In partnership with Turning Point Growth and Learning Center, the PAALS Patriots program is an animal-assisted learning program for active duty service members and veterans with combat related anxiety that do not qualify at this time for a permanently placed service dog. PAALS Patriots teaches coping skills by translating the training and behavior modification techniques used with service dogs along with equine assisted activities to help participants understand and address their mental health problems, improve communication skills, build trust, and reduce anxiety through experiential learning. PAALS Patriots is facilitated by a multidisciplinary team including mental health specialists, the PAALS staff of trainers, equine specialists, and volunteers. Making and following through on a commitment will be of benefit to the participant, as it is an opportunity for them to expose themselves to a situation that they may have previously been avoiding. To effectively communicate with a dog, participants must learn about nonverbal communication, relationship building, problem solving, and making small successive approximations to achieve a goal. The knowledge that some of these service dogs in training may go to another service member with a disability allows soldiers and veterans to focus on behavior modification of themselves to achieve success for the sake of a fellow service member. Any interested soldiers or veterans should contact Dr. Thirkield at alison.thirkield@us.army.mil.
PAALS Patriots is facilitated by a multidisciplinary team including mental health specialists, the PAALS staff of trainers, equine specialists, and volunteers. Making and following through on a commitment will be of benefit to the participant, as it is an opportunity for them to expose themselves to a situation that they may have previously been avoiding. To effectively communicate with a dog, participants must learn about nonverbal communication, relationship building, problem solving, and making small successive approximations to achieve a goal. The knowledge that some of these service dogs in training may go to another service member with a disability allows soldiers and veterans to focus on behavior modification of themselves to achieve success for the sake of a fellow service member. Any interested soldiers or veterans should contact Dr. Thirkield at alison.thirkield@us.army.mil.
