MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                 February 25, 2026

$46,700 OTF Grant from the Province Fuels COPE Service Dogs’ Life Changing Work

Barrie, ON: Recently, the team at COPE Service Dogs marked the impact of the $46,700 Capital grant it received last summer from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). Funds from the six-month long grant were used to buy a new van to support the organization’s transformative programs.

“Through partnership with the Ontario Trillium Foundation, we can continue to safeguard programs like those offered by COPE Service Dogs,” said Doug Downey, MPP for Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte. “Through these programs, vulnerable members of our community can find the confidence and independence to move through the world safely and with the support of these incredible dogs and with the support of trainers and volunteers. I am proud to work with this incredible agency as they continue to expand their footprint in our region.”

Thanks to the OTF grant, COPE Service Dogs replaced its aging van with a safer, more reliable vehicle to continue transporting puppies between volunteer homes and schools where they are trained by students with diverse abilities. This van also enables daily therapy visits to vulnerable community members in care settings, seniors’ homes, and more. By improving safety and reducing costs, the new van helps COPE sustain vital programs that empower students and people with disabilities.

“We are deeply thankful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for this generous support,” says Dr. Liz Saul, COPE Service Dogs Board of Directors. “This new van represents so much more than transportation – it’s a bridge to independence, confidence, and connection for students and people living with physical disabilities. Together, we’re creating meaningful impacts that reach far beyond the roads we travel.”

In addition to the generous support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, COPE Service Dogs thanks local partners including the Canadian Tilling Foundation, Innisfil Community Foundation, Jackson’s Toyota, and Mario Design. Their support has been key to making this project a reality.

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 Contact

Tammy Skrabek, COPE Service Dogs
fundraising@copedogs.org
705-229-4366
www.copedogs.org