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

Music Therapy will be offered by certified professionals volunteering their time to help with the healing of our heroes.

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.