Petition Assistance dog acquisition and training program

The petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council that many current and former Police and Emergency Services members are suffering from post traumatic stress injury (PTSI). The science is irrefutable. Providing assistance dogs to many sufferers is a cost-effective means of alleviating many of the adverse effects of PTSI.

A former police officer succumbed to PTSI after being shot in the head. The officer was provided with an assistance dog, Yogi. The officer's medication requirements reduced dramatically, vastly improving their general and mental health.

Sourcing and training assistance dogs is expensive. New South Wales allows prisoners to work with dogs until they become fully trained working assistance dogs. In Victoria, at Tarrangower Prison, inmates train greyhounds to be assistance dogs. Benefits are twofold: inmates’ rehabilitation is assisted by having the responsibility of caring for and training these dogs, giving them a sense of purpose and boosting their self-esteem and confidence and fully trained dogs are available.

There is an urgent need to acquire and deliver assistance dogs to Police and Emergency Service workers suffering from PTSI. Substantial savings to the health system would be an additional benefit.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the Government to immediately introduce an assistance dog acquisition and training program in selected prisons to provide assistance dogs to current and former Police and Emergency Service workers suffering from post traumatic stress injury (PTSI).