9.9 - Guide Dog Benefit

Summary of Policy

Each member of the benefit unit who has a specially trained dog certified for use as a guide, hearing or service dog by an accredited training facility is eligible for an amount of $74 per month to assist with the costs for the routine care of the dog.

Legislative Authority

Section 44 (1) 5 of the ODSP Regulation

Summary of Directive

• A Guide Dog Benefit of $74 per month is payable to each member of the benefit unit who has a guide, hearing or service dog due to a disability.
• The benefit is payable only for a dog that has been trained and certified by an accredited facility for use as a guide, hearing or service dog.
• Verification of certification from an accredited training facility is required.
• An "accredited training facility" is:
• For guide dogs, a facility that is listed in the Blind Persons’ Rights Act, Regulation 58, a facility that meets the minimum standards established by Assistance Dogs International and that is a member of Assistance Dogs International or a facility that meets the minimum standards of the International Guide Dog Federation and that is a member of the International Guide Dog Federation.
• For hearing and service dogs, a facility that meets the minimum standards established by Assistance Dogs International and that is a member of Assistance Dogs International.

Intent of Policy

To assist with the costs for the routine care of specially trained dogs certified for use as a guide, hearing or service dog by an accredited training facility.

Application of Policy

A benefit of $74 per month is provided to a member of a benefit unit who has a specially trained dog certified for use as a guide, hearing or service dog by an accredited training facility.

To be eligible for the benefit, verification of certification from an accredited training facility is required.

Accredited training facilities for guide dogs:

To be certified as a guide dog, the dog must be trained and certified by a facility listed in the Blind Persons’ Rights Act, Regulation 58, a facility that meets the minimum standards established by Assistance Dogs International and that is a member of Assistance Dogs International or a facility that meets the minimum standards established by the International Guide Dog Federation and that is a member of the International Guide Dog Federation which are “accredited training facilities” for the purpose of this Directive.

The Blind Persons’ Rights Act defines a guide dog as a dog that has successfully completed the training program at one of the designated facilities listed in Regulation 58 of that Act.

Verification can be in the form of a certificate from one of the designated facilities listed in Regulation 58 of that Act or a registration card from the Provincial Ministry of Attorney General.

Accredited training facilities for service dogs and hearing dogs:

To be certified as a service or hearing dog, the dog must be trained and certified by a facility that meets the minimum standards established by Assistance Dogs International and the facility must be a member of Assistance Dogs International.

November 2011