Petition calls on Quebec to help fund service dogs for those living with autism

Astro is a Mira trained service dog. He’s one of many service dogs that help those living on the autism spectrum – just like Joël Potvin, but funding is needed.

Montrealer Sylvain Bernier submitted a petition to the National Assembly in Quebec City on Wednesday – asking the CAQ government for exactly that.

As of January 2020, Quebecers with a visual or physical handicap became eligible to receive government aid of up to $2,240 a year, but those with autism don’t qualify. Bernier is hoping to change that.

For Joël Potvin, Astro plays an essential part in helping him in his daily life. Before his service dog was assigned to him, Potvin didn’t have a job. That all changed when Astro came into his life, motivating him to study, complete high school, and land a job.

“My service dog Astro has changed my life. He’s my antidepressant, my antistressor, my playmate, my therapist,” said Potvin.

“My dog helped me to be less impulsive, more tolerant, more patient. I have a limited interest in dogs. Having my dog always by my side means that I have a more advanced way of thinking about dogs, but it allows me to concentrate on what I have to do. That, being less on top of things, helps with learning, concentration, and tension,” he adds.

At 52, president of the nonprofit organization Aspis Rencontres, Sylvain Bernier was also diagnosed on the spectrum. Since that day, he remains dedicated to helping those like Potvin, and started a petition to help seek funding for service dogs.

“Every citizen must be treated the same way with equality, and that’s why we have a society based on the charters. The government can’t just disconnect itself from this process. It’s important because these individuals can make a difference if you give them the chance,” said Bernier.

Bernier spent his time in parks, asking citizens to sign his petition.

“Yesterday we submitted more than 10,000 signatures, and almost 9,000 out of these 10,000 was meeting people on parks like that and telling people what is the issue and where they are concerned with. That is because the way the government is approaching the problem they put themselves outside of the society, outside of the citizen,” he said.

With the petition submitted, Bernier is determined to continue his fight.

“I’m going to ask people not to sign a petition but to send an email to Legault, which I’m writing right now, saying that, well, you’re the boss of the minister who doesn’t seem to be interested in acting in this way, so we’re going to ask you to put a little pressure on him.”