Assistance Dog & Therapy Dog

Support Dogs is a catch-all description for both Assistance and Therapy Dogs.

Assistance dogs are trained to assist an individual with specific emotional and/or physical disabilities.

A therapy dog is is trained to provide affection, comfort and support to people in a group or public setting.

To qualify for an Assistance Dog from Misty Mountain Labradoodles you need to have a referral from a doctor or other professional.  You would then need to complete the Application form and chat with a representative from Misty Mountain Labradoodles.

Some of the tasks undertaken by an Assistance Dog include but are not limited to:

• pulling a wheelchair
• helping people to balance if they have walking difficulties
• turning on light switches
• moving the arms or legs of people who are paralysed
• opening and closing doors, drawers and fridges
• assisting with making beds
• retrieving or picking up items like mobile phones or keys
• pushing pedestrian crossing buttons
• picking up clothing and helping take washing from a machine
• paying cashiers
• barking to alert their owners to danger
• alerting people to seizures (sometimes before they occur) or other medical issues, such as low blood sugar in a diabetic child or adult.
• finding and leading another person to the owner or affected child

Certifying a dog as an assistance dog in Australia involves several steps to ensure they meet the required standards and can legally accompany their handler in public places. Here's an overview of the process:

1. Qualification as an Assistance Dog:

• In Australia, assistance dogs are defined as trained to perform specific tasks that assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effect of their disability. This could include guide dogs for the blind, hearing dogs for the deaf, and service dogs for people with mobility impairments or medical conditions.

2. Training and Assessment:

• Your dog must undergo appropriate training to perform tasks that assist with your disability. The training should be conducted by a reputable organisation or trainer who specialises in assistance dog training and who is registered with GHAD.

3. Assessment of Suitability:

• After training, your dog will need to undergo an assessment to ensure they meet the behavioral and obedience standards required for assistance dogs. This assessment may include obedience testing, public access testing, and verification of task training.

4. Certification and Registration:

• There is no national certification or registration process for assistance dogs in Australia. However, you may need to obtain documentation from the organisation or trainer that certified your dog as an assistance dog. This documentation may include a letter or certificate stating that your dog meets the required standards.

5. Access Rights:

• Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) and relevant state or territory legislation, assistance dogs have legal access rights to public places, including shops, restaurants, public transport, and accommodation. These rights are contingent upon the dog's behavior and the handler's ability to control the dog in public settings.

6. Identification:

• While not legally required, some handlers choose to have their assistance dogs wear a specific vest, harness, or identification card to indicate their role as an assistance dog.

7. Educational Awareness:

• It may be beneficial to educate businesses and the public about the rights and responsibilities associated with assistance dogs to ensure smooth access and acceptance in public places.

8. State and Territory Variations:

• Note that specific requirements and processes for certifying assistance dogs may vary slightly between states and territories in Australia. It's advisable to check with your local disability services or relevant authority for any additional guidelines or requirements specific to your area.

By following these steps and ensuring your dog meets the necessary training and behavioral standards, you can certify your dog as an assistance dog in Australia, allowing them to accompany you in public places to assist with your disability.

Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) and relevant state or territory legislation, assistance dogs have legal access rights to public places, including shops, restaurants, public transport, and accommodation. These rights are contingent upon the dog's behavior and the handler's ability to control the dog in public settings.