Canine Assisted Intervention (CAI) Dogs in Ontario are uniquely paired with treatment professionals across diverse disciplines, forming dynamic partnerships in therapeutic settings. These specially trained dogs play a pivotal role in various health and wellness programs, significantly enhancing the efficacy of treatment plans.

The scope of CAI Dogs in therapy is broad and adaptable, encompassing mental health, addiction recovery, literacy programs, physical therapy, and more. Their involvement ranges from providing emotional support in mental health treatments to aiding in physical rehabilitation exercises, demonstrating their versatility and effectiveness in different therapeutic contexts.

Kingston 4 Paws Service Dogs (K4Paws) is committed to collaborating closely with treatment providers to maximize the benefits offered by CAI Dogs. This collaboration ensures that the unique abilities of each dog are aligned with the specific needs of the treatment program, thereby optimizing therapeutic outcomes. The presence of CAI Dogs in therapy sessions not only aids in achieving treatment goals but also adds a layer of comfort and engagement for participants.

The integration of CAI Dogs into therapeutic settings is an innovative approach to treatment. These dogs not only contribute significantly to the physical and emotional well-being of individuals but also foster a more holistic and interactive therapeutic environment. As K4Paws continues to develop partnerships and integrate CAI Dogs into various treatment plans, the potential for positive impact in communities across Ontario is immense.

CAI Dogs can provide multiple impacts to patients, aiding in physical, social, and emotional healing through motivation and the improvement of overall well-being.

For example they can benefit:

• People undergoing physiotherapy by motivating their functional outcome goals.
• Stroke patients with social interactions and language therapy.
• Trauma victims undergoing therapy by enhancing their feelings of safety and well-being.
• Caregivers by reducing their stress levels.

Research studies indicate that including CAI Dogs in therapy process provided patients with the ability to open up, speak out and participate in ways they were not able to when the dog was not present. CAI Dogs elicit positive social responses when other approaches often fail, and mediate interactions in awkward and uncomfortable therapeutic settings.

K4Paws CAI Dogs are valued at over $15,000. However, each dog is provided at no cost to approved treatment professionals. We expect them to have an eight to ten year working life.

K4Paws receives no government funding and relies entirely on donations from the general public, corporate sponsors, fundraising events, and community supporters.

Our clients are encouraged to assist in our fundraising efforts. For a CAI dog, the targets are at typically $15,000, however the amount raised is not tied to when they will receive their dog. Many clients participate by asking for donations from friends and family, by organizing their own fundraisers and by helping promote K4Paws organized community fundraisers.

The actual direct cost of the CAI Dog is an application fee of $75, an equipment fee of approximately $100 at placement, and the cost of travel to training sessions in the Kingston or Ottawa areas. All food and veterinary costs are borne by the recipient once the dog has been placed with them.

K4Paws has been steadily increasing the number of puppies in the program to keep up with demand. Our target it to continuously have 15-20 dogs in training across all of our programs. Currently, our wait time to be matched with a CAI Dog is about 18-24 months from the time of approval.

The timing of a placement is determined by chronological position on the waiting list and the availability of the right dog, and is in no way tied to fundraising efforts.

To help ensure the success of each placement, we have designed an intensive application process to assist with the matching of our dogs to the specific needs of the treatment program, to optimize therapeutic outcomes.

Application forms are completed by the organization and the individual who would be the CAI Dog’s Primary Handler/Caregiver. If our criteria are met, we will conduct at-work and at-home interviews to meet with the treatment professionals, to learn more about how the dog will benefit the treatment process, and discuss further questions and concerns. Final acceptance is determined following the interviews.

CAI Dog applications may be disqualified at any time during the application process and applicants should recognize that the dog who visits them will not necessarily be the dog that will be placed with them.