When are your classes?

Each of our classes occur twice a week. The active days for each are listed along with their prices on the page for that class. Each one has a weekend morning and a weekday evening available. Enrolment is rolling so you can start almost any time (except when they are paused for Christmas, for example).

Where are your classes?

One-on-one training sessions happen in your home or neighbourhood ( our i n-zone region of Tricities/New Westminster/Burquitlam or our out-zone region of West Burnaby, Vancouver, or North Van which we travel to on certain days ) or at a park or store. Most of our group classes happen at a rotating variety of public locations, from parks to stores. Occasionally we have seasonal special event field trips, like a movie night. These locations are usually in our We try to ensure that many of our locations are close to skytrain/transit, but not all of them are. Sometimes clients arrange carpools when they live close to each other. We're all disabled and we all try to help each other. Example locations for puppy/remedial classes include Canadian Tire, Chapters, Michaels, and even locations like IKEA by special permission from management. Example locations for our advanced training classes include Coquitlam Centre Mall, Lincoln or Lougheed Skytrain Station, Royal City Centre in New Westminster, and Lougheed Mall. Below is an example calendar, showing the days when our trainers are available for one-on-ones in zone or out of zone, and when and where classes are held. The image below is not current but should give you a good idea of how our schedule works. [caption id="attachment_4213" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] March Calendar[/caption]

What happens if I can't attend a class?

We are very familiar with the world of disability. We understand that you can have a bad pain day, or an important medical appointment, and that these things sometimes crop up at short notice. 24 hours notice is not always possible. We get that. Our programs are designed to be inherently flexible. We allow last-minute rescheduling due to health concerns, although if we actually show up on your doorstep for a private session and you aren't there, we will consider that appointment officially missed. You don't even have to call us - your confirmation email and your automated reminders have rescheduling and cancellation links in them. Just click! Group classes happen several times a week at different times of day, and members are welcome to attend either one, or both if they missed a week entirely. We have limits within reasonability - you can't disappear entirely, then show up a year later and demand all your sessions when we may not have room for you. We have a three month expiry limit on the classes you pay for. But we are absolutely flexible and willing to work toward an accommodation that works for everyone involved.

Can you help me get my dog on a plane?

Many people reach out to us looking for help with certifying their dog so the dog can fly in an airplane cabin with them. We do not help with this. If your dog would be too stressed or unprepared to fly in cargo, then your dog would not make a good service dog candidate. Somewhat ironically, a properly raised service dog would be just fine relaxing in their crate on a plane ride. Service dogs ride in the cabin because they have an important job to do. If you are looking to bring your dog on a plane, we encourage you to look into the pet-friendly start-up airlines out there. If at all possible, please seek these airlines and use them. We want them to succeed so we can have happy pets flying in cabins without them taking a service dog seat which results in a brittle diabetic having to fly without their dog.

Are you LGBTQ+ friendly?

Since gender differences are common among neurodivergent populations, many of our clients identify as nonbinary, queer, trans etc. We think all gender identities and preferences are equally valid. If you accept everyone else's pronouns and partners, we will welcome yours.

Are you trauma-informed?

All of our staff are dedicated to providing a safe and empowering learning environment. While we are always learning better ways to support our clients and help them feel confident and comfortable, we have a strict policy against bullying, shaming, pressuring, and other tactics either with the dogs or with their human guardians. If you feel unsafe with a staff member please do not hesitate to contact our executive director at Michelle.hunt@heelingassistants.org and ask that the matter be brought to the Board of Directors.

How much are your services?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" border_style="solid"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" type="1_1" layout="1_1" background_position="left top" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_repeat="no-repeat" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="true" hover_type="none" background_blend_mode="overlay" first="true" min_height="" link=""][fusion_text] You can find the cost for each of our programs and services on the program overview page. On the top menu, go to "Training Programs" and then choose the program you are interested in. The price will be at the bottom. Our prices depend on whether the program is group-based or one-on-one, and whether you can come to us in Coquitlam and surrounding cities or whether we must travel into Vancouver to meet you. If you're looking for the cost of training your dog from start to finish, that varies widely based on many factors including your dog's age, aptitude, and your patience/dedication to working with your dog daily, not to mention the amount of support you need from us. This page can help you decide where you should start, or you can take our Ballpark Cost Quiz! [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Are your services free?

We are a non-profit, but our services are not free. Until we receive enough in grant and donations to subsidize every single person, we cannot sponsor all of you. Currently, our goal is to have enough left-over money after paying our staff to sponsor individual teams whose circumstances make them especially in need of our support. We hope to increase the number of teams we can offer this to. Follow-up support for our certified teams is free/by donation according to that individual's financial abilities. We ask those who can afford to pay for our services and support to do so, because in doing so, you help fund training for someone less fortunate.

FAQs – Page 2 – Heeling Assistants Canada

Category:

When are your classes?
Each of our classes occur twice a week or more...
Continue reading
Category:

Where are your classes?
Most of our classes - with the exception of Tricks and Skills - happen at a rotating variety of public locations, from parks to stores. Occasionally we have seasonal special event field trips, like a movie night. These locations are usually in our In-Zone region of Tricities/New Westminster/Burquitlam....
Continue reading
Category:

What happens if I can’t attend a class?
Our programs are designed to be inherently flexible. We allow last-minute rescheduling due to health concerns, although if we actually show up on your doorstep for a private session and you aren't there, we will consider that appointment officially missed...
Continue reading
Category:

Can you help me get my dog on a plane?
Many people reach out to us looking for help with certifying their dog so the dog can fly in an airplane cabin with them. We do not help with this. [...]
Continue reading
Category:

Are you LGBTQ+ friendly?
Since gender differences are common among neurodivergent populations, many of our clients identify as nonbinary, queer, trans etc. We think all gender identities and preferences are equally valid. If you [...]
Continue reading
Category:

Are you trauma-informed?
All of our staff are dedicated to providing a safe and empowering learning environment. While we are always learning better ways to support our clients and help them feel confident [...]
Continue reading
Category:

How much are your services?
You can find the cost for each of our programs and services on the program overview page. On the top menu, go to "Training Programs" and then choose the program you are interested in. The price will be at the bottom.
Continue reading
Category:

Are your services free?
We are a non-profit, but our services are not free. Until we receive enough in grant and donations to subsidize every single person, we cannot sponsor all of you. Currently, [...]
Continue reading

Previous 123 Next

Archives: FAQs