CALLED TO SERVE
must pass a certification test . The hero-dog team is then nationally certified as meeting the American Disabilities Act of 1990 and must undergo recertification yearly . Recertification is required to ensure that training is kept up to date , to determine if additional tasks are needed and to allow for a health and well-being assessment of the team . When dogs are retired , we gift a new dog if the team is up to date on recertifications . The newly trained dog is transitioned to the hero ’ s environment , and the original dog stays with the handler as a personal pet .
Individuals in the veteran , first responder and gold star family community needing a service dog fill out applications available on the DHH website . If approved , the applicant is invited for an interview to discern the specific needs . A home inspection is then conducted . After passing these steps , a search is begun to find the perfect rescued dog to fit the hero applicant ’ s needs .
Some hero teams volunteer with DHH but this is not a requirement . They do so because they have seen first-hand what a life-changing experience a service dog makes .
Likewise , dogs often suffer from abuse and neglect . They are thrown away on the side of the road or in someone else ’ s neighborhood or unceremoniously dumped in a shelter . So , we rescue these dogs to rescue our veterans and first responder men and women .
It is these two groups , hurting people and hurting dogs , that DHH seeks to bring together to improve the lives of both . Someone once said that “ Dogs are our link to paradise .” The veterans , first responders and gold star families we serve would certainly agree . Just imagine that you are so traumatized that you cannot venture outside the safety and confines of your home . Also imagine you are matched with a service dog that now gives you the confidence to once again venture out into your neighborhood , your grocery or even to one of the city ’ s concerts or festivals . For our recipients , this is not something only to imagine . It is reality . These service dogs turn home prisons into a paradise of life not experienced in years .
We reach out to local shelters and rescue organizations to find dogs that will fit the specific needs of our applicant heroes .
The rescued dogs are gifted to the hero applicant .
Dogs come from various shelters in Kentucky and Indiana . Dogs from the Humane Society of Oldham County go through a prison training program at the Kentucky State Reformatory in LaGrange , KY . These dogs learn basic obedience training at the prison before entering service dog training . The prison program also serves as an important rehabilitation experience for the inmates . Once released , some even become employed by professional dog training services .
The program ’ s expenses come from individual donations , corporate sponsors and various fund-raisers . On Nov . 7 from 6:00-9:00 p . m ., DHH will hold its annual event , “ Be at Ease ,” which helps fund service dogs and build awareness in the community about how important these dogs are for our heroes .
“ I have found that when you are deeply troubled , there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source .” ~ Doris Day
Additional information about the program can be found at the Dogs Helping Heroes website , https :// www . dogshelpingheroes . org /.
1 https :// www . dogshelpingheroes . org / about /
Dr . Wright is professor emeritus , University of Louisville School of Medicine , Department of Pediatrics and retired medical director of Norton Children ’ s Hospital .
Rescued dogs are trained by professional trainers to meet the specific needs of the individual . Training for the dog and the recipient varies depending on the recipient ’ s specific issues , but typically takes several months . Once training is completed , the dog and recipient
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