Social Service Groups

An important aspect of CAAWLS' work is to help those most in need. We have many programs to help those people who are not able to afford this type of programming themselves. We partner with multiple public service agencies to support their mental health programming by integrating a CAAWLS wellness dog. Our dogs work with agencies supporting individuals living with disabilities, fleeing domestic violence, experiencing homelessness, struggling with addictions or other mental illnesses.

Enhance your social service programs with the healing presence of a certified wellness dog. Our dogs bring warmth, connection, and a sense of calm to individuals navigating difficult life circumstances, including those in shelters, recovery programs, or community outreach services. These visits can reduce anxiety, build trust, and support emotional well-being in a gentle, non-judgmental way. Book a visit today to enrich your program with the proven benefits of animal-assisted wellness.

Schedule a visit today!

Our Partners

  • WINGS of Providence

  • CASA House

  • Boyle Street Education Center

Have you met Vinny?

Vincent (Vinny for short) volunteers with his dad, Darren, who describes him as very calm and patient, especially when he is visiting people living with disabilities. This might be because he can relate.  Vinny is a deaf dog, but this doesn’t stop him from being an amazing wellness dog. In fact, Vinny is a perfect fit for many programs that work with people living with disabilities!

Meet Vinny and Darren

“My name is Darren. I retired in late 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and obviously was very limited in what I could do.  I have always loved dogs so in February of 2021 I got Vincent - a 1 year old black English Lab. Vinny and I worked hard together taking various obedience and training classes.  Unfortunately Vinny lost his hearing as a result of a medication interaction so that presented me with a whole new set of challenges - teaching Vinny to respond to only hand commands.  I have volunteered for most of my adult life and I began looking for opportunities to volunteer with Vinny.  Some organizations were not willing to take on a dog with this type of disability.  A neighbour friend told me about a group she was involved with called CAAWLS.  I looked into the group and contacted the coordinator and discussed my concerns.  We went through the application and testing process and in February of 2023 Vinny and I attended our first CAAWLS event - I was instantly hooked.  Seeing how the group interacted with the dogs was incredible.  

Vinny and I soon began doing weekly visits to a K-9 school that has a large number of classes of children with special needs.  It quickly became apparent that Vinny's hearing loss did not affect his abilities at all.  In fact it was quickly evident that this was something the children could relate to and what Vinny was meant to do.  Vinny and I still attend that school - in fact Vinny even has his own school ID card.  We now also regularly visit a high school with 2 classes of teenage special needs students.  The students walk Vinny around the halls of the school.  The great thing with this is that Vinny then gets to also visit with all the other students and this creates an opportunity for those students to interact with the special needs students. If you are ever looking for an opportunity of this type I highly recommend checking out CAAWLS. “

Keep an eye out for these two during special CAAWLS programs, and don’t hesitate to ask Darren how to communicate with Vinny using sign language!