Highland Canine Connect

Home
United States
Harmony, NC
Highland Canine Connect

Transforming lives through the power of canine connections.

06/09/2026

We are deeply honored to have been invited to present at the 121st Annual Session of the Grand Chapter of the NC Order of the Eastern Star — an organization whose generosity has helped transform the lives of many families through the gift of highly trained service dogs.

For many years, the Order of the Eastern Star has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to this cause, making service dogs a permanent focus of its charitable work.

We are grateful for their partnership and proud to stand alongside an organization whose values so closely align with our own mission: transforming lives through the power of canine connection.

06/05/2026

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to Beth and therapy dog, Stella, for their extraordinary dedication to our Waggy Tales reading program.

Week after week, they brought patience, kindness, and quiet encouragement, creating a space where children felt seen, supported, and free to grow at their own pace. The confidence they helped students build will last well beyond the final page being turned.

Beth and Stella exemplify what volunteer service truly is: showing up consistently, asking for nothing in return, and wholeheartedly believing in something bigger than themselves. We are incredibly thankful they chose to share that gift with us.

06/02/2026

This morning, Highland Canine Connect was honored to attend the Union Grove Elementary School Community Partner Breakfast.

We are thankful for the chance to collaborate with such an amazing school and support students through our volunteer reading program and therapy dog visits. Watching children gain confidence, improve reading skills, and experience the comfort and encouragement of a therapy dog is one of our most rewarding experiences.

Thank you to Union Grove Elementary for welcoming us into your school community and recognizing the importance of community partnerships that help students succeed.

Together, we’re building connections, boosting confidence, and making a difference, one child, one book, and one wagging tail at a time.

05/27/2026

As May comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the moments that remind us why this work matters so much.

This month, we celebrated new service dog and therapy dog placements, honored veterans and the meaning of Memorial Day, supported schools and communities in Western North Carolina, and continued building connections one paw at a time.

From classrooms to homes, from hard days to hopeful ones, Highland Canine Connect dogs are helping bring comfort, confidence, and companionship where it’s needed most.

Thank you to every volunteer, supporter, handler, educator, trainer, and family walking this journey with us. The impact you help create reaches farther than you know.

Here’s to a summer filled with more healing, more connection, and more tails wagging. 🐾

05/26/2026

This weekend symbolized more than just a delivery.

Wanda the Therapy Dog officially arrived at her new home with the students and staff of Isaac Dickson Elementary School in Asheville, North Carolina.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Isaac Dickson became much more than a school. It served as a vital command post where emergency response teams worked tirelessly to deliver food, water, and essential supplies to families across the community. It transformed into a place of hope, resilience, and compassion during one of Western North Carolina’s most challenging moments.

Now, Wanda continues that legacy of healing. We are proud that Highland Canine Connect is part of this new chapter, bringing comfort, connection, calm, and joy to students, educators, and families every day.

Welcome home, Wanda. 🐾

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we pause to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

Their sacrifice is woven into the story of our nation and remembered in the quiet freedoms we often take for granted. Today, we remember the fallen, stand beside the families who carry their absence, and reflect with gratitude on the cost of liberty.

May we never forget those who gave everything. 🇺🇸

05/21/2026

Some battles don't end when the mission does.

Veterans come home carrying invisible burdens: pain, isolation, and the quiet struggle of navigating daily life in a body or mind forever changed by service. Most of us will never fully understand this weight. That's where a service dog steps in.

Trained to assist with mobility, balance, medical needs, and more, these dogs are lifelines. But what they truly give a veteran can't be found in any training manual - it's the unconditional presence that asks for nothing and gives everything.

We've seen this bond restore what years of struggle had quietly taken away: confidence, independence, and joy. Every veteran who has served deserves that kind of support at home.

Sometimes strength walks beside you on four paws. 🇺🇸🐾

05/18/2026

☀️🐾 Heat Safety Matters for Every Dog‼️

As temperatures rise, it’s important to remember that dogs can overheat much faster than humans. Heat stroke can become dangerous very quickly, especially for puppies, senior dogs, flat-faced breeds, working dogs, and dogs with thick coats.

🚨 Warning Signs of Heat Stroke in Dogs
• Excessive panting
• Thick drool or excessive salivation
• Bright red or pale gums
• Weakness or stumbling
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Rapid heartbeat
• Glazed eyes or confusion
• Collapse or unresponsiveness

If you notice these signs, move your dog to a cool area immediately, offer cool (not ice-cold) water, place cool towels on your dog's paws and belly, and contact your veterinarian right away.

💧 Ways to Prevent Heat Stroke
✔️ Walk early in the morning or later in the evening
✔️ Always provide shade and fresh water
✔️ Avoid hot pavement (if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for paws)
✔️ Never leave a dog in a parked car, not even for a minute. Leave your dogs at home on hot days - most businesses are not pet-friendly
✔️ Take frequent breaks during outdoor activities
✔️ Watch therapy dogs and service dogs closely while working in the heat

We know our dogs give their whole hearts caring for others, so it’s up to us to protect them, too.

Strong communities care for all their members… including the four-legged ones.

05/14/2026

☀️ 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐟𝐟! School's almost out. The backpacks are dropping, the schedules are clearing, and a whole season of possibility is opening up.

We believe summer is the perfect time to do something that matters not just to you, but also to the people (and pups) around you.

This summer, imagine:
📖 Library visits where children read aloud to a therapy dog who listens without judgment
🤗 A volunteer walking into a senior center and leaving with a story they'll never forget
🌈A kid who came to camp nervous walking out confident — tail wags included

These aren't just feel-good moments. They're the building blocks of stronger, kinder communities. Whether you're 8 or 80, there's a place for you in this work:

🐾Volunteer and show up for someone who needs it

🐾Learn about service dogs and what accessibility really means.

🐾Practice empathy — the most important skill, no classroom grades needed.

Strong communities aren't built by grand gestures; they're built by people who show up in rooms, libraries, and lobbies, one small moment at a time.

As the school year winds down, we're wishing you a summer full of connection, compassion, and yes, probably a little dog hair on your clothes. Join us!

05/12/2026

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of a very special therapy dog, Blizzard. 🤍

Blizzard was deeply loved by his family and touched countless hearts along the way. Despite many health challenges throughout his life as a rescue pup, he met each one with quiet strength, resilience, and the kind of spirit only dogs possess. Thanks to devoted care, treatments, and a little extra help along the way, he was given three more beautiful years filled with love, learning, and connection.

We are grateful Blizzard spent part of his journey with Highland Canine Connect. His presence mattered here, and we are honored to have known him.

To Lori and all who loved him, we are holding you close in our hearts as you say goodbye to a faithful companion and cherished friend. The love we share with our dogs never leaves us.

Run free, sweet Blizzard. 🌈🐾

Address

145 Foxfield Drive
Harmony, NC
28634

Telephone

(704) 500-8367

Website

https://www.highlandcanineconnect.org/volunteer/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Highland Canine Connect posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Highland Canine Connect:

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Harmony?