Ms. Laura Watamanuk, Executive Director, and Mr.
Rick Dehart, Board President, Pacific Assistance Dog Society, appeared
before Council advising that PADS is an accredited training program,
certified by Assistance Dogs International (ADI). PADS was the very first
accredited Canadian member of ADI in 2002, and recently completed their 4th
accreditation. PADS advocates for people with disabilities and all issues
surrounding access, legislation and policy development.
Ms. Watamanuk provided an update on
the PADS programs outlining five (5) different types of assistance dogs:
·
service
dogs – to support people with physical disabilities;
·
hearing
dogs – to help people who are deaf or hard of hearing;
·
accredited
facility dogs – these dogs serve a larger population working in facilities,
i.e. hospital, hospice or court;
·
VIP
dogs (Very Important Pets) – to support individuals or children with
disabilities;
·
PTSD
service dogs – to support veterans and first responders living with
post-traumatic stress disorder.
The speaker brought to Council’s
attention that the current facility, located at Stormont Avenue, has reached the
end of its lifespan and is no longer meeting the growing needs of the Society.
The Society is seeking an opportunity to collaborate with the City on a possible
social enterprise.
In conclusion, Ms. Watamanuk expressed
appreciation to Council for their ongoing support over the past 25 years.
Arising from discussion, the
following motion was introduced:
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