Our Mission

"Unleashing the Power of Service..."

The Hearts of Gold Service Dog Training Program was established jointly between West Virginia University (WVU) and Human Animal Bond, Inc. (HAB) in 2006 and has been conducted under a “train the trainer” model. As partners, WVU and HAB have demonstrated leadership through action.

Dr. Jean Meade, DVM, MD, PhD, MPH, the program’s founder, provides canine health and care instruction and oversees the program. She has over 35 years of experience in veterinary medicine, including canine husbandry and health maintenance. She received board certification in Occupational Medicine, and her experience working with Veterans includes working with the inpatient PTSD program at the VAMC Clarksburg, WV, and working with incarcerated Veterans at FCI Morgantown. She assists in training active-duty Special Forces medics in canine emergency medicine from Ft. Bragg, NC.

Dr. Matthew Wilson, Associate Dean of Programs for the Davis College, has been involved with Hearts of Gold since 2010. He has been instrumental in managing and coordinating classroom-related activities and has served as PI on funded projects conducted by the Hearts of Gold program.

OUR COMMITMENT TO SERVING THOSE IN NEED

The Hearts of Gold program lies within one of the nation’s greatest concentrations of military veterans, in the heart of Appalachia. Just over 20% of US military Veterans (20.5%) have a service-connected disability. There are no cities or towns in West Virginia with a population over 50,000, making the majority of our region rural. WV is home to just under 160,000 Veterans, while Pennsylvania has nearly 346,000 and Ohio has over 866,000 Veterans (US Census data, 2016, Washington Post 2014). As part of the Veterans Center of Excellence at West Virginia University, the Hearts of Gold Program melds with many ongoing federal and state government and not-for-profit programs. These include the US Department of Veterans Affairs and their VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, WV, state agencies from all three states (PA, OH, WV), as well as county, city, and other governmental resources (e.g., Morgantown Veterans Center, the Monongalia County VA Outpatient Clinic; the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance, Morgantown Office, the Pennsylvania-based Southwestern Veterans’ Center, and various Ohio-based entities). Numerous WVU graduates hold positions such as rehabilitation counselors, physicians, occupational and physical therapists at these facilities which will help to facilitate referrals. The founder of the West Virginia Service Dog Support Group, an organization that does not train dogs but provides information and support to veterans with or seeking service dogs nationally, is a veteran whose dog was trained through the Hearts of Gold program. They work closely with the Clarksburg WV VAMC and the Hearts of Gold program is the first referral point for veterans seeking dogs from this group.

OUR COMMITMENT TO STANDARDS

We meet the standards of Assistance Dogs International and are currently a candidate for membership.

Hearts of Gold seeks to provide the highest quality of service to all clients by following ethical procedures. All clients are considered for an assistance dog regardless of race, sex, religion, or creed, and are treated with respect and dignity at all times by all members of the organization. All clients are provided with sound educational material to aid in the care and utilization of their assistance dog. Clients are given regular evaluations and follow-up support including: any additional training that is needed due to a change in the client’s functional level, behavioral management problems with the dog, consultation related to a major veterinary problem, or legal problems pertaining to the use of the assistance dog as outlined by the law. All client information will remain confidential at all times.