C.O.P.E. Service Dogs

Programs

In alignment with its mission of the training and subsequent placement of special service dogs, Canine Opportunity, People Empowerment (C.O.P.E.) changes the lives of both youth and people with disabilities, through the following programs:

• High School Assistance Dog Programs
“Young Minds” Early Puppy Training Program - youth are matched with C.O.P.E. puppies 2-9 months of age and are taught how to care for and train them on 90 service dog commands that involve such tasks as: turning on lights, opening and closing doors to retrieve out of reach items etc. The youth and puppies work together, both in the high school setting and on “public access” field trips in the community.

• L.E.A.D - Leader Education Assistance Dog Program
Youth are matched with C.O.P.E. dogs over 9 months of age and learn how to become therapy teams while continuing to reinforce and practice the service dog commands. The youth/dog teams help elementary school children with reading and math skills and provide therapeutic interactions with those in healing at hospitals and in homes.

• Service Dog Placement Program
After assessment and an intensive 2-week team training camp that involves theoretical and practical work both in the home and in the community, the C.O.P.E. dogs are placed with their life partners who have disabilities. Follow – up support is provided by C.O.P.E.

Through these unique and powerful programs here in Canada,
C.O.P.E. has started to document results beyond the many outstanding anecdotal reports of positive changes noted by parents, teachers, counselors, doctors and the teen participants themselves.

For more information contact:
C.O.P.E. Service Dogs
P.O. Box 20035
Barrie, Ontario
Canada L4M 6E9
Email: info@copedogs.org
Phone: (705) 734-COPE (2673)

Download our
Programs
brochure
(PDF Format)