DAOD 2005-0, Service Dogs

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Definitions
  3. Policy Direction
  4. Compliance and Consequences
  5. Authorities
  6. References


1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 2017-09-28

Application: This Defence Administrative Order and Directive (DAOD) is a directive that applies to employees of the Department of National Defence (DND employees) and an order that applies to officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF members).

Approval Authority: Vice Chief of the Defence Staff (VCDS)

Enquiries: Director of General Safety (D Safe G)

2. Definitions

disability (déficience)

Any previous or existing mental or physical disability and includes disfigurement and previous or existing dependence on alcohol or a drug. (Section 25 of the Canadian Human Rights Act)

duty to accommodate (obligation de prendre des mesures d’adaptation)

The obligation of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces to adopt measures to eliminate disadvantage to current and prospective Department of National Defence employees, Canadian Armed Forces members and applicants to the Canadian Armed Forces, as a result of a rule, policy, practice or barrier that has or may have an adverse impact on individuals or designated groups protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Human Rights Act or the Employment Equity Act. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 694596)

medical practitioner (médecin)

A person lawfully entitled to practise medicine in the place in which the practice is carried on by that person. (Section 2 of the Canada Health Act)

service dog team (équipe cynophile d’assistance)

A service dog and either its service dog trainer or the person with a disability. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 694595)

3. Policy Direction

Context

3.1 The Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have a duty to accommodate the employment-related needs of DND employees and the service-related needs of CAF members with disabilities up to the point of undue hardship. Accommodation must respect individual dignity to enable individuals to carry out their work-related and service-related functions and activities. Service dogs provide support to people with a wide array of disabilities. From the Canadian Forces Health Services Group perspective, the use of service dogs is not a form of medical treatment, but it is recognized that a service dog may be beneficial to a person with a disability if used at the appropriate time under a treatment plan determined by a medical practitioner.

Policy Statement

3.2 The DND and the CAF are committed to:

  1. ensuring that individual consideration will be given to DND employees and CAF members with disabilities who request service dog access to defence establishments;
  2. providing appropriate direction for service dog access to defence establishments;
  3. determining the necessary documentation to verify the training and certification of a service dog team; and
  4. considering accommodation requests for access to defence establishments by service animals other than service dogs on a case-by-case basis and on similar terms as for service dogs.

Requirements

3.3 The DND and the CAF must ensure that:

  1. any service dog being considered for access to a defence establishment is required for providing assistance to a person with a disability;
  2. each service dog team is certified in writing as having been trained by an accredited service dog training institution; and
  3. the health and safety of other persons at a defence establishment are not compromised by the presence of a service dog.

Note – Accreditation for service dog training institutions is provided by national and international organizations, including Assistance Dogs International, the International Guide Dog Federation, and Meghan Search and Rescue (MSAR).

3.4 This DAOD must be read in conjunction with applicable federal laws, e.g. the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Canada Labour Code, Part II, and applicable DND and CAF policies, e.g. DAOD 5015-0, Workplace Accommodation.

4. Compliance and Consequences

Compliance

4.1 DND employees and CAF members must comply with this DAOD. Should clarification of the policies or instructions set out in this DAOD be required, DND employees and CAF members may seek direction through their channel of communication or chain of command, as appropriate. Managers and military supervisors have the primary responsibility for and means of ensuring the compliance of their DND employees and CAF members with this DAOD.

Consequences of Non Compliance

4.2 DND employees and CAF members are accountable to their respective managers and military supervisors for any failure to comply with the direction set out in this DAOD. Non compliance with this DAOD may result in administrative action, including the imposition of disciplinary measures, for a DND employee, and administrative or disciplinary action, or both, for a CAF member. Non compliance may also result in the imposition of liability on the part of Her Majesty in right of Canada, DND employees and CAF members.

Note – In respect to the compliance of DND employees, see the Treasury Board Framework for the Management of Compliance for additional information.

5. Authorities

Authority Table

5.1 The following table identifies the authorities associated with this DAOD:

The ... has or have the authority to …
VCDS
  • issue instructions for service dog access to defence establishments.
level one advisors
  • approve complex accommodation requests for service dog access to defence establishments under their control.
commanders of the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Joint Operations Command, Canadian Forces Intelligence Command and Canadian Special Operations Forces Command
  • set conditions and issue instructions for service dog use in an operational environment and access to vessels, vehicles and aircraft, in their commands.
D Safe G
  • advise approval authorities at all levels on accommodation requests for service dog access to defence establishments.
Director Transportation
  • set conditions and issue instructions for service dog access to DND and CAF ground transport.
DND senior managers and CAF base, wing and formation commanders
  • approve accommodation requests for service dog access to defence establishments under their control.
DND managers and CAF unit commanding officers
  • approve accommodation requests for service dog access to defence establishments under their control.

6. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

Other References

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