Alberta Guide Dogs

We regret that we are currently unable to accept any new applications for guide dogs or autism support dogs. We will re-open the application process once we have fulfilled our wait list of existing applications. We have taken this step in order to better serve the clients who are awaiting training at this time. We thank you for your patience as and... regret any disappointment. Please check back again in the future. How do Guide Dogs help blind and visually impaired people? Guide Dogs enable the recipient to move around safely and independently by helping blind or visually impaired people navigate their surroundings. Based on the handler's direction, dogs safely guide their partner around obstacles, through intersections, to stairs, doors and other landmarks. How do Autism Support Dogs help children with autism? Autism Support Dogs, a division of BC & Alberta Guide Dogs, provides professionally trained dogs to children with autism aged 3-10 and their families, at no cost to the recipient. Our goal is to improve the quality of life of children with autism and their family by providing a trained Autism Support Dog. It takes up to 2 years and costs our charity up to $35,000 to produce each autism support dog. Our organization relies on the generosity of donors to serve citizens of British Columbia and Alberta so that we can provide these dogs free of charge to families. What breeds of dogs do we use for training? We use Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and crosses between Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers. Where do you get your puppies? We have an in-house breeding program and we participate at an international level with other guide dog organizations in the sharing of puppies and breeding materials. Do the dogs ever get any playtime, or are they always working? Once the dogs are home for the day and their jackets are off, they are pet dogs and are able to play and relax just like any other dog. How much does it cost to produce a fully trained Guide Dog or Autism Support Dog? It takes two years and ...Read More