I first heard of the organisation Young Diggers, early in 2021. I met Julie, the permanent foster carer of Dusty who is the Victorian Ambassador of Young Diggers. As I had my camera with me, I couldn't help myself but ask if I could take a few photos of this beautiful boy. Dusty obliged and as Julie and I chatted, I learned that Young Diggers helps Veterans of the Australian Defence Force and First Responders (Police, Fire, Ambulance, CFA.) diagnosed with PTSD and associated mental health issues. Young Diggers started in Brisbane in 2010 and have been training Dogs in Victoria since 2017.
Young Diggers Victoria became stand alone in December 2021 and their base is in Melton, the outer Western suburbs of Melbourne. This Program is designed so members can train their dogs to become Assistance Dogs.
Members are able to train their own dog if it has been assessed to be capable and of the right temperament. Young Diggers Victoria has their own trainer that understands PTSD and helps guide our members through the training program. Having a trained assistance dog undoubtedly can give them and their family a chance at a better quality of life whilst helping able to mix back into the community.
Young Diggers have also been able to rescue dogs from the Melton pound which have been supplied by the Melton City Council, which is where Dusty had come from.
RICK & TED
Whilst at the Young Digger's Christmas Party last year, I met some gorgeous puppers with their humans and one person's story shows just how transformative and life changing the program is.
I chatted with Rick and it didn't take long to see, not only the love, but the importance that Ted has made in Rick's life. Rick was happy to answer a few questions and share his story below:
How did you hear about Young Diggers?
I heard about Young Diggers in Victoria from a member who lives close to me. His grandchildren went to the same school as my daughters.
Is Ted your first dog from Young Diggers and how long have you had him?
Ted is the first service dog I have had and trained. I didn’t know, until joining Young Diggers Victoria, that I had an opportunity to have a rescue dog either from them, or I could pick my own dog, which is what I did.
I got Ted as a puppy two and half years ago. I was going to train him through another company until I found out that we could do our training through Young Diggers at no cost as I am and ex firefighter suffering from PTSD.
Ted is a German Short Haired Pointer, not an easy breed to train. In saying that Ted has really stepped up and he is an amazing service dog which can be seen in the photos. There is a massive bond between Ted and I.
What is the process of getting a companion dog? How long did you have to wait for Ted?
If you are an ex service person or front line worker suffering from PTSD, you are eligible to be involved with Young Diggers Victoria. YD can supply a rescue dog or you can pick your own breed/dog to be assessed. Once you have your dog, then training can commence.
Ted and I were already together before I joined Young Diggers Victoria. I have previously had 3 German Short Haired Pointers and that’s why I chose him. I know the breed and what comes with training them.
A piece of advice for anyone considering Young Diggers Victoria, is to do some research on breeds that are easy to train and suitable to be an assistance dog.
How has being involved with Young Diggers helped you?
I can’t even begin to express just how much Young Diggers has helped me. Once a week, I look forward to our training and it gives me a sense of direction and purpose.
I am able go for walks with Ted every day and we have our home work from training each week. Training a service dog is a full time job (for both of us). As a service dog, Ted is working many hours a day with me. There has to be some play time in the
middle as it is very important that Ted has his down time.
Ted has learned to pick up on my mood changes up to 3 days before a bad day kicks in. He licks my face and barks at me and often won’t sleep on his bed, deciding to jump into bed with me and he won’t leave my side. That warning is a sign for me to ring my doctor and often results in a change of medication for a few days.
If I am having a bad day, Ted will bring me his ball and we go outside and play which then takes my mind off my bad thoughts and I focus more on the happy times with Ted, therefore changing my mind set is a huge thing for me.
I recently went through a marriage separation in September. I truly believe without Ted by my side I would be dead now. He has been my rock, my best mate and a friend I can rely on 24 hours a day. I don’t go anywhere without him which continues to strengthen our bond. There have been many times I have been suicidal. Many days spent in bed, curled up in a ball crying since the marriage separation. Ted has been there for me the whole time, no matter what. Ted is a big part of not only my life, but the whole family. Everyone taking him in as one of us. Ted isn’t only good for me, but for my two daughters who adore him. He has a role in helping the girls with the marriage separation and they look forward to seeing him.
It may not sound like a lot but it is huge for me.
It has given me something to look forward to every week.
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