Autism service dog wait lists in Alberta closed due to overwhelming demand

Alberta families in need of autism service dogs say they're being left without options as wait lists at all four accredited training schools in Canada thatprovide dogs to the province are closed.

The schools say they're so overwhelmed by demand they can no longer accept new applications and thosealready on the list will have to wait years to get their service animals.

Jodi Staples's son Daniel should be eligible to apply for an autism service dog when he turns three in May.

But she just found out he can't be added to the wait list.

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"It's not a matter of wanting, it's a matter of needing, and my needs, our needs as a family, his needs as a child, can't be met," said Staples. "And so it's saddening, it's upsetting, it's a difficult place to be in."

The training schools, which are all charities,say funding from the province would help.

Not enough animals to fill need

ElisaIrlam, co-founder and director of Edmonton-based Dogs with Wings Assistance Dog Society, says her group closed thewait listbecause there's simply not enough animals to fill the need.

"We feel that it's just not fair for people to be waiting even longer for a dog," she said. "Unfortunately the other schools in Canada that train these types of dogs, they're in the same boat that we are,and there's just not enough dogs and money to go around.

"These dogs can do amazing things for many different families and if we had more help financially then we can definitely fill that gap and fill that need."

Province considering regulatory changes

The Alberta government says it is considering regulatory changes in an effort to improve access to service dogs.

"For some Albertans with disabilities, qualified service dogs are an essential part of their ability to function in day-to-day living, employment and in accessing public and community spaces," said a provincial spokesperson in anemailed statement.

"Our government has committed to exploring changes to service dog regulations aimed at increasing Albertans' access to qualified service dogs. We look forward to sharing details about this work in the near future."