Golden Opportunity Assistance Dogs

12/01/2025

Looking for a UNIQUE and USEFUL Christmas gift for the pet parents on your list? Support the Golden Opportunity Assistance Dogs 2025 Christmas Fundraiser with one of these gift or stocking stuffer ideas. Contact us at 519-670-1809 or by email at info@goadogs.ca. Quantities are limited so call early to avoid disappointment. All proceeds support the training of service dogs for people in London with disabilities. (Note: HST applies to PFA courses/gift certificates)

09/12/2025

LAST call for next Saturday's Pet First Aid Class on September 20th. If you know of any pet parents who haven't been trained in Pet First Aid, please share the information and encourage them to sign up. This is one of the last 3 classes in 2025 so now is a GREAT time to spend a day learning these valuable skills. For more info go to:

Do you have the knowledge AND skills necessary to ensure the best possible outcome should your pet become ill or injured?

08/18/2025

LAST SUMMER PET FIRST AID COURSE AUGUST 23rd. Have you registered yet? If not, you have until Wednesday to get your registration in. What a great way to end the summer AND, everyone who attends this class gets to take home a FREE temporary muzzle. We'll show you how to use it in class with an injured dog who is in pain so that the rescuer doesn't get bit and need rescuing themselves! Email courses@goadogs.ca to reserve your spot in this upcoming class. There are only 3 other dates left in 2025 after this class so the door of opportunity is quickly closing. "DON'T LEARN BY ACCIDENT...YOUR PET IS COUNTING ON YOU TO BE THEIR FIRST RESPONDER!"

08/17/2025

ANNOUNCING THE WINNER: Congratulations to DAWN ALWARD who has won the draw for a "2 for 1" Pet Tech Pet CPR & First Aid course! Dawn stopped by the Golden Opportunity Assistance Dogs booth at Pawlooza yesterday and with many others tested her knowledge of Pet First Aid and entered the draw. She's about to become her dogs' Hero and FIRST RESPONDER! Why not join Dawn and register into one of the 4 remaining classes this fall and learn how to save your pet's life in a medical emergency. Remember..."You can't call 911 for a pet. YOU have to be their First Responder". There are still a few seats left in the August 23rd class but registration closes on Wednesday so ACT FAST if you want to join the last summer class! For information about the course and the available dates go to https://www.goadogs.ca/html/pet_first_aid.html

07/28/2025

And we have a WINNER! Congratulations to COOPER JUETT who has won the draw for a "2 for 1" Pet Tech Pet CPR & First Aid course! Cooper stopped by the Golden Opportunity Assistance Dogs booth at Dorchester Pet Fest this weekend and with many others tested his knowledge of Pet First Aid and entered the draw. He's about to become his new pup's Hero and FIRST RESPONDER! Why not join Cooper and register into one of the 4 remaining classes this fall and learn how to save your pet's life in a medical emergency. Remember..."You can't call 911 for a pet. YOU have to be their First Responder". For information about the course and the available dates go to https://www.goadogs.ca/html/pet_first_aid.html

07/22/2025

CONGRATULATIONS TO Lauren Quinton, winner of a Pet Tech "2 for 1" Pet CPR & First Aid course. She visited the Golden Opportunity Assistance Dogs' booth at the 2025 Pawsitively Elgin Dog Festival this past weekend, tested her knowledge of Pet First Aid and entered the draw for this amazing prize! Her new golden pup "Buddy" is gonna be one lucky dog to have pet parents trained how to save his life in a medical emergency! To everyone else who entered the draw, don't forget to use your special show discount coupon by July 31st and book into one of our fall classes. Your pets are counting on YOU to be their First Responders!

07/16/2025

OPEN FOR REGISTRATION: The new autumn dates have just been released for the full day Pet CPR & First Aid course in London, ON. Beat the summer festival crowds and reserve your seat in one of these amazing classes. If these dates don't fit your schedule, consider organizing your own private group of 6-12 pet parents or pet professionals and contact us to arrange a date that works for your group!

07/12/2025

Only one week to go! We're still looking for volunteers to help in our booth at Pawsitively Elgin Dog Festival next weekend, July 19 & 20 . If you want to spend a day surrounded by dogs and help us promote our Pet CPR & First Aid course, let us know and send an email to volunteers@goadogs.ca and we'd love to see how we can get you plugged in. We also are looking for help at 2 more festivals coming up July 26-27 and August 16. Help with one or help with all!

Clear your weekend plans—this one’s going to the dogs!
📍 Pinafore Park, St. Thomas
🗓️ Saturday, July 19 (10AM–5PM)
🗓️ Sunday, July 20 (10AM–3PM)
🎟️ $10/day Kids 12 and Under FREE • 💳 Interac available

06/19/2025

Be informed! PS. The next Pet CPR & First Aid course (and last one before the fall) is coming up on Sat. July 5th. If you want to learn valuable skills that can save your pet's life in a medical emergency, please consider taking ONE DAY out of your life and joining this class. It is time well spent! Registrations will close early for this class so register soon to reserve your spot...and bring a friend along too! Information can be found at https://www.goadogs.ca/html/pet_first_aid.html

🚫🐶 Blue-Green Algae: A Deadly Danger For Dogs!

Blue-green algae might look like harmless scum or discolored water … but it's actually toxic bacteria that can make your dog very sick — or even be deadly. Just a quick swim or a sip of contaminated water is enough to cause serious harm.

Toxins from blue-green algae can lead to:
⚠️ Liver damage or failure
⚠️ Seizures, tremors, or paralysis
⚠️ Vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
⚠️ Breathing issues
⚠️ Disorientation or even coma

Symptoms can show up within 30 minutes, so always keep a close eye after water play. If you notice any of these signs, get your dog to the vet right away!

👉 Learn more about blue-green algae risks at Dogs Naturally Magazine: https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/blue-green-algae-risks-to-dogs/
👉 You can even test your water at home before letting your pup swim!
Home test for blue-green algae:
https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-swm1-04.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2fTlcWmWtlyThvqzaK2nTq4ZXqtr9UAtotCVTFopyhcmakqnAravQ1vqc
Shop blue-green algae test:
https://www.5strands.com/products/blue-green-algae-water-test?wickedsource=google&wickedid=409883115554&wv=3.1&gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwuZGnBhD1ARIsACxbAVjMsDSPf2ulWDxuQXAnReKcF6yVSzhs3A_Qvv6J6dppexhyNoqj764aAjIGEALw_wcB