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.
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.
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.
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.
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. She makes a point to continue expanding her education in dog training. Caitlin officially joined the K4Paws Training Team in January 2020.
Caitlin lives in Kingston with her partner and their three two dogs (including a K4Paws
Service Dog).
Client Services
Heather’s professional canine experience with the not-for-profit sector began in 2001. She fostered puppies, coordinated puppy programs and trained service dogs. Her career also included community engagement, event planning, fundraising and a very personal experience with an autistic child.
Joining up with K4Paws has given Heather the golden opportunity to combine her passion and skills with families and dogs.
Together with a great team Heather helps elevate organizational awareness and fundraising endeavours.
Her furry companions include labs, cats and a horse.
Applications Coordinator
Lisa brings her knowledge and experience from a trade unionist point of view. For thirty years, she was an advocate for equity issues such as woman rights, disability issues, health and safety, employment equity, pay equity, anti-racism, and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
She is the first recipient of a K4Paws Service dog ten years ago. She attends as many K4Paws events as she can to help with fundraising and to assist in raising awareness of the organization and its impact.
Lisa lives with her spouse, 3 dogs and a cat in the National Capital Region.
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.
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
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