The Jeffry Stijn Foundation is proud to announce its first project: The Service Dog Project.
Main Goal
To train 5-10 service dogs with the help of necessary materials, a published training guide and local dog trainers. Creating reproducible methodology that other people with debilitating disabilities can use to train their own service dogs.
Secondary goals
To create awareness of the importance of service dogs in Aruba.
Laying the foundation for a concerted effort, by various organizations that support people with disabilities, to change laws and regulations in Aruba.
To inform organizations and the public of service dogs. Their necessity for their handlers in helping them manage their disability day-to-day. To promote awareness and policies that will grant people greater autonomy with the help of their service dogs.
Project Partners
Avican Training Academy – Gilbert van Veen & Maya – Service Dog Trainer & Service Dog
Jeffry Stijn Foundation – Julie Tchong & Azula – Project Coordinator and Experience Expert & Service Dog
Jeffry Stijn Foundation – Fleur Deijnen – Medical Expertise
Nathan Figaroa & Princess and Prince – Experience Expert & Service Dog and Service Dog in Training
Other project partners will be announced in the future
Project Summary
The project will grant 5 to 10 participants the opportunity to train their own service dog with a professional trainer. Participants must have a debilitating disability. A specialist must have indicated that a service dog is required in order to help improve their life.
As the Jeffry Stijn Foundation for Mental Health and Patient Advocacy’s main goal is to support those with mental health challenges, initially we will be looking for participants who will benefit from a psychiatric service dog (PSD). PSDs can be trained to assist people with qualifying conditions such as, but not limited to:
- anxiety disorders
- attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders
- autism
- bi-polar disorder
- clinical depression
- OCD
- phobias
- post-traumatic stress disorders
The Jeffry Stijn Foundation will be contacting mental health professionals with a requirement list for possible participants. Once an overview of possible participants has been made, 5-10 participants will be invited to partake in the pilot project.
The project will follow the progress of these participants during the training process and report on the effects of the service dog on the participants.
The PSDs will be trained in tasks such as retrieving medication, indicating that an episode is eminent, deep pressure therapy and/or interrupt and redirect behavior.
Concurrently the project partners will:
- provide information to those interested in service dogs in general
- report on policy regarding service dogs in the public and private sectors in Aruba
- and lobby for laws and regulations regarding service dogs in Aruba
Stay tuned for the latest updates regarding this and other projects through our dedicated website, or our social media outlets.
Contribute
Would you like to contribute to this project?
All funds are welcome! You can donate to this project at Aruba Bank N.V. Account Number 7514280190. Please add “service dog project” in the transfer comments.
The Jeffry Stijn Foundation is registered at Aruba’s Chamber of Commerce under number S2004.0.
