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By Justine Kelsie

List of qualified service dog organizations growing

Dec 14, 2017 | 4:00 AM

An organization with Grande Prairie ties was one of five added to a list qualified schools in Alberta.

In April 2017, the Service Dogs Qualifications Regulation came into effect. The regulation allows groups to be recognized under the provincial Service Dog Act and in turn, will make it easier for the schools to be recognized by Assistance Dogs International.

Hope Heels Service Dogs currently has one puppy being raised in the Swan City. Being added to the list of schools means more trained dogs go to people with disabilities and people with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, according to the organization chair Kristine Aanderson.

“The problem small schools like Hope Heels were running into is the requirement to become a candidate for Assistant Dogs International is that you’ve already trained and placed five dogs. We were caught in a chicken and the egg position where until we’ve got those teams trained, we can’t be recognized. We have a difficult time getting dogs trained and placed without be recognized under the Service Dogs Act,” said Aanderson.

To be qualified, a dog must meet a certain standard of skills and behaviour.

“They are able to turn people’s lives around. There have been people that have applied for dogs with us that were barely able to leave their homes. After they have a Service Dog from Hope Heels placed with them, they are able to go out, engage in the community, they are able to give back, and have their voices heard in the community.”

The government is encouraging other groups that also produce, train and assess service dogs to apply to be part of the list.

“Qualified service dogs are dedicated to helping people navigate daily life and, in some cases, even save their lives. I am proud to improve access to service dogs for person with disabilities and, for the first time, those affected by PTSD. I look forward to seeing more service dogs in our communities,” said Minister of Community and Social Services Irfan Sabir.

Other training organizations around the province were added including Canadian Canine Training Corporation, Red Dog Training Solutions, and Courageous Companions. Pacific Assistance Dogs Society and Dogs with Wings were existing qualified organizations. The latter of the groups also has a branch of trainers in the Peace Country.

Although Hope Heels has one puppy being raised in the area, they are in search of four more households to help raise puppies. They are also always looking for financial support as well.

“The dogs require an incredible amount of resources, from both community and government, to be able to become PTSD dogs. They live with puppy raisers out in the community for the first year to year-and-a-half of their life. That’s working with trainers to become good canine citizens.”

by Justine Kelsie