Working Dogs For Vets Impact statement

 

The following results were reported by graduating Disabled Hero/Service dog teams:

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100% Service dog has improved sense of well-being

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100% Service Dog has increased their level of independence.

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100% Service Dog has helped them to get back out in public 

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100% Overall happiness was improved.

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66.7% reported that having a service dog has resulted in being able to reduce or eliminate prescription medications, 

The other 33.7% weren't taking medications, so the question didn't apply to them. 

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100% reported that they felt there had been an improvement in health after receiving their dog.

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83.3% feel they can handle anxiety after receiving their dog, and the other 16.7% don't have anxiety (they have additional disabilities).

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83.3% said that their service dog has helped to reduce suicidal thoughts, helped to provide a reduction in nightmares/night terrors, and helped them in handling flashbacks, with the other 16.7% reporting that it did not apply to them.

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100% feel that they have benefited from the physical and mental bond their service dog

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Graduates have been able to:

enroll in college (and stay enrolled)

find employment

reunite with their families

re-enter civilian life with dignity and freedom

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To help reduce veteran suicides that happen every day, Working Dogs For Vets has developed two comprehensive Service Dog programs. These programs are more than just giving a certified, trained service dog to a veteran in need or helping them to train their service dog. We at Working Dogs For Vets are considered a family.  Our family is growing daily, as is our support network and peer-to-peer engagement. We provide a life-long commitment to our veterans and the dogs because we care about their success. Working dogs for vets in-house training at our facility, Events helps to rebuild both veterans' and dogs' confidence by providing them information and training to help mitigate the effects of weather from seen or unseen disabilities. In addition, we give forever homes to enable dogs to live their best lives. 

 

Google For Nonprofits helps our organization track the outcomes of Working Dogs For Vets Programs.  So far, the results that we are seeing are that both programs are highly effective. When the veterans come through the front door of our main branch house, they often give life just one more chance. We serve all veterans to help reduce the risk of veteran suicide.