National Service Dogs

HISTORY

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, 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.

As a result, the registered charity National Service Dogs was born. The request for service dogs from families that have children with autism from across the country overwhelmed founding members, Chris and Heather Fowler and Danielle Forbes. NSD's founders have an extensive background in working with dogs and people with disabilities. They have worked as professional service dog trainers and believe passionately in the practical and therapeutic value of matching special dogs with special children.

To learn more about the National Service Dogs visit their website at www.nsd.on.ca.