b'Assistance Dogs International, Inc. (ADI) is a worldwide coalition of not-for-profit programs that train and place Assistance Dogs. Founded in 1986 from a group of seven smallprograms, ADI has become the leading authority inthe Assistance Dog industry.Members of ADI meet regularly to share ideas and conduct business regarding educating the public about assistance dogs, advocating for the legal rights of people with disabilities partnered with assistance dogs, and the setting of standards and establishing guidelines and ethics for the training of these dogs.The objectives of ADI are to: Establish and promote standards of excellence in Warrior Canine Connection, works with dogs in service training and service members who have post-traumaticall areas of assistance dog acquisition, trainingstress disorder and traumatic brain injury, while undergoing treatment at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence in Bethesda, Md. DOD photo by Terri Moon Cronk and partnershipDepartment of Veterans Affairs Medical Center,Facilitate communication and learning amongMenlo Park, California member programsWCC began offering its service dog training therapyEducate the public to the benefits of Assistance program at the Welcome Center, a new interdisciplinary Dogs and ADI membership.facility on the Menlo Park Campus of the VA Palo Alto The ADI Standards are the basis for ADIs peer-review Health Care System in April 2013.accreditation survey process. The 10,000 square foot state-of-the-art Center providesAccreditation alternative and complementary therapies to meet the ADI accredits not-for-profit programs that place diverse and complex needs of our Veterans. assistance dogs to ensure that they adhere to the Marcus Institute for Brain Health, Aurora, CO highest standards in all aspects of their operations, WCC has partnered with the Marcus Institute for Brainincluding ethical treatment and training of dogs, ethical Health (MIBH) at the Anschutz Medical Campus right treatment of clients, solid service dog training andoutside of Denver, Colorado to provide service dog trainingfollow-up care.as part of its interdisciplinary treatment plan for patients. Accreditation is a peer-review process that involves The MIBH specializes in the diagnosis and treatment ofsubmission of paperwork and an on-site survey by a persistent symptoms caused from mild and moderate trained accreditation assessor.traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and co-occurring physiologicalThe on-site survey is conducted over several days health conditions such as post-traumatic stress (PTS),that includes the assessor interviewing staff, clients, depression and anxiety.volunteers, and board member; reviewing paperwork The model of care is unique as each treatment plan is and files; observing clients and dog training; and customized based upon the diagnostics and intensiveinspecting the programs facilities in order to make assessments completed in week one. Treatment plans sure that all of ADIs Standards are being met. consist of traditional and complementary therapies designedAll programs are required to be re-accredited every to achieve maximum benefits for each patient accepted intofive (5) years in order to maintain their ADI accreditation the program. Learn more.membership status.Warrior Transition Unit, Fort Belvoir, VA ADI does not provide membership to individuals or WCC provides its purpose-bred Golden and Labradorfor-profit organizations.Retrievers to the therapeutic service dog training program,Assistance Dogs International is a 501(c)(3) not for which operates in conjunction with the Occupationalprofit organization registered in the United States.Therapy department to provide animal-assisted therapy tohttps://assistancedogsinternational.orgrecovering Soldiers. JAberdeen Proving Ground Military Appreciation Resource Magazine 31'