Home - Dogs with Wings

TO OUR CAUSE

TO HELP OUT

FOR A DOG

Welcome to Dogs with Wings

Our goal is simple: to change lives for the better.

We are a leader in the international community of assistance dog training schools. Our mission is to foster integration and independence for individuals with disabilities by providing them with highly trained assistance dogs and aftercare.

From Our What's New Section

Shaw Birdies for Kids 2021

By Dogs with Wings | May 30, 2021

Did you know that all donations made through Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink will be matched up to 50% making your donation go even further? Donate Today! Dogs with Wings is one of the more than 200 charity partners for the Shaw Charity Classic Birdies for Kids initiative presented by AltaLink. This program is designed to … Read more

READ MORE

Welcome to DWW’s new CEO, Miranda!

By Dogs with Wings | May 25, 2021

Dogs with Wings is delighted to announce that Miranda Jordan-Smith will be joining our team as Chief Executive Officer. Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and creating a culture of compassion and philanthropy in the community is Miranda’s passion. This philosophy was exemplified in her previous roles as CEO of the Edmonton Humane … Read more

READ MORE

Anniversary Puppy Naming Contest – Winners

By Dogs with Wings | May 21, 2021

Our two newest recruits have been named from our 25th Anniversary Themed Contest. They will be named DWW Silver and DWW Legacy! Stay tuned to meet two more recruits in the next couple of weeks to find out their names! We look forward to watching these puppies one day earn their wings as they carry … Read more

READ MORE

Anniversary Puppy Naming Contest

By Dogs with Wings | May 18, 2021

Our Ambassador Dog, DWW Knut is at it again to help us celebrate the month that we were founded, 25 years ago! Two puppies will be joining our Edmonton training program on Friday and two puppies will be joining us in a couple weeks time, and we need your help to name them. Introducing our 25th Anniversary Naming Contest! … Read more

READ MORE

Bridge Light Up Contest Winners

By Dogs with Wings | May 11, 2021

Thank you for joining us yesterday to celebrate Knut’s Excellent Anniversary Day Adventure and our Bridge Light up Contest. Our volunteers, sponsors, donors, Board of Directors, staff, clients, and supporters walked or drove across the High-Level Bridge and snapped photos of their experience. The winners of last night’s contest are DWW Chico (Tai & Chris) and DWW Woody (Kelsey & Sam), check … Read more

READ MORE

DWW Knut’s Anniversary Day Adventure – Sunset

By Dogs with Wings | May 10, 2021

This wraps up DWW Knut’s Excellent Anniversary Day Adventure. Thank you for being a part of DWW Knut’s Adventure and for your support along the way. Dogs with Wings is grateful to all the volunteers, sponsors, donors, Board of Directors, staff, clients, and supporters, both past and present. Together we are changing lives by placing Assistance Dogs to foster integration and independence for individuals living with disabilities… one … Read more

READ MORE

DWW Knut’s Excellent Anniversary Day Adventure – Edmonton

By Dogs with Wings | May 10, 2021

Taking in some of the sites of Edmonton, DWW Knut stopped at some of his favourite spots. Today’s city tour of our beautiful hometown city included the Legislature Grounds, streets of Edmonton, Manchester Square, and City Hall.

READ MORE

DWW Knut’s Excellent Anniversary Day Adventure – Eukanuba®

By Dogs with Wings | May 10, 2021

Have you considered signing up for our 25 for $25 Campaign? Dogs with Wings is thrilled to announce our matching funds partner, Eukanuba®, who will match the first 25 monthly donors! Please make Dogs with Wings your charity of choice and be one of our first 25 new monthly donors – YOUR gift will change lives! Click … Read more

READ MORE

DWW Knut’s Excellent Anniversary Day Adventure – Fundraising

By Dogs with Wings | May 10, 2021

DWW Knut loves to be a furry fundraiser and raise money for DWW. He has collaborated with many organizations including the DWW UofA Club, ATB Tap Dogs, and Mary Butterworth Junior High School – Hockey Helps Kids Campaign, to name a few.

READ MORE

DWW Knut’s Excellent Anniversary Day Adventure – Venues

By Dogs with Wings | May 10, 2021

READ MORE

"Opening doors. Helping someone dress. Navigating through traffic. It’s all in a day’s work for our dogs." -Dogs with Wings

DWW Spirit

Community

Dogs with Wings is responsive to our community, adding programs and services that our clients need. Beginning in 1996, we offered Guide Dogs for the blind and visually impaired. In 2003, we added Service Dogs in response to client demand. In 2007, we added our Autism Service Dog Program, then 1 of only 2 in Canada. Recently, we have placed a variety of Facility and Companion Dogs to our client list.

Public Access.1

Volunteers

We are also tied to our community via our Volunteers who do so much for us. Since 1996, we have had literally hundreds of people assisting by fostering our Dogs-in-Training. Today, Dogs with Wings operates puppy programs in Edmonton, Calgary, and Grande Prairie, with over 250 active Volunteers.

Grad Dogs in Gazebo

Collaboration

Through our membership with the Assistance Dogs International we are taking an active part in the development of our industry, nationally and around the world.

Chili

Serving People

Our organization exists to serve individuals with disabilities. Our clients are valued members of society who want to make a positive impact in their communities. Our job is to empower our clients through our programs to assist them in achieving their dreams and goals.

Follow Us on Social Media

DWW on Twitter

DWW on Facebook

Dogs with Wings Assistance Dog Society

17 hours ago

As we continue to celebrate our 25th Anniversary, we want to appreciate our volunteers, clients, donors, and sponsors for everything that they do for us. Today, we are highlighting Peter and Kathy Kawalilak. We asked them some questions and here is what they had to say:What is your position at DWW (ie. puppy raiser, adult raiser, boarding home)? *Puppy Raiser. Also was a TA. In the past trained new volunteers with a 2 evening class Which DWW dogs have you had? *Diesel, Eddy, Hudson, Cosmo, Oscar, Odie, Spirit, Turbo, Watson, Cooper, Rugby, Lincoln, Odin, Summer, WarrenHow long have you been a volunteer for DWW? *Since 2006Why are you a volunteer for DWW? *DWW dogs have a very important role in our communities. Watching how a dog supports their client is reason enough for us to volunteer and ‘give back’. And there’s nothing better than raising and training a pup for this role! ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

Dogs with Wings Assistance Dog Society

1 day ago

Dogs with Wings is one of the more than 200 charity partners for the Shaw Charity Classic Birdies for Kids initiative presented by AltaLink. This program is designed to help raise new funds for local charities, engage the community in the tournament, and provide matching funds for each charity involved. Donations are matched up to 50% and all administrative costs are covered by the tournament, meaning DWW receives 100% of all donations donated through the program. On top of the donation matching program, Shaw and their partners have also introduced #ChipinforKids, a text to donate initiative. Dogs with Wings and Shaw invite you to Chip in for Kids by texting KIDS091 to 30333 to donate $10! To make your generous contribution go further, Shaw will match your donation and the matched donation amount will then be matched again by the Shaw Charity Classic, up to an additional 50%. Your $10 donation can grow into a donation of $30 to Dogs with Wings! You can text up to 10 times per billing cycle for your cell phone, and your donation will be added to your mobile phone bill. Please note tax receipts will be issued by Mobile Giving Foundation Canada, rather than Dogs with Wings. This initiative runs until August 15th. If you have any questions or require further information, please visit our website (dogswithwings.ca/shaw-birdies-for-kids-2021/), phone us at (780) 944-8011, or email us at info@dogswithwings.ca. Thank you for your generous support of Dogs with Wings as we continue to enact our mission to foster integration and independence for individuals with disabilities by providing them with highly trained Assistance Dogs and aftercare. ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

Dogs with Wings Assistance Dog Society

2 days ago

We are excited to announce that DWW Hera is due with her first litter! This litter is sired by Bo from Canine Partners for Life through the ADI - Assistance Dogs International. Bo is hosted for his breeding career by our friends at Warrior Canine Connection!How many puppies do you think Hera will be having? (Hint: look for spines and skulls in the X-ray). ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

DWW on Instagram

dogs_with_wings

Introducing our two newest graduates, Companion Do

Introducing our two newest graduates, Companion Dogs DWW Razz & DWW Timber! These teams were placed on May 14th and they have found perfect matches and fur-ever homes with their new best friends! Congratulations to these new teams!

Our two newest recruits have been named from our 2

Our two newest recruits have been named from our 25th Anniversary Themed Contest. They are named DWW Silver (blue collar) and DWW Legacy (red collar)!

Stay tuned to meet two more recruits in the next couple of weeks to find out their names!

We look forward to watching these puppies one day earn their wings as they carry out their journeys with two very special names related to our history. #DWW25

** CONTEST CLOSED.** Our Ambassador Dog, @dww_knut

** CONTEST CLOSED.** Our Ambassador Dog, @dww_knut is at it again to help us celebrate the month that we were founded, 25 years ago!

Two puppies will be joining our Edmonton training program on Friday and two puppies will be joining us in a couple of weeks, and we need your help to name them. Introducing our 25th Anniversary Naming Contest!

Contest Rules:
- Follow Dogs with Wings Assistance Dog Society on Instagram.
- Like this post.
- Comment on the original post below a name suggestion for a puppy name and tag 1 friend in your comment. You can enter multiple name entries by tagging a new person each time.
- Share this post to your story for an extra entry!
- Puppy names should be anniversary themed, easy to pronounce, and no more than three syllables. We do not use names that are derogatory or a common human name.

The contest will end at 11:59pm on Thursday, May 20th and the winner will be announced the evening of Friday, May 21st.

#dww25

Congratulations to Companion Dogs, DWW Razz and DW

Congratulations to Companion Dogs, DWW Razz and DWW Timber who earned their wings and graduated with their clients today! ❤️🐕‍🦺

Yesterday DWW celebrated our 25th anniversary on o

Yesterday DWW celebrated our 25th anniversary on our founding day, May 10, 1996.
.
.
We celebrated the day by exploring the city of Edmonton with our Ambassador Dog, DWW Knut! Check it out!
.
.
#DWW25 @dww_knut @pawsitive.tails.photography

This week we are highlighting the impact that we h

This week we are highlighting the impact that we have in the Red Deer Community and we have an exciting announcement coming later this week!
.
.
.
Meet DWW Robson! Robson is an Autism Service Dog that works for his kiddo, a 12-year-old boy in Red Deer, AB. Robson's job is to keep David safe in his community and to provide endless support, comfort, and independence to David in public settings and at home. Robson has worked with David for just over three years! Today, David's mom has shared with us in her own words the difference that Robson has made for David and their family.
.
.
.

You are incredible, Robson! We are so proud of your hard work to keep your boy safe and happy.

This week we are highlighting the impact that we h

This week we are highlighting the impact that we have in the Red Deer Community and we have an exciting announcement coming later this week!
.
.
.
Meet DWW Quinn! Quinn is a Facility Dog that works at the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre in Red Deer, AB. Today we are sharing some beautiful words from Quinn's Handler, Becca Glackin (Child & Family Advocate/Facility Dog Handler). We are so proud of the impact that Quinn is having in Red Deer!
.
.
.

Way to go, Quinn! You are making such a difference in your community.

This week we are highlighting the impact that we h

This week we are highlighting the impact that we have in the Red Deer Community and we have an exciting announcement coming later this week!
.
.
.
Meet Companion Dog, DWW Niko! Niko has been Jack's best friend for seven months and he joined his family in Red Deer, AB when they needed him the most! Niko's job is to provide comfort, support, and friendship to Jack and his family as their loving companion and pet. We are so proud of Niko and the difference that he has had in Jack's life. Today, Jack's mom shared with us the impact that Niko has had on Jack.
.
.
.

Way to go, Niko! We are so proud of you and your new best friend!

This week we are highlighting the impact that we h

This week we are highlighting the impact that we have in the Red Deer Community and we have an exciting announcement coming later this week!
.
.
.
Meet DWW Harley! Harley is a Facility Dog that works at Red Deer City Victim Services in Red Deer, AB. Harley has a very important job of providing comfort and support to victims of crime and tragedy by assisting with forensic interviewed, court, and providing support to his human co-workers. Today we are sharing some beautiful words from Harley's Handler, Suzanne Couturier (Court Support Worker/Facility Dog Handler). We are so proud of the impact that Harley is having in Red Deer!
.
.
.

Harley, you are doing amazing work! We are so proud of you and the support and assistance that you provide to the Red Deer community.

Today we are celebrating our Instructor and Traini

Today we are celebrating our Instructor and Training Team Lead, Veronica Fraser! Veronica has placed 50 Assistance Dogs with clients at Dogs with Wings over her 3 years of being a certified Instructor! We are so proud of her accomplishments in our training program and in our client services program. Congratulations on 50 placements, Veronica! 🐕‍🦺🐾

Happy Sunday from DWW Ozzie and her “C” litter

Happy Sunday from DWW Ozzie and her “C” litter! 🐕‍🦺❤️🐾

In 2020, we whelped a total of 8 litters, bringing

In 2020, we whelped a total of 8 litters, bringing 48 future Assistance Dogs into the world for DWW and other organizations across North America!
.
.
DWW welcomed 37 of these puppies into our puppy programs in Edmonton, Calgary, and Grande Prairie, and 11 of those puppies were shared with other ADI schools and our partnership with the ADI Breeding Cooperative.
.
.
In addition to puppies raised here we have also welcomed 5 additional puppies through the same cooperative, bringing our 2020 puppy count to 42!

This December, you met our twenty 2020 Graduates a

This December, you met our twenty 2020 Graduates as we featured them each day on our social media channels.
.
.
In 2020, nine kids received their best friend, two women and one man gained their canine life partners, one man got his buddy, and seven facilities gained new furry coworkers. In total, we were able to help 20 Assistance Dogs to earn their wings and we can see our clients gaining their independence.
.
.
Congratulations to our 3 Service Dog clients, 5 Autism Service Dog families, 5 Companion Dog families, and 7 Facility Dog placements.
.
.
We couldn’t have done this without the support of the Dogs with Wings community!

Our last graduate of 2020 met his handlers today!

Our last graduate of 2020 met his handlers today! Congratulations to our 20th Assistance Dog placed in 2020, Facility Dog DWW Carter and Chinook Arch Victims Services!
.
.
Carter will work as a victim services Facility Dog in Olds, AB with two different handlers. Carter's handlers are excited for Carter to join them in their community and to work alongside our Facility Dog, DWW Ringo.
.
.
Carter was whelped by @padsdogs, was in a Holding Tank with Michelle Douglas & family, and Puppy Raised by Chris Vollrath. Carter than served as a breeding stud dog at @candocanines in Minnesota where he lived with Linda Wicklund and then Marcia Hjerpe. Carter then returned back to Edmonton and was Adult Raised by Marcy Speers. We are also thankful for Carter's sponsor, the REALTORS Community Foundation Edmonton and Area! Thanks for helping us make Carter into a wonderful Facility Dog!
.
.
Congratulations, to #DWW2020Graduate Carter & Chinook Arch Victim Services!

Our nineteenth #DWW2020Graduate to feature on Dece

Our nineteenth #DWW2020Graduate to feature on December 19th is our nineteenth placement of 2020, Companion Dog Ruben & Iain. This team finished their Team Training this morning and they were our first family to have a 100% online, virtual team training!
.
.
Iain's parents are so excited for their son to have a best friend, and this is the best Christmas present that they could ever dream of! Stay tuned to learn more about Iain and his best friend, Ruben!
.
.
Ruben was whelped by Gil & Theresa Espejo, Puppy Raised by Barbara & Terry Tuepah, and Adult Raised by Piera Angotti & Family. Thank you for helping us make Ruben into a wonderful Companion Dog!
.
.
Congratulations, to #DWW2020Graduate Ruben & Iain!

Our eighteenth #DWW2020Graduate to feature on Dece

Our eighteenth #DWW2020Graduate to feature on December 18th is our eighteenth placement of 2020, Service Dog Que & Megen. This team was placed in October of this year.
.
.
Megen shared with us how Que has impacted her life over the last 2 months and we invite you to share in the magic of her story with us.
.
.
"Que has greatly impacted my life already and it has been almost 2 months. With Que being with me during COVID-19 pandemic, he has helped me not only physically, but mentally since my care home is on full lockdown, which is tough on me. Since being in lockdown, I taught him how to put the joystick of my wheelchair in the forward position since it swings away for me to get up close to a table and sometimes I can’t reach my joystick to push my joystick forward. Que quickly caught onto it!"
.
.
Que was whelped by Janice Kent & family, Puppy Raised by Tanya Van Drunen, Adult Raised by Rachel Pihrag & family, and sponsored by Paige Stahl of Stahl Peterbilt Inc.
.
.
Congratulations, to #DWW2020Graduate Megen & Que!

Our seventeenth #DWW2020Graduate to feature on Dec

Our seventeenth #DWW2020Graduate to feature on December 17th is our seventeenth placement of 2020, Facility Dog Quinn & the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre. This team was placed in October of this year.
.
.
Quinn's handler shared with us how Quinn has impacted their community over the last 3 months and we invite you to share in the magic of her story with us.
.
.
"Quinn has been the absolute best addition to our team at the CACAC. I can’t count how many times he has brought a smile to someone’s face, whether it is a client or family member, or a coworker. He has boosted morale since the day we met him. Quinn loves showing off his speed in the hallways at our new office. Recently we had a young client who was very shy around us, and once he saw Quinn he gave him a big hug and smiled and was willing to talk to me and my coworkers. That was very inspiring to watch, and I know Quinn will have such a positive impact on so many people. One of my favourite things about Quinn is how happy-go-lucky he is all the time. It is impossible to have a bad day with Quinn by your side. He has such an important role at the CAC, and then when it is time to go home he is thrilled to go see his doggo sister, Nova. His favourite place to go so far is my parents' acreage where he and Nova run around off-leash. Quinn loves to run right at you full speed and then slide in the snow, covering you in the process!"
.
.
DWW Quinn was formerly placed as a Facility Dog in August of 2019 and has been placed with a new facility. DWW Quinn was whelped by @padsdogs, Puppy Raised by Gil & Theresa Espejo, Adult Raised by Monica Parker, and sponsored by The Chappell Family.
.
.
Congratulations, to #DWW2020Graduate Quinn & the @centralabcac!

Our sixteenth #DWW2020Graduate to feature on Decem

Our sixteenth #DWW2020Graduate to feature on December 16th is Facility Dog Triggs & the @zebracentre! This team was placed in October of this year.
.
.
Triggs' handlers shared with us how Triggs has impacted their community over the last two months and we invite you to share in the magic of their story with us.
.
.
"Triggs is an amazing dog! Every day he does something that makes me smile and laugh. He has the most adorable face and everyone comments on his incredible whiskers! He is eager to please and is learning how to bow. He has settled into his work week routine and will prance into the office excited to be there. He is a cuddle bug and loves to be with his people all the time. It is such a wonderful thing when you walk in the door and he greets you with a toy in his mouth, his whole back end is wagging and his tail is hitting the wall…and he makes the most wonderful hello sound… even if you have only been gone a few minutes. It brightens the day and spirits. Triggs has two siblings now and he will instigate a game where they run downstairs and play hide and seek with their toys. It is so fun to watch and play along with them. Every day I feel so blessed to have Triggs as part of our family and hear about the marvellous work he has done at the facility. I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart that had a part in raising and training him into the incredible young adolescent fabulous dog he is!"
.
.
"Triggs, what can I say about Mr Triggs. He is amazing, he brings so much joy to the centre. One day I brought him in for a meet and greet and the young girl said to me, "I was having the worst day ever and he just changed that for me" and gave him a big hug. My heart melted! He will help so many kiddos here at the centre with his gentle loving way. We love Triggs!"
.
.
DWW Triggs was whelped by @padsdogs, puppy raised by Barb Hill, adult raised by Jennifer Klarenbach, and sponsored by KARE Victim Services.
.
.
Congratulations, to #DWW2020Graduate Triggs & Zebra Child Protection Centre!

Our fifteenth #DWW2020Graduate to feature on Decem

Our fifteenth #DWW2020Graduate to feature on December 15th is Facility Dog Captain & the @zebracentre! This team was placed in October of this year.
.
.
Captain's handlers shared with us how Captain has impacted their community over the last two months and we invite you to share in the magic of their story with us.
.
.
"Captain is a goofy, energetic, playful boy who is happiest cuddling his cat brothers on the couch or playing fetch for hours on end. Captain never met a treat that he didn't like and he is always ready to learn a new trick - his newest being waving hello and goodbye!"
.
.
"Captain is the real-life Scooby-Doo! He does everything with 110% and you can always count on him to make you laugh throughout the day. You can always count on him whether you want to have a quick snuggle, play a game, or get a big slobbier kiss."
.
.
DWW Captain was whelped by @padsdogs, puppy raised by Ray Geldreich, adult raised by Doug & Tamara Greenwood, and sponsored by KARE Victim Services.
.
.
Congratulations, to #DWW2020Graduate Captain & Zebra Child Protection Centre!

Our fourteenth #DWW2020Graduate to feature on Dece

Our fourteenth #DWW2020Graduate to feature on December 14th is our fourteenth placement of 2020, Autism Service Dog Queta & Gabriel. This team was placed in September of this year.
.
.
Gabriel's parents shared with us how Queta has impacted their son over the last 3 months and we invite you to share in the magic of their story with us.
.
.
"A lot of things have changed since Queta arrived. We feel safer when we are out in the community, it's easier for Gabriel to do several errands with us, and he can finally sleep through the night by himself (with Queta, obviously) in his own bedroom. Funny story - Gabriel likes to sit on the sofa and cuddle with Queta and watch TV. The other day he told us, since she is very well trained, that someone should have trained her to watch TV properly, because he noticed she sits on the sofa with him but does not look at the TV."
.
.
DWW Queta was whelped by Janice Kent, puppy raised by Dave & Laurie Boadway, adult raised by Ken & Susan Hutton, and sponsored by The Cameron Family.
.
.
Congratulations, to #DWW2020Graduate Queta & Gabriel!

Follow on Instagram

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

There has been a problem with your Instagram Feed.

Edmonton Web Design by Monster Workshop

NAVIGATE

CONTACT US

11343 174 Street NW
Edmonton AB T5S 0B7

p. 780-944-8011
e. info@dogswithwings.ca

FOLLOW US