Focusing on Service – It Can Be Life Changing!
First, let’s get this out of the way – I AM SO EXCITED!
I’m absolutely thrilled to announce a new partnership and project with Warrior Canine Connection – an outstanding organization that utilizes wounded warriors who are suffering from psychological injuries to help train service dogs that will then go on to serve other Wounded Warriors throughout their lives. This tender process highlights the bonds we form with our animals, and how these incredible dogs touch the lives of everyone they interact with.
In the coming years, I will be following an entire litter of N-I-N-E Labrador retrievers (three yellow and six black), the “Honor Litter,” to document their training and their lives as they go on to serve those Wounded Warriors who have given so much for our great nation.
I can’t begin tell you how honored I am to be doing this project!
Snug as a bug in a rug! – Nick
So, how did I become involved with Warrior Canine Connection?
While at a charity luncheon in Washington DC, I was fortunate enough to meet a WCC representative with one of their dogs, and she told me about the organization’s mission, and then we talked about a forthcoming litter of puppies. And so began my excitement about the possibility of a long term relationship with WCC, and the opportunity to tell the story of what goes in to the making of a Wounded Warrior’s service dog. As you probably know, I am a Navy wife, and have red, white, and blue running through my veins. Over the past few years, I have photographed Wounded Warriors and their service animals, but have never had the opportunity to do a soup-to-nuts project to chronicle this whole process. Win!!
The ever curious – Bre
I have three goals for this project.
One: I want to show you everything that goes into raising and training a Wounded Warrior’s service dog (times nine!). Two: But more than that, I want to show the profound effect that these dogs have on the lives of everyone they meet. Three: I want to show that these animals give their Wounded Warriors the freedom to live the best life possible, while also showing the special bond that develops between them. Four: It is also important to me to highlight the outstanding work of Warrior Canine Connection’s incredibly dedicated team of staff and volunteers.
Oops! I guess that’s four goals…how am I going to keep track of NINE puppies? 😉
Can you spot all nine puppies?
YOU can help too!
Please consider donating to this wonderful organization – you can even shop their Amazon wish list to send them donations if you’d prefer to donate that way. Either way, please consider helping them out!
Check our blog here at Bonnie Grower Photography often, as well as my Facebook page for updates on this extraordinary journey. And puppy cuteness…there’ll be LOTS of that too! I can’t wait to share photos from puppy training evolutions, field trips, and maybe even some outtakes!
Ummm…I’m not so sure about you – Luke
I’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this project. Is there anything that YOU have always wanted to know about service dogs? Please share in the comment section below! Next week: Introducing the puppies!
Until next time, have joy in your heart, a smile on your face, and a dog by your side!
Bonnie
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- Waiting to see if the camera is a magical food dispenser! – Nick
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- No matter who they are with or where they go, these little bundles of joy bring smiles and melt hearts.
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- Catching up on her beauty sleep -Leigh Ann
Bonnie – it was so great to meet you, even briefly, last Saturday and to help try and corral nine very wiggly puppies into a wagon. Even though that did not work out so well !!!
I also am looking forward to following the training and journeys these special dogs will be going through over the next several years. Congratulations and welcome to the amazing world of WCC !!!
Melissa – thank you! And likewise, it was great to meet you as well! Oh boy, they were wiggly, weren’t they?! haha! Oh well, still got some great shots that I think everyone will enjoy, but I can’t thank you enough for all of your help!
I’m really looking forward to spending lots of time with the WCC family and so excited to be part of it!
Thanks so much writing!
This is so wonderful Bonnie! I can’t wait to see what you do with this!
Thank you so much Kathryn! It will be an interesting journey 🙂
I have been a WCC believer, follower, supporter for over a year. This is a magnificent project, and am so glad to know you will be documenting the Honor Litter throughout their lives. I hope you can integrate the story of their namesakes into their bio.
Bobbie – Thank you! It sounds like you as excited as I am 🙂 I will be introducing the Honor Litter next week and absolutely will discuss their namesakes! Given the research I have done thus far, they are amazing stories. I want to honor them as much as I want to tell the story of the Honor Litter! At some point, if it is at all possible, I would really love to meet their families.
Please keep your ideas coming! I’d love to know what you want to learn more about. In the end, everything we do will only raise awareness of this great organization and this great cause!
Thank you Bonnie for your talented pictures and especially your wonderful cheerfullness when trying to wrangle 9 puppies onto a bench, in a wagon, etc. You not only capture their incredible personalities but you always but their happiness and safety first. I appreciate your unending patience and love you show to these puppies and all of the dogs at WCC. We welcome you into our WCC family with open arms and hearts!
Cheryl, the pleasure is all mine – thank you so much for your graciousness and patience! I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be working with you all, and to be even a small part of the WCC family! You guys rock!! 🙂
I cannot even tell you how thrilled I am that you will follow the Honor Litter…..it will be wonderful to see how they serve the soldiers. I am tender hearted and it already makes me sad that puppies will be leaving soon…..but you just gave me the best gift knowing that I will still get to see them when they are no longer on puppy cam…..I still get to be a part of their lives….thank you from the bottom of my heart! I always wished I had the gift of photography but I do not…..I can see that YOU do….so excited about this project!
Good morning, Cindy! You’re exactly right – the final goal is to show how these dogs really affect not just “their” Wounded Warriors, but everyone that they meet! It’s my pleasure to help show you these dogs, and tell their stories. Thank you so much for your wonderful compliment, I really appreciate it! Please stay tuned…I have a feeling that the best is yet to come!
Warmest regards,
Bonnie
Thrilled for Warrior Canine Connection and all its supporters to read about your partnership! While it was the puppy cam that initially drew many of us in, it is the mission that has made us such passionate supporters. Welcome to the family…. “Sharing friendships, supporting the mission”. So look forward to following your blog & photographs to learn more about how the puppies progress on their journey to becoming service dogs. Thank you!
Hi Terrie! After working with WCC and these pups, I definitely understand why their supporters are so passionate – the organization is absolutely amazing, and their mission is close to all of our hearts! Thank you for following along, I’m glad to have you here! 🙂
All the best,
Bonnie
Bonnie, this is such wonderful news. So many of us have been worried about how we would get our puppy fix in, and now you announce this awesome, far reaching project. I will await each update on each of the nine Honor Litter puppies with bated breath! Best wishes on your hard work ahead.
Good morning, Debbie, and many thanks for your comments! I hope to ensure you get your puppy fix, and I hope you enjoy the photos and the journey! 🙂 Most of all, I hope the word is spread far and wide about what a great organization WCC is…it’s awesome to be a part of their mission, I hope you enjoy the photos and blog!
Cheers,
Bonnie
I’m very happy to know that you will be documenting the lives of the Honor Litter. I have been following Warrior Canine Connection since last year. I hope that you can bring the attention of a wider world to the great work these dogs do for their wounded warriors.
Hello Gayle! I, too, hope to bring attention to these fantastic animals, and the whole WCC team and family! Thank you for your comments…and stay tuned! 🙂
Best regards,
Bonnie
Thank you so much for the opportunity for us to follow these wonderful puppies on their special journey. I, along with many of us, learned of this wonderful organization about a year ago and immediately was hooked on their amazing work to help our wounded warriors. What brought me to this site was my love for dogs and my curiosity about how thses special dogs are trained to help the veterans with PTSD and brain injuries. Watching all three litters from the beginning has educated a lot of us on what it takes to be selected for their special mission in life. Molly and Rick, along with their amazing staff have opened up their world to all of us and shared their daily lives allowing all of us to be aware of this wonderful organization. They have a special following of supporters and with your involvment, will bring many more into the fold. Looking forward to your photos and stories.
Hi Janett! Thank you so much for your comments and taking the time to visit! You’re right on the money – Molly, Rick, Cheryl, and the entire team…the entire family… of WCC is awesome! I hope many more will be brought into the fold, and I’ll do my darndest to bring them in! 🙂
Please keep the comments coming!
All the best to you,
Bonnie
Bonnie what a tremendous partnership this is, thank you so much for your commitment to this litter and the mission of the Warrior Canine Connection. I look forward to the wonderful pictures capturing the essence of these beautiful pups – service dogs and the loved ones who will raise and train them and ultimately the warriors with whom they will share their lives.
Good morning, Mary! Thank you for the compliment! I’m so happy to be even a small part of the WCC family! I also hope you enjoy looking at the photos and reading about these awesome pups and their Warriors as much as I enjoy photographing them and talking about them! Thank you for your comments….please continue to stay tuned!
Warmest regards,
Bonnie
A photo has a way of attracting one’s attention. Evoking an instant emotion. I am looking forward to following the progress of the Honor Litter through your eyes. To learn as the puppy’s learn. To see the hard earned confidence of both canine & warrior grow through the process & the shear joy a dog brings into a life. Also important is the exposure for WCC. Theirs is a labor of love. Thank you Bonnie for applying your talents on behalf of WCC’s efforts. Can’t wait!
Good evening, Deb – it’s my honor to do this, and I will do my best to tell their tale well! I hope you enjoy learning the dogs’ stories, those of the Warriors they serve, and the incredible organization that is WCC!
With warmest regards,
Bonnie
What an incredible opportunity. I have a special place in my heart for canines and people who suffer from psychological issues. Currently I am a certified dog trainer and behaviour specialist who is studying to become a registered Behaviourist while trying to run my own rescue that focuses on the physical and psychological rehabilitation of behaviourally challenged canines. My ultimate goal is to rehabilitate these rescue dogs to become therapy dogs for people with mental health needs (depression, anxiety, etc). I am in the first baby steps of this project. I am so excited to follow your posts as part of my learning. I speak from experience when I say that canines have healing “powers” we have only begun to understand. Best of luck and enjoy the journey.