Warrior Canine Connection

#WarriorSpotlight: 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). FULL STORY: https://lnkd.in/eEFBi7BR #FurTheLoveOfVeterans #MissionMonday #FurtherTogether #WWP

#MissionMonday: Today's Warrior Story highlights the bond between #WCCsPapa and his Veteran, Creighton. "While I'm getting out of the [Marines] corp, while I'm going through my transitional process, somebody started prepping this dog for me... It takes a village to make this happen." "So [my] alarm goes off, I hit snooze, and I roll back over. No snoozing with Papa. He bopped me in the face like 'hey, the alarm just went off'" WATCH on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eh9TSZXv #FurTheLoveOfVeterans #WarriorStories

Please join us in welcoming WCC’s Spokes Named in honor of United States Army Captain Holly Koester CPT Koester was inspired to serve by her family, as her twin sisters were commissioned as 2nd Lieutenants through ROTC at SUNY Fredonia. After going through Airborne training, they were both deployed to Germany to be Platoon Leaders and Executive Officers in Nuremburg, Germany. CPT Koester became the Company Commander of the Heavy Maintenance Company in the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell KY. She retired after a vehicle accident rolled over and paralyzed her in 1990 at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville AL. As a paralyzed Veteran, CPT Koester has been a substitute teacher in two school districts for 27 years. She also is a motivational speaker and served as the Sports and Recreation Director and Secretary of the Buckeye Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America for 30 years. CPT Koester was inducted into the Ohio Veterans’ Hall of Fame in 2017, and the Marine Corps Marathon Hall of Fame in 2019. She became the first person to complete a marathon in all 50 states in a wheelchair, completing 185 marathons. CPT Koester and her sisters, Joy & KC, are still competing together as they recently finished the Prairie Series. She has enjoyed being a basic obedience dog instructor for 25 years, and a trainer of service dogs since 2002. CPT Koester's first service dog was named Spokes – she was a black lab who was very devoted to her. It is with tremendous pride that we name WCC’s Spokes in honor of United States Army Captain Holly Koester #FurTheLoveOfVeterans #WCCsSpokes

#BenchShot Alert: Check out the bench photo and outtakes for #WCCsMyrtle x Crosby SSD's litter! #FurTheLoveOfVeterans

#ICYMI: Highlights from WCC's 2024 Ruff Mudder! WCC’s Ruff Mudder started in 2021 as WCC’s version of the popular “Tough Mudder” events held across the country. Thanks to the generosity of the Chesapeake Bay Trust and the support of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), Thrive USA Home Care, Operation Second Chance, and Platoon 22, WCC was thrilled to put together its 4th annual Ruff Mudder during this years' Graduate Retreat. WATCH on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/ehkHMzgk #FurTheLoveOfVeterans

When Brown Advisory says it believes in thoughtful investing, they aren’t just referring to their financial management strategies. The principle also guides its investment in communities in which they live and work. WCC is grateful to have the firm’s partnership in our work to support Veterans and Military Families, and their volunteer efforts to ensure our recent Graduation Celebration was a memorable event! Thank you, Brown Advisory, for creating impact in our community! #FurTheLoveOfVeterans #ThankfulThursday

Please join us in welcoming WCC’s Barrett Named in honor of United States Navy Rear Admiral Danelle Barrett Born in Buffalo, New York, RADM Barrett earned her commission as a Naval Officer in 1989 aboard USS Constitution following her graduation from Boston University. As an Admiral, RADM Barrett served as Director of Current Operations at the U.S. Cyber Command, as the Director of Navy Cyber Security, and as the Deputy Chief Information Officer on the Chief of Naval Operations staff. In her last position in the U.S. Navy, she led the Navy’s strategic development and execution of digital and cyber security efforts, enterprise information technology improvements, and cloud policy and governance for 700K personnel across a global network. An innovator, RADM Barrett implemented visionary digital transformation to modernize with unprecedented speed, significantly improving Navy Information Warfare capabilities. RADM Barrett’s prior operational assignments included deployments to Iraq on an aircraft carrier in support of operations in Afghanistan, and to Haiti providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief after the 2010 earthquake. RADM Barrett continued service as a retired military officer through consulting, public speaking, and writing. She was an Independent Director on the Corporate Boards of Progressive Insurance, the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, ShoulderUp Technology Acquisition Corporation, and the Protego Trust Bank, N.A. She also wrote a book, "Rock the Boat: Embrace Change, Encourage Innovation, and Be a Successful Leader," an Amazon Best Seller. Diagnosed with Brain Cancer in 2023, RADM Barrett had also become a public advocate for experimental medical treatments, self-care, and a "carpe diem life philosophy." It is with tremendous pride that we name WCC’s Barrett in honor of United States Navy Rear Admiral Danelle Barrett #FurTheLoveOfVeterans #WCCsBarrett

Check out the highlights from WCC's 2024 Graduation reception! WATCH on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/d8BrGdGr #FurTheLoveOfVeterans #WCCGrad24

#WarriorWednesday: Today's Warrior Story highlights the bond between #WCCsArliss and his Veteran Chris. "When I found out about WCC's Arliss, and the dog I was going to get, we were super excited... As a service dog, before he even knew me, he caught on to my stress cues...I couldn't be happier with him." WATCH on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/diAVN4sS #FurTheLoveOfVeterans #WarriorStories

Please join us in welcoming WCC’s Donut Named in honor of United States Army JAG Lieutenant Charles Wheatley III  Lt. Wheatley III graduated from Western Maryland College with a degree in political science, then continued his education at Drew University before finally earning his J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1959. He was commissioned as a Radar Officer in the U.S. Army and the Maryland National Guard, and then became a Military Attorney for the Army J.A.G Corp. from 1957 to 1962.    In addition to his legal work, Lt. Wheatley III was elected to numerous offices including the Maryland House of Delegates, the Baltimore City Council, a delegate to the Maryland Constitutional Convention, and a delegate to a National Presidential Nominating Convention.    Lt. Wheatley III helped found the Life Independent Veteran Advocate Group (LIVA) for the last two and half years. He has helped push for the expansion of Veterans Treatment Courts statewide. He has an adage when met with adversity, "I only see donuts", hoping for positive outcomes.    Lt. Wheatley III died of cancer on December 2nd, 2023, at 91 years of age.  It is with tremendous pride that we name WCC’s Donut in honor of United States Army JAG Lieutenant Charles Wheatley III #FurTheLoveOfVeterans #WCCsDonut