Pets and Guide / Service Dogs
Animals are companions to all of us who experience stress or trauma. It is essential that we can’t forget that their needs as just as important in ours in self-care when evacuating due to a disaster. In Canada, there is the Canadian Animal Disaster Response Team (CDART) that is fully funded through donations and is a volunteer-run program. The team is activated to deploy to responses when animals (not just domesticated cats, dogs and horses) need to be evacuated to a safe space. CDART cares for them until it is safe to return or families require to find a new place to live.
Guide and Service Dogs, by law, are to stay with the handler while at a reception center or hotel accommodations. Emergency planners need to ensure, for the health and welfare of the dog, a reliable, accessible and safe relieving area for the team to access. CNIB has a great web site with information on provincial legislation regarding guide and service dogs. There is NO federal legislation, except the Canadian Human Rights Act.
https://www.cnib.ca/en/guide-dog-legislation?region=on
Remember, when interacting with a team that uses a guide or service dog, ask before petting!
Do you have a team of ESS volunteers or staff needing training about guide or service dogs, please visit the “Services” page of my web site and if you have additional questions, reach out to me via email or phone call!