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Participate in Service Dog Training/Canine Assisted Warrior Therapy®

Train Service Dogs, Heal Your Heart and Mind

HERE'S HOW TO PARTICIPATE

IN-PATIENT APPLICATION PROCESS

To participate in our Canine Assisted Warrior Therapy sessions, just contact your local VA or DOD mental or behavioral healthcare facility and request that…

  1. They allow you to join an existing group, or…
  2. They contact Paws for Purple Hearts to discuss establishing a new group that you can join.

We currently have groups in the following geographic locations:

  • San Francisco, CA
  • Menlo Park, CA
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • San Diego, CA
  • Anchorage, AK
  • Richmond, VA
  • Washington, DC Metro Area
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Lakewood, WA

Helpful Resources

Dept. of Veterans Affairs

Call VA Help Hotline  855-948-2311

online resources

APPLICATION PROCESS

IN-PATIENT APPLICATION PROCESS

There are two ways to participate in Service Dog Training Canine Assisted Therapeutic Intervention.

In-patient – if you are at a VA, DOD or other organization facility we serve that requires admission. PPH/Other Facility – If you would like to participate at a PPH facility or other partner organization facility that does not require formal admission. Our screening process makes sure an applicant is a good candidate and can benefit from our program.

IN-PATIENT APPLICATION PROCESS

This process refers to participants who participate in our Service Dog Training Canine Assisted Therapeutic Intervention Program in a medical facility where they have been admitted, such as a DOD hospital or VA trauma recovery program.

1

Step 1: Complete the application and waiver

Return the completed application and signed waiver to your local PPH representatives (request an application).

2

Step 2: Medical Consultation

PPH representatives will consult with your doctor or service provider to determine if our program is appropriate for you at this time.

3

Step 3: Approval

After PPH has received your completed paperwork and consulted with your doctors, if you are approved, you may begin participating in the Service Dog Training Canine Assisted Therapeutic Intervention Program.

PPH/OTHER FACILITY APPLICATION PROCESS

This process refers to participants who participate in our Service Dog Training Canine Assisted Therapeutic Intervention Program in a Paws for Purple Hearts facility or other non-medical facility that does not require admission, such as a Veterans Resource Center.

1

Step 1: Complete the application and waiver

Return the completed application and signed waiver to your local PPH representatives.

2

Step 2: Medical Form & Consultation

Your current physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist should complete the medical form and return it directly to your local PPH representatives. PPH representatives will consult with your doctor or service provider to determine if our program is appropriate for you at this time.

3

Step 3: Approval

After PPH has received your completed paperwork, medical forms, and consulted with your doctors, if you are approved, you may begin participating in the Service Dog Training Canine Assisted Therapeutic Intervention Program.

 

Caring Spirits, Serving Warriors

Application Request Form

Eligibility

SERVICE DOGS

We place service dogs with Service Members and Veterans facing challenges such as:

Mobility issues. Our dogs can help with tasks such as: retrieving items, pushing buttons for elevators and doors, turning lights on/off, plus many more.

Diagnosed trauma-related conditions (PTSD or TBI). Our dogs help by performing a variety of tasks specifically designed to reduce symptom severity.

Through our thorough application process, our qualified staff determines if a PPH service dog will be a fit for your specific needs.

FACILITY DOGS

We place facility dogs with facility managers who work in care facilities that serve Service Members, Veterans, and/or military families. They are also placed with counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists (and other specialists) who serve Service Members and/or Veterans and wish to integrate a dog into their clients’ treatment plans. Facility dogs provide invaluable benefits to the populations they serve, but they do not meet the legal definition of a service dog and do not have public access rights outside of their assigned facility. Facilities must serve at least 50% of military-connected individuals.

Our Long History

Paws for Purple Hearts is the first program of its kind to offer therapeutic intervention for Veterans and active-duty military.

Therapeutic Intervention

Under the guidance of PPH instructors, Service Members engage with specially-bred Golden Retriever and Labrador puppies.

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS

PTSD patient-trainers must overcome their emotional and affective numbness in order to heighten their tone of voice, bodily movements.

Donation Dollars at Work

With just $19/month gift you will ensure a future service dog has all of its vaccinations, training equipment, and of course toys to get started in their life altering education.

Your gift of any amount will be a tremendous help to our Service Dogs in Training. It costs $52/month in dog food alone for just one dog.

Paws for Purple Hearts Dogs are trained to the most exacting certification because our Veterans deserve the best, and thanks to you, they will never have to pay for any of our services. It costs more than $35,000 to raise just one dog to this high standard.

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