By CHAT News Today

Province announces more groups to train and provide service dogs in Alberta

Dec 12, 2017 | 2:20 PM

EDMONTON –  There are now more organizations available in the province to help train and provide service dogs to those who need them.

The province announcing Tuesday there are five more groups in the province that are now qualified to train, test and provide service dogs for persons with disabilities and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

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

The Service Dogs Qualifications Regulation, which came into effect in April 2017, lays out provincial standards, and allows more schools to train qualified service dogs. Under the new rules, those with self-trained service dogs can also have their dogs trained or assessed to become qualified.

New organizations becoming certified in Alberta are the Hope Heels Service Dog Team Building Institute, Red Dog Training Solutions, the Canadian Canine Training Corporation, Very Special Paws/Camrose and District Victim Services Society and Courageous Companions Incorporated, the latter of which specializes in dogs for veterans and first responders with PTSD.

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They join Dogs with Wings and the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society, which were already certified in Alberta.

Other organizations across Alberta that produce, train and assess service dogs are encouraged to apply to be on the qualified list. Details can be found on the Alberta Government website.