What is Animal Assisted Therapy at the NICoE?

The mission-based trauma recovery program at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) is a hands on, goal oriented, clinically based intervention program. The program engages Wounded Warriors in the mission of training purpose bred service dogs to assist fellow veterans with mobility and impairment issues.

Who can benefit from Animal Assisted Therapy?

Any Wounded Warrior struggling from traumatic brain injury and/or post-traumatic stress disorder who is interested in helping to train a future service dog for a veteran in order to help him/her reintegrate into their community.

What are the benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy?

This is a unique opportunity for the patient to assist in changing the lives of a future veteran. In doing so, the patient will be assisting in teaching a service dog in training how to become a highly-skilled military service bred dog who will be paired up with a future veteran upon successful completion of the program. Patients will be helping a veteran reintegrate into the community and set them up for future success with their loyal companion. This opportunity will help to improve cognitive, behavioral, social and emotional competencies. It can have a tremendous impact on improving self awareness, self confidence and parenting/relationship skills.