City Editor Molly here. I had only been sitting in the Asheville office of Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) for a few minutes when one of the organization's service dogs trotted in. He was clearly thrilled to see people, bounding between us and sticking his nose in my bag to investigate.

Program Director Amy Guidash told me that this was a standard greeting from Pluto.

"Our dogs are super social and fun," said Guidash. "We're working with veterans, many of whom are diagnosed with PTSD and sometimes like to isolate. We want the dogs to help integrate people back into the community."

Dogs like Bryce learn commands and stress cues to support their veteran. | Photo via Warrior Canine Connection

Working like a dog

WCC trains its dogs a little differently. Beyond the joyful, social nature of WCC dogs, the educational process is unique. Alongside expert trainers are volunteer veterans who play a crucial role in each service dog's development. Groups come into the office daily to teach commands, enforce behavior, encourage socialization, and play.

The volunteers are there from the beginning, so the dogs, each named after veterans, can offer healing to many rather than just one. WCC calls it mission-based trauma recovery, and it's a cornerstone of the work.

When a dog nears their second birthday, they'll go to WCC's headquarters for advanced training before being brought to the veteran who will become their family.

Guidash spent much of our time together regaling me with stories of lives changed — a veteran who went out in public for the first time in two years, a veteran with noise sensitivity who walked downtown without hearing protection — all thanks to these dogs and the veterans who trained them.

Around here, the dogs' outings often involve hikes. | Photo via Warrior Canine Connection

Puppy love

The Asheville chapter hopes to continue its growth, reaching more veterans and more local organizations. But for that, it needs more dogs — and that means more puppy raisers.

Puppy parents don't have to be veterans or veterans' families; they just need to be able to provide support for a service dog in training. That means socialization, basic commands, weekly classes, and a loving home. Puppy parents raise the dogs for 4-18 months before their graduation.

Pro tip: Even if you aren't able to take on puppy parenthood, you can still enjoy the 24/7 puppy cam.