Guide Dog Assistance Fund
What is the purpose of the fund?
- Helps to cover extraordinary veterinary expenses for working guide dogs and provides financial support for conferences and training events involving guide dogs and their users.
- Provides financial support for conferences and training events involving guide dogs and their users.
CNIB and guide dogs
CNIB does not train guide dogs but works closely with established guide dog schools with the expertise to train and match dogs and users. Our Orientation and Mobility Specialists do work with individuals who are interested in obtaining a guide dog and often assist with the application process. Orientation and Mobility Specialists also provide instruction to guide dog users who may be learning an unfamiliar environment such as a new workplace or school. Go to CNIB in Your Community to learn more about services available in your area.
For more information about guide dogs, contact one of the North American guide dog organizations.
Financial support to the fund
To make a donation to the Guide Dog Assistance Fund or any of CNIB’s vital programs and services, please call us at 1-800-563-2642. Or alternately, mail or fax your donation to:
CNIB Donor Services
1929 Bayview Ave
Toronto, ON M4G 3E8
Fax: (416) 480-7700
Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $15 or more unless otherwise requested.
Charitable Registration No. 119219459 RR0003
A. Assistance for Extraordinary Veterinary Expenses
Who is eligible to apply for funding?
Any individual with vision loss living in Canada who works with a guide dog that has been trained through a registered guide dog school.
What is an extraordinary veterinary expense?
Emergency or unexpected expenses that are not routine care expenses, including surgical procedures, treatment for infections and fractures, long-term medications, special diets and the cost of euthanasia.
What is not covered by the fund?
- Expenses normally covered by the school that trained the guide dog.
- Pet insurance policies held by the school or the user.
- Expenses already reimbursed by another organization or service club.
- Veterinary expenses for a retired guide dog who is no longer in active service.
- Teeth cleaning.
Who makes treatment decisions?
A guide dog's user and the veterinarian make decisions about the best treatment for the dog. The CNIB fund manager will inform you if that treatment is eligible for funding.
When can I apply?
Either before treatment takes place or no more than three months after the treatment.
How do I apply?
The application form can be downloaded here
When can I expect a response?
You will receive a telephone call within five working days. In an emergency situation, you will be contacted as soon as possible. Before approving a request, the Assistance Fund manager will take into consideration the nature of the request as well as the availability of funds at that time.
Other questions?
Contact the Manager, Guide Dog Assistance Fund, by e-mail at guidedogfund@cnib.ca or by telephone at (416) 486-2500, ext. 7657.
B. Assistance for Conferences and Training Events
What types of activities are eligible for funding?
Conferences, workshops and training events involving guide dogs and their users. Funding is intended to reduce the attendance costs for all participants but does not include individual sponsorships.
Who can apply?
Any registered charitable organization in Canada (must provide proof of registration as a charitable organization).
Application Process
The application must be made at least three months in advance of the event. The form can be downloaded here.