WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU INVEST IN AN

ASSISTANCE DOG

Make it stand out

Most organisations can offer a pre-trained dog who the new owner will need work with the dog for a period of time before they are accredited as a team.
The AD team will require ongoing assessment to maintain training standard to retain Public Access accreditation. Costs for dogs pre-trained for organisations vary from $25K-60K+ depending on clients needs
Independent trainers may also offer pre-trained dogs or assist you with training from a puppy to Public Access Test plus offer ongoing support post the initial PAT test. Costs $15K-30K+ depending on clients needs.
The minimum age a dog can be accredited as an AD is 18 months however more typically the dog will be achieve PAT accreditation by 2 years of age.
An AD who is accredited for public access needs be able to demonstrate a minimum of 3 tasks needed by the handler in public.
A person seeking to use an AD to live life better will need a medical letter and other documentation supports the need for an AD in public. The letter does not need to need to identify your physical or psychological/psychiatric condition but you are require to present it when asked for proof of need.
If a dog is owner/trained a record of training is necessary while the dog is in training (ADiT) and must be presented on request to persons in authority.
NDIS DO NOT pay for the purchase or training of an AD.

(ref: Article – Shadowspirit Enterprises ‘Assistance Dogs & their tasks 2023)

Personal assistance – dressing/undressing, retrieving items, medication, alerts & reminders, opening, closing cupboards and doors, mobility assistance.

Emotional support – interrupting behaviour patterns, deep pressure therapy, alerting to panic & anxiety, distraction and grounding, finding exits and entries, finding seating/safe places.
Leading – finding a career or support person, finding a person who has run off, finding a safe seating or exits.
Medical – finding medication, alerting to seizures, alerting to diabetic highs or lows, alerting to high or low heart rates.
Everyday tasks – finding keys or mobile, pushing pedestrian crossing buttons, retrieving eftpos cards from the machine, getting items off shelves or carrying items.
People are individuals and the list can be endless. However it is just a dog so managing REALISTIC expectations of the owner is a must.

Most AD organisations prefer Labradors, Golden Retrievers or a Standard Poodle X of the above. Due primarily to their natural deference and empathy towards the person they are working for and their more robust and tolerant or the public as AD’s

Small breed are generally physically unable to perform the tasks needed by an AD in public.
All AD’s from organisations breed for Assistance Dog work will have all hip/elbow, DNA and health records on hand for generations. Also the parents and progeny will be selectively breed dogs for temperament, aptitude and behavioural drive prior to breeding and consistently through throughout training. Ask to sight all health documentation for the sire & dam.
There are dog breeders who also selectively breed, retain health records and assess temperament and drive for suitability as a future AD. Be prepared to ask questions – if the breeder is not straight forward and open in their answers in any way DO NOT BUY
If you choose to buy a puppy to be trained as an AD then always ask to sight the health records of the sire and dam i.e.: hips/elbow scores, DNA profile and ask questions about temperament and behavioural drive.
Due to their unpredictability in health and temperament dogs from Pounds, rescue services or F1 generation back yard pet breeders are not a recommended as an AD prospect.
Always have health insurance for your dog. Check that they cover Assistance Dogs – as some refuse AD’s.
You will also need personal liability insurance once the dog is PAT tested.

“DO YOUR HOMEWORK – ASK QUESTIONS AND DO NOT RUSH INTO BUYING AN ASSISTANCE DOG WITHOUT BEING WELL INFORMED.”