Air Canada Launches Certification Path for Service Dogs through Partnership with K-9 Country Inn

Air Canada today, in partnership with K-9 Country Inn, launched Cabin-Ready Canines, a new, industry-leading initiative to enable customers with owner-trained service dogs to travel with confidence on Air Canada flights. GNW

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MONTRÉAL, June 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Air Canada today, in partnership with K-9 Country Inn, launched Cabin-Ready Canines, a new, industry-leading initiative to enable customers with owner-trained service dogs to travel with confidence on Air Canada flights.

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At present, many customers with service dogs that are owner-trained or were trained outside a recognized organization do not have an official way of confirming their dog’s required training status to travel with Air Canada. There is no single, country-wide service dog certification standard, and certification programs are not available in all provinces.

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Air Canada’s partnership with K-9 Country Inn, a respected Canadian non-profit organization with more than 40 years of dog training expertise and dedicated service dog training and assessment experience since 2013, provides a solution for travellers who require service dog certification for air travel through independent assessment and evaluation.

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“Service dogs play a vital role in customer independence, and we are so pleased to be launching this partnership with K-9 Country Inn. Guided by feedback from the disability community, we have worked closely with K-9 Country Inn and their expert trainers who are also people with disabilities, to take a leadership position by building a practical solution to a complex accessibility challenge. Through our Cabin-Ready Canines program, we hope to demonstrate that feasible solutions are possible, enabling more customers with service dogs to travel with dignity and confidence,” said Kerianne Wilson, Director, Customer Accessibility at Air Canada.

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“Owner-trained service dogs support the independence of countless Canadians, yet a consistent path to demonstrate that these dogs meet the standards required for safe public access has long been lacking. With Air Canada’s Cabin-Ready Canines program, we’re proud to offer an independent, credible assessment that protects the public and legitimate service dog teams. Our organization is deeply committed to ensuring safe, accessible and barrier-free travel for all teams. This partnership reflects our shared dedication to providing the assurance they need to move through the world without obstacles,” said Laura MacKenzie, founder and CEO of K-9 Country Inn.

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“As a trainer and a person with a disability, I witness firsthand the profound impact a well-trained service dog can have, as well as the stress caused when no certification options exist. This program fills a real gap. By assessing owner-trained dogs to the same standards used across the service dog community, we’re helping travellers prove their dog’s readiness while ensuring safety for everyone on board. It’s incredibly rewarding to help more teams move through the world with the independence they deserve,” said Brit Williams, a service dog handler for 13 years, and who is also Senior Instructor & Trainer with K-9 Country.