National Service Dogs

In 1996, a desperate plea for help from the mother of a 3 year old child with autism, Brodie, led to the development of the first and only service dog program focused on children with autism in Canada. In 1997, National Service Dogs (NSD) matched Brodie with a quiet, sensitive black lab named Shade. The incredible success of this founding team brought popular attention from the media and the Geneva Centre for Autism, Toronto, Ontario.

Petland has partnered with NSD, a non-profit registered charity specializing in breeding, training, and placing Labradors and Golden Retrievers with children who have autism. Petland so far has raised funds to support 13 dogs and hopes to sponsor one per store annually.

The cost of raising, training, and placing a National Service Dog is $18,000 and it takes a minimum of two years to accomplish this goal. Petland stores across Canada continue to raise funds toward special dogs going to special families in our communities. Petland is honoured and proud to be partnered with NSD. Please consider your donation to NSD by visiting www.nsd.on.ca .