A Veteran Speaks

"I expected Yates would be helpful pyhsically for such tasks as as picking things up, bringing things to me and opening doors. What I never expected was the difference a service dog would make in helping me manage the chronic pain and the PTSD."

See Rob and Yates photo below on the right.

 
 
 


For more information or
to find out how you can help,
please contact:

Rick Yount, Program Director
rick@assistancedog.org
707.545.DOGS(3647) x28

Paws for Purple Hearts

Bergin University's Paws for Purple Hearts (PPH) program is the only program of it kind in the world. It builds on the time-honored tradition of soldiers assisting other soldiers.

Paws for Purple Hearts helps heal our returning combat veterans by teaching those with psychological scars, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), to train service dogs for their comrades with physical disabilities.

Healing Psychological Scars
In PPH's Warrior CARE Program, also known as Canine Assisted Reintegration Experience (CARE), the servicemen and women are first trained to train service dogs in over 90 commands. Using this expert knowledge and their honed training skills, they move onto training dogs that will be partnered to assist comrades with physical injuries.

The process of training a service dog for a fellow veteran can help address many of the symptoms associated with psychological injuries including PTSD. It also creates a positive sense of purpose and reinforces military values.

The soldiers who are trainers experience the unconditional love and support of the dogs in training. This connection offers stress relief as these servicemen and women reintegrate back into their community. Training the dogs enhances self worth, and provides an opportunity to practice emotional regulation and a reason for participating in new social relationships

Combat veteran no longer
on active duty

Increased Independence for Those with Physical Injuries
The service dogs are trained to assist in activities of daily living by opening doors, retrieving dropped items and pulling wheelchairs. These are just a few of the many benefits that a service dog provides. Plus the dog also offers unconditional love and acceptance.

The service dog accompanies their partner everywhere - home, work, anywhere their lives take them. In many cases, service dogs perform tasks that were previously performed by an attendant or family member; thus reducing the veteran's dependence on other people.



Rob and Yates

 
Bergin University of Canine Studies ~ 1215 Sebastopol Road ~ Santa Rosa, CA 954077 ~ 707.545.DOGS(3647) ~ info@assistancedog.org

© 2003 - Assistance Dog Institute. All rights reserved.