Our flagship program
For nearly 10 years we have been providing highly trained assistance dogs with veterans with post traumatic stress disorder. The life changing OPK9 program continually supports veterans and their families to restore hope and live better lives. The program is funded through both the Department of Veteran’s Affairs as well as donations from individuals, businesses and trusts.
The program offers choice and control and a genuine opportunity for veterans to shape their own recovery pathway. Each dog is individually matched and trained to meet the specific needs of each veteran in the program. Comprehensive after-care is provided to ensure ongoing success for both the veteran and their dog.
The program is ensuring veterans improve the quality of their lives and have a pathway to recovery from their PTSD, with improved mental and physical wellbeing.
See Differently’s OPK9 is internationally accredited through Assistance Dogs International and is delivered by a team who are highly experienced working with assistance dogs and veterans.
Information for veterans interested in the program
The program is open to all Australians who have served in any official capacity.
See Differently only accepts referrals to the program through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Psychiatric Assistance Dog program.
We also work in partnership with the Jamie Larcombe Centre (JLC) in Adelaide, which provides mental health and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) services to veterans. With funding from the Defence Teaming Centre, See Differently has an assistance dog called Quattro at the JLC to work with the team and veterans receiving treatment.
For more information and eligibility visit: www.dva.gov.au/dogs
Corporate supporters of OPK9
Our OPK9 Program has gone from strength to strength thanks to the generous support of our corporate partners. Many of these partners are within the defence sector and understand the impact service can have on the men and women who serve our nation.
In supporting the OPK9 Program, our partners are not only giving back and supporting veterans, but also becoming part of our community, with opportunities to meet veterans in the program, interact with your team and see first-hand how our training program serves the veteran community.
We’re always looking for new partners to join our community and help change the lives of veterans with PTSD.
To find out more, contact:
Sally Raphael, Executive Manager for Marketing and Fundraising
sally.raphael@seedifferently.org.au or 1300 944 306
How we’re changing lives
We know that OPK9 is saving and changing lives.
For the last 3 years we have been working with Adelaide University and MESHA (Military and Emergency Services Health Australia) on independent research to validate the impact of our OPK9 assistance dog program for veterans. The program is reducing stress, anxiety and suicidal thoughts as well as reducing reliance on medication and reducing alcohol consumption. It is also increasing social connection, mobility and exercise and sense of purpose.
“Without Bunji and the See Differently OPK9 program, I literally wouldn’t be sitting here today.” Brad
