History of the Organization �

• Founded in 2015
• 2016 an investor purchased a 12-unit apartment complex
• From 2016-2019 worked to address veteran homelessness and mental health (unsuccessfully)
• Utilized Bailey the therapy dog with veterans (Successfully) until he passed away in 2016
• 2019 Recognized need for shift in focus

​

Who are we now

Mission: Our mission is to provide accessible resources, community connection,  mental health services, and service dogs to veterans experiencing challenges related to post-traumatic stress, mental health, addiction, isolation, and risk of suicide.

​

Vision: To create a comprehensive system of support and wellness through collaboration with like-minded community providers to address the challenges specific to veterans and create a united front against veteran suicide.

​

Fighting For Those Who Fought For Us

Our Philosophy

• We serve veterans better together as a community
• We view the veterans we serve with unconditional positive regard
• Veteran treatment is most effective through whole person approach
• We believe in the power of the bond between animals and humans
• We align with the methods of force free training
• We conduct ourselves with honesty, integrity and respect for others

​

Who Do we serve

Veterans

• Honorable Discharge (For Service Dog placement)
• Substance use assessed/Treatment/Time of sobriety
• Medical Necessity (Service Dog Placement)
• Stable Living environment (Service Dog Placement)
• No Open/Unresolved Criminal Charges (Service dog Placement)
• No Recent Felonies (10 years or less)
• No History of Animal Abuse, Ever
• Financial Stability

​

​

What Do We Do

PTSD REDEFINED

Providing Treatment Through Service Dogs (PTSD)

• Utilizes a combination of evidence-based practice and mindfulness concepts with dog training to address symptoms related to post-traumatic stress, mental health conditions, isolation, low motivation, and other challenges unique to veterans.
•  The program is structured to connect veterans with puppies and dogs in our service training program to enhance and promote healing, wellness and connection. 
• Veterans in the program receive one on one and group instruction. 
• The focus is on helping them become more aware of physical symptoms, addressing social anxiety and isolation, understanding the process of training a dog to respond to specific symptoms, utilizing a dog in public areas, fielding service dog questions, and other areas essential to wellness.  Veterans are welcome to complete an application to receive a service dog.

​

What Do We Do

Service Dog Placement

• Custom Trained (approximately $40-$50K start to finish)
• Veterinary Care
• Food/ Necessities
• Full support for service life
• Testing when ready
• Follow up testing
• No cost to veteran (outside of application fee of $25)

Outside of the application fee there is no cost to the veteran

What Do We Do

Therapy/Therapeutic

• Individual and Group sessions
• Specialized to personal needs
• Community Support
• With or with out animal assisted
• Community Connection
• Special events

No cost to the veteran

Service in Memory

Service in Memory

Service in Memory

Exciting Opportunity

Veteran Scholarship

This is approximately a $6000 scholarship to attend the Karen Pryor Dog Training Professional Academy.

• The program is based on science and MODERN teaching practices. 
• It is the premier force free, positive training program that teaches the veteran to THINK their way through training with effective results. No aversive “tools” or training methods.
•  The Karen Pryor professional program is highly endorsed by veterinarians, shelters and behaviorists. Upon completion the veteran will have the skills to work with dogs in their own business, shelters or rescues etc. in addition to working with the dogs in the Bodhi Battalion program.

​

Our Partner

Over 5 acres of space with indoor and outdoor training space and 120 kennels

Veteran Owned

Ft. Lupton

Events

• 6^th Annual Pat Hermanson golf4vets Charity Tournament

Friday August 26, 2022

Todd Creek Golf Course

• Several events are in planning stages in collaboration with other nonprofit organizations and veterans service organizations

Needs

Volunteers

• Fundraising/Events coordinator
• Puppy raisers
• Board openings
• Community Engagement
• Social Media
• Web master
• Shelter, rescue breeder coordinator

​

​

Feel Free To Contact us with any questions

JoAnna McTevia, LCSW, LAC joanna@bodhibattalion.org

Certified Professional Dog Trainer-KA info@bodhibattalion.org

Certified Service and Therapy Dog Trainer 720-550-2677