PRESS RELEASE: Pet organisations joint forces to help transport assistance dogs to Veterans and First Responders suffering from PTSD

Brisbane, Australia – 6 April 2022- Dogtainers, Australia’s leading pet transport company, and Integra Service Dogs Australia, a Not-for-Profit Organisation that connects dogs with Veterans and First Responders, announced a partnership today. The partnership supports the transport of assistance dogs to Veterans and First Responders suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other mental health conditions.

Integra Service Dogs Australia specialises in the sourcing, matching, placement, ongoing training and development of high-quality labrador trainee Assistance Dogs with Veterans and First Responders suffering from PTSD. Since 2016, Integra has successfully found homes for more than 100 labradors across Australia. Through this partnership, Integra hopes to see this figure rise.

The exceptional dogs support Veterans and First Responders which leads to reduced periods of hospitalisation, reduced medication levels, helps individuals rebuild trust and relationships, and connect with family, friends and the community.

Dogtainers is offering reduced fares for all dogs transported on behalf of Integra Service Dogs Australia. Dogtainers hope the support for pet transport will make it easier for dogs and the humans who need them to come together.

Despite Covid-19 and travel restrictions, the pet transporters were proud to connect more than 20,000 cats and dogs with their families in 2021. Throughout the year, Dogtainers successfully booked more than 14,750 flights, chartered 50 aircrafts, and completed 170 road trips.

“Dogtainers have a proven track record of providing quality pet transportation that’s safe and reliable. We are extremely happy to announce this partnership, and to bring awareness to our valuable mission”, Integra Chairman, Brigadier Mark Holmes, AM MVO (Retired).

On the 4th of April 2022, Dogtainers transported Edna, a 2-year-old black female labrador and the first official Integra-Dogtainers traveller.

Dogtainers picked up Edna from Guide Dogs Australia in Kew and transported her to Tullermarine for a direct flight up to Canberra. Ben Johnson, CEO of Integra Service Dogs Australia, collected Edna and took her to one of Integra’s long-serving foster families to receive further training.

After a few weeks of training with her foster family, Edna will depart to her forever home in Wagga Wagga to live with and support an ex-army veteran. While there, Integra will continue to train Edna so she can become a PAT-certified assistance dog.

“We are overjoyed to be partnering with Integra Service Dogs and to help support them in their mission to unite dogs and people who have experienced trauma. PTSD is a very serious health condition, and we’re proud to play a role in enriching the lives of veterans and first responders”, Simon Jackson, CEO of Dogtainers.

Media Contacts:

Name: [email protected]Company: DogtainersEmail: Phone: +61481213967

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    About Dogtainers

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    About Dogtainers Dogtainers is an Australian pet travel specialist creating tailor-made pet travel solutions for you and your beloved animal friends since 1971. They provide both domestic and international pet relocation services and pride themselves on their commitment to animal welfare. They’re a member of both the IPATA and RSPCA. The Dogtainers’ motto is “Any Animal, Anywhere, Anytime”. About Integra Service Dogs Australia Integra Service Dogs Australia (Integra) works with Veterans and First Responders suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other mental and physical injuries. Integra provides affected people with highly-trained service dogs to enrich their lives. Integra specialises in the sourcing, matching, placement, ongoing training and development of high-quality labrador Assistance Dogs. Their program teaches dogs to become emotionally tuned to their Veteran’s or First Responder’s unique triggers. Their dogs are able to ground their handler from a hyper-aroused state and provide unconditional support through the trauma and stresses of everyday life. Integra was founded by Mr Ken Lloyd, (Retired) OAM, MSs, JP and Mr Ben Johnson.