As a result of their deliberations committees may make recommendations which they include in their reports for the consideration of the House of Commons or the Government. Recommendations related to this study are listed below.

Recommendation 1

That Veterans Affairs Canada increase funding for Canadian research on psychiatric Service Dogs, and partner with international counterparts to coordinate and build on the growing body of research becoming available worldwide.

Recommendation 2

That, after national standards have been established, Veterans Affairs Canada consult the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on their five-year pilot program to provide canine training to eligible Veterans through the Puppies Assisting Wounded Service members for Veterans Therapy Act or the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act, and plan to implement a similar pilot in Canada based on the early results and best practices from the U.S. model.

Recommendation 3

That Veterans Affairs Canada cover the costs of psychiatric service dogs for Veterans under the following conditions:

• If a set of overarching standards for service dogs is established;
• If psychiatric service dogs are likely to significantly reduce the intensity of clinical interventions; and
• If Veterans can periodically demonstrate their ability to take care of an animal in a manner that ensures its well‑being.

Recommendation 4

That Veterans Affairs Canada support and promote the creation of national standards for service dogs in Canada by encouraging all service dog providers in Canada to submit their documentation on their standards and training materials to the Human Research Standards Organization, as it has partnered with the Canadian Foundation for Animal-Assisted Support Services in a national initiative to develop national standards of Canada for all types of animal-assisted services.

Recommendation 5

That, until national standards have been set for service dogs in Canada, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) work with stakeholders to create and regularly revise an extensive list of all current service dog providers and trainers in Canada to ensure that they are regularly informed of the process of developing national standards, and that VAC provide notice of intent to the technical group of the Human Research Standards Organization and the Canadian Foundation for Animal-Assisted Support Services to develop national standards specifically for Veterans’ service dogs.

Recommendation 6

That the Government of Canada encourage the provinces and territories to harmonize current regulations or to develop new regulations to grant tenancy rights, and access rights to transportation and public places by service dogs who demonstrate the ability to perform service dog tasks, not only obedience tasks.