VIK9 Assisted Human Services Society (VIK9 AHSS) - Brentwood Bay, British Columbia

Emma O.

We have been involved with V1K9 for the last couple of years and one of our family members has a service dog trained by them. We went with the provision program as we don’t live in the same community as V1K9. For various reasons it would have been difficult for us to do the owner/trainer program.

V1K9 was very prompt in answering my initial email inquiries and gave me helpful information. They collected information about the health issues and challenges we required a service dog for and the dog was task trained for our family member’s specific needs. The team passed the level 2 test before we brought him home to live with us.

It was made clear to us that the expectation of the service dog team would be that they would be working towards the level 3 CASDT test and we were provided with a copy of the test so we would know what skills we would need to practice. We were also given a time frame to be ready for the test.

We did our research and understood that this organization isn’t under the ADI umbrella and they were forthcoming about that. This has never been an issue for us as far as accessibility goes in our home province. There also isn’t an organization under the ADI umbrella that was able to provide the kind of service dog we require, nor is that a requirement for accessibility rights under the Human Rights Act.

We have had a few issues along the way but when we spoke to the owner and the trainers regarding these concerns they worked with us to resolve the issues we were having and things are now going well.

I know that this organization keeps careful tabs on the service dogs once they have been paired with their handlers to ensure their welfare, which we respect and think is important. We have never seen or been instructed to use any kind of aversive training methods and only positive reinforcement and redirection has been used.

We would recommend (and have recommended) V1K9 to others looking for a service dog, I think it’s safe to say that this service dog has had an incredibly positive impact for our family member with the service dog, and also the rest of our family.

Llweyn F.

One has to do consistent training for good results. The president, trainers, and volunteers have been very supportive. Yes the dogs have to be obedient to a slightly higher standard than normal (some need more work than others in this area, depending on handlers), but they also have to break from the obedience side to the work side for the handler when their medical issues need the dog's alert before the situation gets worse. This needs to be consistent training and not to break away from the regular training unless there is a medical reason for the interruption. These people have their own issues that they draw on, which means they have a better understanding of the medical alert. Also, not all dogs are suited for this special task, and not all prospective handlers are suited.. All of this leaves me feeling fully supportive in their stride for high-quality training, thus leaving me wanting to support them more in their much needed work for the visible and invisible disability/conditions. They are also striding for consistent standards and public education in this "industry" of medical service dogs, but more help is needed for non-profit organizations. I, for one, want to continue to safely go out in public, like I did as it is needed for my health.

Erika W.

I've worked with VIK9 for several years. I was unbelievably supported by all the trainers, volunteered or trained.
While I had previous experience training dogs, they helped me target the specific task training required.

I was working 40+ hours a week so it was extremely difficult for me to make all trainings on top of my work schedule. I was completely supported with this, and had regular check ins to ensure my dog was progressing at the proper rate. While some may feel that this would mean I didn't get the benefit of my financial commitment I feel it was the opposite. If my dog wasn't progressing I would have had to come to more formal training, however by allowing me to train within work it helped with stress.

British Columbia's system for certifying service dogs is flawed. This is a provincial issue. From my experience in public, my service dog, trained with the support of VIK9 is far better trained than ones who have been examined through the BC province. I regularly get comments about how well my dog behaves and that most of the time they don't realize he is even there.

Any time I've trained with a group, all dogs have been supported and the expectations around correct behaviour has been maintained.

I've been supported in paperwork for work, airlines and other locations like hotels. I've received ongoing support even though I've finished my financial commitment.

It takes work, time, and dedication to train a service dog.

In my experience VIK9 has always gone above and beyond to work with someone's disabilities to ensure that the individual is supported as well as the dog in the process.

Sophia R.

VIK9 has changed my life dramatically. Since getting a service dog I now have to confidence to leave my house alone with her and know that I am safe and I have a partner with my utmost care as her top priority. The trainers are not only always there for help and advice but also they are so kind and they take time to go above and beyond to make sure that you and your dog are succeeding. If there is ever a time that I am feeling overwhelmed, whether with my personal life or training, they always take the time to help me with figuring out what the next step is. VIK9 is a critical source in helping people live a real life and for that I am forever grateful.

Presley R.

I got involved with VIK9 earlier this year and from the start they were very pleasant to work with. Not only with answering questions and concerns but also with going through the process and what to expect. For myself, this is my first service dog and at times it was very overwhelming on how to make everything all work but they walk you through the steps and what is needed at this time. They don’t lead you down a path for failure they really do want whats best for their handlers and their dogs. I was able to have many greetings and was even able to tag along at training sessions to help ease my nerves and see what was involved.

Having a medical illness can be scary and often we experience it on our own but the family at VIK9 never allows you to feel that way. From their volunteers, to trainers, their president and other handlers to just having available resources and sources there for you when you are ready can be and has been a huge impact on my life. You start to feel more like a family and community rather than an outsider.

Whenever I have had issues with something that has or has not been working whether that be with how my service dog is responding and reacting to my medical needs or just in general living our lives out in public they have always been there to talk, readjust some things if needed or even intervene when necessary (even if you don’t live close by like myself). VIK9 wants to help take some of the burden off our lives and those around us, they provide lots of knowledge and helpful resources or events to attend. The training is flexible and attainable and for myself whose new to the area, fun to be out with everyone, interacting or staying close to myself which ever way I’m feeling they are okay with that, they have never tried to push me out of my comfort zone, at the end of the day they want you to be safe and with time things will follow.

Thank you for starting to bring my confidence back out again!

Jennifer F.

Our son has chronic illness and chronic pain. We worked with VIK9 to train our standard poodle to support him and intervene when he is at risk. The practice is key to service dog training. The detailed instruction is critical. The rigorous standards are vital. We were thankful for the knowledgeable, caring, high-standards in training we found at VIK9. We could not have done it without them. Our dog is a vital part of our son's life and thanks to VIK9 she's trained brilliantly.

Jos D.

I joined VI K9 in May 2023 as an Owner-trainer. I brought a very well trained dog into the program and quickly we passed the "Level 2" certification making her eligible to enter public locations for task training. After 12 months of training, I had only ever been provided opportunities to train with untrained VIK9 "dog trainers", and never with the CASDT trainer. I was not provided any feedback on what I would require to pass their "Level 3", there were no goals, and ultimately all I was able to achieve was increasing my dogs awareness of my own stress level to the detriment of her obedience training. We were not provided any BC certification, and the owner made it very clear that they had no intention of pursuing any type of ADI or IGDF accreditation. After a full year, of "paying" for the training with my own time in lieu of payments, I realized that I was just being dragged along with the rest of the volunteers to provide the owner with free labour while he pocketed his profits. As they transition to a NFP organization, I could not ethically continue to vouch for the success of the business, the leadership, nor the way they were managing the program, volunteers, dogs, or clients. I would not recommend anyone bring their own dog there for training, nor would I recommend anyone pay upwards of $40,000 for a dog that would have failed out of other credible service dog training programs. Avoid this business at all costs.

Andrea R.

I have seen first hand the benefits and support that VIK9 has provided to a close friend of mine. I have been able to see how much my friend has benefited from having a service dog. I can confidently say that she would not have her dog Danny if it wasn't for the help and support she has received from VIK9.