MILITARY veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder are to receive “life changing” support from assistance dogs after securing more funding.
Service Dogs UK has been awarded £24,000 to train dogs to help war veterans, living in West Sussex, who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The charity pairs rescue dogs with former military and emergency service personnel struggling to cope with civilian life.
Gary Botterill, operations director at the charity, said it will now be better positioned to keep up with the demand for its services.
He said: “It is vital that we can increase our ‘output’ so we can help even more veterans.
“Without support from the Veterans’ Foundation this would not be possible. Without this funding, we would have to turn veterans away from our charity as we would not have the capacity to take them on.”
The funding has been given to the charity by the Veterans' Foundation, which raises money through donations and the Veterans’ lottery.
Garry said he is grateful for the Veterans’ Foundation’s support in helping the charity to provide hope and comfort for those who are struggling.
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He said: “We know what we do works and that we can ‘change lives two at a time’ but this grant ensures that we can support more of those that need our help.
“We are delighted and grateful to receive this grant from the Veterans’ Foundation and all those that play the Veterans’ Lottery, they are making a real difference to veterans who need our help and support.”
Service Dogs UK chooses dogs from rescue centres before training and assessing them and matching them with a veteran dealing with PTSD - an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events.
Once they are paired, they are place do free programme that lasts between nine and 12 months, where they work together with their new best friend to achieve service dog accreditation.
The dogs are trained to recognise stress triggers and provide companionship and support in coping with civilian life.
To find out more about Service Dogs UK and its work, visit https://www.servicedogsuk.org.
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