Khrista Daciw has dedicated significant time to training her service dog, Boo, who assists her in managing her diabetes. Despite the financial challenges as a single mother on the Ontario Disability Support Program, Daciw ensures Boo is well cared for as an essential part of her daily life in Thunder Bay.
Even though Boo plays a crucial role in detecting her blood sugar changes, Daciw is ineligible for an $84 monthly benefit available to ODSP recipients for the “routine care” of service dogs. The reason for this exclusion is that Boo was not trained at an Assistance Dogs International (ADI)-accredited facility. This requirement, deemed discriminatory by the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) in 2023, continues to pose challenges for individuals like Daciw.
Daciw, who is preparing for a hearing with the province’s social benefits tribunal in November to appeal the benefit denial, emphasizes the necessity of revising the current criteria to be more inclusive. While she has attended some professional training classes with Boo, most of the training has been self-administered due to the unavailability of an ADI-accredited facility in her vicinity.
The costs associated with Boo’s care, including food, vet bills, and supplies amount to around $200 to $300 monthly, a significant expense considering her limited ODSP income. Despite the financial strain, Daciw ensures Boo receives proper care, even if it means making personal sacrifices at times.
Following the rejection of her benefit application by ODSP in March 2025, Daciw’s subsequent request for an internal review was also denied recently. The ongoing enforcement of the training facility requirement, despite the HRTO ruling, highlights the need for swift action to address the issue.
The 2023 HRTO ruling, prompted by a similar case in Sudbury, directed the province to review the benefit criteria by the end of that year. Despite unsuccessful attempts by the province to appeal the decision, the strict training facility requirement persists. The ruling urged Ontario to explore less restrictive approaches similar to those adopted in other provinces.
In response to inquiries, a spokesperson for Ontario’s minister of children, community, and social services reiterated the ministry’s commitment to reviewing the guide dog benefit criteria in compliance with the HRTO. However, specific details regarding the timeline for the review or potential funding for self-trained service dogs remain unclear.
Adrian Merdzan, a staff lawyer at the Income Security Advocacy Centre in Toronto, emphasized the urgency of the province’s compliance with the HRTO orders. He expressed concerns over the delay in implementing necessary changes to benefit individuals like Daciw who rely on service dogs for daily assistance.
Daciw believes that the stringent training requirements are intended to prevent unqualified service dogs from accessing funding, emphasizing the importance of proper training and certification for service animals. She stresses the significance of adhering to established guidelines to ensure the legitimacy of service dogs under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
Brian Archer, CEO of the Canadian Association of Service Dog Trainers, advocates for a comprehensive overhaul of Ontario’s service dog regulations, citing the need for clearer definitions and more inclusive criteria to facilitate access to service dogs for individuals with disabilities.