Barrie, ON – On Wednesday, MPP Doug Downey met with the team at COPE Service Dogs to hear more about the $88,800 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) that was used to help scale up volunteer recruitment and community engagement. The two-year long grant, awarded in early 2024, has allowed the organization to build its resilience and sustainability to better serve high school students facing barriers and people living with physical disabilities.

“COPE Service Dogs provides a meaningful impact, not only in the lives of those who require their services, but also in the lives of those who participate in training these dogs,” said Doug Downey, MPP for Barrie – Springwater – Oro-Medonte. “By providing funding that will help expand volunteer training and recruitment, we can help to ensure that COPE Service Dogs will continue to provide necessary support to those in need of services.”

COPE Service Dogs has strengthened its programs and built long-term sustainability thanks to this generous grant. It has expanded its volunteer recruitment and training efforts, creating an even stronger team to support its life-changing work. COPE Service Dogs is also preparing for upcoming service dog team training sessions, ensuring dogs are ready to be matched with the people they will help. Investments in expert guidance and a solid sustainability plan mean the impact of this funding will continue to grow and benefit the community for years to come.

“We are so grateful for this support, which allows us to nurture the incredible connections between our volunteers, our service dogs, and the people whose lives they touch,” said Jo-Anne Lane, Chair of COPE Service Dogs Board of Directors. “This grant doesn’t just help to sustain our programs; it will create moments of hope and independence that will last a lifetime.”

COPE Service Dogs provides highly skilled service dogs to people living with physical disabilities, while enhancing the lives of youth experiencing challenges by involving them in the training process of the dogs. Visit copedogs.org to learn more.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested nearly $105M into 732 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

MEDIA RELEASE – October 1, 2025

Media Contact

Tammy Skrabek
fundraising@copedogs.org
705-229-4366
www.copedogs.org