Our dogs
Mira adopted Vetdiet
Since 2015, Vetdiet has been the official food supplier for Mira dogs, providing all our dogs in foster homes and training with free, high-quality nutrition—a gesture that makes a huge difference for our organization.
By the numbers:
Over 100 dogs in training fed annually
Over 300 puppies in foster homes fed annually
Valued at more than $5.5 million since 2015
Over 1,000 tons of dry food provided since 2015
The Labernese
Created by Éric St-Pierre in 1996, the Labernese is the result of a carefully planned cross between a Labrador and a Bernese Mountain Dog. This union of two breeds with exceptional qualities was designed to produce a dog that is calm, affectionate, intelligent, and resilient, traits ideal for supporting and assisting people living with a disability.
From the Labrador, the Labernese inherits reliability, enthusiasm for work, and a strong receptiveness to training. From the Bernese Mountain Dog, it gains gentleness and a calm temperament, giving it a stable and reassuring character.
This crossbreeding has produced a dog known for its adaptability and its constant desire to please humans. Balanced, patient, and attentive, the Labernese possesses all the qualities needed to become an excellent service dog for people with disabilities.
The Saint‑Pierre
Bred from a second-generation Labernois, the Saint-Pierre represents the natural evolution of Mira’s breeding program. Recognizable by its long black-and-white coat, marked by a thin white line running from the forehead down to the muzzle, it combines elegance with presence.
The Bernese Mountain Dog
Majestic and noble, the Bernese Mountain Dog is distinguished by its imposing presence and deeply affectionate nature. A loyal companion, it seeks human contact and is always attentive to the needs of its person.
Its protective instinct and remarkable intelligence make it a dog capable of understanding and analyzing complex situations. Its gentleness and calm demeanor make it an especially reassuring and balanced companion.
The Labrador
The Labrador is a dog with a heart of gold, always ready to help and cooperate. Lively, curious, and confident, it stands out for its high trainability and constant desire to please its owner.
Its friendly temperament, patience, and forgiving nature make the Labrador an ideal partner for guide dog and service dog training.
A unique breeding stock with controlled genetics
Mira has its own breeding program, overseen by a full-time team dedicated to reproduction and genetics. This autonomy allows us to refine our crossings according to the needs of our programs and, most importantly, to completely eliminate genetic defects from our lineage.
The story of a Mira dog
1. Birth
It all begins at Mira, in the nursery. Puppies are born at the foundation and spend their first nine weeks of life with their mother, receiving essential care and being weaned.
They then leave the nursery to begin their socialization period with a foster family for the next year. This essential stage of exploration and learning prepares the Mira dog for guide or service training, enabling greater independence for their future beneficiaries.
Around the age of one, the puppies return to Mira for a week of evaluation. Instructors carry out a series of tests to assess the dog’s various abilities. If a dog does not qualify for training in one of our programs, sometimes due to behavioral or health reasons, it is then considered “unselected.”
Dogs selected during the evaluation then continue with a specialized training program at Mira. They learn specific skills based on their future role as a guide dog or service dog.
Training duration by program:
Guide-dog: 6 to 8 months
Mobility Service Dog: 4 to 5 months
Service Dog for Youth with ASD: 3 to 4 months
Institution Service Dog: 5 months
Once ready, the dogs enter the class, where they are paired with their beneficiary. Depending on the program, this class lasts between 9 days and 4 weeks. During this period, beneficiaries are accommodated and provided with meals free of charge at Mira. Together, the duos learn to communicate, work as a team, and build a strong and safe bond.
After the class, the dog leaves with its beneficiary, ready to begin a wonderful new chapter together. A Mira instructor provides a transition follow-up at home to help ease their adaptation to daily life. Each duo also receives annual follow-up, ensuring that the dog continues to fulfill its role effectively and safely.
After 7 to 8 years of dedicated service, Mira dogs enjoy a well-deserved retirement. They are first offered to a trusted person in the beneficiary’s circle. If that is not possible, the dog is then offered to its original foster family. As a last resort, Mira ensures that the dog finds a new loving family so it can enjoy a peaceful life filled with affection.
