BC & Alberta Guide Dogs provides disability-related supports in the Central Okanagan, listed on HelpKelowna. Below: who qualifies, what's available, and how to access services.
Categories: Disability, Pets & Animals
BC-based charity training and placing Guide Dogs, Autism Service Dogs, and OSI-PTSD Service Dogs for residents of BC and Alberta at no cost. ▸ Programs: • Guide Dogs — for adults and youth (13–18) who are blind or have low vision. NOTE: applications currently closed (waitlist full as of 2026). • Autism Service Dogs — for children ages 3–7 with a confirmed moderate-to-profound autism diagnosis and bolting tendency. Priority given to non-verbal children. At least one parent must attend 2-week residential training. Multi-year waitlist. NOTE: applications currently closed. • OSI-PTSD Service Dogs — for Veterans, RCMP, and First Responders with a DSM-5-TR/ICD-11 PTSD or OSI diagnosis. Requirements: clean and sober 12+ months, registered mental health provider (seen at least twice), 2+ community support people. Currently accepting applications. ▸ Eligibility: BC or Alberta residents only. ▸ Cost: Free. Each dog costs up to $35,000 to produce. ▸ Wait times: Multi-year for Guide and Autism programs. ▸ How to apply: online application at bcandalbertaguidedogs.com (check which programs are currently open).
Also known as: guide dog blind low vision autism service dog PTSD OSI veterans RCMP first responders BC Alberta disability
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