Sweet Charity Medical Assistance Dogs

Overview

Sweet Charity Medical Assistance Dogs is a registered Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to training dogs that support and improve the social, emotional, and physical well-being of children and youth. The organization operates under the business registration number 822385035RR0001 and focuses on integrating service dogs into the lives of individuals aged 8 to 25 who face various medical challenges, including physical disabilities, social issues, and emotional difficulties.

Mission

The mission of Sweet Charity Medical Assistance Dogs is to be an active member of the community by collaborating with schools and other organizations to enhance the health and well-being of children and youth. They aim to provide high-quality, standardized training for both ambassador and service dogs in a caring and professional manner.

Programs

Personal Support Service Dog (PSSD) Program

This program involves training service dogs that are task-trained to assist individuals with visible or invisible disabilities. These dogs perform specific tasks designed to mitigate the effects of their handlers' disabilities.

Canine Ambassador Program (CAP)

The Canine Ambassador Program is focused on training handler/dog teams to support the well-being of children and youth in educational settings. The program includes an eight-week process of evaluations, training sessions, support, and follow-up, along with annual recertification to ensure the handler/dog teams remain certified.

History

Sweet Charity Medical Assistance Dogs was founded in 2014 with an initial focus on training Diabetes Alert Dogs for children living with Type 1 Diabetes and hypoglycemic unawareness. Since then, the organization has expanded its scope to address a broader range of medical conditions, maintaining its commitment to providing tailored support through trained canine companions.

Registration

As a registered charity, Sweet Charity complies with the requirements of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), enabling donors to receive tax benefits for their contributions. This registration underscores the organization's commitment to transparency and accountability in its financial operations.

Community Impact

By integrating service dogs into community settings, Sweet Charity aims to improve the daily lives of individuals with medical challenges. The organization's programs are designed to promote inclusion and support within schools and other community environments, leveraging the healing potential of the human-canine relationship.

[1] https://www.sweetcharity.ca [2] https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/sweet-charity-medical-assistance-dogs/ [3] https://www.sweetcharity.ca/programs/pssd/ [4] https://www.shopbarrie.com/sweetcharity [5] https://www.lorijohnson.ca/charitys-sweet-legacy-the-power-of-the-canine-human-relationship