Asher College Sacramento Hosts Veteran Service Dog Training

Asher College in Sacramento is increasing its commitment to veterans by hosting service dog training at its Sacramento campus. Asher has partnered with local non-profits, RRUFF Healing Heroes and 4Paws2Freedom, to provide a program for eligible veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other invisible disabilities, including Military Sexual Trauma (MST).

Sacramento, CA – May 3, 2017 —

Asher College is increasing its commitment to veterans by hosting service dog training at its Sacramento campus. Asher has partnered with local non-profits, RRUFF Healing Heroes and 4Paws2Freedom, to provide a program for eligible veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other invisible disabilities, including Military Sexual Trauma (MST).

“Twenty-two veterans commit suicide every day, and Healing Heroes exist for the sole purpose of being a catalyst for change,” said Victoria Curtis, RRUFF founder. “Healing Heroes does this one veteran and one dog at a time.”

The service dog training program launches at Asher College on April 10. Veterans train with their own dog for six months. During this time, dogs acquire basic obedience and specialized service training where they learn to perform specific tasks for an individual veteran’s needs. This includes providing a buffer zone between their human and others, protecting them from the front and behind, covering them, turning on lights, interrupting nightmares and being alerted to signs when a veteran is having a PTSD episode. The training is provided by 4Paws2Freedom and is supported through scholarship funding from RRUFF Healing Heroes.

John Kanter, Asher Veteran’s Outreach Specialist says that he is proud that Asher has welcomed 4Paws2Freedom and RUFF Healing Heroes to the campus to provide service dog training to fellow veterans.” He goes on to say, “Service dog training is a great way to provide a stability service, not only to Asher College’s veteran students, but to all veterans, and give back to the community that has supported us so well.”

The healing process for the veteran begins even before the training program. In addition to the benefits of the service training, the program provides an opportunity for the veteran to bond with and be responsible for a dog and to meet and be supported by other veterans suffering from similar trauma.

“There are so many veterans who need service dogs and there really aren’t enough training opportunities for them and the cost can be prohibitive, “said Curtis. “Healing Heroes has found that these programs can help more veterans at colleges than on an individual basis. When Healing Heroes and Asher College learned about each other’s commitment to veterans, these organizations decided to work together and make this happen.”

For more information visit the contacts below.

Victoria Curtis, Founder RRUFF Healing Heroes

Telephone: 916-435-0196

Website: http://www.rruffdogpark.org/healing_heroes.aspx

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/rruffhealingheroes/

Terry Sandhoff, Master Service Dog Trainer/Coach 4Paws2Freedom

Telephone: 916-996-6758

Website: www.4paws2freedom.org/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/4paws2freedom.org

John Kanter, Asher College Veteran’s Outreach Specialist

Telephone: 877-205-6364

Email: asherveteransadvocate@asher.edu