New legislation accomodates service and guide dogs in stratas

If you live in a strata or rental unit, you could be getting some furry neighbours.

Certified guide or service dogs must now be allowed even if a strata bylaw or tenancy agreement restricts or bans pets.

The newly passed Guide Dog and Service Dog Act, which modernizes the Guide Animal

Act, covers current guide and service dogs and retired certified guide and service dogs.

The new legislation also covers transit, taxis, restaurants and other businesses. All must allow current and retired guide and service dogs on their premises.

Certified dogs come in all shapes and sizes. What they will have in common is certification they gain from new rigorous training standards.

This certification seeks to ensure that all dogs are well-

Certified guide and service dogs come in all shapes and sizes. What they will have in common is certification they gain from new rigorous training standards.

behaved and safe.

Once training is completed, dog owners will be issued standardized identification cards.

The Human Rights Code may also apply to uncertified dogs and handlers.