Yes. Dogs currently in training remain under the care and oversight of the organization. Their care remains our top priority.   We are continuing to train dogs in preparation for matching with clients and hosting graduations.

It means that our construction partner has begun winding down its presence at the project site and the construction contract has now been terminated.

Circumstances outside of our control mean we weren’t able to access the funds needed within the timeline required by the construction company, and work could not reasonably continue without funding certainty.

Our construction partner has been incredibly professional and flexible, and we hope to re-engage them once financing is resolved.

Yes. While some of our operations would likely change, we would remain operational and fully committed to our core mission of training and matching Dog Guides for Canadians living with physical and medical disabilities.

The organization is working with an international philanthropic lender, with a history of supporting Lions International, to gain access to the funds needed to resume construction.

We will continue to provide updates as more information about project timelines becomes available.

The new national Dog Guide training school is just over halfway finished. We have $60 million committed toward the school, but we must raise another $20 million by the end of October in order to resume construction and continue operating.

This shortfall was caused by several factors:

• A committed piece of financing did not come through in time as expected. We had been working to negotiate financing to help us bridge our cash flow as we continued to raise funds. We had expected this funding to come in when we were 50% complete construction. However, we found out that the funding, while committed, is not coming in until the end of the project. This left us with an immediate need for cash to pay our construction company.
• In addition, as the design of the building progressed, the scope and size of the project expanded to ensure we are meeting the meet the complex needs of a fully accessible, purpose-built facility that will meet our needs well into the future.
• And lastly, the project began prior to COVID-19 and since then, economic uncertainty drove up construction and material costs.

The external fundraising campaign was for $50 million, however we knew the overall cost for the project was more. Increased construction and materials costs, and expansion of the scope and size of the project to ensure it met current and future accessibility needs, caused the cost to increase.

Our existing training center and office in Oakville have already been sold and we are committed to vacating them by October 2026. The property in Breslau is a foundational asset in that it houses our breeding facilities and additional training space. We have had the property appraised and financially, it doesn’t make sense to sell it. In addition, Breslau provides us with a backup solution if we need to relocate temporarily.

We remain committed to continuing to provide and support Canadians living with disabilities with these life-changing dogs. 

This building represents hope for thousands of Canadians with disabilities who deserve the safety, independence, and confidence that only a Dog Guide can provide.

The new national training school is designed to increase the number of Dog Guides trained and matched by more than 65% each year – ensuring we can rise to meet the increasing demand for Dog Guides for Canadians living with physical, medical, and developmental disabilities. It will be fully accessible and purpose-built.

Our puppies and dogs remain a top priority. We are continuing to operate the foster puppy training program as usual. No matter what, we are committed to ensuring every dog is well cared for and set up for success. 

The shortfall is the result of several compounding factors, not a single oversight.

All decisions regarding the building project including changes to the scope, budget decisions, and project management oversight were done with full involvement and approval of the Board of Directors, with full transparency and due diligence in accordance with Board policies.

We take financial stewardship extremely seriously. Our organization has operated for more than 40 years, purely relying on support from service clubs, corporations, foundations and individuals from across the country to meet our mission.  We are accredited by ADI and IGDF, and Imagine Canada – all of which review our operational management practices.

We have a 40-year track record of delivering life-changing Dog Guide partnerships at no cost to Canadians with disabilities. We’re being transparent about the challenges and what’s needed to solve them.

Yes, we are having productive conversations about a path forward with numerous partners including provincial and federal governments. These discussions are encouraging and reinforce the importance of our mission.

Our leadership team and Board are actively reviewing all of our programs and operations to ensure that we remain strong, sustainable, and able to deliver on our mission for years to come.

We are carefully evaluating current programs, identifying opportunities to strengthen and adapt, and ensuring every decision supports our long-term viability.

Most importantly, our commitment to the people we serve—and to the values that define us—remains unwavering. When we get through this current challenge, we will be in a stronger position to deliver our programs long into the future.