Our Philosophy

At Veterans With Dogs, our philosophy is built on the foundation of our core values: Respect, Care, and Compassion. We believe that assistance dogs deserve a life as enriching and fulfilling as the one they provide to their human partners. Our approach is guided by three key principles:

Joyful Existence and Respect

We are committed to ensuring our dogs lead lives filled with joy, confidence, and purpose. By fostering a strong and positive presence in the world, our dogs are better equipped to enhance the lives of those they assist. We respect the unique needs and personalities of both our dogs and veterans, recognising the dignity and worth of each individual in our programme.

 

Collaborative Learning and Care

Our approach goes beyond traditional command-based training. We engage our dogs in a collaborative learning process, demonstrating our care for their well-being and development. This process empowers them to:

  • Express consent in their interactions
  • Make choices in their daily activities
  • Develop a deep bond of trust with their human partners

 

Mutual Growth and Compassion

We dedicate ourselves to the education and development of both people and dogs, approaching this journey with genuine compassion. Our programme is designed to:

  • Enrich lives through companionship
  • Promote personal growth for both veterans and canines
  • Create lasting, meaningful partnerships built on mutual understanding and support

 

Through this philosophy, underpinned by our core values of Respect, Care, and Compassion, we strive to create partnerships that are not just functional, but truly transformative for both veterans and their assistance dogs.

 

 

BOND-BASED APPROACH

At Veterans With Dogs, we champion a unique philosophy in assistance dog training: the bond-based approach. This method is rooted in our core values of Respect, Care, and Compassion, and goes beyond traditional command-driven techniques.

True Partnership

We believe in fostering genuine partnerships between veterans and their assistance dogs. Our approach emphasises:
 
  • Living and working together as equal companions
  • Developing mutual trust and understanding
  • Building confidence in both the veteran and the dog

 

The Power of Connection

Our bond-based approach is founded on the conviction that profound, enduring connections yield remarkable results. These relationships:

  • Create an intuitive understanding between veteran and dog
  • Enable dogs to offer spontaneous, unprompted assistance
  • Provide support precisely when it's needed most

 

Through this bond-based approach, we witness the emergence of truly extraordinary assistance dog partnerships — ones that transform lives and exemplify the deep connection possible between humans and canines.
 
 
 
 

BOND-BASED OPTION LEARNING

At Veterans With Dogs, we've pioneered a groundbreaking educational approach: Bond-Based Option Learning (BBOL)™. This innovative system, developed exclusively by our organisation, revolutionises the way we understand and nurture the relationship between veterans and their assistance dogs.

A Unique Approach
 

BBOL™ is rooted in social learning principles and goes beyond traditional training methods:

  • It empowers veterans to truly understand their dogs' individual needs
  • It equips dogs with the skills to regulate their own behaviour effectively
  • The focus is on fostering a deep, intuitive bond rather than mechanical responses

 

Empowering Both Partners


Our approach is designed to create a balanced, mutually beneficial partnership:

  • Veterans learn to interpret and respond to their dog's unique communication style
  • Dogs are encouraged to make independent decisions based on their partner's needs
  • Both partners develop a heightened sense of trust and understanding

 

Beyond Commands


BBOL™ transcends the limitations of conventional command-based training:

  • Instead of relying solely on cues, dogs learn to read and respond to situations
  • The emphasis is on promoting the dog's natural problem-solving abilities
  • This approach results in more spontaneous and tailored assistance

 

Long-Term Benefits


The BBOL™ method offers lasting advantages for both veterans and their assistance dogs:

  • It cultivates a deeper, more meaningful bond between partners
  • The skills learned are adaptable to various situations and environments
  • This approach promotes ongoing growth and development in the partnership

 

Through Bond-Based Option Learning™, we're not just training assistance dogs; we're nurturing intuitive, responsive partnerships that truly transform lives.