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Provide Assistance Dogs to Soldiers with Post Traumatic StressNational Service Dog Training Centre Inc.

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$25K
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Goals

  • To help 6 Canadian Veterans cope with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • To evaluate the impact of specially trained dogs on people with PTSD

Overview

National Service Dogs’ (NSD) trainers will work in partnership with volunteers, mental health care professionals and individuals with PTSD to develop, evaluate and implement a Skilled Companion Dog Program for Individuals with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Six individuals will be matched with specially trained Skilled Companion Dogs and will be asked to participate in a 1 year study to evaluate the effectiveness of the dog in mitigating the symptoms of PTSD.  These individuals will receive in home training with their dog and documented monthly follow ups to ensure the dog’s skill levels are being maintained, that the clients and dogs are forming a positive partnership and to identify any adjustments in the dog’s training that are required to better meet the needs of the client.  Dogs for this program will be specially selected and will provide reality affirmation, emotional support, bridge social barriers and help reduce startle responses in veterans.

Community Benefit

First and foremost the individuals/veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder will benefit. They will live more enriched lives with greater independence, less stress and anxiety and have the opportunity to become more engaged members of their communities. In addition, mental health care professionals will have additional, cost effective strategies available to them when developing a treatment plan for their patients. The families of individuals with PTSD will experience less stress and a healthier home environment. In general the community will benefit from an increased awareness of the effects of PTSD and the importance of supporting individuals with PTSD in their community. National Service Dogs' local community will benefit from the expansion of the organization's volunteer programs to include the PTSD dogs and volunteers will have the opportunity to assist a new area of the community while enhancing their dog training skills.

How will the $25K be used?
Budget Notes: Other sources of funding are being sought to cover the balance of the cost ($22,000) to professionally train and prepare the dogs for placement with 6 veterans. Also for the development/ production of marketing materials and upgrades to NSD’s website to accommodate the new PTSD Dog Program.($6000)
$ 6,500 Client training and study follow up for 6 clients
$ 1,200 Equipment and training materials for 6 clients
$ 17,300 Portion of canine care and training for 6 clients

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