After we shared a story last month about assistance dogs helping veterans overcome the physical and emotional traumas of war, we received many requests for additional information. So we’ve gathered a list of resources that may be helpful if you or someone you know could benefit from an assistance dog, which are typically classified by the type of assistance they provide:
- guide dogs for the blind or visually impaired,
- hearing dogs for those who are deaf or hard of hearing,
- service dogs for those with disabilities other than vision or hearing, and
- psychiatric service dogs which are often paired with vets who have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD.
Assistance Dog Directories and Associations
Assistance Dog Training / Placement Services
Many of these non-profit organizations train and place dogs with veterans at little or no cost.
Funding and Financial Support
The Veterans Administration provides financial assistance to care for guide or service dogs obtained through VA approved training facilities. There is no charge for the dog or the associated training. Learn more here.
At this time VA benefits for psychiatric service dogs are not available pending completion of a study to determine the efficacy of psychiatric service dogs. Learn more here. http://www.psychdog.org/veterans2.html
See how service dogs are “life changers” for vets with post traumatic stress disorder. (PTSD).