Programs
Assistance Dog Placement
Tier 1: $40k - $50k = Mobility & Sensory (urgent need)
- Quadriplegic
- Paraplegic
- Blindness / Low Vision
- Seizures
- Cerebral Palsy
Tier 2: $20k - $30k = Sensory & Mobility
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Diabetic Alert
- Autism
- Mobility (limited range & bracing)
- Hearing Alert
Tier 3: $8k - $12k = Psych & Med Alert
- Post-Traumatic Stress
- Adjustment Disorder
- Adjustment Disorder
Owner Train Program (Tier 3 only)
Pre-selected puppy
Work together with a Heel the Heroes behaviorist to select a puppy that you’ll be purchasing to train for Service Dog work.
Shelter dog adoption
A Canine Personality Specialist will be assigned to you by Heel the Heroes to evaluate and select the best match for your needs in Service Dog training.
Pre-owned dog
(Age between 8 weeks – 60 months) The dog you own now could be your future Service Dog with a mix of board and training along with private lessons.
Therapy Dog Ambassador
To volunteer, raise awareness, educate, prevent and reduce the Veteran suicide rate of 22 Veterans per day taking their lives. To instead, empower Veterans to obtain influential roles within their communities as leaders, and contributing members of society. Educating Veterans on how to train their dogs to Volunteer in their local community Therapy Dog Ambassador Programs.
- Community clean ups
- Tail Wagging Tutors after school reading
- Outreach – Education – Awareness T-shirt table
Below are services we will EVENTUALLY offer when we’re prepared enough to facilitate them.
Canine Assisted Therapy / Activities
Heroes will learn basic dog obedience and handling, along with some advanced training while being shown how to best utilize their bond with our facility dogs.
Specific gains that come from utilizing these canines may include:
During the program
- Decreased anxiety and depression
- Lessened pain severity
- Reduced feelings of anger
- Increase in energy level
After the program
- Reduced need for prescription medication
- Improved relationship and parenting skills
- Increased ability to cope
- Greater ability to establish a consistent routine
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
Significant gains made through Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) will highlight one of many opportunities, along with Equine Assisted Activities (EAA).
Specific gains that come from utilizing equine assisted therapy:
During the program
- Increased Confidence
- Decreased anxiety and depression
- Learning how to acknowledge and work through emotions
- Increased awareness of self
After the program
- Increased confidence in social situations
- Increased relationship skills
- Better understanding of self
- More positive outlook on life
Assistance Dog Opportunities
Working with animals makes it necessary to modify how one acts in order to work well with the animal. Learning if a Service Dog can provide independence from a disability will be insight that our heroes gain, and eligibility to apply for a Heel the Heroes Service Dog.
Art Therapy
With certified professionals donating their time in Art Therapy, participants will be guided on different ways to express themselves, and have access to materials freely.
Gains from the program
- Encourage self-expression
- Help work through traumatic experiences
- Facilitate positive self-esteem
- Promote independence and feelings of control
Music Therapy
Gains from the program
- Promote appropriate coping skills
- Express feelings appropriately
- Improve Communication
- Improve sequencing skills
- Improve concentration
- Alleviate pain
Benefits Counseling
Benefits counseling will be in place to help Veterans navigate their benefits that they earned for school, work, and compensation.
Yoga & Massage
Professionals volunteering their time and service to yoga instruction, as well as massage and acupuncture will be available for those who feel this is therapeutic.
