In the Feb. 28 print and online editions of the Cochrane Eagle, we ran a story entitled Wild Rose Assistance Dogs (WRAD) looking for puppy raisers.
After publishing online, we received an outpouring of response from the service dog community concerned about the ethics of WRAD and owner/head trainer Kiarah Buckler. We then pulled the story, pending review.
Part of our decision was based on the ethical concerns of persons with disabilities being taken advantage of, many of whom are already marginalized.
With respect to the story we ran, the chief concern is that Buckler’s organization is not associated with an Assistance Dog International (ADI)-accredited service dog organization and therefore her dogs have no public access rights.
Dogs do not need to be assessed if they have completed a program delivered by one of Alberta’s approved service dog organizations; graduated from an ADI-approved program, or have been qualified by an organization contracted by the province to train or assess service dogs to standards equivalent to the Alberta Training Standard, as determined by the ministry.
Owner-trained dogs can gain public access rights if they are assessed by the province.
According to John Wheelwright, disability program specialist with the province, WRAD does not currently have a pending application with the province to be an accredited service dog organization.
“Part of what we do is ensure all dogs are properly qualified to be in public spaces,” said Wheelwright, adding that the province is seeing a rise in dogs that aren’t qualified.
He also said that it is not commonplace for any school to train “all types” of service/guide dogs – as WRAD had indicated they train all types of service dogs – and that organizations tend to specialize.
While WRAD is not on the approved service dog organization list, this does not preclude them from applying for the provincial service dog qualification assessment to gain public access rights.
Buckler maintains her organization is in the process of partnering with an ADI-approved service dog school; however, she was not able to confirm which one, adding she planned to announce the partner in the “coming weeks.”
The Cochrane Eagle reached out to the three main ADI-approved service dog schools for Alberta service dogs – Pacific Assistance Dogs, Alberta Guide Dogs and Dogs with Wings, each verified they do not have a partnership with WRAD.
Service dogs can be trained to help people with a wide range of disabilities, including mobility impairments, PTSD and anxiety, and epilepsy. Guide dogs are specifically trained to help those who are blind or visually impaired.
The Cochrane Eagle also contacted the RCMP in regards to some of the complaints that were made against Buckler.
“I did some checks on Kiarah Buckler, and I cannot see where we have charged her for any animal or business related complaints,” responded Cst. Kary Moore with the Cochrane RCMP.
Learn more at alberta.ca/servicedogs, or for a list of approved service dog providers and trainers, go to https://www.alberta.ca/approved-service-dog-organizations.
The Cochrane Eagle regrets any confusion the previous story might have caused in relation to service dogs and we are committed to promoting accurate, ethical awareness.
Those who wish to learn more about service dogs are encouraged to reach out to ADI or the province.
To network on social media, connect on Facebook/AlbertaServiceDogCommunity.
