Canine Assisted Intervention

The opportunities to integrate CAI Dogs into a variety of treatment plans are numerous, from mental health, addictions, literacy, physical therapy and more. NSD is committed to working in partnership with treatment providers to make the most of what CAI Dogs have to offer.

National Service Dogs’ first Canine Assisted Intervention (CAI) Dog was placed in 2013. CAI Dogs are matched with treatment professionals from a variety of disciplines to work as partners in therapy to address Health and Wellness in communities across Ontario.

While CAI has been hailed as the “treatment of choice” by American doctors and treatment centres alike, CAI is new to Canada. NSD’s Canine Assisted Intervention Program is the first CAI program in Ontario, and one of only three in Canada.

NSD Uno & Liisa

NSD Uno is brilliant! He has settled in wonderfully to his job with me, and is also happily adjusted to our home life. He’s out working daily with a variety of students, and has had an impact from day one. If I could tell you how positive an effect Uno is having, it would take up a lifetime.

LiisaSEED Education Strategies & Solutions

August 8, 2023

National Service Dogs has reached its intake quota for applications. We will update the website when applications reopen.

For a list of alternate service providers please visit Assistance Dogs International.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to a large volume of daily calls and emails, we are not always able to respond to everyone. We appreciate your understanding.

Benefits

CAI Dogs provide multiple impacts, aiding in physical, social, and emotional healing
CAI Dogs can enhance motivation and aid in the healing process for clients by improving mental health and overall well-being
CAI Dogs can assist with functional outcome goals – physical development
CAI Dogs can assist with social interactions and language – learning and cognitive development
CAI Dogs can enhance feelings of safety and well being, including trauma therapy
CAI Dogs can reduce stress levels among staff, clients and others
According to a research study published in the Western Journal of Nursing, including CAI Dogs in therapy provided patients with the ability to open up, speak out and participate in ways they were not able to when the dog was not present. CAI Dogs elicit positive social responses when other approaches often fail, and mediate interactions in awkward and uncomfortable therapeutic settings.

Cost

NSD’s Canine Assisted Intervention Dogs are valued at $50,000 over their eight to ten year working life; however, CAI dogs are provided free of charge to approved clients in the non-profit sector. *If you are in the private/corporate sector, please inquire about our Fee for Service Model.

NSD receives no government funding and relies entirely on donations from the general public, corporate sponsors, fundraising events, and community supporters.

Clients are encouraged to fundraise, but not obligated. Fundraising efforts are in no way tied to when and if they receive a CAI Dog. NSD also has many third party fund raisers that host events in support of our working dogs.

Wait Times

Applicants may wait up to 24 months from time of approval to receive a Canine Assisted Intervention Dog.

The timing of a CAI Dog placement is determined by chronological position on the waiting list and the availability of the right dog for the applicant’s needs, and is in no way tied to fundraising efforts.

Application Process

To help ensure the success of each placement, we have designed an intensive application process to assist with the matching of our dogs. Each applicant is screened to ensure they meet our criteria. Upon confirmation of this, an application is sent to the applicant to be completed. If successful, an interview is conducted with the organization/facility. Final acceptance is determined following the interview; applicants may be disqualified at any time during the application process. National Service Dogs will consider all applicants equally regardless of race, sex, gender, religion or creed.
NSD Service Standards

Sponsor a CAI Dog
Title Sponsorship: $10,000
Contact: info@nsd.on.ca

Canine Assisted Intervention

NSD’s Accreditations

National Service Dogs