Help support a Veteran or First Responder

The 2026 / 2027 CVSDU Fundraising Calendar is now on sale and features our very own members and their service dogs, as well as honouring 82 members of the Legion Banner Program.

The proceeds we raise go directly to helping train and provide service dogs to veterans and first responders to support them with their PTSD. The cost is $10 if picked up in person, or $15 mailed directly to you or a loved one. This is a 16 month calendar, so you can use it into 2027.

To purchase calendars you can visit the link below or contact donations@cvsdu.ca to support this incredibly worthwhile cause.

This calendar wouldn't have been possible without the participation of our members, our president Dwayne Sawyer, Sue Doran for the Perth banner heroes, and the photographers Vanessa Webb, Warren Friend Lynne Smith and Andrew Loki Smith.

Helping Veterans & First Responders

The Canadian Veteran Service Dog Unit (CVSDU) was initially founded in 2014, by a group of dog trainers who wanted to help injured veterans by providing them, free of charge with a trained service dog.

Today, CVSDU is the only membership-based, veteran-led charity* in Canada providing Service Dogs to veterans and first responders who suffer and struggle from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Our members are guided by compassionate, trained professionals through the steps of dog purchase, training, qualification and pairing. Once a team is qualified, they continue to be part of the CVSDU family, maintaining and strengthening their skills and team certification.

Our ongoing work and growth are important because this isn’t just about us – our healing and work – this is about the future. Our country needs a Charity like ours to meet the coming needs of individuals who will suffer and struggle with PTSD.

There will be a generation who follow us, who will be injured like we were, whether serving their country in a time of war or keeping their communities safe, peaceful, and stable, they will need our Charity and our knowledge to be there to help them, through the care and support of a well-trained and certifed Service Dog.

*CVSDU is a registered Canadian charity
(Charity Number 839865797RR0001).

At the Canadian Veterans Service Dog Unit, we rely on the dedication of volunteers and foster families to help raise and train service dogs for veterans and first responders living with PTSD. Your support is vital to our mission. Whether you’re opening your home to a puppy-in-training or helping behind the scenes, you can play a direct role in changing lives.

Click here for more information

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Thank You for This 2025 Fundraiser

The CVSDU wants to thank the generosity of the Niagara on the Lake community, the organizing community and the local Rotary and Lions Clubs

THANK YOU to the Niagara on the Lake Rotary Club, Lions Club and all the sponsors for their generosity

This donation will help Veterans or First Responders!

This Fundrasing Event was a massive success and raised over $96,000 to help Veterans and First Reponders

Country Music / Rock & Roll • Silent Auction • Sausage on a Bun and Sides • Complimentary Wine

It was held on Saturday, November 1, 2025

This event was organized by volunteers from the Rotary and Lions Clubs in Niagara on the Lake

They organized a fun filled evening in a local heated barn to sponsor the cost of raising and training THREE service dogs at $30,000 each to support Veterans and First Responders suffering from PTSD in the Niagara Region, and the event was sold out. We had have a few service dog teams here from CVSDU to answer questions.

Rotary Club , Blockchain AML Solutions, Cacio Pepe, Pig Out Catering, Lions Club NOTL

Our vision is to achieve Accredited Member status with Assistance Dogs International (ADI), adhering to all ADI standards and requirements.

We are pleased to announce that we have been accepted into the ADI Candidate Program and are working towards achieving Accredited Member status.

How Service Dogs Help

A Testimonial

This video was recorded in March of 2018. At that time, CVSDU had a waiting list of 40 veterans/first responders. This video is still very much appropriate showing the struggles of veterans trying to live with PTSD and how they are helped with Service Dogs in public situations like a local mall.

It takes between $25,000 to $30,000 to purchase, raise and train each Service Dog.

We encourage you to visit our Video Gallery to see other videos from our program.