2015 Summit Forum: Service and Assistance Dogs

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. 

Veterinary App Provides Online Consultations for Clients

A new app is allowing clients to consult with a veterinarian using text and video. Vet24seven launched in July and is active in the Sacramento Bay area, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino. Vet24seven provides consultations for domestic animals. So far the app has several dozen veterinarians and hundreds of clients. Using the app is often cheaper than visiting a local veterinarian though the app does allow for referrals to a local veterinarian. Clients may upload photos and video of their animals.

 

Cal Lai, Vet24seven CEO and Co-Founder said, “We think Vet24seven increases the frequency of contact and makes the more remote areas more accessible… You can engage your veterinarian in causal regular everyday conversation related to your animal.” Lai believes the app allows owners to talk with a veterinarian instead of relying on inaccurate information found on the Internet. He said, “The problem with Dr. Google is everyone believes what’s on the Internet is real and true and good. Veterinarians have the ability and expertise to filter that information.”

Some veterinarians are worried that virtual veterinary care may be inadequate and veterinarians could break state regulations when treating patients. The California Veterinary Medical Association requires veterinarians to have a ‘veterinarian client patient relationship’. In order to develop this relationship a veterinarian is required to physically examine an animal before providing advice or treatment. Owners cannot be relied on to identify every abnormality an animal presents nevermind the signs that an animal hides.

Director of Regulatory Affairs at the California Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Grant Miller said, “There is really no substitute for placing your hands on an animal and smelling an ear infection. You can’t do that over a computer.” Veterinarian Dr. Diljit Kamboj said, “It is crucial that we do physical examinations. How am I supposed to give advice if I don’t know what’s going on with the pet?”

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