Animal-Assisted Activities / Pet Visitation
A number of certification programs in AAA and related approaches exist in Canada.
NATIONAL
St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Services
For local certification and evaluation for therapy dog handler teams in different cities across Canada, see the link for each province below.
Therapeutic Paws of Canada
Certification available in Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. Dogs/cats and their handlers must pass an evaluation.
BRITISH COLUMBIA / TERRITORIES
Pacific Animal Therapy Society (PATS)
Serving Southern Vancouver Island. Pets must pass a behaviour test administered by a veterinarian prior to being accepted into the program. Multi-species (dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, goats, a llama, a miniature horse, and a snake have all been successful PATS therapy animals).
Pets and Friends
Serving the Lower Mainland (Vancouver, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, New Westminster, Coquitlam and White Rock). Therapy animals must pass an evaluation.
St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs, BC/Yukon
Local certification and evaluation for British Columbia and the Yukon.
St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs, Northwest Territories & Nunavut
Local certification and evaluation for the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
ALBERTA
Hearts and Hooves Canada
Serving the Fort Saskatchewan and Edmonton area; training program for AAA involving miniature horses (equine-assisted activities and therapy).
Pet Access League Society (PALS)
Serving Calgary. Multi-species (dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, ferrets and one horse are all PALS therapy animals). Suitable animals are screened prior to being accepted.
Pet Therapy Society of Northern Alberta
Serving Edmonton. Eligible dogs and their handlers must pass the Pet Therapy Society Pre-Screening Test, or have earned a Companion Dog (CD) obedience title, Canine Good Neighbour (Canada), or Canine Good Citizen (USA) title from the Canadian Kennel Club, American Kennel Club, or United Kennel Club.
St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs, Alberta
Local certification and evaluation for the province of Alberta.
SASKATCHEWAN
St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs, Saskatchewan
Local certification and evaluation for the province of Saskatchewan.
MANITOBA
St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs, Manitoba
Local certification and evaluation for the province of Manitoba.
ONTARIO
Caring Canine
Serving the greater Toronto area. Dogs and their handlers must pass an evaluation.
East Central Therapy Dogs
Serving Peterborough, Minden and Haliburton. Dogs and their handlers must be tested prior to joining.
Ottawa Therapy Dogs, Inc.
Serving the Ottawa area. Dogs and their handlers must pass an OTDI evaluation.
St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs, Ontario
Local certification and evaluation for the province of Ontario.
St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs, London
Serving the London area. Dogs and their handlers must pass the national SJA Therapy Dog evaluation.
St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs, Mississauga
Serving the Mississauga area. Dogs and their handlers must pass the national SJA Therapy Dog evaluation.
QUEBEC
St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs, Quebec Council
Local certification and evaluation for the province of Quebec.
Zoothérapie Québec
Training program for Pet Therapy.
MARITIMES
St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs, Nova Scotia
Local certification and evaluation for the province of Nova Scotia.
St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs, PEI
Local certification and evaluation for Prince Edward Island.
St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs, Newfoundland & Labrador
Local certification and evaluation for Newfoundland.