How does it work....
Start Living a Life
Worth Living:
Transform your journey with PTSD Dog Australia's
'Train Your Own' Assistance Dog Program
PTSD Dogs Australia (“PTSD Dogs”) designed this training program to help Fosters and Handlers to train our
extraordinary dogs so that they can become qualified Assistance Dogs.
Introduction Module
PTSD Dogs … designed this training program to help Handlers train their own extraordinary dogs so that they can become
qualified assistance dogs.
You as a handler are part of the team with your own special part to play, in your assistance dogs’ journey.
Respect: Weeks 1-9
Compassion: Weeks 10-18
Teamwork: Weeks 19-27
Move from Novice to GHAD Certified:
Your hard work and commitment have brought you and your
dog this far...
Now it's time to establish the personalised assistance dog tasks and become a PTSD Assistance Dog GHAD Certified team.
Resilience: Weeks 28-36
Collaboration: Weeks 37-42
Collaboration: Weeks 43-52
Collaboration: PAT
How does it work....
Start Living a Life Worth Living:
Transform your journey with PTSD Dog Australia's
'Train Your Own' Assistance Dog Program
PTSD Dogs Australia (“PTSD Dogs”) designed this training program to help Fosters and Handlers to train our
extraordinary dogs so that they can become qualified Assistance Dogs.
Introduction Module
PTSD Dogs … designed this training program to help Handlers train their own extraordinary dogs so that they can become qualified assistance dogs.
You as a handler are part of the team with your own special part to play, in your assistance dogs’ journey.
Respect: Weeks 1-9
Compassion: Weeks 10-18
Teamwork: Weeks 19-27
Move from Novice to GHAD Certified:
Your hard work and commitment have brought you and your dog this far...
Now it's time to establish the personalised assistance dog tasks and become a PTSD Assistance Dog GHAD Certified team.
Resilience: Weeks 28-36
Collaboration: Weeks 37-42
Collaboration: Weeks 43-52
Collaboration: PAT
Let's make a start
Preliminary Chat
This session is designed to see if both you and your furry friend are going to be a fit for the Train Your Own Program.
There is a small investment associated with the Preliminary Chat of $27.00
Let's make a start
Preliminary Chat
This session is designed to see if both you and your furry friend are going to be a fit for the Train Your Own Program.
There is a small investment associated with the Preliminary Chat of $27.00
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t have a diagnosis of PTSD but have agoraphobia, anxiety or depression. Will this help and can I still do the program?
Yes, your dog in the later modules of modules 4-7 will be taught specific tasks to mitigate your personal disability to meet your medical goals.
I have physical problems as well, does this preclude me?
No providing you can train your own dog or have suitable people who can support and potentially be a secondary handler. In modules 4-7, your dog will be taught specific tasks to mitigate your physical challenges.
My dog is outside the desired weight or height, can I still do the program?
Height for the lower end is for physical tasks and is generally at 50cm. The upper end of height is for public transport and is generally 60cm. Due to your specific needs this will be assessed. Eg Balance weight bearing assistance work.
My dog is the family pet. Can I train my dog in this situation?
Yes your dog could potentially be trained, however an Assistance Dog is trained to mitigate an individuals disability and as such is trained for one person and is not a family pet.
My dog is entire and I don’t want to desex it, can it still be part of the program?
Assistance dogs are to be desexed once they are ready to complete a PAT assessment under GHAD Legislation which is how your dog will be certified.
My dog is deaf, can I still have it as my assistance dog?
No, as the dog must have a clear bill of health passed by a veterinarian.
I have been with another organisation, can I change to PTSD Dogs Australia?
Yes, providing the dog meets the behavioural standards set by the organisation.
What sort of health and physical ability does my dog need to be at?
A dog's health and physical ability to perform specific tasks may impact its suitability to become an assistance dog. For example, a dog with certain medical conditions or physical limitations may not be able to fulfill the necessary duties.
Is there a minimum or maximum age for a suitable dog to train?
The age and developmental stage of a dog can also be a factor. Younger dogs may need to demonstrate a certain level of maturity and training before they can be considered for assistance work. Depending on the size / breed of dog, the upper age can vary.
How frequently do I need socialise and train my dog?
Insufficient socialisation or training may also preclude a dog from becoming an assistance dog. Dogs must be well-socialised and have the ability to remain calm and focused in various environments and situations.
How do you judge behavioral suitability of a dog for this program?
Dogs must exhibit the right temperament and behavior to work as assistance animals. Aggression, excessive fearfulness, or inability to focus on tasks may disqualify a dog from becoming an assistance dog.
What attributes do you look for in an assistance dog?
They need to be cool, calm and collected around people, children and other dogs. They need to born pacifists, with zero aggressive tendancies and display a quiet confidence.
