OPK9 Assistance Dogs for Veterans
Life Changing Veteran Support Dogs
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most common mental health conditions affecting veterans. The See Differently OPK9 Program offers veterans a pathway to hope and recovery with a highly trained Assistance Dog and a program of support.
What’s on this page?
Internationally accredited with Assistance Dogs International and a partner with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, the See Differently OPK9 Program has helped veterans for over a decade with a program that is delivering life changing impact.
Meet Grant and his OPK9 Assistance Dog
Grant is a father of four and a returned veteran. His OPK9 Assistance Dog Zella is allowing him to be healthier and happier. Find out how OPK9 is transforming his life.
1 in 6
Veterans will experience PTSD after serving.
31%
Decrease in veterans meeting PTSD criteria in the OPK9 Program.
45%
Increase in social connection, mobility and exercise.
Assistance dogs for veterans – a life changing partnership
The OPK9 Program enables and encourages veterans to enhance their lives, improve their quality of life and gain independence through a life changing partnership with a highly trained See Differently OPK9 Assistance Dog.
An OPK9 Dog is an accredited Assistance Dog that can provide benefits in terms of increasing independence, social interactions, motivation and physical activity as well as assisting in mitigating symptoms of stress and anxiety.
The dogs are raised through See Differently’s Puppy Program, then receive specific training at the See Differently Guide and Assistance Dog School. Our OPK9 team individually match the dogs to meet the needs of the veteran and their families. Training is provided to the partnership – both the dog and the veteran – to ensure a successful future working life.
OPK9 Assistance Dogs will usually be about 18 months to 2 years of age when they graduate to live with their veteran client. They work until they are about 10 years old and See Differently provides thorough after care support and check ins for all veterans in the program.
OPK9 dogs and veterans are accredited and must pass their annual Public Access Test (PAT) to enable public access.
Talk to the team about eligibility
To be considered for the See Differently OPK9 program, veterans must have served in the Australian Defence Force and be a permanent Australian citizen. Veterans must also have a diagnosis of PTSD from a registered health professional acquired during their military service.
Interested veterans are encouraged to contact the OPK9 team to discuss the program and how it may be of assistance. Alternatively, you may choose to speak to The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), The Open Arms Veterans & Families Counselling service, or your Clinical Support team.
Guide Dogs and OPK9 Assistance Dogs in Adelaide
See Differently has always been a not-for-profit organisation, primarily supporting people who are blind or living with low vision. However, our expertise within our Guide Dog School led us to offer this life changing program to veterans over a decade ago.
Offering the two incredible dog programs side by side offer so many benefits. Guide Dogs and OPK9 Assistance Dogs need many of the same core skills, but the programs do lend themselves to different temperaments and personalities. Ultimately it means we are able to help more people than ever whose lives are changes by one of our Guide or Assistance Dogs.
The OPK9 Program is jointly funded by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs and the generosity of the community who support our fundraising efforts. We are particularly humbled by the support of the Australian and South Australian defence sector, who understand the need to support veterans after they have served our nation.
Meet Daronmont – OPK9 Assistance Dog Supporters
Ben, Lee, Rita and all the team at Daronmont are ardent supporters of OPK9 Program. They have sponsored the program financially for 8 years and regularly invite some of the veterans and their dogs to meet their team at Mawson Lakes. They have seen firsthand the difference their investment in See Differently OPK9 Assistance Dogs are making.
– Daronmont, Corporate Partners of OPK9 Program.
Become a puppy volunteer today
The heroes of tomorrow need your help today. There are different roles and levels of time commitments needed for our volunteering roles, but you’ll be part of a program that is changing lives. All food, vet and general costs are covered and our team is there to work with you.
FAQs
Curious about our OPK9 Assistance Dogs?
Have questions about OPK9 Assistance Dogs? We’ve answered some of the most common queries to help you understand how these highly trained dogs support veterans living with PTSD:
What does an OPK9 Assistance Dog do?
OPK9 Dogs are accredited assistance dogs that are trained to recognise stress cues and respond to these, alongside providing benefits to the veteran in terms of companionship, independence, and assisting in social interactions as well as a range of client specific tasks tailored to the veteran’s needs. See Differently OPK9 Assistance Dogs are recognised for providing comfort and support to our returned service men and women suffering visible and invisible wounds.
How is the OPK9 Assistance Dog program, funded?
See Differently receives funding from the Department for Veteran’s Affairs (DVA) and also raises funds from generous individuals, businesses and trusts to deliver the program, which has steadily grown over the years. Veterans do not have to pay for the Program, but there is eligibility to become part of it.
Where are OPK9 Dogs allowed to go?
See Differently OPK9 Assistance Dogs are accredited assistance dogs and by law are permitted to access all public areas, including restaurants, cafes, shops, cinemas, sporting, and entertainment venues. It also means they can travel in buses, taxis, trains, and ferries. The only places the dogs cannot access are some national parks and certain hospital wards such as the Burns Unit and ICU.
What types of dogs are used?
The See Differently OPK9 Program commonly uses Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and crosses of these two breeds. We have a small number of other breeds that we use less frequently. These breeds are well known for having a fantastic temperament to work as assistance dogs.
Can support dogs for veterans go in a car, and can I take the dog in a taxi?
OPK9 Assistance Dogs can travel in the rear of a hatchback or station wagon with a suitable cargo barrier in place or in the front passenger foot-well of the car. Accredited Assistance Dogs – including OPK9 Assistance Dogs – are allowed in taxis and rideshare services by law. They can also go on all forms of public transportation and on planes.
Are other people allowed to pet an OPK9 Assistance Dog?
The general rule is no petting of assistance dogs since it will distract the dog from their handler and important work. Since the See Differently OPK9 Assistance Dogs are a conduit for socialisation it will be up to the handler to decide if they will give permission for people to meet their dog. The dogs are trained to shake hands and bow in greeting, to give veterans choice and control over how their dog helps them open up conversations.