PTSD DOGS RECEIVE GRANT TO SUPPORT VOLUNTEER PARTICIPATION

Australian Defence Force personnel and first responders suffering from PTSD will benefit from a $3,000 grant to a local charity that supports the rescue, rehoming, and training of unwanted dogs, Llew O’Brien, Federal Member for Wide Bay announced today.

 PTSD Dogs Australia has been awarded funding from the Australian Government Volunteers Grant to assist with training and supplying service dogs for veterans and first responders. The funding will be used to conduct background checks, supply foster carer packs, and fuel vouchers for volunteers.

 While attending the PTSD Dogs graduation morning tea today, Mr O’Brien and guest, the Hon David Littleproud, Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Agriculture, presented the PTSD Dogs Committee with a certificate to acknowledge their Volunteer Grant.

 ‘As an ex first responder myself, I know how important it is that our veterans and emergency service workers and their families have the right support,” Mr O’Brien said.

 “Although still a relatively young organisation, PTSD Dogs Australia is doing an incredible job, saving unwanted dogs and training them to make a positive difference in the lives of people suffering from PTSD.”

 Angie Weeks, Volunteer CEO & Co-founder of PTSD Dogs said, “PTSD Dogs Australia is run nearly entirely on the effort of volunteers and receiving a $3000 Volunteer Grant is so valuable to us. Without our volunteers we simply couldn’t achieve everything that we do. This grant will enable us to get our volunteers some much needed office equipment as well as reimbursing volunteer fuel costs.”

“It will enable us to retain our awesome volunteers and that in turn will help us change and save the lives of dogs, first responders and veterans.”

“It’s wonderful to see what an incredible job the PTSD Dogs team do in saving unwanted dogs and training them to become therapy or assistance dogs for veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Small grants can make a big difference in supporting the work of community organisations and their most important resource, their volunteers.”