ROCKVILLE, Md., July 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's leading hotel companies, announced that its Suburban Extended Stay Hotel brand is supporting services for those who have served the country. The hotel brand is partnering with Warrior Canine Connection, a Veterans' therapy organization, as they build a new headquarters, retreat and training facility complete with lodging for Warrior trainers. In this partnership, the hotel brand is bringing some "talent and treasure" to help America's bravest. 

Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) is unique in its utilization of Canine Connection Therapy to assist returning combat Veterans who have sustained physical and psychological wounds while on active duty. This therapeutic service dog-training program aims to help address symptoms of post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries, while assisting recovering Service Members as they reintegrate back into their families and communities. The organization also trains Veterans in a career path as a service dog trainer, which will help to reduce long wait times for clients in need of these highly trained animals.

"Choice Hotels and Suburban Extended Stay have the deepest gratitude for the sacrifices all veterans have made in service to our country. Many of our hotels are located close to military installations, so we feel strongly about supporting this community," said Caragh McLaughlin, head of domestic brand management for Suburban Extended Stay Hotel. "The Suburban Extended Stay Hotel brand is proud to be able to partner with a pioneering organization such as Warrior Canine Connection. WCC is not only offering a form of therapy for Veterans, it is also empowering them with sustainable skills toward a new vocation."

The hotel brand has pledged $20,000 plus architectural expertise to WCC as they plan, design and build their new training center about 25 miles north of Washington, D.C. in Germantown, Maryland, which will include a lodging facility for Veterans, helping to develop training skills and close bonds with the service dogs. The Suburban Extended Stay Hotel brand will provide consulting services as the structure is built as well as access to the hotel brand's qualified vendors for items such as furnishings and fixtures.

The Suburban Extended Stay Hotel brand is committing the $20,000 to the organization in two phases. The first pledge came through participation in the online crowd-sourced fundraising competition called Veterans Charity Challenge 2, hosted on the fundraising platform, Crowdrise. With the help of Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Warrior Canine Connection was able to win the Veterans Charity Challenge and was awarded an additional $20,000 prize – raising more than $100,000 in total.

"We are so grateful to have Suburban Extended Stay and Choice Hotels International join with us in our mission to heal recovering Warriors," said Rick Yount, founder and executive director of Warrior Canine Connection. "Their experience in building and providing comfortable, affordable hotels and extended stay accommodations will provide us with valuable expertise as we plan and build our new headquarters. We are especially excited to have them partner with us in creating accommodations for our Warrior trainer apprentices."

The Suburban Extended Stay Hotel brand is a Choice Hotels brand in the economy extended stay segment, catering to guests seeking longer stays with the essentials of home at attractive short and long-term rates. Suburban hotels offer clean, comfortable and no-lease rooms, a well-equipped kitchen in every guest room, free high speed Internet, free premium movie channels, weekly housekeeping and on-site guest laundry. Whether staying for a day, a week, a month, or longer, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel guests can enjoy the convenience of home with just the right amenities all at a great value.

Warrior Canine Connection
Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) is a pioneering organization that utilizes clinically based Canine Connection Therapy to help wounded Warriors reconnect with life, their families, their communities, and each other. A 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization, WCC is dedicated to empowering returning combat Veterans who have sustained physical and psychological wounds while in service to our country.  Based on the concept of Warriors helping Warriors, WCC's therapeutic service dog training program is designed to mitigate symptoms of PTSD and TBI, while giving injured combat Veterans a sense of purpose, help in reintegrating back into their families and communities, and a potential career path as a service dog trainer.  WCC currently provides its program to recovering Warriors at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE), Palo Alto VA Medical Center (Menlo Park),  Ft. Belvoir Warrior Transition Brigade, the NeuroRestorative Residential Treatment Center in Germantown, MD,  and at WCC's "Healing Quarters" in Brookeville, MD.

About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises more than 6,300 hotels, representing more than 500,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 35 other countries and territories. As of March 31, 2014, 398 hotels, representing more than 30,000 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States. Additionally, 95 hotels, representing approximately 8,900 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in more than 15 other countries and territories. The company's Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Hotels & Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands, as well as its Ascend Hotel Collection membership program, serve guests worldwide.

Choice Hotels International offers the Choice Privileges® rewards program. With more than 20 million members worldwide, is one of the fastest growing hotel loyalty programs in the travel industry.

Additional corporate information can be found on the Choice Hotels International, Inc. web site, which may be accessed at www.choicehotels.com.

Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Choice Privileges, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Hotels & Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, and Ascend Hotel Collection are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International Inc.

© 2014 Choice Hotels International, Inc.  All rights reserved.

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SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.