PTSD Dogs Australia has collaborated with Precious Paws Animal Rescue (PPAR) and adopted a new recruit into their assistance dog program

The dog will now be trained to become a loyal and supportive service dog for a veteran or first responder suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Willow, a 10 month old Labrador / Sharpei cross, faced death before being rescued from a local pound by Precious Paws and placed in their foster care program.

She was on death row and only 48 hours from being euthanized at the pound.

Willow’s future looks much brighter after PTSD Dogs Australia head trainer and general manager Angie Weeks contacted the rescue organization, looking for a new dog to join their program. assistance dogs.

With her good manners and calm temper, Willow swept her assessment and turned out to be exactly the dog PTSD Dogs Australia was looking for.

Precious Paws Animal Rescue spokesperson Kerrie Williams said, “At Precious Paws we prepare every dog ​​for their new life and are very diligent about where they are placed for their permanent home. We are excited to partner with PTSD Dogs Australia and believe Willow will be amazing in her new role. From Pounds to Paradise is more than our motto, it’s our philosophy ”.

Willow, who received basic obedience training from her foster family through Precious Paws, will now undergo additional training to prepare her for her new role as a much-needed service dog.

PTSD Dogs Australia, a local Sunshine Coast-based charity, rescues dogs from shelters and pounds, trains them to be highly trained assistance dogs, then places the dogs, free of charge, with a veteran or first responder .

Dogs provide unconditional love and constant companionship to their owners. Each handler has very different needs, which is why dogs are trained to meet the specific requirements and complex needs of their handlers.

Some have night terrors and require the dog to turn on a light, wake them from sleep and apply deep pressure therapy to comfort them, or they may suffer from physical injuries that prevent them from bending down to retrieve items from the floor. , the dog is therefore trained to retrieve these objects for him.

They can even be trained to retrieve laundry from the washing machine, load it into a laundry basket, slide the basket to the clothesline, and pass each item to its handler.

Receiving a service dog is life changing for those veterans and first responders who often suffer from anxiety, depression, panic attacks, night terrors and more. In some cases, receiving the gift on a service dog can even save lives.

The organization is almost entirely run by volunteers and relies on donations, grants and sponsorships to carry out its excellent work. If you would like to donate to PTSD Dogs Australia or get more information, visit ptsddogs.org.au