I've Been a Good Puppy Santa (posted: Dec. 9, 2022)

Unleashing Joy This Holiday Season!

New Puppies!

Mamma & Babies

Congratulations to Sierra as she welcomed eight new puppies earlier this year at Dogs with Wings in Edmonton. Momma is now back home, along with two of her puppies, Avril and Reynolds. We wish COPE’s newest puppies a very Merry Christmas!

Avril

Reynolds

Canines in the Classroom Expands into Two Barrie Schools

I feel more confident and I trust myself. I feel like a different person – I feel more socialized and energetic. I let people know that I am strong, brave and confident. Canines in the Classroom has changed my life

~Hussein CIC Student 2022 (Ozzy)

Canines in the Classroom (CIC) is an innovative approach to the issue of student engagement in school and youth mental health. Canines in the Classroom brings marginalized students to non-judgmental dogs. The human-animal interactions not only decrease stress in students, but they also become more self-aware and practice lifelong skills to manage stress and their emotions. The results are happy, confident teenagers with improved mental health who become engaged in their families and school and their life beyond.

This unique training method is what sets COPE apart from other service dog charities. Each dog is placed with several high school students who are at risk of not finishing high school. Our results have been phenomenal; to date 98% of youth who have been involved in Canines in the Classroom have either graduated or are still in school.

CIC started at Bear Creek Secondary School and Barrie North Collegiate in the fall of 2022 and the expansion project of Canines in the Classroom at Meadowvale Secondary School and West Credit Secondary School continues to touch the lives of kids in Mississauga.

Now, more than ever, COPE needs your support as we continue to grow and make a lasting impact on these high school kids. Tax receipts are issued for donations over $20.

Click here to support COPE Service Dogs

Year in Review

Covid 19 continued to keep us on our toes! It may have slowed us down but it certainly did not stop us!

Volunteer engagement is up in 2022! COPE now has fifteen volunteer drivers dedicated to getting our puppies to school in Barrie, Innisfil and Mississauga. We have fifteen puppy fosters and thirty-six puppy sitters who are giving these puppies an excellent start to a future life of service. Let’s not forget our many community canines owners who bring their dogs to Canines in the Classroom, Reading Buddy and our many seniors visits. Many thanks you all!

2022 was a great year for our signature events. The Mother’s High Tea was virtual again this but was very well received! With our Canines in the Classroom Expansion, we saw an update in tickets being sold in Mississauga.

Buddy Paddles Simcoe transformed into Buddy Up for COPE and smashed our goal to bring in over $45,000.

Money raised through third party events continue to be so important to COPE Service Dogs. We would like to say thanks to the many generous volunteers who help organize The National Fiddle Day, Glow Day Spa Pawdicure and The Samsara Saint’s Ride for COPE.

It was another busy year for puppy training and refinement. Chancy, Robbie and Silvie are moving into a permanent role with Canines in the Classroom. Kyle and Trooper were placed with Hospice Simcoe and Orillia. TJ and Zuzu have been placed with individuals with special needs and have started their life of service. Well done and congrats to our puppy scholars.

COPE Needs You!

If you are interested in driving our puppies to school, fostering or becoming a puppy sitter in Barrie or Mississauga, please email

info@copedogs.org

Dedicated to our Angels with Paws – 2022

Buddy

Maple

Malibu

Charming

Thank you!

Your passion and energy for COPE are unmatched. Thank you for your contribution and making a tangible difference in people’s lives. To our many puppy fosters, sitters, drivers, event sponsors and volunteers, thank you from the bottom of our heart.

From everyone at COPE Service Dogs, Barrie and Mississauga, have a joyous holiday and the absolute best for 2023.