Registered Canadian Charity • Serving Veterans & First Responders • Charity Number: 74127 1290 RR0001
When Service Ends, the Mission Continues.
Providing expertly trained service dogs to military veterans and first responders after service-related physical, sensory, or psychological injuries.
What Makes a Service Dog?
A psychiatric service dog is specifically trained to assist individuals with mental health conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other psychological challenges.
Trained to recognize and respond to PTSD symptoms
Provide grounding during anxiety attacks
Create physical space in crowded environments
Wake handlers from nightmares
Alert to rising stress levels before a crisis
Provide constant companionship and security
Who We Are
Courageous Companions Inc. is a registered Canadian charity and accredited Service Dog Organization supporting military veterans, active service members, and first responders living with operational stress injuries.
Through our nationally recognized program, we pair expertly trained service dogs with those who've served—restoring confidence, independence, and everyday joy.
Guided by passionate volunteers and a board rooted in the CAF and First Responder communities, we ensure donations are used where they matter most.
What Makes Us Different
Certification and Recertification
Our service dog teams must pass 3 levels of certification testing to ensure consistency in the dogs' tasking and handler ability. Recertification takes place every 3 years to ensure continued team success.
CAC Accreditation
Courageous Companions is accredited by the Canadian Accreditation Council in Governance, Management and Training. This accreditation is based on the Canadian Accreditation Council of Human Services (CAC) Standards and is recognized internationally.
Being accredited means being a trusted organization and an authority in the Service Dog Industry, working to the highest industry standards.
Our Values
Compassion
We understand the struggles our participants face because many of our volunteers have walked the same path.
Excellence
Our dogs undergo rigorous training to meet the highest standards of service dog certification.
Community
We build a supportive network of veterans, first responders, and volunteers across Canada.
Integrity
As a 100% volunteer organization, every dollar donated goes directly to our programs.
Your Journey to a Service Dog
From application to certification, we guide you through every step of the process.
01
Application
Submit your application and medical documentation
02
Assessment
Meet with our team to understand your specific needs
03
Matching
We carefully match you with the right service dog
04
Training
Complete our comprehensive handler training program
05
Certification
Graduate as a certified service dog team
06
Support
Receive ongoing support throughout your journey
Partnerships & Supporters
Gun Belt Collars
Supporting Military Vets
This project supports the brave men and women that have been injured carrying out their duties in the service of this great nation.
Combat belts used in theatre are repurposed into custom tailored dog collars. All profits from the sales of the Battle Buddy Collection goes to help fund Service Dogs for Military Vets. Products made from items used in theatre come with a provenance, creating its own unique story.
Gun Belt Collars is authorized to obtain seconds quality CADPAT material (Arid, Temperate Woodland, and SAR Tech Orange), so authentic looking collars and accessories can be yours.
All products are 100% hand crafted in Canada.
General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada Supports Courageous Companions
General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada is one of Canada's leading C4ISR defence and security companies with a worldwide reputation for excellence in the production of integrated solutions for land, airborne, maritime and cyber applications. The company feels a special sense of responsibility to members of the Canadian Armed Forces, veterans, and their families.
Through employee-led fundraising activities – including internal events with Courageous Companions volunteers – and a corporate donation, General Dynamics has collected the funds to provide a Service Dog for a local Veteran or First Responder in need.
Learn Photography Ottawa supports Courageous Companions
Courageous Companions and Learn Photography Ottawa are partnering up to bring you some very special offers!
Courageous Companions is pleased to partner with Learn Photography Ottawa for some very special offers designed for dog enthusiasts! A portion of each sale will be donated to Courageous Companions to help us support our mission to assist military veterans and first responders who have been affected by physical and/or psychological operational injuries.
Head on over to cameracourses.ca/ottawa now and sign up for a course, you'll be glad you did, and we will be grateful for your support!
Remember to use promo code: CC2017
Only available in Ottawa (for now)
This partnership between Courageous Companions and Learn Photography Canada is currently only available with the Ottawa location. If you're interested in the programs in another Learn Photography Canada location please contact us.
Ph: 1-613-702-1619
cameracourses.ca/ottawa
Champion Pet Foods is a major supporter of Courageous Companions
This National Volunteer week, we worked with Champion Pet Foods to create the video "Heroes for Heroes". Hear first-hand from veterans and first responders how Courageous Companions has changed their lives.
GASOLINE ALLEY HARLEY-DAVIDSON® Supports Courageous Companions
Gasoline Alley Harley-Davidson is raising funds to provide a Service Dog for a local Veteran or First Responder in need through Courageous Companions Canada. Our loyal riders & customers are always so generous and we want you to be able to follow along with us on this journey. We will be hosting multiple fundraising efforts in the upcoming year for which all donations will be shown here on our Go Fund Me page.
Each Service Dog undertakes specialized training to provide for the needs of the individual for whom they are being trained and can cost up to $20,000 depending on the type of disability the person has.
The Order's Foundation
The Order's Foundation contributes funding in support of our wounded or fallen military personnel and their immediate families.
2018 Order of St George Gala Dinner
Very big thank-you to the Order of St. George for donating $70,000 to Courageous Companions at their Gala Dinner in Ottawa on 28 April 2018.
In Attendance from Courageous Companions were Chairman and CAF Veteran John Dugas (K9 Bailey), Legal Adviser Terry Green (K9 Reddi), Director of Intake and RCMP Member Constable Julie Letal (K9 Chance), Exec Assistant to Senator Olsen: Barb Leroux (K9 Charlie), Retired Ottawa Firefighter Jason Burd (K9 Blaze), Ottawa Paramedic Rob Mitchell (K9 Ben), CAF Veteran Jon Hamilton (K9 Tula).
MSDI Service Dogs International
The Accreditation body for Professional Service Dog Organizations & Trainers
MSDI Service Dogs International (MSDI) is the leading accreditation body in the service dog industry. Born out of the pioneering efforts of MSAR, we have grown into a global organization dedicated to setting the highest standards for service dog training centers worldwide. Unlike other organizations, MSDI does not train or place service dogs directly; instead, we focus on ensuring that our accredited centers provide exceptional training and service quality to those in need.