The PROGRAM DESIGN of K9TSM is designed to maximize the therapeutic benefits of dog training to the Service members who participate, and provide each with a well trained therapy or service dog. Our purpose is to enhance the recovery of each Service member through dog training by providing each handler with a personalized training plan. Training plans are developed by the handler and a PROFESSIONAL
trainer, incorporating personal goals for training either a personal therapy dog, which assists in recovery, or a Service dog that preforms service tasks necessary to improve quality of life. Participants are Veterans who have sustained combat related injuries: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), other mental injuries, and physical injuries
The THERAPY DOG program is designed to teach service members (handlers) how to train their own dogs to be personal therapy dogs. This program " provides the opportunity for motivational, recreational, and/or therapeutic benefits" (Delta Society) gained from dog training for handlers who suffer from PTSD and TBI. Dog training and its therapeutic qualities can help with recovery, and eventual return to duty. The SERVICE DOG Training program is designed to teach handlers how to train their own dogs to be full public access service dogs. This program provides the opportunity for handlers to train their dogs to the service dog level and EXCEED the Assistance Dog Internaitonal minimum requirements.
