Alberta now has 5 new service dog training schools

Alberta has 5 new service dog training schools

Service dog/Shutterstock

There are now more qualified service dog training schools in Alberta than ever before.

Due to new regulations that came into effect in April, more organizations are now qualified to supply service dogs to people with disabilities or PTSD in Alberta.

Following the Service Dogs Qualifications Regulations, five new organizations have opened up around Calgary that specialize in training dogs in assisting the humans that need them.

“Qualified service dogs are dedicated to helping people navigate daily life and, in some cases, even save their lives,” said Alberta’s minister of community and social services, Irfan Sabir, in a release.

“I am proud to improve access to service dogs for persons with disabilities and, for the first time, those affected by PTSD. I look forward to seeing more service dogs in our communities.”

Minister Sabir, MLA Rod Loyola, and representatives of Alberta’s service dog providers (Government of Alberta)

The five new members on Alberta’s list of qualified organizations are:

Hope Heels Service Dog Building Institute
Canadian Canine Training Corporations
Very Special Paws Camrose and District Victim Services Society
Red Dog Training Solutions
Courageous Companions Incorporated

The dogs being trained at Courageous Companions Incorporated will be living up to the organization’s name, as they are being specifically trained to service military personnel and first responders who suffer from PTSD.

According to the release, dogs trained in supporting PTSD victims are capable of interrupting self-harming behaviour, giving medication reminders, and guiding a person away from stressful situations.

“I’ve waited a long time to have a qualified service dog. Having more service dog schools and more opportunities to obtain a service dog will change many people’s lives for the better,” said Alberta PTSD service dog user Adrienne Webb, in the release.

Along with increasing the amount of service dogs being made available in Calgary through increasing the amount of schools, the Alberta Government has also invested $250,000 in grants towards the training and testing of these dogs.

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