Introducing NSD Ortona

TORONTO – National Service Dogs (NSD) and Wounded Warriors Canada (WWC) are proud to introduce NSD Ortona. At just 15 weeks he is already showing the temperament, trainability and personality sought in PTSD and Autism Service Dogs.

Next week Ortona will be flying to Edmonton where he will be matched with his new NSD Puppy Raiser, Capt. Donna Riguidel. For the next sixteen months the Riguidel family will be teaching him all of his basic obedience skills and socializing him to the different environments he will encounter in his working life. Paired with a serving member of the Canadian Armed Forces, Ortona will be included in all dog-safe activities on the base, like a furry new recruit, and will serve as a service dog ambassador to both uniformed and civilian members.

Celebrating 20 years of service to families across Canada, National Service Dogs is proud to be the only Assistance Dog International (ADI) Accredited Training Centre in Canada providing PTSD Service Dogs to ill and injured Canadian Veterans and First Responders.

Phil Ralph, National Program Director for Wounded Warriors Canada, commented, “We are proud of our partnership with National Service Dogs. As an ADI accredited training centre, we recognize the importance of ensuring our ill and injured Veterans and First Responders receive a service dog that is trained to provincial standards. We look forward to watching Ortona grow and, eventually, providing a life-changing service to an ill and injured Veteran or First Responder.”

According to NSD Executive Director, Danielle Forbes, “National Service Dogs has always embraced a spirit of innovation and collaboration and is proud to partner with Wounded Warriors Canada on the expansion of this rapidly emerging area of service dog work. It is a very exciting time within the service dog field and together with Wounded Warriors Canada we are empowering veterans and expanding their potential through the life-changing power of Certified Service Dogs.”

All of Ortona’s adventures will be detailed and shared online through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. These accounts will be live at the beginning of June and will be shared with the media and the public at a media event on the base in early June.