Participate in Service Dog Training/Canine Assisted Warrior Therapy®
Train Service Dogs, Heal Your Heart and Mind
HERE'S HOW TO PARTICIPATE
To participate in our Canine Assisted Warrior Therapy sessions, just contact your local VA or DOD mental or behavioral healthcare facility and request that…
- They allow you to join an existing group, or…
- 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
Helpful Resources
Dept. of Veterans Affairs
Call VA Help Hotline 855-948-2311
online resources
Dept. of Defense
Military Crisis Line 800-273-8255 Press 1
online resources
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.
Step 1: Complete the application and waiver
Return the completed application and signed waiver to your local PPH representatives (request an application).
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.
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.
Step 1: Complete the application and waiver
Return the completed application and signed waiver to your local PPH representatives.
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.
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
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, bracing to help move from/to wheel-chairs or to navigate stairs, 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.
Paws for Purple Hearts is the first program of its kind to offer therapeutic intervention for Veterans and active-duty military.
Under the guidance of PPH instructors, Service Members engage with specially-bred Golden Retriever and Labrador puppies.
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.
Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) #43093