Frequently Asked Questions

  • No.
    Service dogs are not trained so that people can take pets on holiday or bring them on flights.
    A service dog must is trained to perform specific, medically necessary tasks that directly mitigates a person’s diagnosed diverse ability.

    Travel benefits are a result of being a legitimate service dog not the purpose.

    If your goal is simply to travel with your pet, we would recommend options such as pet-friendly airlines, in-cabin pet programs, or boarding services or a pet sitter.

  • A person must have a diagnosed diverse ability/condition that substantially affects daily life, and the dog must be able to perform trained tasks that directly assist with that diverse ability (e.g., mobility support, syncope alert, cardiac support, PTSD interruption).

  • Not always.
    A suitable service dog must have:

    • Stable temperament

    • Strong confidence

    • Excellent health

    • No history of aggression or reactivity

    • High trainability

    Some dogs are better suited for emotional support or therapy roles instead.

  • We do not train Emotional Support Animals.
    ESAs do not require specialised task training and are not recognized as service dogs in Canada.
    We do offer training for dogs who need better manners, obedience, or behaviour improvement but this is separate from our Service Dog programs, more information can be found at www.woofability.ca

  • We do not train Therapy Dogs.
    Therapy dogs do not require specialised task training and are not recognized as service dogs in Canada.
    We do offer training for dogs who need better manners, obedience, or behaviour improvement but this is separate from our Service Dog programs, more information can be found at www.woofability.ca

  • Typically 1.5 to 2+ years, depending on:

    • Age of the dog

    • Type of tasks required

    • The dog’s learning ability

    • Handler involvement

    • Public access readiness

    This is a long-term process requiring consistency and commitment.

  • Possibly but not guaranteed!
    We will first complete a temperament assessment to determine suitability.
    Dogs with aggression, extreme fear, high reactivity, or poor impulse control are not good candidates.

  • Examples include:

    • Forward momentum for mobility

    • Syncope / cardiac episode support

    • Medical alert (case-by-case and must be justified)

    • PTSD interruption

    • Deep pressure therapy

    • Retrieval of items

    • Environmental assessment tasks

    • Emergency response behaviours

    • Balance and bracing (specialist)

    • Guided walking during disorientation

    Every task must be directly tied to a diverse ability.

  • Yes — we offer structured online programs, especially for:

    • Foundations

    • Puppy development

    • Handler coaching

    • Task introduction

    • Public access theory

    • Behaviour troubleshooting

    Hands-on work is still required for advanced tasks and real-world public training.

  • Through our Heart to Home program we can subject to availability.
    We work with clients to train their own suitable dog or help them source a puppy from our litters that meets service-dog standards.

  • Service dog training is a long-term investment, typically over 1–2 years. Costs vary depending on:

    • Program format

    • Task complexity

    • Private coaching needs

    • Level of behaviour support required

    We can create a cost breakdown after an initial consultation.

  • No trainer in Canada can “certify” a dog.
    Certification in BC goes through the BC Government under the Guide Dog & Service Dog Act.
    We prepare you and your dog for the public safety test, but the final evaluation is done by an authorized tester.

  • Yes — online coaching is available internationally.
    We follow BC rules, but we can also help you understand:

    • Your provincial laws

    • Airline rules

    • Access requirements

    • Documentation expectations

  • Yes — in many cases, service dogs can be trained to help with:

    • Syncope (fainting episodes)

    • Cardiac irregularities

    • Blood pressure drops

    • Autonomic dysfunction

    • Recovery positioning

    • Getting help

    • Safety during collapse

    We would need a doctor’s recommendation and a consultation to assess suitability.

  • Yes.
    Any request for service dog training related to a disability/diversability requires:

    • Diagnosis confirmation

    • A recommendation for a service dog

    • Medical justification for the required tasks

    This ensures the training is legitimate and ethical.

  • Unless you have been able to secure funding from a third party, then unfortunately we aren’t able to provide funding.

    We do however have several payment options that are available which we are happy to discuss further with you.

  • If after reading these frequently asked questions you book a free Service Dog Consultation.
    During your session we will:

    • Learn about your disability needs

    • Review your lifestyle and goals

    • Discuss tasks

    • Assess dog suitability

    • Create a training roadmap

    • Estimate timeline and cost

    • Explain provincial laws

    You’ll leave with full clarity on whether a service dog is the right fit for you.