BOYDS, Md. — U.S. Navy veteran Lt. Mary Pat Collins was surprised to learn that a puppy had been named after her. It’s not every day you get the honor of passing along your name to someone with four paws, a wagging tail and a noble mission.
Lt. Collins is a Calvert resident, grandmother and a leader in her local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. And on June 2, 2025, she received another unique honor: the Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) decided to name its newest service-dog-in-training after her. Lt. Collins was nominated by fellow DAR members who work with the organization.
The WCC is based in Boyds, Md., and names each of its puppies after a veteran. Lt. Collins spent most of her time in the Navy in the Bureau of Naval Personnel’s data processing department and earned her master’s degree in computer science while serving. In 1982, she began IT work in the private sector while raising her family and volunteering. This naming tribute serves as recognition of Lt. Collins’ service to her country and her ongoing contributions to her family and community.
And this particular honor comes with a whole lot of cuteness — and big shoes to fill for little puppy Mary Pat, who has only just begun her training.
“My daughter was delighted when we found out,” said Lt. Collins with a laugh. “I think they have a really unique program.”
The WCC employs a mission-based trauma recovery model. They breed the dogs to have specific qualities in health, temperament and longevity, and then veterans train them before sending them off to their official assignments. The Warrior Trainers benefit from the powerful bond and the work of training a dog for a fellow service member.
While Lt. Collins doesn’t work directly with the WCC, she’s familiar with the program through the work of other DAR members who support the organization through fundraising, donations and educational support. Right now, Lt. Collins prefers to take on projects that focus on honoring veterans and preserving history.
She was able to track her own ancestor, Jacob Hilliard of Pennsylvania, through FindAGrave.com. Currently, she’s working on getting a plaque placed in a Montgomery County cemetery to honor the Revolutionary War veterans buried there.
Lt. Collins is dedicated to helping veterans and passionately listed ways community members can help. She suggested checking the local library for information about veterans’ organizations and keeping up to date on veteran-focused events in the community.
“We ask a lot of these people,” she said. “We take these young people when they’re pretty vulnerable, and ask them to fight on our behalf. It can affect them for a long time. We need to welcome them back and support them.”
Everyone can get involved however it best suits them, like Lt. Collins’ counterparts at the DAR who support WCC. The community can offer support through monetary donations, physical donations or volunteering time. She highlighted groups like Safe Havens, which helps veterans get housing and accepts donations of household goods.
And to Mary Pat the puppy, she has a message: “I wish you all the best in serving our country! Your service will be of great value to your lucky person.”
You can check out Mary Pat’s progress on the WCC’s live puppy cam.
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