Improving the lives of Veterans. One paw at a time.

Defence Community Dogs is an independent program that provides highly trained Assistance Dogs at no cost, to serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members who need physical and emotional support for mood, depressive and anxiety disorders including PTSD.

Watch the story of Mick and Lola

You Can Help Change a Veteran’s Life

Defence Community Dogs is Australia’s only independent program that trains rescue dogs to Assistance Dog level and provides them free of charge to Australian Defence Force Veterans in need.

Each dog undergoes intensive training, ensuring they can provide life-changing support to their Veteran. But this journey isn’t possible without you. It takes around $30,000 to train, place, and support every Assistance Dog and their Veteran.

You can make a real impact. Donate, sponsor, fundraise, bequeath or shop with us—every contribution helps transform the life of a Veteran and their loyal

Award nominated program

We are so proud that our program has been a finalist for a number of prestigious awards.

Meet the dogs

Here are just a handful of the amazing dogs currently undergoing training in our facilities. Follow us on social media for regular updates on how these four-legged heroes are preparing for life as an Assistance Dog for a Veteran.

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Hear from our Veterans

The true impact of our program is the way it improves and often literally saves the lives of Veterans.

  • ”Lola has pulled me out of nightmares so many times since I’ve had her. I regularly suffer from night terrors, kicking my feet and punching in my sleep, but Lola jumps up on the bed and lays straight across my feet and puts her weight on them. It brings me back to the real world. Having Lola is absolutely life changing."

    Michael and Lola

  • “A few weeks ago, it hit me how much Paul has changed since having Mollie. Paul’s PTSD had left him short-tempered and withdrawn, especially in public, to the point where we stopped going out as a family. But recently we took our boys to the botanical gardens for a steam train ride — and it was the best day we’ve ever had together. Paul joined in, chatted with others, and rode the train with us. With Mollie by his side he was a completely different person. Honestly, without her, I don’t think he’d still be here.”

    Paul and Mollie (from Paul’s wife)

  • The new member of the family has been a hit! Still lost for words. Zac is exactly what we needed.  So much joy and excitement around this place in a time that calls for plenty of it. Previously I was dwelling on the negatives in our life, my illness, doctors appointments, and my wife’s battle with cancer. Zac has brought a positive focus into my life.  My whole family loves Zac and he has brought laughter, joy and hope into our home. Thank you to all the DCD team and all the boys training hard with the dogs. You are doing an amazing thing. Keep it up.”

    Mick and ZacZac

  • “I wish I could give higher than a 5 star rating for Defence Community Dogs. The whole process from my first contact with DCD, right through until graduation with my new dog Winnie, has been faultless and professional. I will do whatever I can in my life to give back to Defence Community Dogs, because they have given me a gift that is changing my life for the better.”

    Dave and Winnie

  • “Bentley has proven time and time again why I need him. When I’m sad, anxious, angry, or having bad dreams, he is always there. I’m so happy I have Bentley, he couldn’t be any more perfect. Once again thank you to everyone who was a part of training and sponsoring Bentley. I appreciate it more than I could ever express."

    Jess and Bentley