The Alliance was founded by Joanne Moss a local resident of Ottawa Carleton. This national voluntary health intermediary organization was federally incorporated as a non-profit on February 6, of 1998. Incorporation was a direct response to the growing needs of animal-assisted consumers, service providers, and other stakeholders. Joanne became aware of various needs across Canada through her volunteer experiences as an animal-visitation service provider and as a support worker to Canadians with disabilities who utilize service animals in every day living.
Prior to incorporation a group of volunteers who participated on an advisory committee for employees with disabilities learned of the founder's vision and efforts to support the advancement of animal-assisted services. The group eagerly took it upon themselves to raise funds to incorporate the organization.
The organization's vision is to establish unity in diversity among consumers, service providers, and other stakeholders of animal-assisted services therapy, therapeutic riding, hippo-therapy, guide dogs, and service animals in order to develop an animal-assisted health care sector. Other stakeholders are gradually being identified and expressing an interest in sharing this vision.
The organization's primary goal is to ensure the inclusion of consumers at every stage of development while supporting service providers by identifying and helping to meet common needs to ensure maximum consumer safety, quality, satisfaction, and benefits. Within the first year of the organization's existence a number of generic goals were created in keeping with this vision.
The organization's first web site was designed by a professional web designer who specializes in designing accessible web sites for persons with disabilities. This site was hosted on Industry Canada's, Canadian Wellness Network's site. When the site disbanded the Abilities Foundation graciously offered to re-develop and host the site. Together, we are expanding the "Animals Section" of the Foundation's site [December 2001]. An attitude of gratitude is extended to all.
