Defence Community Dogs (DCD), established in 2014 by the Defence Bank Foundation, trains and provides assistance dogs at no cost to serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members.
Air Force Association NSW together with Defence Force Welfare Association has proudly sponsored an assistance dog through the Defence Community Dogs program and that very dog is now supporting a RAAF veteran.
These highly skilled dogs support veterans facing mood, depressive, and anxiety disorders, including PTSD, helping them rebuild their lives.
A shining example is a three-year-old Labrador in Maitland, whose ability to sense anxiety through breathing changes or foot tapping offers vital comfort, enabling its veteran to shop independently and engage in community roles.
DCD’s unique program rescues and rehomes dogs, trains them with the help of inmates in correctional centres under expert guidance, and matches them with veterans.
Each dog undergoes 8 to 10 months of rigorous training, mastering skills to pass a Public Access Test for accreditation. Veterans receive their dogs after a comprehensive handover workshop, fostering a strong bond.
The program, costing $30,000 per dog, relies on tax-deductible donations.
Visit dcdogs.com.au to learn more or support this life-changing initiative.
