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Part of Get a service dog assessed

Get a service dog identification card

Qualified service dog teams must have an Alberta Service Dog Identification Card to ensure access to public places.

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Get a service dog assessed

Overview

Service dog owners should carry their ID with them at all times when in public.

A Service Dog Identification Card verifies that an individual and their service dog have protected public access rights in Alberta.

  • Example of a Service Dog Identification card
    Each ID card has:
    • the name of the handler and dog
    • a photo of the handler and dog
    • a validation number
    • a date of expiration

Assistance Dogs International (ADI) schools operating outside Alberta may issue an ID card that grants the holder public access rights under the Service Dogs Act. While the style of ID cards may vary, most will have the ADI logo on them. For service dogs users with an ADI ID card, who intend to reside in Alberta, apply for an Alberta qualified service dog ID card.

Eligibility

You may apply for a Service Dog Identification Card if you have a service dog that has:

  • passed an assessment from one of Alberta’s approved service dog providers, graduated from a program accredited by Assistance Dogs International, or
  • been qualified by an organization contracted by a provincial or territorial government in Canada to train or assess service dogs to standards equivalent to the Alberta Training Standard

If your service dog does not have one of these qualifications, you can apply to have your service dog assessed.

Identification cards

Apply for a service dog identification card

If you meet the above qualifications, you can apply online for an ID card or you can request an application form by contacting the Service Dog Assessment team at 780-427-9136 or  [email protected]

There is no cost for a service dog identification card.

Apply for a card

Photo requirements

You will be required to submit a photo of you with your service dog.

Your assessor or trainer may be able to take your photo and submit it on your behalf.

Your photo must follow these guidelines:

  • Photos must clearly show the user and the service dog.
  • There can be no other dogs or people in the photo.
  • The user must be facing the camera.
  • The face of the user must be clear and visible.
  • The image must be a close-up portrait format.
  • Photographer a minimum of 6 feet away from candidate and dog.
  • Dog’s head and candidate’s head should be at approximately the same level.
  • Do not crop the photograph prior to submitting it to service dog program.
  • File containing the photograph should be sent in .pdf format only.

Figure 2. Examples of photo requirements

Example of a Service Dog Identification card

After you apply

An official Identification Card will be mailed to you in approximately 2 weeks.

Contact

Connect with the Service Dog Assessment Team:

Phone: 780-427-9136
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

Address:
Government of Alberta, Guide and Service Dogs
Civil Society and Community Initiatives Branch
Seniors, Community and Social Services
Forestry Building
4th Floor, 9920 108 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta  T5K 2M4

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