Dogs Canberra proudly supports Australian veterans by facilitating meaningful, therapeutic interactions with dogs, enhancing mental health, reducing isolation, and fostering community engagement. Drawing from our extensive experience in canine welfare and community outreach, our program aims to provide veterans across Canberra with accessible, non-clinical support through carefully structured interactions with dogs.
We aim to collaborate with RSL Clubs, service clubs, support groups, and community organisations to host dedicated veteran-focused events. These gatherings offer a safe environment for veterans to meet our dogs, engage with peers, and access support networks.
Through extensive foster support - including covering set up costs, logistics, basic training, initial food costs, and medical treatment in line with our policies - we ensure dogs are matched with veteran adopters or foster carers, giving program participants a chance to foster or adopt without the initial financial and resource stressors. We hope to support our veterans so that they can find their perfect lifelong companion and best friend.
We actively assist veterans interested in pursuing service dog companionship. Dogs Canberra can facilitate initial starting processes and, in eligible circumstances, partially or fully sponsor specialised service dog training.
Dogs Canberra defines a veteran in line with the Department of Veterans’
Affairs (DVA):
"A veteran is any person who has served one or more days or is
currently serving in the Australian Defence Force (ADF)."
Enhance mental resilience, reduce stress, anxiety, and isolation through regular, supportive interactions with dogs.
Provide veterans opportunities to engage socially, building lasting friendships and networks within the veteran community through shared experiences at local events and gatherings.
Prepare dogs in our care with thorough training and socialisation, ensuring they're well-adjusted companions, ready for adoption or placement into veterans' homes
If you're a veteran, we invite you to:
Reach Out
Contact us directly via email at
info@dogscbr.org. Share your story
with us - we want to help however we can.
Attend Veteran Support Events
Join our dedicated events - which we aim to be hosted at local RSLs and
community venues (TBC). Connect with other veterans, meet our wonderful
dogs, and find new avenues of community support.
Join Our Walking Program
Participate in our
dog walking program. Spend quality time outdoors, form bonds with our dogs, and meet fellow
DogsCBR members in a supportive community setting.
Foster or Adopt
If you see a dog you resonate with, contact us directly. We'll see if we
can help facilitate the
fostering
or
adoption
processes, and see how we can support you in the initial set up.
