It is a widespread belief that service dogs can enrich the lives of people yet there are so many barriers for people requiring their use. In Canada there are provincial standards with each province having different requirements. This can allow a service dog to legally work in one province while it cannot in another one. What guidelines should govern whether an animal is a service animal or not?
National standards are currently being developed for psychiatric service dogs that serve Veterans. What needs to be done to develop federal standards for other service dogs?
In the spring, British Columbia introduced a “Guide and Service Dog Act” which would require all service dogs to be trained by a facility accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF). This would prevent internationally certified trainers and behaviourists from training service dogs. Who should be able to decide who trains a service dog? Why is British Columbia limiting training to a duopoly? Why does it matter who trains the dog, provided the dog can perform its required duty while remaining impeccably well behaved in public?
Communities, airlines, school boards, penal institutions, service industries and breeders need industry help to recast this dilemma so more lives are enriched using companion animals.
Get the facts, have your say, move the industry.
If you are interested in participating at the 2015 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies please contact Shannon Woodward, Urban Animal Program Manager.
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