Service Dogs Act passes in Alberta

[NicoleLJ]

I am hating these newspaper articles. All state that they are given certifacation of some sort. SO people think this is a must now. Read the ACT. It isn't a must.

Here are parts of the act. Part 1 In this Act,
(a) “disabled person” means an individual who has any degree of physical disability except blindness or visual impairment and is dependent upon a service dog.

(c) “service dog” means a dog trained as a guide for a disabled person and having the qualifications prescribed under section 4.


No where does it state that certifacation is a must or an id card or where you must train. Here is more from the Service Dog act.

Identification of service dogs
4(1) The Minister, or a person designated by the Minister in writing, may, on application, issue to a disabled person an identification card identifying the disabled person and that person’s service dog.

(2) An identification card issued under subsection (1) is proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, that the disabled person and that person’s service dog identified in it are qualified for the purposes of this Act.


When they had the meetings with the public last year they explained this wording to mean that Dr.s notes are evidence just like the ID. Which is why it say in the absense of evidence to the contrary. This is why I get so angry with the news and news papers. They do not get it right when they are putting out the information.

[Catty1]

It's a local free weekly paper. I am sure there are more accurate reports elsewhere.

I just looked and had a hard time finding another article. There is one in Grande Prairie news January 30, which mentioned "qualified" service dogs, but did not elaborate on what that meant.

Guess it's not huge news to most Albertans...and that is a real shame.