Service dogs in-training take field trip to St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market
Some very special dogs took a field trip Thursday to the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market.
The pups, all from National Service Dogs, strolled among the stalls with their volunteers as part of their training.
“This is a very busy, very exciting environment. Lots of smells, and people, and things to notice and so we have staff and volunteers here, training and working with our dogs as we walk through the St. Jacobs Market,” Rochelle Barber, National Service Dogs’ director of operations, explained.
Barber said many of the dogs are in the advanced training program and are just days away from meeting the clients they’ll be working with.
“We train our dogs to work with children with autism, we also have a program for veterans and first responders with post traumatic stress disorder. We also have a facility dog program where its canine assisted intervention and they work with organizations or health professionals with a variety of different people on any given day. For example, a justice facility dog,” Barber said. “The most impactful thing that we hear from our clients, and people they go out to, is they describe it as magic. From where I stand and what I see, it really is quite magical. There’s a ton of hard work that goes into that magic, but the impact is astounding. It’s amazing.”
National Service Dogs at St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market on May 9, 2024. (Shelby Knox/CTV Kitchener)
Only service dogs are allowed at the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market. Due to public health regulations, owners are asked to keep all other pups at home.
Volunteers needed
National Service Dogs is also looking for more volunteers to fill a variety of roles, including puppy raisers.
Volunteers would be asked to welcome a dog into their home. They would then raise it and train it for a future helping others.
National Service Dogs and volunteers at St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market on May 9, 2024. (Shelby Knox/CTV Kitchener)
“We love raisers, we love volunteers – they are the most wonderful people in the whole wide world,” Barber said. “They give so much of themselves. We couldn’t do any of the work that we do without the volunteers giving so much to us. From the staff, from the clients that they support – our raisers are amazing, if you want to join the raiser community or the volunteer community with NSD, please connect with us. We would love to have you.”
More information is available on the NSD website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton dead following prison attack
Convicted B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, who preyed on women he lured from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to his rural pig farm, has died.
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
Ex-husband charged with murder in death of Lumby, B.C., woman
The ex-husband of Tatjana Stefanski – the woman whose disappearance and death set the small town of Lumby, B.C., on edge last month – has been charged with her murder.
Edmonton Oilers looking for a road win in decisive Game 5 against Dallas Stars
The Florida Panthers are a victory away from securing a berth in the Stanley Cup final and the Edmonton Oilers are looking for a road win in a pivotal Game 5 at Dallas.
Baby dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to woman who was in police custody
A newborn is dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to a woman in police custody.
Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour: 'I am completely heartsick and devastated'
Jennifer Lopez has cancelled her 2024 North American tour, representatives for Live Nation confirmed to The Associated Press.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
DND moving 1,000 employees out of Ottawa office building due to safety concerns
The Department of National Defence is moving approximately 1,000 employees out of an office building in Ottawa's Lowertown neighbourhood, citing safety concerns for its employees.
Man convicted of killing Toronto cop in 1980 granted day parole
A man convicted of murdering a Toronto police officer more than four decades ago has been granted day parole for six months.