Courageous Companions: “A Partnership for Healing”
Courageous Companions started as a six month pilot project, in June 2010. The purpose of the pilot project was to develop protocols for matching animals from animal rescue organizations with returning military personnel who have visible and invisible disabilities, to speed the soldiers' recovery. Terrance Green, Chairperson of ASIST, calls it “a partnership for healing.”
Growing scientific evidence demonstrates that animals can make a difference in helping people cope with disabilities such as traumatic brain injuries and post traumatic stress disorder. The Courageous Companions project matches dogs with injured soldiers to overcome limitations imposed on the soldier, by temporary or permanent disabilities.
Modeled on the successful Paws for Purple Hearts program at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the USA, military personnel with brain trauma, PTSD and other mental or emotional disabilities train dogs in the basics of obedience. After achieving this level the dogs may receive training to become assistance dogs for soldiers with mobility, balance and other medical issues.
Courageous Companions' goal? To help soldiers with disabilities regain their lives.
ASIST/ASSISTER is proud to support Canada's troops by providing the trainers, animal behavior know-how, and knowledge of the world of disabilities, to make the program work.
To learn more about this important program, please see the information on eligibility.
Every dollar donated helps a Canadian forces member re-gain independence.
ASIST/ASSISTER is a not-for-profit corporation, not a registered charity, and so we cannot give tax receipts. If you would like to help improve the life of a person with disabilities, by contributing to the training of a service animal, and you do not need a tax receipt, please make your donation via Paypal to treasurer@asist.ca
If you would like a tax deductible receipt, we have forged a partnership with the Canadian Foundation for Animal Assisted Support Services. You may mail your donation to the Foundation, specifying that it is to support a person with a disability in the acquisition and training of a service animal by ASIST/ASSISTER. Please ensure that the cheque is made out to the Foundation, and not to ASIST.
The Foundation is located at:
The Canadian Foundation for Animal Assisted Support Services
529 Cass Crescent
Winchester, ON K0C 2K0
Please visit The Canadian Foundation for Animal Assisted Support Services Working Together for Success Campaign webpage to learn more about how you can make a difference.
Every penny helps. Thank you.
