About Kingston 4 Paws Service Dogs

Mission

To provide trained service dogs and their continued handling support to physically and emotionally challenged persons and their families, assisting them to become more independent in their Southeastern Ontario communities.

History

In October 2013, the two founders of Kingston 4 Paws Service Dogs met and shared their common realization that Southeastern Ontario lacked any locally based service dog training programs dedicated to assisting children and other individuals living with autism and other physical, emotional and mental challenges.

They began a partnership operating as Kingston 4 Paws Academy to try and fill this gap. Applications for dogs started being received in the spring of 2014 and the first puppies were acquired in February of 2014.

It was soon obvious that the local community shared their vision. Interest and awareness grew very quickly. Encouraged by the response, the partnership was converted into its current not-for-profit corporate status in early November and granted its charitable status on January 1, 2015. By the end of first year of operations there were 10 puppies in training with foster families and 7 approved wait list recipients. Our first trained dogs were placed in the early summer of 2015.

Training Team

Elizabeth Bailey

Head Trainer

Elizabeth gained experience as a puppy raiser with Autism Dog Services and the Lion’s Foundation of Canada for over 15 years having assisted in the training of more than 20 dogs for those organizations.  She brings a wealth of hands-on experience to Kingston 4 Paws Service Dogs and her passion for our dogs shows with each animal she works with.

In addition to her training role, Elizabeth is the organization’s principal liaison with the breeders who provide our dogs and our other significant product and service donors.

Caitlin Kelly

Trainer

Since 2016, Caitlin has been working with service dogs alongside her partner who received a Kingston 4 Paws Service Dog.

Caitlin has a life long history with dogs as pets and was amazed at what a service dog could do for individuals in need. As she became more involved through attending events and meeting others in the K4Paws community, she was immediately drawn to the life-changing nature of service dogs and developed an enthusiasm and dedication to the process of training. This led to formal training and the completion of her certification through Animal Behaviour College (ABCDT) in May 2018. Caitlin officially joined the K4Paws Training Team in January 2020.

Caitlin lives in Kingston with her partner and their two dogs (including a K4Paws Service Dog).

Support Staff

Heather deJong

Client Services

Heather’s canine experience began professionally with not-for-profit organizations in 2001.  Heather began fostering puppies and soon transitioned into coordinating and training foster puppy programs.  She has interviewed families applying for service dogs and her experience includes training and placing advanced service dogs.  Her professional career also includes event planning, community engagement and fundraising.

It was a personal experience with an autistic child that intensified her passion in working directly with waitlist families.  Together with the waitlist families and the K4Paws staff / Board, Heather endeavors to elevate the awareness and assist with raising funds for K4Paws.

Heather’s own furry companions include 2 black labs, 2 cats and a horse.

Dayle James

Fundraising Coordinator

Dayle began volunteering with Kingston 4 Paws in 2015 as a foster to one of our puppies in training.  Since that time, Dayle has developed a strong belief in the need for an organization like K4Paws and the impact our dogs have on individuals and families that need them.  Dayle’s role with the organization has expanded to include fundraising, event planning, public outreach and development of our CAI program.  In her professional career, Dayle works with student groups and veterans alike, which brings a natural alignment to her work with the CAI program.

Dayle brings a creative approach to working with the community and our fundraising efforts.

Dayle lives in Kingston with her family, which includes one of our CAI dogs and a Kingston 4 Paws Service Dog.

Paul Charbonneau

Managing Director

Paul joins K4Paws in 2021 bringing expertise from both his professional and charitable experience.  Paul provides guidance and oversight to the day-to-day operations, working closely with the entire team.  Through his leadership, Paul works to drive K4Paws to assist as many families as we can.

Paul is the recipient of the Governor General’s Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal with 2 bars for 40-year recognition, twice recipient of the OAPC Lieutenant General Richard Rohmer Commendation and the OAPC President’s Award of Excellence and the Paramedic Chiefs of Canada President’s Award.

Stacey Roques

Secretary

Stacey brings over 30 years of experience to theK4Paws Board as a frontline nurse clinician, senior leader, and educator in the acute care, community, and public health sectors. Stacey continues to build organizational leadership capacity through her coaching and consulting practice, Straight Up Leadership. As a parent to a young adult with neurodiversity, she is deeply committed to supporting families and building inclusive communities.

Ron Turley

Treasurer

Ron Turley's career showcases a remarkable range, from early positions such as hamburger flipper and longshoreman, to impactful roles in education and management. His professional journey is distinguished by a commitment to service, notably as a group home parent working with young offenders, alongside being a management consultant and high school math teacher. Educated with a B.Sc in Math, a teaching diploma, an M.Ed. in counseling, and an MBA, Ron moved to Kingston in 1991, taking up a position as Business Administrator at Queen's AMS before transitioning into financial planning, from which he has semi-retired.

Board of Directors

Paul J. Charbonneau

Chair

 

Elizabeth A. Bailey

President

Ron Turley

 Treasurer

 

Stacey Roques

Secretary

Thank you to all our generous Supporters

OUR MISSION

TO PROVIDE TRAINED SERVICE DOGS AND THEIR CONTINUING HANDLING SUPPORT TO PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY CHALLENGED PERSONS AND THEIR FAMILIES, ASSISTING THEM TO BECOME MORE INDEPENDENT IN THEIR SOUTHEASTERN ONTARIO COMMUNITIES.
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CONTACT K4PAWS

Kingston 4 Paws Service Dogs
829 Norwest Road, Suite 202,
Kingston, Ontario K7P 2N3

Phone: 613-766-4441
Email: info@k4paws.ca

Registered Charitable Organization # 82942 4993 RR0001

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