Dedicated Volunteer Brings Healing and Community to Veterans and Service Dogs

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Robin Martin. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light. 

For many years, Robin Martin has been a dedicated volunteer with Warrior Canine Connection (WCC), first in Maryland and now in Asheville, North Carolina. Her commitment to the organization and the veterans it serves is evident in the 1,362 hours she volunteered last year alone. Robin’s role as a puppy raiser is central to her volunteer work, where she invests time, love and effort into training and raising service dogs that play a crucial role in the recovery of veterans. 

But Robin’s dedication goes far beyond just raising a puppy. Living in South Carolina, she travels over an hour each way to Asheville two to three times a week, bringing the service dog in training to participate in Mission Based Trauma Recovery sessions. These therapeutic training sessions are designed to help veterans alleviate symptoms of PTSD, and Robin’s presence is a comforting and encouraging constant for both the veterans and the dogs. 

Known affectionately as the “mom” of the Asheville site, Robin creates a sense of community among the staff, volunteers and, most importantly, the veterans. She brings more than just her dog-training expertise; she has a nurturing spirit that touches everyone around her. Robin is known for baking cookies and bringing snacks to feed everyone at the center, ensuring that the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. Her efforts help to build a supportive environment where veterans can feel comfortable and cared for as they work through their challenges. 

Robin also plays a crucial role in mentoring new puppy raisers. She is always available to answer their questions, provide guidance, and share her knowledge and experience. Whether it’s making new collars, helping create doggy business cards or assisting in building their training skills, Robin is there every step of the way. Read on to learn more about Robin’s dedication to this cause and what keeps her motivated. 

Tell us about your volunteer role. 

I’m a volunteer puppy raiser with WCC. I get puppies and take them home – they live in my home – and I take them out and socialize them. We got to restaurants, the grocery store, shopping centers, the mall. I’m also a volunteer trainer, so I help with training sessions is one of the other two trainers is not available or need additional hands. I do volunteer fundraising. I do events, setting them up and attending them. I recruit other puppy raisers as well.   

I don’t always have the dogs from beginning to end, but I’m what they call a troubleshooter. So if they have a dog who lacks confidence, they’ll send the dog to me. I’ll spend a couple of months working wit the dog, and then it will go back for advanced training or to another puppy parent. 

The puppy raising process starts immediately, from the moment they’re whelped to the moment they’re placed in puppy raisers’ hands. The actual training is anywhere from 18 to 24 months, and within that timeframe, they go in for advanced training. That’s where they trainers at headquarters in Maryland will fine-tune the dog to whatever needs the veteran in line might have.  

What inspired you to get started with this initiative? 

I used to work for Home Depot as a district services manager for the installation department, and one of my store managers received a letter from someone who had been following the puppies on camera, and this nonprofit organization needed assistance. They asked if people could jump in and do that. Long story short, that was in 2011 and we did a buildout for them at no charge. The dog program director took me into her home where at the time, they were raising and whelping puppies. She put a little puppy into my hands. It was about 10:30 at night and she said, “This should be the best way to end your day.” And it was! Three months later, I got my first dog and haven’t looked back since. 

What’s your favorite dog breed? 

I’ll say Labradors are my favorite. I’m on my 35th dog now. I was able to adopt one of the career change dogs, Mike, a black lab who just loves people. He wasn’t suited for service because he thinks everyone’s his new best friend! I’ve also had two Goldens. 

Why is this issue so important to you? 

There is simply not enough help out there for veterans. I’ve been able to see firsthand what our dogs to for the veteran community. Seeing veterans come out of their shells, recognizing their issues and concerns. For example, the dogs let them know they’re holding their breath, and they can stop holding their breath. The dogs allow them to go out in public because they can concentrate on the dog and not worry about all the people around them.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work? 

I’ll go back to the veterans and give an example. A female veteran who had not been able to go out in public – a grocery store, Target, the mall – was able to go out at Christmastime to a store with her dog, and do Christmas shopping for the first time in many years. 

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer? 

I’m a very outgoing person, and I’ve learned to take a step back, be calm and be patient both with the dogs and with the veteran population. I’ve learned how to let it all just unfold. Sometimes, I’m the voice of reason. Sometimes I’m giving a pat on the back and saying, “you’ve done a great job” and handing someone a brownie I baked. Being in the moment and letting it all unfold is the hardest part, as a type A person, but I’ve learned to take a deep breath, sit still and observe. 

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about? 

If it’s a nonprofit, there aren’t enough dollars out there to take care of everyone and everything. Having spent most of my life traveling as an Army brat, I’ve observed the best and the worst in people. Opportunities with nonprofits allow for things that the government and the general public don’t necessarily know a lot about.  

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering? 

Jump in with both feet. Don’t hesitate. I haven’t looked back! I even retired and moved to South Caroline. I stayed in Maryland until the program opened up in Asheville, North Carolina, and now I drive an hour and a half each way to take my dog in for the sessions. I’d say, don’t be afraid. I’ve met so many wonderful people through this organization who have become lifelong friends. 

What do you want people to learn from your story? 

We just need more puppy parents, more puppy raisers. There aren’t enough of them out there. We can keep breeding dogs but we need more raisers and the word needs to get out there.  

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Robin? Find local volunteer opportunities.