Program Media Release
Improving Veterans Lives - One Paw at a Time
Defence Community Dogs is an independent program that provides, at no cost, highly trained Assistance Dogs to both serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, who need physical and emotional support for mood, depressive and anxiety disorders; including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Established by Defence Bank Foundation in 2014, the program rescues and rehomes dogs, trains them with inmates inside correctional facilities (under the direction of professional dog trainers) and provides them as highly trained Assistance Dogs to Veterans in need of mental health support.
It takes more than 250 hours of initial training and costs around $30,000 over the life of the dog; to train, place and support each Assistance Dog and their Veteran recipient during their time within the program.
Each dog spends 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with their inmate trainers to allow for ongoing, intensive training. The low security inmates care for and train the dogs in the prison and within the local community, to ready the dogs for their active role providing round the clock support of their Veteran Recipient.
In addition to providing loyal companionship, Defence Community Dogs are trained in specific behaviours that assist in reducing PTSD anxiety including; signalling and interrupting preliminary signs of stressful body language; preventing the anxiety from escalating, placing themselves as a physical block between the Veteran and unsettling situations or people, waking their Veteran from night terrors and turning on a small portable light, and resting their head on the Veteran’s leg during times of stress or anxiety and looking into their eyes.
After learning over 40 identifiable simple and complex tasks, and numerous assessments prior to graduating, the dogs are individually paired with a Veteran’s mental and physical health needs. If a Veteran has mobility issues, then the dog will be taught Veteran specific tasks to pick up dropped items such as walking sticks, to load/unload the washing machine, open and close doors and to help their Veteran to remove their jacket.
Veterans who have received Defence Community Assistance Dogs have described their dogs to be a truly invaluable part of their rehabilitation. Veterans 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 and friends.
Partners and carers have also reported increased independence, and some have even been able to return to work. Veterans describe the dogs as giving them purpose, with the support of the dogs and reciprocal responsibility for the dog acting as a suicide prevention in some cases, literally saving lives.
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.”
" It’s changed my life. It’s brought me back to the person I used to be. This program is just absolutely amazing. I wouldn’t be here today without it. Lola was one day off being euthanased and now she has saved my life." Mick and Lola
The program is fully funded by sponsorships and donations through the Defence Bank Foundation - a registered independent charity which raises funds to pay for its sole beneficiary, the Defence Community Dogs Program. All donations over $2 are tax deductible. ABN 19 814 426 820
The Defence Community Dogs program is improving the lives of Veterans. One paw at a time.
Info and image enquiries contact media@dcdogs.com.au or phone 1300 DCDOGS and press option #5