Canadian Veteran Service Dog Unit

21/04/2025

Our furry heroes are amazing when it comes to helping our members deal with anxiety or stressful situations, and what can be more stress inducing than a trip to the dentist. Thanks to Monat, this is a better experience.
https://cvsdu.ca/index.php/service-dogs/apply

17/04/2025

Our furry ambassador, Monat, made a trip down to Toronto to visit one of our amazing corporate donors, MONAT Canada Official, her official sponsor. Accompanying her were our President, Dwayne, our trainer, Melanie, and dog foster guardian Shelley. Thanks to Samantha and the rest of the crew for being such great hosts, it was a fun photoshoot.
https://monatgratitudegoal.com

26/03/2025

The CVSDU recently hosted a Canadian Kennel Club sanctioned event, the Canine Good Neighbour Evaluation (CGN) at the Bells Corners Legion - Branch 593 on Tuesday, March 25th. A big thank you to everyone that came out in support of the CVSDU, and especially the volunteers that made it possible. The event was well attended and was an opportunity for CVSDU Members as well as many local people to test their skills and achieve their CGN Certification. As the photographer at the event, it was totally interesting to see the great number of skills that a dog and its handler have to complete to pass, and to see all the exercises that test a dog's ability, training and ability to focus in a public space with many deliberate distractions. Congratulations to Judy and Janet Schwartz-Porter for putting this together, it was a treat to see the level of ability and knowledge they brought to this event.

25/03/2025

Our furry ambassador and Heather were out and about doing what they can to help military members have a better day. They just had a fun visit to the Directorate of Military Careers and as always they were a welcome sight.
Their message: "Thank you so much for coming and spending some time with D MIL C today. You certainly brightened the day for many of our members and helped relieve some stress.
Thanks again and I hope that you and Daisy have a great day “
- WB

25/03/2025

Many with PTSD have a difficult time attending public spaces and dealing with crowds. This is a daily challenge for many of our members. As part of our extensive training at CVSDU, we work through these challenges with the member and their dog on an incremental basis according to where they are at. Training sessions may start in a private or more quiet setting and then advance as confidence, handling skills and the partnership between dog and handler strengthens. Stages may include the Canine Good Neighbour Program right up through the public access test and beyond. Through this, positions of the dog along with tasks the dog may perform to alleviate some of the anxiety and stress from the environment are practiced. All of the stages in the training combined take time, effort, consistency and patience.

www.cvsdu.ca

08/03/2025

Today is International Women's Day, a time to celebrate the cultural, economic, political, and social achievements of women around the globe and all their contributions to the betterment of society.

Almost half of our Members that we help are women that proudly served their fellow Canadians as military members or first responders like police, firefighters or paramedics and their contributions made a big difference in so many lives.

As well, we at CVSDU are so lucky to have such a strong presence of so many incredible women serving in our Unit, and we would like to take a moment to thank them. Thank you to Judy Manherz (Head Trainer), Dr. Shelley Jordan (Ch. Psychologist- Intake Committee), MS Ret'd Heather Baxter (Vice President- Board), Major-General Krista Brodie (Member at Large - Board), Josée Lavoie (Unit Photographer / Translator), Bonnie Gray (Volunteer Coordinator), Cindy Renon (Foster Program Coordinator), Melanie Chin (Trainer), Judy Kauffeldt (Trainer), Janet Schwartz-Porter (Trainer) and Kat Jalbert (Trainer).

05/03/2025

Thank you to one of our amazing volunteers, Bonnie Gray
The CVSDU would not be able to function without the amazing and essential support of volunteers like Bonnie. As the Unit's Volunteer Coordinator, she helps recruit, orientate and fulfills the challenge of ensuring we have volunteers to help at public events and fundraisers. There are always things that are popping up where the Unit needs assistance, and Bonnie goes above and beyond. As well, Bonnie has the unenviable job of chairing the Governance Committee that is revising and creating policies and procedures to help guide the Unit’s growth. Thanks for your assistance.

If you want to volunteer, contact Bonnie at [email protected] or if you want more information, visit our website at https://cvsdu.ca/index.php/pages/i-want-to-volunteer

04/03/2025

March is Make It Monthly with CanadaHelps

In March, during the Make it Monthly Campaign if you set up a new monthly donation of $20 or more to CVSDU then CanadaHelps will add on an extra $20.

Already donating monthly? Increase the impact of your existing monthly gift by $10 or more, and CanadaHelps will add on an extra $10. This money goes towards the purchase and training of one of our highly trained service dogs to help a veteran or first responder deal with the debilitating effects of PTSD.

If you want to help a suffering Veteran or First Responder, please donate today at https://cvsdu.ca/ .

Your money goes to purchasing a service dog that can sometimes act as a lifeline for our Members.

Canadian Veteran Service Dog Unit, is a Registered Charity that provides Service Dogs and ongoing training to Veterans and 1st Responders suffering of PTSD

26/02/2025

The CVSDU is committed to our Veterans and First Responders Community and encourage inclusion of our members in society where they will be supported with respect and kindness.

Pink Shirt Day is celebrated across Canada on Wednesday, Feb. 26 and shows support in taking a stand against bullying while promoting kindness and inclusivity
“We’re focusing on cultivating a community where everyone feels they belong — at home, school, and work,” the Pink Shirt Day organization said. “Small acts like a kind word or offering support can plant seeds of empathy and compassion, leading us toward a world without bullying.”

https://cvsdu.ca/

25/02/2025

Ottawa Dog Peeps!
25 March 2025
The Canadian Veteran Service Dog Unit is Hosting a CKC Canine Good Neighbour Evaluation (CGN) at the Bells Corners Legion, Branch 593, on Tuesday, March 25th. The event runs from 11:00-1:30 pm. Nice for those who don’t like to drive at night. 😉 Cost: $30.00. Proceeds to go to the Canadian Veteran Service Dog Unit (CVSDU). Entrance is at the back of the parking lot of the Legion through the covered walkway. Email [email protected] to register and reserve your spot. Address of event: 4026 Old Richmond Rd, Ottawa.
https://www.ckc.ca/en/Files/Forms/Shows-Trials/Event-Rules-Regulations/Canine-Good-Neighbour-Program-Participant-Handbook?fbclid=IwY2xjawIrBx9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHdyehxD3JEE0LXfax5rz2W1CxHbi6XsDo8ECF5STIbHv5o_TxiiFZJCztw_aem_MD_hCTpNNqePYir1XPO28A
Dogs must be 1 year to participate.

25/02/2025

The CVSDU would like to wish a Happy Birthday to a very special person, Rose
We hope you have an amazing day with your friends and family and get to eat lots of cake.

The Unit appreciates all the much needed support we have received from incredible people such as this fine lady.

20/02/2025

We wanted to know if Daisy was happy being the Unit's first Facility Dog and this was her response, "Woof Ruff Woof Bark"

Heather Baxter is our current Vice President as well as the CVSDU's first Facility Dog Ambassador. A service dog is dedicated to helping their personal Member, whereas a facility dog is trained to help an entire office. They respond to the emotions and needs of those people around them and are truly remarkable. Heather and Daisy have done many visits to various locations, and they are always a welcome sight. As Heather says, "The impact Daisy has made is undeniable. She boosts morale and puts smiles on everyone she meets". Daisy and Heather also visit units that have experienced trauma, grief, and loss. Daisy’s calm and nurturing disposition assists individuals in releasing emotions in a safe space. Recently a CAF Veteran expressed how much visits from Daisy have impacted her and “I hope one day there will be more Daisy(s) in the world.”
Visit us online: https://cvsdu.ca/index.php/service-dogs/facility-dogs-daisy

17/02/2025

Our ongoing training is one reason our service dogs are so incredibly smart and responsive. Our veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD have many challenges to deal with including anxiety, flashbacks, social withdrawal, physical issues, depression and a host of other physical and emotional problems. Our dogs are trained to recognize many issues including rising anxiety and crying, and to intervene early to help stop the escalation. It is amazing to see how responsive and effective our service dogs can be in helping our Members. In this photo our talented Head Trainer, Judy Manherz , is working with Spartan at a demonstration at the Ottawa Senators training facility..
If you or a veteran or first responder that you know needs help, please feel free to visit our website to see what we offer. https://cvsdu.ca/

15/02/2025

PINTS AND PAWS RESCUE BREW PHOTO CONTEST
CVSDU has entered Monat & Zeus, two of our newest furry trainees, into this photo contest to support a good cause.
We need votes for our furry friends and it is only a $1 per vote with the proceeds going to support the charity. Visit the link below to vote for our furry friends.
https://www.gogophotocontest.com/itavpintsandpaws/search

It Takes A Village Dog Rescue is thrilled to partner with Broken Stick Brewing Company and Josée Lavoie Photoart to launch the 2025 Rescue Brew Contest!
This exciting event combines a love for pets, photography, and craft beer to support a vital cause. Proceeds from the special edition beer and photo contest entries will directly fund It Takes A Village Dog Rescue’s mission:
It Takes a Village is a Canadian Registered Charity, non-profit organization that focuses on finding homes for Canada's dogs in need. Our organization is foster based and is made up entirely of dedicated volunteers and experienced rescuers who have united to improve the lives of dogs who find themselves without a home. We believe in giving dogs in need a fresh start at a new life.
Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome dogs in need. The happiness and success of the dogs in our rescue community is our priority and the reason we do what we do.

14/02/2025

It is your last chance to take advantage of the extended donation deadline to help avoid taxes, and at the same time to help a veteran or first responder in need. You now have until February 28th, 2025 to donate to a charity like ours, and your donation goes a long way towards purchasing a new service dog that will allow one of our Members to start to heal and get back into society.

If you want to donate, you can reach out to Andrew, our Fundraising Coordinator at [email protected] or you can visit us online at https://cvsdu.ca/index.php/ways-to-give .

14/02/2025

Volunteer Spotlight Thank You to Josée Lavoie
The CVSDU would not be able to function without the amazing and essential support of volunteers like Josée. She has been the Unit's official photographer and source of so many incredible photos and videos. As well, as an effort to be more bilingual as an organization, she has been instrumental in doing all of our French translation, a hard task by all accounts. Thanks for your assistance. Josée Lavoie Photoart https://jlphotoart.ca/