Assistance Dogs
Accredited assistance dogs are dogs that have been trained by accredited member organisations of Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF). Over 7,000 disabled people in the UK rely on an accredited assistance dog to help with practical tasks, in addition to the emotional benefits and greater independence that such dogs bring.
Accredited assistance dogs:
- have been trained to behave well in public
- have safe and reliable temperaments
- are healthy and do not constitute a hygiene risk observed over a considerable period of time
- are fully toilet-trained
- are regularly checked by experienced veterinarians
- are accompanied by a disabled handler who has been trained how to work alongside their assistance dog
- are recognisable by the harness, organisation specific coat, id tag on their collar or lead slip they wear
Assistance Dogs UK is a voluntary coalition of eight assistance dog charities that aims to promote the freedom, independence and rights of people with assistance dogs across the UK.
All ADUK member charities have successfully passed an extensive accreditation process that covers all aspects of their training and administration – ensuring they meet the exacting standards set by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and the International Guide Dogs Federation (IGDF).
As ADUK organisations have been accredited by ADI and IGDF, service users and members of the public can be assured that they meet very high standards in terms of dog and user training and dog welfare.
ADUK is a registered charity.
