Freedom Paws Canada

Our program empowers veterans and individuals with disabilities to restore their freedom to live life.

Help Rescue a Dog

Healing together, providing each other with a new lease on life. Most of our dogs are rescued dogs and carefully matched to their human partner.

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Freedom Paws Canada Hoodie

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Pauliina Saarinen: Photo

Freedom Paws Canada

is dedicated to supporting veterans, first responders, and civilians living with psychological injuries. Through a structured, trauma-informed service dog training program, we help clients build reliable partnerships with carefully assessed rescue or donated dogs.

By training together, clients and dogs develop a strong working bond rooted in trust, consistency, and mutual support. Many members of our community describe this journey as one of shared healing—often expressed in the words:

“We saved each other.”

What We Do

Serving those in need

We support individuals living with psychological injuries and/or Type 1 diabetes by teaching them to train their own service dogs.

Most of our dogs come from rescue shelters or are generously donated. We also work with carefully assessed owner-trained dogs, thoughtfully matched to each client’s unique needs.

Through this partnership, clients gain:

Greater confidence
Increased independence
Stronger connection to their communities
A renewed sense of safety, stability, and hope

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pictures of the Trainers and Dogs in action

Barb Ashmead

Working with Veterans, First Responders and Non-veterans has been the greatest experience of my life. Watching a team bond and save each others lives is phenomenal and an incredible life changing experience.

BARB ASHMEAD | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Barb Ashmead

Working with Veterans, First Responders and Non-veterans has been the greatest experience of my life. Watching a team bond and save each others lives is phenomenal and an incredible life changing experience.

BARB ASHMEAD | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Ken

Made for success, Purpose for everyone. Goal for every person. A dog for every person. A dog for every goal. A community for all.

KEN | FPC MEMBER

Jessie

Life Changing.

STEVE | FPC MEMBER

Tia

Such a wonderful program. Gracie and I are so thankful to be in it. The instructors are so amazing.

TIA | FPC MEMBER

Service Dog Training Process

Our program runs for 48 weeks, with two in-person training sessions per week, totalling a minimum of 100 hours of training centre and public access work.

When teams are ready, they complete the BC Guide Dog and Service Dog Assessment to demonstrate safe, reliable public access skills.

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A Pathway Home

Past trauma affects every aspect of life—from relationships and work to physical and mental health. Healing is possible when individuals actively engage in their own mental health journey, alongside the support of a service dog.

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Donate To FP Canada

Program costs for our clients are 100% funded by donations. Your generosity removes barriers and offers hope to those who truly need our program, and we thank you.

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An Evening with Lt. Gen (Ret) Hon. Roméo Dallaire

Hear from one of Canada’s most respected leaders and humanitarians. His powerful stories of resilience, justice, and hope will leave you inspired and remind you what it means to lead – and live – with compassion. A rare opportunity to hear from a real Canadian hero.

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