The Pacific Assistance Dog Society (PADS) reveals that the demand for assistance dog is surging, and they need support to continue matching dogs with people living with disabilities.
And for International Assistance Dog Week, the local charity is asking the public for donations to continue helping their clients.
Global News reports that PADS have placed 36 dogs last year. However, there are still 536 people on their waitlist waiting for their own assistance dog.
The charity says that the waitlist, along with the rising cost, is challenging the charity and their ability to match dogs with their clients.
According to Chantel Bender with PADS, dog food has increased 45% while vet bills have reached a 50% increase, making it difficult for the charity to fully cover expenses.
Bender tells Global News, “We do our best to place them. But if something doesn’t change, if we don’t receive more donations, people could be waiting up to eight years for their service dog.”
“Three years is too long. Quite frankly, one year is too long,” Bender honestly said regarding the waiting time to place an assistance dog with a client.
“So, it’d be really nice to be able to meet that need at the time people apply and be able to work them through the process much, much quicker,” she said.
Bender reveals, “Last year we placed 36 dogs. And so, 140 people is still two to three years worth of placement.”
She reveals that PADS provide assistance dogs that are placed in four different categories but the most in demand are service dogs, PTSD dogs, and hearing dogs.
When asked what it’ll take to make the waitlist shorter, Bender tells Global News that it needs more trainers and breeders, but most importantly funding.
On their website, PADS share that you can change twice as many lives when you donate to them. They reveal, “We’re excited to share that our dear friend, advanced dog sitter, and volunteer extraordinaire, George Prevost, has generously agreed to come alongside our campaign and match every donation made to this campaign up to a total of $20K.”
You can donate before August 31 and your gift will be doubled, in honor of International Assistance Dog Week.
Donate to PADS today to help them place as many assistance dogs as they can here.
