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Service Dogs

Guide and service dogs assist individuals with disabilities by helping them avoid hazards or perform tasks. Guide dogs specifically support people with visual impairments, while service dogs assist those with other disabilities, such as hearing impairments and epilepsy. These highly trained dogs can help a person navigate through public areas, alert them to sounds, open doors and do other tasks to support their handlers.

Service dogs are permitted in places where pets are not normally allowed

Licence Requirements

Service and Guide dogs must still be licenced, but they are eligible for waived fees.

Important: the dog must be certified and licenced in accordance with Provincial requirements. Emotional support and therapy dogs are not eligible for certification and therefore are not eligible for waived fees. 

Proof/Documentation

  • Certification or ID from an accredited school, or
  • ID issued by the government of BC

Guide Dog and Service Dog Certification

To learn about the certification process:

👉 Province of BC: Guide Dog and Service Dog Certification

Need Help?

If you have questions, contact Revenue Services. 

Contact Us

Dog Licensing
250-755-4525
dog.lic@nanaimo.ca

Last updated: June 17, 2026

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