Petition calls for service dog subsidy for those with autism in Quebec
Service dogs have proven to help many people, including those on the autism spectrum.
However, the group is left out of a government subsidy, and some are trying to change that.
Joel Potvin says that his dog, Astro, is his lifeline.
"I was constantly anxious," he said. "She permits me to break my solitude."
Potvin suffers from generalized chronic anxiety and is on the autism spectrum.
With Asto always by his side, Potvin said he's been able to work a job, something he previously found nearly impossible.
He said she's taught him patience and allows him to come out of his shell.
Caring for Astro, however, can be expensive.
Quebec's Veterinarian Association estimates the cost of owning a big dog is up to $2,300 per year, and while there is a government subsidy to help care for service dogs, Potvin is not eligible.
Quebecers with a visual or physical handicap can receive aid of up to $2,240 per year.
Sylvain Bernier was diagnosed with autism at the age of 52, and is pushing for the government to expand the subsidy to people with autism.
"The government, they say that there are no sufficient gaps between an untrained dog and a trained dog to show that it's worth it to help that person with the dog- the autistic person with the dog- financially," he said.
Sylvain Bernier and Joel Potvin are hoping the Quebec government extend subsidies for service dogs to people on the autism spectrum. (Laurence Brisson Dubreuil, CTV News)
In search of connections, he created Aspis Recontres, a group for adults on the spectrum who take part in social activities, such as board game nights and day trips in nature.
He said having a trained dog can be life-changing for people like Potvin, but that it sometimes comes at a heavy cost.
"The first member with a dog came, and she was crying," said Bernier. "She was starving herself to be able to take care of the dog."
The Mira foundation trains between 40 to 50 dogs like Astro for people on the spectrum. Bernier started a petition asking the province to change the policy and include people with autism.
The petition has garnered more than 10,00 signatures, Bernier said.
Potvin and Bernier are heading to Quebec on Wednesday to deliver the petition to the National Assembly, which will be tabled by a Quebec Solidaire MNA.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Hurricane Milton strengthens into a Category 5 storm. Florida orders evacuations
Hurricane Milton strengthens into a Category 5 storm off Mexico and threatens Florida, forecasters say.
'Selfish billionaire': Chip Wilson's mansion vandalized after political sign erected outside
Days after a political sign was erected outside Chip Wilson's Vancouver mansion, the waterfront property has been vandalized with graffiti.
BREAKING Cissy Houston, Whitney Houston's mother and a Grammy-winning singer, dies at 91
Cissy Houston, the mother of the late Whitney Houston and a two-time Grammy winner who performed alongside superstar musicians like Elvis Presley, and Aretha Franklin, has died. She was 91.
Two people seriously injured in apparent 'road rage' collision in Toronto: police
Police say that they are investigating an apparent road rage incident in North York that may have involved gunfire.
Canadian soldier wins compensation for cancer linked to burn pits after Veterans Affairs denied claim
A Canadian soldier who was exposed to toxic chemicals from burn pits while serving in Afghanistan has been awarded full medical compensation for testicular cancer after Veterans Affairs initially denied his claim.
Sammy Basso, longest living survivor of rare rapid-aging disease progeria, dies at 28
Sammy Basso, who was the longest living survivor of the rare genetic disease progeria, has died at the age of 28, the Italian Progeria Association said on Sunday.
A Canadian woman was recently diagnosed with scurvy. Here are the factors tied to the disease
Scurvy is not just an archaic diagnosis of 18th-century seafarers and doctors should watch for possible cases, according to researchers following a recent case.
Self-identifying Indigenous group got $74M in federal cash, Inuit leader wants change
As millions in federal funding flow into a Labrador group whose claims of Inuit identity have been rejected by Indigenous organizations across Canada, a national Inuit leader worries the Liberal government is putting the rights of Indigenous Peoples at risk.
Alleged suicide kit salesman files in Supreme Court to contest whether assisted suicide can ever be murder
Lawyers representing the Ontario man accused of selling hundreds of suicide kits with deadly effect around the globe have filed to intervene in a case in Canada’s highest court, arguing there is no way he can be charged with murder under Canadian law.