Home - Defence Community Dogs

Helping Veterans improve their lives.
One paw at a time.

About Us

Defence Community Dogs (DCD) exists to help Veterans improve their lives.

We provide dogs trained to Assistance Dog level to Australian Defence Force (ADF) Veterans. Trained in specific tasks to support medical conditions, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD), these Dogs are helping Veterans rebuild their lives.

Every Dog is rescued from a pound or shelter and then trained by inmates at a Correctional Centre under the guidance of professional dog trainers.

A unique Win-Win-Win program.

The Defence Community Dogs program has been running since 2014. It is rescuing dogs, rehabilitating inmates and helping repair the lives of Veterans. Watch our ‘Transforming Lives’ video to find out more about our story.

The Dogs are provided free of charge to our Veterans.

Support Us

It costs over $7,500 to train each Dog to Assistance Dog level.

Every donation will help us to rescue, feed and train more Dogs.

The program relies solely on donations, sponsorships, fundraising activities and volunteers to provide the Dogs to Veterans. 100% of funds required are raised through the registered charity, The Defence Bank Foundation.

Our Dogs are trained to the highest standard, but we keep our cost low thanks to help of inmates in prisons.

Defence Community Dogs does not receive any government funding.

*Photo courtesy of PuppyTales

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Some words from our Veterans

Michael and ‘Lola’

”Lola has pulled me out of nightmares several times since I’ve had her.”

“I normally suffer from kicking my feet and punching in my sleep, but Lola jumps up on the bed and lays straight across my feet and puts her weight on them. It brings me back to the real world.”

“Having Lola is Absolutely Life Changing.”

Some words from our Veterans

Mick and ‘Zac’

“The new member of the family has been a hit! Still lost for words. Zac is exactly what we needed. So much joy and excitement around this place in a time that calls for plenty of it. Previously I was dwelling on the negatives in our life, my illness, doctors’ appointments, and my wife’s battle with cancer. Zac has brought a positive focus into my life. My whole family loves Zac and he has brought laughter, joy and hope into our home. Thank you all the DCD team and all the boys training hard with the dogs. You are doing an amazing thing. Keep it up.”

Some words from our Veterans

Dave and ‘Winnie’

“I wish I could give higher than a 5 star rating for Defence Community Dogs. The whole process from my first contact with DCD, right through until graduation with my new dog Winnie, has been faultless and professional.

I will do whatever I can in my life to give back to Defence Community Dogs, because they have given me a gift that is changing my life for the better.”

Some words from our Veterans

Jess and ‘Bentley’

“Bentley has proven time and time again why I need him. When I’m sad, anxious, angry, or having bad dreams he is always there. I’m so happy I have Bentley, he couldn’t be any more perfect. Once again thank you to everyone who was a part of training and sponsoring Bentley. I appreciate it more than I could ever express.”