Improving Veteran Lives. One paw at a time.
Established in 2014 by The Defence Bank Foundation, the Defence Community Dogs (DCD) program exists to help Veterans to rebuild, literally saving lives.
We provide highly trained Assistance Dogs to serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members, who need physical and emotional support for mood, depressive and anxiety disorders including Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
This unique win-win-win program rescues and re-homes dogs, rehabilitates inmates and helps Veterans to rebuild.
Why Assistance Dogs?
Assistance Dogs can increase independence and self-esteem and are trained to provide at home and community access support.
Veterans who have received Assistance Dogs through our program have described their dogs to be a truly invaluable part of their rehabilitation. They have reported improved sleep patterns, reduced episodes of stress and anxiety, reduced reliance on medication, greater independence and a renewed ability to reconnect with family, friends and their community. Partners and carers have also reported increased independence, and some have even been able to return to work.
A 2018 study found that “compared with usual care alone, military members and Veterans with trained Assistance Dogs show lower PTSD symptomology, reduced depression and increased social participation.”
About our Assistance Dog training
Every dog begins as a surrendered or rehomed dog, and must pass a strict health and temperament assessment before being accepted to enter the training program.
Every dog is continuously monitored while in training to make sure their personality and temperament is suited for their job as an Assistance Dog.
Our dogs undertake at least 8 to 10 months – a minimum of 250 hours – of professional dog training and must pass numerous assessments in order to graduate.
All training takes place at Correctional Centres with the assistance of professional dog trainers and under the guidance of one of Australia’s leading Dog Trainers, Steve Austin.
Each dog is allocated to a handler for the duration of their training – a specially selected, minimum security inmate. The dogs spend 24 hours a day with their handler, who looks after all their needs – they even share a cell together.
All dogs are trained to Assistance Dog level, with training specifically focused on assisting Veterans to cope with their health condition.
This level of training equips each dog with the competencies and skills required to complete a Public Access Test (PAT); through which they ultimately attain Assistance Dog accreditation.
After dogs are placed with their Veterans, each Veteran is responsible for completing additional training in order to meet the PAT requirements applicable to their state of residence.
Matching Veterans and Dogs
Once a dog has completed its extensive training, it can be matched with a suitable and eligible Veteran. All Veterans who apply for our program complete an extensive application process and must have a medical endorsement from a Psychologist or Psychiatrist that supports the Veteran’s application for an Assistance Dog.
Once Veterans are matched with a dog, they attend a comprehensive handover workshop at a nominated training facility. Veterans spend eight days in person, working with our professional trainers and program staff, learning how to correctly handle, communicate with and care for their new Assistance Dog. This also affords Veterans an opportunity to gradually bond with their new dog under the supervision of a professional dog trainer.
All the dogs in our program are provided at no cost to the Veteran. However, Veterans are responsible for all ongoing costs for the upkeep of their new Assistance Dog, including food and veterinary care.
How to support the Defence Community Dogs program
Defence Community Dogs is the only independent program in Australia that trains dogs to Assistance Dog level and provides them free-of-charge to Australian Defence Force Veterans.
It costs around $30,000 over the life of the dog to train, place and support each Assistance Dog and Veteran in our program.
Please support our program today through a tax-deductible donation, fundraising or by making a purchase in our online shop..
Want to find out how to apply for a DCD Assistance Dog?
If you are or you know a Veteran who would benefit from an Assistance Dog, follow the link below for access to important information about the process involved and how to apply.
Thanks to the Defence Bank Foundation
The Defence Bank Foundation is a registered independent charity with DGR status, established to support serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members. The Foundation raises funds for the provision of the Defence Community Dogs program.
