User:Cbpcb06

BC Guide Dog Services is a non-profit, charitable organization that provides professionally-trained service dogs to guide blind or visually-impaired people or to provide safety and support for children with autism. All dogs are trained to international standards, and are formally re-certified on an annual basis.

Founded in 1996 in Ladner, BC, BC Guide Dog Services provides the full range of activities required to prepare and support a dog for its life of service.

• Breeding stock is carefully chosen from around the world
• Puppies are whelped in a home-based setting
• Volunteers foster and raise puppies in their homes for up to a year and a half
• Professionally-certified instructors train the dogs and place them in the service stream they are best suited to (i.e. the temperament of some dogs is better-suited to serving as guide dogs while others are more suited to being autism support dogs)
• Dog recipients are given professional instruction -- usually in their own environment -- on how to work with their new guide or autism support dog
• Follow-up care is provided for the duration of the dog's working life and right through retirement

All dogs are provided to their recipients for the symbolic charge of $1. However, the cost of breeding, raising, training, placing, and supporting one dog is about $37,000, so extensive fundraising efforts are required.