The Pacific Assistance Dogs Society in Burnaby and National Service Dogs in Cambridge are launching a national campaign to raise awareness of the urgent need for volunteers and funding.
"The demand for our certified assistance dogs has increased 30 per cent from pre-pandemic levels - this means we need to continually recruit and retain significant numbers of volunteers to help raise our puppies,” said PADS Executive Director Laura Watamanuk in a news release. “During the pandemic there was an outpouring of support - financial and time - but in the time since, we’ve seen a lot of compassion fatigue, and we’re struggling to recruit and retain volunteers.”
Executive Director and Co-Founder of NSD Danielle Forbes added that “alongside the challenges with volunteer engagement, there has also been a decrease in overall donations to our programs. The current economic climate has made it difficult for many to give as they have in the past.”
While we’re feeling the challenge here in Canada, it’s an issue with global reach.
Executive Director of Assistance Dogs International Chris Diefenthaler says, "ADI is looking at this as a very serious issue for our member programs. We have received feedback from a large number of organizations globally that they are struggling to recruit and retain volunteers post-pandemic."
Assistance dogs typically spend the first 12-18 months of their lives living in foster “puppy-raising” homes and this is the area of greatest need. Canadians wanting to make a difference in their community are encouraged to apply by visiting pads.ca/volunteer-canada or making a donation today.