PAWS4VALOR

PAWS4VALOR
Service Dog Training Program
For Disabled Veterans

Lugnut is a 17 mnth old Golden Retriever who

is in a current Service Dog class.

Trainer Kristi Rush, at Best Friends Pet Care in Castleton has designed a new program (Called PAWS4VALOR) to help our returning Veterans with disabilities.

The classes are designed to help returning Veterans who have the need, and are interested in working with their own dog, to train their dog to assist them in specific needs, based on their personal disability. The dogs can be trained as a handicap assistant or as an emotional/mental needs dog (for PTSD or depression)

One of his objectives is to turn the

light on or off as directed

Each *team*(team being the Veteran and his/her dog)will need to commit to no less then 5 obedience classes, maybe more depending on their rate of learning and the needs of the dog. They will then need to commit to as many classes as needed to get their dog fully certified as their personal Service Dog. Each team will need to train for and learn no less then 3 objectives.

We at Best Friends will help them to find the right personality for their dog (their choice of mixed breed or pure bred. We will assist them in their training through our classes. We will be available for problems, advice, or any questions the Veteran may have during this process. We will assist the Veterans/team in getting their Service Dog vests, Federal I.D. cards, and other items needed for public access training. Best Friends will also be able to provide their final Certification test.

He has also learned to pick up items

that have been dropped

Our goal in this new program will be to help the Veterans develop a long lasting bond with their own dog, give the returning Veterans a new focus and commitment to life, with the end result being; a fully trained Service Dog to help them with their personal needs.

And to bring back the items

that were dropped.

Best Friends will be offering these classes to Veterans at a reduced rate based on the number of classes they take.

Federal funding may be available to help qualified Veterans pay for the training classes.