Mission and Protocol for Application
The Mission of Penny’s from Heaven Foundation’s Train a Dog Save a
Warrior program is to unite wounded warriors, suffering with PTSD, with
homeless, rescue shelter dogs, who are evaluated and deemed viable, to
nurture a healing and rejuvenating bond between the two. The result is a
positive, non judgmental, unconditional relationship desperately needed
by both.
Family pets may be used if they meet age, size and temperament
requirements.
Recently, a much needed boost to this modality was given when the
Justice Department redefined regulations clarifying parts of 1990’s
Americans with Disabilities Act.
To qualify as a service dog, the dog must be trained to do work or
perform tasks for persons with PTSD. Dogs do not have to be formally
trained by an ADI approved school.
Time Magazine quotes, “Walter Reed Medical Center and other military
medical centers have started stationing dogs on hospital floors to help
calm patients.” There are multiple organizations training dog to perform
multiple tasks for wounded warriors. According to Jim Stanek, Paws and
Stripes in Albuquerque, NM, “Your average service dog coming out of
these agencies can do 82 different tasks. But if you’ve got a veteran
whose main problem is PTSD, what does turning on a light switch do for
him?”
This is where we step in. According to Minnesota Senator Al Franken, “I
really believe the dogs can provide tremendous benefits. The whole point
of this is to measure in a scientifically valid way what the benefits
are of service dogs to vets with psychological injuries and make a
better life for these guys and women who have put everything on the line
for us.”
As many as 400,000 troops are possibly returning with the symptoms of
PTSD. Dog partners have a tremendous stress reduction effect on their
human partners as measured through cortisol levels, heart rate and blood
pressure. These dogs can quite literally become a serviceman’s or
servicewoman’s best friend.
Here is how to apply.
APPLING TO TADSAW
(1) Recognize that you have PTSD and want something to help you
restore and improve Your Quality of Life from what it is at the present.
(2) Make certain immediate family members and/or support system at home
if any, will assist and support you in the program
3/ Talk to your doctors, case manager, advocate, etc to infirm them of
your desire to get a Support/Service dog.
(4) Call TADSAW at 210-643-2901 to discuss obtaining the
application.
(5) The application will be sent via e-mail, fax, or snail mail within 24
hours - please notify us if not received promptly. Returning completed
information can be via e-mail- fax or postal
(6) Complete the personal information pages (your part of the
application) and return immediately to TADSAW/PFHF to start the process
(7) Take the appropriate pages to your doctor to have filled out and
returned to TADSAW/PFHF
(8) Reference pages should be filled out and returned
(9) Make certain that you are committed to the training schedule and
able follow the lessons, and if you are unable to attend, to notify
TADSAW/PFHF immediately of not being able to show up due to health
issues.
(10) If you have a personal dog to train, it must be evaluated by a
TADSAW trainer for suitability/viability for the program. See one dog's
evaluation in the video below. Make sure
dog's health records, vaccinations, heartworm status are current and
available to TADSAW prior to start of training.
(11) If needing a rescued Shelter Dog, you will have to fill out request
and assure safety and well-being of the Dog. You are also required to
sign Adoption Papers and agree to all terms of the agreement.
(12) You must realize that this is a very big and important change to
your current lifestyle and remain committed to the program. All members
of your household MUST be in agreement.
(13) Please ask questions at anytime, when/if something is not clear. Do
not hesitate to contact TADSAW at anytime with questions or concerns -
210-643-2901.
TADSAW PRINCIPLE for the Improving the QUALITY of LIFE
