Vancouver Island Compassion Dogs (BC & Alberta Guide Dogs) has been a proud partner of the Legion Foundation for many years. This vital program endeavors to help Veterans and First Responders diagnosed with an Operational Stress Injuries (OSI), such as Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD).

Kirk, a CAF Veteran, recently shared his story:

I’m Kirk Jones, a 43-year Canadian Armed Forces veteran. After retiring, I worked in Emergency Management for 4 years before fully retiring. Though I believed I had processed my experiences, I realized I was only postponing them. In 2023, my psychologist recommended a Service Dog, and I was matched with Keenan. Since then, my life has transformed—daily walks and the ability to face previously daunting challenges with newfound confidence. Keenan senses my moods and anxiety, often before I do, and helps me navigate them. BC & Alberta Guide Dogs have been incredible, offering unwavering support that continues to positively change my life.

This program placed their 150th OSI-PTSD Service Dog in 2024, marking a significant milestone in our partnership. With continued support, this program was also able to hire an Apprentice OSI-PTSD Service Dog Instructor, thus enabling more Veterans to be helped in the future.