Branches of Valor
http://www.branchesofvalor.org/
Recognizing the unique and profound challenges facing military personnel, veterans, emergency responders and their families, Branches of Valor seeks to rekindle their hope by creating an environment of healing, linking them with practical resources, supportive connections and Biblical solutions.
Branches of Valor offers resiliency groups, peer mentors, retreats, conferences and events.
Catholic Community Services of Lane County
http://www.ccslc.org/
Catholic Community Services helps those in greatest need, regardless of religion, race, ethnic status, age, disability or lifestyle. We do this by:
- Providing direct assistance to those who need help right now
- Strengthening the capacity of individuals and families to support themselves
- Engaging the wider community in providing help and creating opportunity
If you or someone you know is looking for help, click on any of the following links for more information.
- Help finding resources for families
- Help obtaining food, clothing or other immediate assistance
- Help making the transition from homelessness to safe and stable housing
- Help paying utility bills
- Parenting help for young fathers
- Help enrolling in SNAP (Food Stamps)
- Help signing up for health insurance
The Gorge Heroes Club
http://www.gorgeheroesclub.blogspot.com/
GHC holds gun raffle for military support programs.
Paws Assisting Veterans
http://paveusa.org/
Our organization is dedicated to improving the lives of veterans suffering from mental and/or physical disabilities through trained service dogs, empowering them and their families to achieve lifelong successes and to pave their way home.
Service Dog Training
What is a service dog? The American Disability Act (ADA) defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government.
Service animals perform some of the functions and tasks that the individual with a disability cannot perform for him or herself. Guide dogs are one type of service animal, used by some individuals who are blind. This is a type of service animal with which most people are familiar. But there are service animals that assist persons with other kinds of disabilities in their day-to-day activities. Some activities include:
- Alerting persons with hearing impairments to sounds
- Pulling wheelchairs or carrying and picking up things for persons with mobility impairments
- Assisting persons with mobility impairments with balance
Is a service dog right for me?What can a PAVE service dog do for me? PAVE trains the service dogs to be reliable public access dogs that behave well in public and at home. The dogs are trained to perform general tasks, for example opening the fridge, a door, picking up items and so on.
They are also trained to provide a calming presence. If you have nightmares, the dog could be trained to wake you and calm you down. Dogs can be trained to interrupt compulsive behaviors. Some dogs eventually learn to recognize early signs of anxiety in their partners and can be trained to respond. A PAVE service dog is not trained for any protection work but is expected to be friendly and non-aggressive toward all people when in public.
What are the requirements of a potential candidate for participating in the PAVE training program? As a potential candidate, you should:
- reside in the USA and be able to attend training in Oregon,
- be able to provide your own transportation and lodging during training,
- be able to meet the physical, mental, and emotional needs of a dog, or have an adequate support system in place to do so in areas where you are unable to yourself,
- be willing and able to commit to the training program including daily training sessions with the PAVE dog and agree to adhere to the PAVE guidelines and training rules,
- agree to adhere to the PAVE rules and regulations concerning the ongoing care and training of the dog,
- have the full support of your family, including caregivers, in your quest to receive a PAVE dog, and
- be able to provide financial support for the dog after ownership has been signed over to you, including quality food and equipment plus veterinary care.
Unfortunately, the need exceeds the availability of trained service dogs. Dogs are matched based on the needs of the veteran and the availability of a service dog that would best meet those needs and circumstances. The ability of a potential recipient to provide a safe environment and loving care of the service dog is an important condition for placement. The veteran must be able to provide financially, emotionally, and physically for the dog. On average the expense for food, toys, equipment, and routine veterinary services amount to $1000 per year over a lifespan of an average of 12 years. Please consider this financial commitment before applying for a PAVE service dog. PAVE does not charge for the dog.