Two big problems, one great solution.
An epidemic of veteran suicides
Every day, 22 veterans take their own lives in the United States…almost one per hour. These veterans serve their country and then come home to face the even greater challenges of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), and related challenges that can leave them debilitated, sleepless, and unable to cope. Massachusetts and New Hampshire are home to about 500,000 veterans. If Veteran’s Administration estimates are correct, that means that about 20% of those, or 100,000, of our friends and neighbors are suffering with these invisible wounds right now.
Overflowing animal shelters
Each year, more than 80,000 dogs wind up homeless in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Many of these animals are sweet-tempered and trainable, but there’s just nowhere for them to go. The sad result? Nearly half of all shelter animals are euthanized.
Operation Delta Dog was founded in 2013 with a mission to improve those odds.
Assistance animals are a practical and successful way to reduce stress, treat depression, and manage the panic attacks associated with PTSD, TBI, and MST. Trained dogs, however, are in short supply. Very few service dog organizations focus solely on veterans, and even fewer utilize rescued dogs in their programs.
Working with experienced trainers and positive-reinforcement methods, we rescue homeless dogs from shelters and breed-rescue groups and train them to work as service dogs with local veterans who are suffering with PTSD and TBI. Veterans can participate in training without leaving their jobs or families and find relief from the debilitating symptoms of PTSD, TBI, and MST.
The dogs get the homes they need, and the veterans get the help they deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of PTSD and TBI?
Sufferers of PTSD and TBI often experience a range of debilitating symptoms that directly interfere with daily life. These include panic attacks, agoraphobia/crowd anxiety, suicidal thoughts, hyper-vigilance, nightmares/night terrors, depression, extreme anxiety, reclusive/antisocial behavior, insomnia, and trouble with balance. Medications and therapy can provide some measure of relief for those who struggle with these symptoms on a day-to-day basis. In recent years, however, many servicemembers and veterans have found that service animals can complement, or even replace, these other treatment methods. In many cases, PTSD and TBI sufferers report that their dogs have allowed them to return to a “normal” life they never would have thought possible.
How can a service dog help?
Like service dogs for the blind, deaf, and physically disabled, these assistance animals are specifically trained to help people perform tasks they cannot otherwise perform for themselves. Because symptoms vary by individual, the services performed by each dog will also vary. Typically, however, the dogs will perform a variety of tasks such as: providing stability to a person who has trouble with balance; alerting to night terrors and providing comfort; helping a veteran acclimate to crowds and other social situations by creating a protective “buffer” between the veteran and other people; alerting to panic attacks and promoting a sense of calm; easing safety concerns by performing perimeter searches and giving the all-clear before a person enters a dark house; turning on light switches; and retrieving dropped items for a person who has trouble balancing and/or bending forward.
Do you train dogs to help with other disabilities?
At this time, we only train dogs to partner with veterans who suffer from PTSD and TBI. In the future, we hope to expand and provide service dogs to veterans with a wide range of disabilities.
What is the difference between a service dog and a pet?
Service dogs are not pets. Once an animal completes service dog training, it is permitted by federal law to accompany its handler into stores, restaurants, hotels, and other public spaces where pets are not typically allowed. In most cases, service dogs wear harnesses or vests that identify them as working animals. In order to qualify as a service dog, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the animal must master basic obedience training and also complete at least three tasks for the person that the person cannot otherwise do for themselves.
How does your training process work?
Operation Delta Dog works with professional trainers and behaviorists to identify the best canine candidates in shelters and breed-rescue foster homes. All participating dogs must meet strict guidelines relating to their temperament, health, and age. Once a suitable dog is found, he or she begins a 12-week intensive foundation training period. During that period, the dog is matched with a veteran on our waiting list. If the two hit it off, they become a team and start living together and training together as soon as the foundation training is complete. Training consists of multiple classes during the week (and lots of practice at home) and lasts approximately twelve to eighteen months. When training is complete, and if the dog passes a series of tests, he or she “graduates” from the program and becomes an Operation Delta Dog certified service animal with all the protections afforded to its handler by the ADA.
Who is eligible to apply for a service dog?
For eligibility guidelines, please visit our Apply for a Service Dog page.
How much does it cost?
There is no cost to the veteran to receive a service dog through Operation Delta Dog.
How is the organization funded?
Funding comes primarily from individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and private foundation grants. Donation amounts can range from a few dollars to a complete team sponsorship (a team consists of one veteran and his or her dog) of $25,000 and above. We also hold regular fundraising events, such as the Walk & Wag for Veterans, to raise funds. Any and all donations are always very much appreciated.
Are donations tax-deductible?
Operation Delta Dog is a federally-recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit organization; all donations are tax-deductible.
If I make a donation, how will my money be used?
Over the course of 12-18 month training period, the organization spends approximately $25,000 to train each veteran and service dog team, which includes the cost of adoption fees, training classes, insurance, facility and basic office expenses, and veterinary care. All donations are used to help cover these costs.
