Inaugural veterans grants program awards 11 Territory organisations
A service helping connect defence, first responders and corrections staff with service dogs is one of 11 organisations set to receive funding under a new grant program supporting veterans.
Northern Territory
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When Glenn Lang was diagnosed with PTSD after 15 years working in Darwin’s corrections system, his doctor suggested animal therapy.
Enter Penny – a Blue Heeler-Border Collie cross linked with Glenn by Young Diggers, an organisation helping to provide assistance dogs for members of the Australian Defence Force, correctional officers, and first responders.
“There are hundreds of tasks that an assistance dog can be trained to do to help the recipients to live a normal life back in the community,” Glenn said.
“Penny wakes me up from nightmares and flashbacks, if we’re in a shopping centre and she picks up that my anxiety levels are getting too high she will physically drag me out of the shopping centre.”
Young Diggers was one of 11 organisations selected to share in $80,000 through the newly established Veterans Health and Wellbeing Grant program.
Glenn said Young Diggers would primarily use the money to help ADF members into initial one-on-one training with assistance dogs.
Minister for Veterans Jinson Charls said other initiatives funded through the inaugural grant round included fishing trips, coffee catch-ups, AFL training, canine therapy, mental fitness and resilience programs, and an International Women’s Day event recognising the role of women in the military.
“The Northern Territory is home to one of the highest per capita veteran populations in Australia, with around 20,000 veterans and their families calling our Territory home,” Mr Charls said.
“The events and activities funded through this grant will help improve the physical and emotional wellbeing of veterans, create opportunities for social engagement, and ensure that our veteran community feels valued and connected.”
The 11 grant recipients are:
- Reeling Veterans
- Council of Australian Veterans (Darwin Branch) (CAV)
- Network Tindal (Katherine)
- North West Mobile Force (NORFORCE)
- Women’s Museum of Australia (Alice Springs)
- Veterans Motorcycle Club NT Chapter
- Happy Paws Happy Hearts
- Young Diggers
- Fiji Association NT
- Veterans Australia NT
- The Road Transport Historical Society (on behalf of RSL Alice Springs) (National Road Transport Hall of Fame)
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