THIS IS OUR CALL OF DUTY.

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For military veterans suffering from physical and psychological disabilities, recovery and healing can be challenging, particularly as it relates to their access to quality jobs, education, and other social functions. Yet, relief and assistance can be found in an unlikely place— the unwavering bond between human and animal. In 2012, Canine Support Teams, Inc. (CST) launched the Providing Assistance Dogs to the Brave Men and Women (PAWZ) program. PAWZ was established to address the increasing number of men and women who, after serving our country in the United States military, require a service dog. This program directly connects expertly trained service dogs with disabled veterans throughout the U.S. to support their personal, social, and occupational independence.

Since its founding in 1989, CST has served more than 300 veteran families in gratitude for their service to our country. At no cost to the recipients, CST trains service dogs to support disabled veterans who are seeking enhanced mobility, independence, and companionship. The CST staff and volunteers work hard to ensure that the average wait time to match a dog and client is only 12-18 months, as compared to the industry standard of three to five years. Whether their disability is obvious or invisible, CST is committed to helping veterans reclaim their independence.

Volunteer Puppy Raisers and professional CST Trainers spend two years raising, providing medical care, and expertly training dogs to assist qualified veterans with disabilities in their everyday lives.

For the first 18 months of the dog’s life, CST’s volunteer Puppy Raisers socialize the puppy with as many outings and experiences as possible (e.g., restaurants, stores, and shopping centers, using public transportation, processing through TSA security).

The exposure and experiences are critical in helping potential service dogs become confident, calm, and focused amid distractions while “on the job” with their future clients. Puppies also complete basic obedience classes under the direction of our trainers, receiving American Kennel Club Star Puppy and American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen certificates.

Dogs then enter CST’s unique Prison Pup Program for Advanced Training, the longest-standing prisonbased service dog training program in the nation. In partnership with California Institute for Men and California Institute for Women in Chino, CA, CST Trainers work with carefully vetted Inmate Trainers on a weekly basis. Using Operant Conditioning, which places emphasis on recognizing and working with the dog’s temperament to motivate it to perform a given task, dogs learn the specific service dog tasks needed to support their veteran client (e.g., walking with and beside a wheelchair or walker, retrieving dropped items, turning lights on and off, opening and closing doors, pressing elevator buttons, pulling off socks and sweaters, and barking to alert for help in emergencies).

Upon completing Advanced Training, the dog is matched with their veteran-handler and intensive Team Training takes place at the CST facility in Murrieta, CA, over a ten-day period. The training covers obedience, public access, and task training, including Basic Service Dog and Public Access Laws (e.g., the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and associated regulations), as well as the veteran’s rights with regards to their service dog and how to respond when questioned or denied access to accommodations, employment, housing and the like. Additionally, there are workshops on dog behavior, training philosophies and techniques; First Aid and health care for dogs; having a service dog in home and work environments; and integrating the service dog into the client’s daily life and his/her family life. Upon completion of the training, the dog and veteran will have passed the Assistance Dogs International (ADI) standardized Public Access Certification Test (PACT).

Throughout Team Training, CST staff (several of whom are veterans themselves) are sensitive to the physical and mental challenges the veteran clients face. Each trainer is patient, kind, encouraging, and supportive to ensure the best experience for each veteran client.

The placement of a dog with a veteran is just the beginning of their journey. CST is honored to offer veterans complete access to CST’s expert training staff for the “working life” of their partner-dog. In the early is paramount to help acclimate the dog to their new environment and relieve any stress felt by the veteran, their family, and/or the dog. If there are ever any issues or concerns, CST trainers schedule a time for an in-person individualized training to get them on track. The CST staff often forms lasting relationships with their veteran clients and are thrilled to receive pictures and videos of the wonderful experiences the veterans are having with their service dog.

Michael Mileham was born in London in 1947. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1953 and would eventually serve in the Vietnam War. For his service and sacrifice, Michael was presented with three Purple Hearts, and is the only British subject to receive this solemn distinction. Upon return to civilian life, and thanks to the GI Bill, Michael enrolled in the LACC Film Program. He eventually started a production company that made documentaries, industrial films, and music videos. Michael has had a very successful, award-winning career working with artist like Dolly Parton, The Beatles, Elliott Gould, Michelle Pfeiffer, and the Monty Pythons, to name a few.

Michael became a member of the CST family in the early 2000s, and recently received his third service dog, Angel, through CST’s PAWZ program.

“Michael is grateful to Canine Support Teams for providing him with three beautiful service dogs. Each dog who has supported him have truly enriched his life,” says his wife Marilyn Mileham.

Now retired in in Joshua Tree, California, Michael, his wife, and Angel enjoy visiting art museums, photography, traveling, and getting out into nature. Angel has helped Michael to not only navigate each of his favorite activities, but also to enjoy the constant companionship his service dog provides.

To learn how you can assist Canine Support Teams through advocacy, volunteering, or financial support, visit www.caninesupportteams.org. If you are or know a veteran who may benefit from a service dog, please email cstmain@caninesupportteams.org.

Paws for Purple Hearts improves the lives of America’s Warriors (Veterans and active-duty service members) facing mobility challenges and trauma-related conditions such as Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) by providing the highest quality assistance dogs and canine-assisted therapeutic programs; and by building public awareness about the important role dogs play in helping Warriors along the road to recovery.

At Paws for Purple Hearts, we train and place two different types of assistance dogs. Facility Dogs can be found in a VA, DOD, or similar office visiting Veterans to bring joy throughout a facility. They bring happiness and essential assistance to Veterans, enriching their lives and promoting greater independence. Service Dogs are trained specifically for a Warrior in-need. They provide crucial support and aid to those who require their unique skills and companionship.

We provide our dogs to Warrior recipients and their families, free of charge. This provides immediate and significant financial relief to the Warrior and to their Military Caregivers, as they are not burdened with bearing the cost of our Service Dogs in order to benefit from the services and companionship gained. This is a significant benefit given that it takes about $35,000 to raise a top-tier Service Dog. Our Service Dogs are also involved in programs throughout their training that help more Veterans other than the ones they are being placed with.

Canine-Assisted Warrior Therapy® is a unique therapeutic intervention. This Program focuses on creating opportunities for positive meaningful interaction with our service dogs in-training. Guided by our highly experienced Program Instructors, in partnership with professional therapists, Warriors get the chance to reinforce commands and behaviors that are vital for a service-dog-in-training. They regain a sense of purpose in accomplishing a critical mission - training a life-long service companion for another comrade. Through this program, each dog will positively impact the lives of 40 – 60 Warriors.

Our Service Dogs learn over 110 commands making them more than capable of serving the most demanding category of mobility impaired Warrior, a quadriplegiclevel patient. This provides the Military Caregiver dramatic respite and logistical relief because our dogs can carry out many routine, repetitive and physically demanding tasks that would otherwise have to be accomplished by the caregiver, including picking up dropped objects, retrieving items, opening refrigerator doors, assisting with undressing, switching lights and other devices on and off, opening and closing doors, providing assistance moving to and from wheelchairs, etc.

Social Therapy uses the unique skills of our Service Dogs in-training to bring comfort and joy while reducing stress in the lives of America’s heroes. Versions of these programs are developed for both Veterans and active-duty service members. Our trainers and dogs will travel directly to our Warriors for this therapy or we host it directly at our sites. This interaction is also very imperative to our dog’s training, as this helps them learn positive interactions and gets them comfortable with meeting new people.

In 2004, Rosa Perez and her three children were stationed on a military base in Hawaii while her husband, Carlos, was fighting in Iraq. He had always dreamed of serving his country and embraced life with joy. As a first-generation American, he was so grateful for all the opportunities our country provides and wanted to give back. After re-upping his enlistment in the Army after 9/11, Carlos was in a convoy outside of Kirkuk, Iraq when an IED went off right under his Humvee. Returning home and burdened with severe PTSD, Carlos was struggling to find peace.

“The journey of Paws for Purple Hearts has grown beyond our wildest dreams,” says Selah M., Senior Program Instructor. “The more we’ve grown, the more Veterans we can help, and that’s the most fulfilling part of our mission. Our dedication and passion continue to drive us forward, knowing that our larger reach allows us to make a difference in the lives of America’s Warriors.”

The dedication and loyalty of our community and supporters keeps Paws for Purple Hearts growing in the right direction. You can find out how to get involved by volunteering or donating on our website, pawsforpurplehearts.org. Together, we can further their mission and positively impact the lives of Veterans and Service Members in need.

After years of suffering, hope appeared when Rosa heard about Paws for Purple Hearts psychiatric Service Dogs that could help people cope with PTSD. When hearing of how badly Carlos was suffering from PTSD, Paws for Purple Hearts told him to come out to San Diego and meet some of the dogs. He was immediately drawn to Service Dog Liberty right away, and the Golden Lab somehow sensed his pain and became the perfect companion to help him heal. With Liberty’s support, Carlos found solace, and his family saw a remarkable transformation. While we can never repay injured Warriors for their extraordinary sacrifices, we can show our gratitude by giving them the crucial support they need.

In the span of the last five years, Paws for Purple Hearts San Diego has made incredible strides in delivering invaluable services to the community. Through their dedicated efforts, they have successfully conducted 1,900 hours of therapy, directly benefiting 219 Veterans and Service Members. What initially began as a modest Service Dog training program run by two instructors out of their homes has now blossomed into a 10,000+ square foot facility providing therapy programs and assistance dogs for wounded Veterans.

Paws for Purple Hearts started as a research program at the prestigious Bergin College of Canine Studies. Together with the Menlo Park VA Medical Center, Canine-Assisted Warrior Therapy® was founded, and our lifelong mission began. With continued success, we established as an independent nonprofit recognized on June 29th, 2011.

We are proud to celebrate 12 years of improving the lives of our Veterans and Active Duty Service Members facing mobility challenges and traumarelated conditions. Today, Paws for Purple Hearts has expanded to six facilities across the US, deployed 159 dogs, and directly improved the lives of 11,000 Warriors.

For more information or to donate please visit https://pawsforpurplehearts.org/