International Assistance Dog Week is celebrated on August 1 - 7, 2021. This week allows us to recognize and honour all service dogs and their trainers, who assist people with disabilities to navigate their daily lives.

What is an Assistance Dog?

Assistance dogs transform the lives of their human partners with debilitating physical and mental disabilities by serving as their companion, helper, aide, best friend and close member of their family.

Assistance dogs can serve as Guide Dogs, Service Dogs, Hearing Alert Dogs, Seizure Alert/Response Dogs and Medical Alert/Response Dogs.

Image of a Bernese Mountain Dog taken by Beth Photography, a Dog Photographer in the Ottawa area.

What can these dogs do?

Owner and dog learn to work together and get to know each other during their extensive training period.
Guide dogs help blind and visually impaired people navigate their environment.
Hearing dogs help alert deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals to important sounds.
Mobility dogs assist individuals who use wheelchairs, walking devices and who have balance issues.
Medical alert dogs can signal the onset of a medical issue such as a seizure or low blood sugar, alert the user to the presence of allergens and a myriad of other functions.
Psychiatric service dogs assist individuals with disabilities such as obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder and other conditions.
For many military members who battle post-traumatic stress disorder, service dogs have helped them to reintegrate into society. These dogs can also alert the owner when it is time for them to take their medicine.
The most popular breeds for assistance dogs include Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds. Breeds such as Great Danes, Saint Bernards and Bernese Mountain Dogs possess the height and strength to provide mobility assistance while all varieties of Poodles are particularly versatile. These breeds are among the smartest and most trainable.
A therapy dog has not been individually trained nor trained to work with a specific person. These dogs are not ‘Service Dogs.’

While on duty, assistance dogs have a job to do and should not be touched or spoken to as distractions can be dangerous. Keep your own pet restrained and at a distance.

Definition of a Service Dog in Ontario

According to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, one of two conditions must apply for your animal to be considered a service animal.

The animal is easily identifiable as relating to your disability (for example, it is a guide dog or other animal wearing a vest or harness).
You can provide documentation from a regulated health professional confirming the animal is required due to a disability.

Image of a Golden Retriever dog taken by Beth Photography, a Dog Photographer in the Ottawa area.

What you need to know under the Law in Ontario

There are no restrictions on what type of animal can be used as a service animal.
You are allowed to bring your service animal into areas that are open to the public unless the animal is excluded by another law.
Some municipalities may also have by-laws restricting certain breeds of animals or dogs from the municipality.
In cases where another law prohibits the service animal from entering the premises, the business or organization must provide another way for you to access their goods, services or facilities.

Service animals are not pets. Additional fees or requirements that apply to pets do not apply to service animals.

Who is eligible for a Service Dog in Ontario?

Anyone who is living with a disability can get a Service Dog. The dog is meant to help with daily life and other tasks. Consult with your Doctor to see if this is the right choice for you.
Your Doctor will provide a letter confirming that you require a service dog. Once you have this letter, you may obtain your Service Dog. You can put a vest on him/her and continue to public places with your dog as your Service Dog.

Financial Considerations:

Your service dog will require regular veterinarian visits as well as good quality food.
You may need to pay for assistance with your dog such as walking, grooming and training.

Physical, Mental and Emotional Considerations:

Are you able to walk the dog and provide basics like bathroom breaks?
Would you be able to participate in training with your dog?
Do you know about the basics of dog care?
Do you have someone who can care for your dog if you are unable?

Where can you get a Service Dog?

You can adopt a dog and train him/her yourself or…
Another option is to adopt a dog and train him yourself with the help of an experienced dog training professional or…
Get a trained service dog from a reputable organization. Some of these organizations are non-profit and have very long waiting lists and/or a lengthy application process.
Check out Assistance Dogs International which is commonly accepted as the Global Authority in the Assistance Dogs Industry.
Just be careful and know that the dog training industry is quite under-regulated at this time. So, it is important to do your homework to research their experience and qualifications.