People on the autism spectrum in Quebec seek access to funding for service dogs

People living within the autism spectrum say they are being discriminated against by the Quebec government because they're excluded from funding to care for their service dogs.

People living within the autism spectrum say they are being discriminated against by the Quebec government.

They want the province to provide the same funding to care for their service dogs as other people with disabilities do.

Joel Potvin and his service dog Astro can’t live without each other.

“She’s my most faithful and best friend,” Potvin said.

More than a friend, he says Astro enables him to perform his job as a truck driver. She is always by his side.

Potvin suffers from generalized chronic anxiety and is within the autism spectrum.

“She lowers my anxiety, my stress, my anguish, my worries. She fulfills my emotional needs. She allows me to stay attentive and focused,” Potvin said.

But caring for Astro can be expensive.