator rating, 5-year Assistance Dogs International reaccreditation (2021), and has received two AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence. The MBTR model directly influenced the PAWS Act signed in August 2021.
Warrior Canine Connection firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Warrior Canine Connection
- Legal name
- Warrior Canine Connection
- Website
- https://warriorcanineconnection.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Warrior Canine Connection is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates the Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) model, training service dogs with recovering Veterans and placing them at no cost with wounded Warriors. Programs operate at VA facilities, Veterans Treatment Courts, and military medical centers across multiple U.S. states.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Warrior Canine Connection industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Veteran Therapeutic Service Dog Training
- NAICS
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291), Veterinary Services (54194)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381)
- akta.pro primary industry
- K9 Care, Kenneling & Veterinary Support Services (BPAKAKAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Handler Training, Certification & K9 Unit Compliance Services (BPAKAKAK), Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD), Behavioral Medicine & Training-Integrated Veterinary Services (HLAMAAAI)
Keywords
Where Warrior Canine Connection is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Boyds
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Warrior Canine Connection business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: Individual donors contribute to support the organization's mission of training and placing service dogs with Veterans at no cost to recipients.
- Foundation and Corporate Grants: WCC receives grant funding from foundations (Healthcare Initiative Foundation, PetSmart Charities, SAGA Foundation, Mead Family Foundation, TD Charitable Foundation, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation) and corporations (Boeing, Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation) to support MBTR programs and operations.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Warrior Canine Connection product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Warrior Canine Connection is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that breeds, trains, and places purpose-bred service dogs with U.S. Service Members and Veterans at no cost. Its core is the Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program, which has recovering Warriors help train service dogs for their fellow Veterans, simultaneously delivering therapeutic benefit through skill-building in communication, confidence, accountability, and emotional regulation. Supporting programs include facility dog placements at VA and military medical centers, Veterans Treatment Court programs, Military Family Support Dogs, and a specialized Electronic Storage Detection K-9 program for NCIS.
Product overview
Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of therapeutic service dog programs centered around its Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program. The core offering is a unique service dog breeding, training, and placement program where recovering Veterans help train service dogs for their fellow Warriors, simultaneously receiving therapeutic benefits. The product suite includes the flagship MBTR program, puppy raising through volunteer puppy raisers, facility dog placement at VA hospitals and military medical centers, military family support dogs, and Veterans Treatment Court programs. WCC operates from its Healing Quarters facility in Boyds, Maryland, and maintains programs at multiple VA locations including Menlo Park, Palo Alto, and various Veterans Treatment Courts nationwide. The organization also offers a public-facing Puppy Cam for community engagement.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) Program Therapeutic service dog training program that enlists recovering Service Members and Veterans to help train service dogs for their fellow Warriors, providing therapeutic benefits through skills development in communication, confidence building, accountability, emotional regulation, and patience.
- Service Dog Training and Placement Program Breeding, training, and placement of purpose-bred Labrador and Golden Retriever service dogs with Service Members and Veterans with visible and invisible wounds including PTSD and traumatic brain injury, at no cost to recipients.
- Puppy Raiser Volunteer Program Structured volunteer program in which individuals and families raise and socialize WCC puppies from early age through preparation for formal service dog training, including basic commands and socialization.
- Facility Dog Program Placement of trained WCC dogs in facilities such as the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE), Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and VA medical centers to provide support and therapeutic intervention to Veterans receiving clinical care.
- Veterans Treatment Court Program
Quantifiable outcome
- Veterans report reduced hypervigilance and increased ability to function in public spaces after participating in MBTR program
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Warrior Canine Connection
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Warrior Canine Connection technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Warrior Canine Connection partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Washington CommanderscoreWashington Commanders partnered with Redwire to welcome TJ, a 12-week-old yellow Labrador retriever from WCC. TJ will spend the season with the team before becoming a service dog for veterans. This partnership raises awareness for WCC's mission and provides public visibility through NFL association.
- Redwire (NYSE: RDW)coreRedwire partnered with Washington Commanders to support the placement of TJ, a WCC service dog, with the team. Redwire's involvement enables the partnership that places a WCC dog with the Commanders organization.
- Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)coreNCIS launched its Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K-9 program in 2024, with Jill from WCC as its first graduate. Jill detects hidden electronic storage devices to support NCIS investigations involving military families and national security.
- Marcus Institute for Brain HealthmajorWCC partnered with the Marcus Institute for Brain Health at Anschutz Medical Campus to offer service dog training as part of MIBH's roster of interventions for Veteran patients in the Denver area.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Warrior Canine Connection competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Wounded Warrior Project: Large veteran-services nonprofit that is both a key WCC funder ($90K grant) and an adjacent service provider. Comparable only as a veteran-services ecosystem player, not as a service-dog peer.
- Assistance Dogs International: Industry accreditation body (not a peer) that has accredited WCC. Included as an adjacent ecosystem participant relevant to WCC's compliance and credibility posture.
Direct peers
- NEADS World Class Service Dogs: Massachusetts-based nonprofit that trains and places service dogs for veterans, children, and adults with disabilities. Comparable in mission, ADI accreditation, and nonprofit funding model, though broader beneficiary scope.
- Southeastern Guide Dogs: Florida-based nonprofit that breeds, trains, and places guide and service dogs, including for veterans. Directly comparable in purpose-bred breeding program and service-dog placement model.
- ECAD (Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities): Connecticut-based nonprofit training service dogs for veterans and people with disabilities. Comparable in service-dog training methodology, ADI affiliation, and donor-funded nonprofit structure.
- Patriot Service Dogs: Virginia-based nonprofit training and placing service dogs with veterans with PTSD/TBI and physical disabilities. Comparable in mission and no-cost placement model; smaller scale and primarily Mid-Atlantic like WCC.
- K9s For Warriors: The largest nonprofit provider of service dogs to U.S. military veterans with PTSD/TBI. Directly comparable in mission, beneficiary population, and no-cost placement model; differs primarily in its Florida base and substantially larger scale.
- America's VetDogs: Affiliated with Guide Dog Foundation, America's VetDogs trains and places service dogs with veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders. Directly comparable target population, training model, and federal partnership network (VA, DoD).
Emerging players
- Puppies Behind Bars: New York-based nonprofit that trains incarcerated individuals to raise service dogs for veterans and first responders. Comparable in volunteer-raiser service-dog model and veteran beneficiary focus, though distinct in its prison-based pipeline.
Broad incumbents
- Canine Companions for Independence: The largest U.S. nonprofit provider of service dogs, with a broader mission across mobility, hearing, and veteran service dogs. Comparable in service-dog training and placement model, but significantly larger and more diversified.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Warrior Canine Connection social profiles
Digital presenceWarrior Canine Connection compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Warrior Canine Connection financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Warrior Canine Connection leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Warrior Canine Connection funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Warrior Canine Connection M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Warrior Canine Connection
What does Warrior Canine Connection do?
Warrior Canine Connection is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that breeds, trains, and places purpose-bred service dogs with U.S. Service Members and Veterans at no cost. Its core is the Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program, which has recovering Warriors help train service dogs for their fellow Veterans, simultaneously delivering therapeutic benefit through skill-building in communication, confidence, accountability, and emotional regulation. Supporting programs include facility dog placements at VA and military medical centers, Veterans Treatment Court programs, Military Family Support Dogs, and a specialized Electronic Storage Detection K-9 program for NCIS.
Is Warrior Canine Connection a public or private company?
Warrior Canine Connection is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Warrior Canine Connection founded?
Warrior Canine Connection was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Warrior Canine Connection based?
Warrior Canine Connection is headquartered in Boyds, United States, in the North America region.
How does Warrior Canine Connection make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are foundation and Corporate Grants.
Who are Warrior Canine Connection's main competitors?
Others on record are Wounded Warrior Project and Assistance Dogs International. Direct peers are NEADS World Class Service Dogs, Southeastern Guide Dogs, ECAD (Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities), Patriot Service Dogs, K9s For Warriors and America's VetDogs. Puppies Behind Bars is listed as an emerging player. Canine Companions for Independence is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Warrior Canine Connection have an API?
No public API is recorded for Warrior Canine Connection.
What industry is Warrior Canine Connection in?
Warrior Canine Connection's product category is Veteran Therapeutic Service Dog Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAKAKAM, K9 Care, Kenneling & Veterinary Support Services, with a secondary code of BPAKAKAK, Handler Training, Certification & K9 Unit Compliance Services. Its NAICS code is 62431 and its SIC code is 8300.