By Beth Bourgeois | Media and Public Relations Office
Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) is proud to announce that Bea, a WCC-trained Labrador Retriever, has been selected as the 2025 winner of the American Kennel Club (AKC) Humane Fund Award for Canine Excellence (ACE) in the Service Dog category.
Bea was honored for the profound difference she has made in the life of her partner, U.S. Marine Corps and Air National Guard Veteran Buddy. Since being paired through WCC, Bea has helped Buddy reclaim stability, purpose and joy — impact felt not only by him, but by his family, his firehouse crew and the community.
“Bea and Buddy are an amazing Veteran Service Dog Team whose partnership has made a remarkable difference,” said Rick Yount, founder and executive director of Warrior Canine Connection. “They are a glowing example of the Warrior-Canine Connection in action, and their ACE Award recognition is a well-deserved celebration of the hope, healing and teamwork they exemplify every day.”
Bea instinctively senses when Buddy is in distress, waking him from night terrors and providing calm, grounding reassurance. Her support has significantly reduced his anxiety, improved his sleep and empowered him to take on new responsibilities, including a firefighter position at the Letterkenny Army Depot, where Bea accompanies him daily. Her presence in the firehouse brings comfort and steadiness to everyone around her, helping the entire crew navigate the emotional toll of challenging calls.
Bea’s influence extends beyond Buddy’s service. She’s helped him reconnect with family life, embrace new experiences and re-engage with the world in ways he once thought impossible.
Bea is the second WCC dog to earn this national honor. WCC’s Luke received the AKC ACE Service Dog Award in 2020, marking another proud milestone for the organization and underscoring its commitment to training highly skilled service dogs who change lives.
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