Graduation Day for Inaugural Class of the Veteran K-9 Corps!

On March 9th, NDVS and the Truckee Meadows Dog Training Club (TMDTC) celebrated the graduation of the inaugural class of the Veteran K-9 Corps.

In going through this program, these veterans learned about basic obedience training, different types of activities they could engage in with their dogs, and ways in which they could ensure their pets are taken care off to the best of their abilities. These veterans also had opportunities to engage with each other, share tips, and encourage each other as they and their dogs worked to earn Canine Good Citizenship certifications.

With all this accomplished, many may ask why this matters and why NDVS is involved. The program was born out of the review of studies by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and others showing that returning service members often experience a lack of connectives that negatively impacts their mental health, and correspondingly, their reintegration into their local communities. Additionally, recent research exploring the benefits of pets and human-animal interaction for mental health has uncovered new benefits for stress, depression, post-traumatic stress and for managing mental health.

The Veterans K-9 Corps works to address both these needs by connecting veterans in a cohort with a shared mission of training their dogs to serve as personal companions. While this is a pilot wellness program for veterans, NDVS and the Truckee Meadows Dog Training Club are working to ensure that our veterans have the opportunity to learn about their benefits, connect with each other, and engage in a unique opportunity.

The second of four sessions began on March 23rd but you may register now to get on the waiting list. If you are interested, please email NDVS Outreach Officer Eduardo Martinez at martineze@veterans.nv.gov to learn more.