Currently Accepting Applications for our Owner-Assisted Programs for barrie and London. Autism Assistance Program is full until autumn 2023
Apply to our waitlist for a Fully-Trained Service Dog: current availability is Fall 2023.
WHAT WE OFFER
WHO WE ARE
We at K-9 Country Inn are a dedicated group of passionate individuals with over 40 years of experience in the canine industry. Our goal is to enhance the lives of people with disabilities across Canada through education and top quality dog training.
We believe that utilizing a service dog should be an accessible option to members of the public, which is why we've formatted several programs to meet the unique needs of each individual.
Over the past ten years we've provided over 200 service dogs to their handlers. We take great pride in providing an exemplary service and being a leader in the service dog industry.
Our trainers service Northern Ontario, Southern Ontario, and New Brunswick.
Learn more about our staff here.
WHAT WE DO
K-9 Country Inn Working Service Dogs is proud to offer several different programs to meet your needs.
K-9 Country Inn offers a unique Owner-Assisted Training Program. Our Owner-Assisted Program allows for owners to raise and train a service dog in their home while attending weekly group classes and public access outings under the support of a Professional Service Dog Trainer for two years through to graduation.
This program allows for custom task training to meet each handlers individual needs, including cross training where applicable (ie. both PTSD and Mobility Assistance).
K-9 Country Inn provides fully trained service dogs to qualified applicants for PTSD, Mobility, Medical Alert, and Autism.
HOW WE CAN HELP YOU
We provide services to First Responders, Veterans, and Civilians with PTSD. We offer specialized dual skill training for those who require another skill set such as Medical Alert and Mobility Assistance.
We provide services to those of any age looking to seek the support of an Autism Assistance Service Dog.
In addition to our Service Dog Programs, we offer Therapy Dog and Facility Dog Certification through Pet Partners.
Not sure if we can help? Contact us today. We take great pride and joy in helping individuals across Canada regain their independence through the use of service dogs.
Jodi, Landon & Striker
Autism Assistance Service Dog Team
"When you hear a diagnosis such as Autism or ASD you can start to spiral out of control. What does this mean? How will my son be able to function at school? In society? As a member of our family? What supports are out there? Where do we start?
Not only do we worry about these questions and concerns, but we also worry about his physical and psychological well-being, and how he sees himself every day. It is very challenging and heartbreaking, scary and maddening.
With this diagnosis, however, comes a lot of amazing experiences that you never thought possible. One of the most important points in our lives came when we decided to get an Autism Service Dog for our son. He’s the type of kid that needs a constant “being” in his life that he can rely on to always be there for him, to support him and love him unconditionally regardless of his meltdowns, panic attacks, and quirks. A Service Dog provides him with just that, a constant and safe being that he can count on.
We started our research and found wait lists to be atrociously long. Until I came across K-9 Country Inn Service Dogs, that find was fate, it was meant to be.
My very first conversation with Laura gave me goosebumps and a sense of calm knowing that whatever we decided, she had our best interests in mind and would help us every step of the way. Laura had never met us in person, had never met our son or had a conversation with him, but when I described our challenges and our wishes, she was on it. She knew exactly what we needed and how to provide us with the most amazing dog ever! I don’t know how she does it, but it’s amazing! She could not have selected a better dog for our son and our family. He’s a perfect match and our son’s best friend!
Not only is Laura amazing, but her trainers are too! They are confident, knowledgeable, personable, and fun. They do not shy away from a challenge, and happily integrate everyone in to the training, right from the beginning. They make themselves available for questions and concerns all the time, and make you feel as though you are important, your concerns are valid. And the most important thing, they are patient. These trainers are like family, we have a strong sense of community with them and the other service dog teams, we have made friends for life which we will always cherish.
If someone were to ask me anything about Striker and K-9 Country Inn Services Dogs, I would have nothing but amazing things to say. We could not have found a better organization and group of trainers to support us through this chapter of our son’s journey. We love them all and would recommend them to anyone and everyone!"
Johanne & Oscar
Owner-Assisted PTSD Service Dog Team
"Laura guides her clients and is a remarkable leader.
She has integrity, she is honest, and has strong values.
She conducts her business with moral and ethical values. She is honest truthful and precise in her advice to her clients.
She possesses good communication skills with her clients. She can break down information so we can apply the information immediately to our Service dog training.
She has influenced me to train my dog in a gentle and firm manner. She has a lot of empathy for all her clients and adapts the training to everyone individually. She uses her influence to help each one of us to get through our individual difficulties and finds solutions to all problems. She has empathy and will go to bat to advocate for each one of us.
She is always there to give us courage when times are difficult.
She respects each ones of her clients and is always there to give solutions to problems or hurdles.
Laura consistently demonstrates integrity, empathy, courage, and respect towards her clients.
I am so grateful that I found her to help me train Oscar. With her guidance I am extremely confident that my dog Oscar can assist me when I am in distress as he has already done so.
In fact, he has helped me with my anxiety and depression, and he has demonstrated that he can and will calm me when I am in distress and will give me continued deep pressure therapy until I calm down.
When I do not know what to do, Laura is always willing and able to assist me.
She is always ready to help and she genuinely cares about her clients
In fact, when I explained to Laura that I was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment she adjusted her communications to me so that I would not have to rely on my poor memory and copied all communications to my husband so he could help remind me.
She is truly a leader in her field."
Chantelle & Rollo
Mobility Assistance Service Dog Team
"There are big differences between working with your group compared to just getting a dog from other programs, and it has made me even more grateful to have this opportunity. I met a service dog a year or two back who works with a man in a wheelchair. His dog was...almost lifeless. It did it’s job and that was it. The owner saw it as something to do what he couldn’t, and nothing more. I look at the team you have built, and yes everyone sees their dogs as working animals- but also as a being that requires love and attention. That man told me I would never love a true service dog like I did my retired dog, but you’ve made a program where that doesn’t have to be the case. I adore my new service dog with all of his quirks and cuteness. So thank you."