A PROGRAM pairing trained assistance dogs with PTSD-affected service personnel, police and first responders is now one animal stronger thanks to a contribution from members of the Ex-22 Royal Victoria Regiment Association.<\/p>\n
A cheque of $5000 was presented to Young Diggers Victoria by Ex-22 RVR members on Sunday at the Ballarat Ranger Military Museum, with the money enough to fund the training of one assistance dog.<\/p>\n
Museum\u2019s manager, retired Major Neil Leckie said the association wanted to sponsor a canine after seeing a similar group do so last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 8\/7th Battalion 2 RVR Association last year found funds for a dog and one of the members of the 22nd Association is the president of that one,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt our annual general meeting last year, we spoke to the boys and a whole heap of us gave money as individuals.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve all been soldiers for years and years and we know about the problems a lot of people have when they come back.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we can do something about it, that\u2019s what we want to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Between 13 and 15 dogs go through the YDV program each year with the non-profit annually managing about 26 animals pre-COVID.<\/p>\n
Weekly training sessions are run in Melton, where YDV is based, and discussions are being had to hold one at the Ranger Barracks.<\/p>\n
YDV director Carole Doyle said dogs can provide a calming presence that can\u2019t be found anywhere else.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re able to give unconditional love and support and they don\u2019t ask anything but a pat, feed and walk,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a mate that takes you and has your back and that\u2019s one of the things army guys know.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we have someone Ballarat-based that comes to training we\u2019d try to pair them with the dog. If we can\u2019t, we\u2019ll get someone who\u2019s open to sending the donors ongoing reports.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A PROGRAM pairing trained assistance dogs with PTSD-affected service personnel, police and first responders is now one animal stronger thanks to a contribution from members of the Ex-22 Royal Victoria Regiment Association. A cheque of $5000 was presented to Young Diggers Victoria by Ex-22 RVR members on Sunday at the Ballarat Ranger Military Museum, with […]<\/p>\n