We are located in downtown Toronto, but travel within much of the GTA (see the map on this page). Lessons may take place at the student’s home if located within bounds, or at appropriate outdoor and indoor public locations within the service area.

Final cost varies widely and depends on a large number of variables, including public access requirements, tasking requirements, previous training done, training progression, and the handler’s support needs. From puppy to graduate, with weekly lessons, for a dog requiring full public access and task training, expect to budget for $15,000 over 2 years.

This page has a detailed timeline. Duration of training varies widely and depends on a large number of variables, including public access requirements, tasking requirements, previous training done, training progression, and the dog’s innate temperament. Most students require weekly or biweekly lessons for approximately 2 years, slightly less if the dog has already completed foundation training (ex. Canine Good Neighbour certificate).

Please get in touch as early as possible! A video consult can be booked to set you on the right path in terms of finding a good puppy candidate, and making sure you’re prepared for their arrival.

We offer specialized services to help with the search. While we can never guarantee that you’ll find the right dog for the job, a consult before you start the process can help increase that likelihood. Acquiring a dog without the appropriate knowledge about what makes a good candidate may set you back months or years.

Yes, we do! While we strongly recommend Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Poodles for service work, there are many other breeds and mixes that can do well with the right training.

We do not discriminate based on the dog’s size, unless weight-bearing mobility or other size-dependent tasks are required. Small dogs can be excellent service animals.

Please note, though, that Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) is still active in Toronto. If you have a pit bull or similar mix, training for public access may not be possible.

There is no such thing as service dog “certification” in Ontario. We provide letters of attestation of training to students who have graduated our program. These letters can often help with housing, travel, and employment access issues, but are not foolproof. If you feel you and your dog would benefit from tune-up training and a Public Access Test, you are welcome to apply for the program and book a Meet & Greet. After that first meeting, if your dog is deemed suitable, a tailor-made training plan will be created. Please note, students must complete a minimum of 6 months of regular training before attempting the Final Evaluation (Public Access Test).

We specialize in psychiatric, developmental, and cognitive disabilities, including PTSD, mood disorders, autism, and traumatic brain injuries. We are also able to help if you have a physical disability, are Deaf/hard-of-hearing, or require medical alert/response tasks (blood sugar alert, seizure response, migraine response, syncope response, and more). Learn more on this page.

If you would like to transition to force-free methods, please feel free to apply. We are happy to work with you as you fade out the use of aversives in training.

If you have no intention of transitioning to force-free methods, we are sorry to say but we cannot help you. Please see our policies here.