Canadian Assistance, Service Dog programs facing donation, volunteer crisis

The Canadian-based Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS) and National Service Dogs are teaming up to launch a national campaign to address the urgent need for volunteers and funding for their assistance dogs programs.

They say that since the pandemic, there has been a decrease in both volunteer engagement and donations.

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PADS Executive Director Laura Watamanuk says that the pandemic saw a strong outpouring of support, both financial and with support, but they fear that compassion fatigue has resulted in a struggle to recruit and retain volunteers for their programming.

The issue isn’t only in Canada though. Assistance Dogs International says that many of the organization’s chapters globally have reported a similar struggle to recruit and retain volunteers since the spike of support during the pandemic.

Assistance dogs will typically spend the first 12 to 18 months of their lives in foster “puppy-raising” homes. Those interested in donating their time or money to the cause can visit the PADS website for more information.

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