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“Mental health continues to be a big issue in communities
throughout the country and we provide free mental health
care to anyone who has served for one day in the Australian
Defence Force. We will be establishing a new Veteran Suicide The Hon Darren Chester MP
Prevention Pilot to deliver intensive and assertive Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
management services to veterans following an attempted Minister for Defence Personnel
suicide or to those at significant risk of suicide. Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC

“This pilot is about linking non-government and government MEDIA RELEASE – Wednesday 30 May 2018
support services to support vulnerable veterans’ and their
families and will be offered at nine public and private Assistance Dog Trial to help tackle Veteran Mental Health
hospitals in Brisbane. The Federal Government is putting veterans first with an
innovative trial of assistance dogs for veterans.
“We want to encourage and support those studying with a
view to getting them back into the workforce. This is why we La Trobe University in Victoria will partner with the
will remove the reduction in the amount of incapacity payment Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) in conducting a $2
which normally occurs after 45 weeks for those undertaking million trial of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
approved full-time study as part of their rehabilitation plan. assistance dogs for veterans, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
This will mean veterans can focus on their study without Darren Chester announced today.
having to worry about changes to their financial situation.”
“I am pleased to announce that DVA has engaged La Trobe
The Bill will also enable the grandchildren of Vietnam veterans University, in partnership with the Centre for Service and
to be eligible to receive financial support to further their Therapy Dogs Australia, to undertake the trial of assistance
education through the Long Tan Bursary Scheme. dogs for veterans with PTSD as a supplement to clinical
treatment,” Mr Chester said.
“We will continue to honour the service and sacrifice of the
men and women who served our county in Vietnam by “La Trobe is a leader in research involving our best friend and
extending this support to their grandchildren,” Mr Chester is the home to Australia’s first dedicated human-dog
said. interaction laboratory. Dogs are great company, good fun,
loyal friends and anyone who has had a dog knows they can
“Families who have suffered the tragic loss of a partner and be incredibly beneficial for your wellbeing.
who are wholly dependent partners of veterans will have two
years to decide how to receive the compensation in periodic “The trial will be a considered process that takes into account
payments or as a lump sum, which is an increase from the the specific needs of the participating veteran - such as
current six months. determining the most appropriate breed and temperament of
dog, and the bonding process between the dog and
“The loss of a loved one is life changing and an incredible participant.”
challenging time for any family, this change will remove the
pressure to make an immediate decision so that they can Mr Chester said work would commence on the detailed design
make the best choice for their needs. phase of the trial, including the process for veteran
recruitment. Selection of participants will commence early in
“This legislation re-affirms the Turnbull Government’s 2019, with dog or puppy selection taking place after that.
commitment to put veterans and their families at the centre
of everything that we do.” “Following the matching and suitability process, there will be
a period of approximately 18 months for the initial dog
Other measures in the Bill will include allowing claims for training and the bonding process, prior to the placement of
compensation under the Military Rehabilitation and the dog with the participant on a permanent basis. It is
Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) to be made orally as well as expected that up to 20 participants will take part in the trial,”
in writing. This Bill will allow for some of the measures Mr Chester said.
announced in the 2018-19 Budget to be implemented.
“Unlike pet or companion dogs, assistance dogs are specially
Media Contacts: trained to perform ‘tasks’ that contribute to the clinical
Whil Prendergast: 0427 672 815 recovery goals of the individual. The assistance dog will be
DVA Media: 02 6289 6466 integrated as part of a clinical care plan involving the veteran
and their mental health clinician.
“Of course, throughout this trial, the welfare and safety of the
veterans and of the dogs will be paramount.”
La Trobe Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Keith Nugent said
that the University, in consultation with DVA, veteran mental
health and industry experts, will establish and apply best
practice protocols to guide the training, selection and
monitoring of participants and assistance dogs.