About Us
A dedicated team helping the most vulnerable of our society.
For more than 20 years, dogs have been providing social and emotional support. They help by making people feel relaxed, happy and secure. Pet therapy has been known to reduce cardiovascular stress. In addition, it creates a optimal healing environment that promotes harmony of mind, body and spirit. ASISTA’s team has been devoting its energy and time since 2011 to specifically make a difference in the autism, PTSD and the psychological community needs.
The Asista Foundation is a young foundation located in a state of the art facility at the Centre Vétérinaire Laval that offers emergency 24H specialized services for companion animals.
Asista’s governing board is made up of multiple administrators ranging from a variety of backgrounds who meet regularly to discuss policy, emerging issues and the implementation of new services and or ideas.
The Asista Foundation was founded by it’s two founders John Agionicolaitis and Solange Barbara. Both dedicated and successful philanthropists, they saw a need for mental health service dog teams which led them to the creation of the foundation. Both animal lovers, they founded the foundation in 2012. To date, the foundation has placed 30 service dog teams.
The success of the foundation is amongst the countless hours put in by our volunteer team and employees.
Solange Barbara
President, Director General
John Agionicolaitis
Vice President, Public Affairs & Spokesperson
Stéphane Campagna
Director, Canine Behaviour & Training
Sophie-Rose Trahan Perreault
Advisor, Communications & Philanthropy
Pamela Agionicolaitis
Special Assistant
Natacha Léveillé
Special Assistant
Dre Dominique Plante
Director, Veterinary Services
Dre Emmanuelle Martin
Emergency & General Medicine
Dre Élaine Madore
Orthopedic & Specialty Surgery
Dre Maude Touret
Oncology & Specialty Medicine
Amber Séguin
Animal Health Technician, Special Assistant
Sarah Pilotte
Animal Health Technician, Special Assistant