Not only do our dogs provide a basic foundation for promoting healthy routines and living, they help their Veterans:
The close bond between a person and their dog encourages a sense of safety which can be tremendously beneficial for people living with PTSD.
The calming influence of a dog can help reduce both physical and psychological reactivity which is particularly relevant for people who have experienced trauma.
By tapping into this calming effect using grounding techniques, an Assistance Dog can reduce the perceived threat response allowing for increased community engagement and calmer interpersonal interactions.
We work with successful applicants to develop the vital bond with their dogs, and through this gain the skills and motivation they need to reach their goals.
All VWD dogs undergo extensive preparation and training for up to a year before being placed with a Veteran, who then train together for another 12-18 months in advanced skills training.
People living with PTSD often show external signs associated with their stress response (e.g. agitation such as bouncing legs, rubbing hands, head in hands, breathing heavily, sweating excessively etc.). Our dogs are trained to use these external signs as cues for relevant skills to provide support or interruptions when it is needed most.
Our training is highly personalised, shaping a dog’s skills to an individual needs.
We also encourage and support further ongoing skills development once both Veteran and their dog have qualified as an Assistance Dog partnership.