ICAWC 2014 Istanbul - Peter's presentation about the role of assistance dogs.

1. “Lending a Helping Paw”
The role of assistance dogs
Peter Gorbing
Dogs for the Disabled UK
Assistance Dogs International

2. Assistance Dogs
Highly trained dogs to assist a person with a
disability on a daily basis

3. Assistance Dogs provide support to
people with a wide range of disabilities
and conditions

4. Assistance Dogs
Autism
Mobility Support

5. Assistance Dogs
Guide dogs
Hearing dogs

6. Assistance Dogs
Medical detection
PTSD support

7. Assistance Dogs
Medical detection
PTSD support

8. Role of assistance dogs
Support individuals, and often the wider family
and community, by providing peace of mind and
a positive focus.
In addition to task work:
● Confidence
● Self esteem
● Ice-breaker
● Break down barriers

9. What defines an
assistance dog?
● Very high standard of socialisation
● High level of task training
● High health and welfare input

10. How is assistance dog
quality measured?
International accreditation processes
• Assistance Dogs International (ADI)
• International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF)

11. Key elements of accreditation
• Health and welfare standards – kennels, training,
admin, client
• High level of client support
• Capacity of programs to respond to changes and
new environments
• Quality of dog training
• Quality of client training
• Supporting policies and procedures
Worldwide team of assessors – 2-3 day visits

12. Why is accreditation important?
● Quality defines an assistance dog – needs
to be measured
● Public access rights in many countries
● Professionalism – staff and programs
● Benchmark for entrants
● Campaigning tool – increase access rights
● Separates quality programs from ‘frauds’
● Ensures clients get what they need

13. Potential links with
rescue centres
● Use of rescue dogs – some limitations
● Help with re-homing
● Joint use of facilities
● Joint training
● Promotion of positive good dogs do in society
● Joint projects – education, schools, young people

14. Future developments
● Greater range of assistance dogs
● Greater application of AAI
● Greater choice for clients through AAI
● Development of other models to meet need
e.g. PAWS – developing an international profile
Creation of AAI standards through Animal Assisted
Intervention International (AAII)

15. Useful addresses
● Assistance Dogs International
www.assistancedogsinternational.org
● Animal Assisted Intervention International
www.animalassistedintervention.org

16. Assistance Dogs International
Thank You