Our Assistance Dogs: Transforming Lives
At Veterans With Dogs, we believe in the transformative power of partnership. Our assistance dogs are more than just companions; they are expertly trained to provide life-changing support to our veterans.
These incredible animals help build foundations for healthier living and offer unique abilities that make a real difference. We call them PALS – Partner Animal Life Skills – because that's precisely what they offer.
The Impact of Our Assistance Dogs
Our assistance dogs are trained to make a significant impact on the lives of veterans. With their keen senses and advanced training, they can spot early signs of anxiety or emotional distress. This allows them to step in and provide support before things escalate, making a real difference in managing symptoms of PTSD. Here are some ways they help:
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Nightmare Interruption: Our dogs are trained to recognise and interrupt nightmares, a common symptom of PTSD. This provides essential support during vulnerable moments, helping veterans get a good night’s sleep and maintain a more stable daily routine.
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Easing the Transition: Adjusting to civilian life can be challenging. Our assistance dogs help veterans navigate this tricky transition by creating natural opportunities for social interaction. They help break down barriers and rebuild confidence in public spaces, empowering veterans to re-engage with daily responsibilities and rediscover their sense of purpose.
Training and Partnership
Each assistance dog undergoes rigorous preparation and training for up to a year before being carefully matched with a veteran. This is followed by another 12-18 months of advanced skills training, fine-tuning their partnership.
Our training is highly personalised, ensuring that each dog's skills perfectly align with their veteran's specific needs. The dogs learn to identify external signs of stress and provide appropriate support through grounding techniques and other specialised interventions. It's about creating a bespoke support system that works.
Through ongoing skills development and unwavering support, these partnerships flourish, creating lasting positive change and empowering veterans to reclaim their lives with confidence and dignity.
