Service dogs can be helpful partners for those suffering from chemical dependency, symptoms of PTSD, or TBI (traumatic brain injury). The relationship you form with a therapy dog is an important step in your healing process.
The dogs that we assign at Warriors Heart are specifically trained to become service dogs. They have been conditioned to sense and adapt to their handler’s needs. As they learn the individual personality of their partner warrior in our program, they become better at providing much-needed support during the recovery process.
Here are some ways service dogs provide support:
As part of the healing program, warriors are allowed to partner with a service dog during treatment for chemical dependency and PTSD.
Together with a therapist, the warrior will participate in an assisted therapy session with their service dog companion. This in turn creates powerful results for the service dog and provides an ally in the battle against addiction.
The dogs that we assign at Warriors Heart are specifically trained to become service dogs. They have been conditioned to sense and adapt to their handler’s needs. As they learn the individual personality of their partner warrior in our program, they become better at providing much-needed support during the recovery process.
If a warrior has connected with a service dog upon completion of their addiction and PTSD treatment, they’re given the option to take their battle buddy home at the end of treatment. During the long-term recovery process at home, a therapy dog can provide a great amount of morale.
The service dogs are kept at the Warriors Heart facility kennels which will be expanded and updated later this year. Our new state of the art kennels will help ensure the best care for the canines and of course, allow us to be able to rescue more!
All dogs are rescued from local shelters. We typically rescue from shelters that have high euthanasia rates.
Every warrior is provided an opportunity to work with the service dogs two days a week for two hours each day as part of the regular treatment program. Warriors will receive both classroom instruction as well as hands on training time. If a warrior finds that he or she really enjoys working with the canines, there is opportunity for them to take on additional training and kennel care responsibilities.
Seek the Peace You Deserve
If you’re struggling with addiction and PTSD, you don’t have to go at it alone. We’re here to help.