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Assistant dog in shop

Assistance Dog Training and Certification

At Doggie Diplomas, we train and certify assistance dogs in partnership with Pat Dogs Australia to provide specialised support. Our mission is to enhance the lives of individuals through expert training and rigorous certification programs. We ensure each assistance dog is equipped with the skills and behavior necessary to offer reliable and effective support.

At Doggie Diplomas, we specialise in customising your assistance dog’s training to meet your unique health needs, ensuring it provides the precise support you require. Our expert trainers collaborate closely with you to teach your dog to perform specialised tasks tailored to your everyday life. Whether it’s providing deep pressure therapy, waking you during night terrors, recognising the signs of an impending panic attack to prevent escalation, or performing other specific behaviours, we are committed to addressing your individual needs with personalised solutions.

Our goal is to enhance your quality of life by equipping your assistance dog with the skills to support you effectively. Contact us today, and we'll find a convenient day and time that works for both of us.

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What to expect when applying for and accrediting an assistance dog

  1. Complete the Pat Dogs Australia application form and include all supporting documents.

  2. We will review the application form, and if fully complete with supporting documents,

  3. We will also arrange for an assessor to complete a temperament test on your dog to ensure it is suitable for our program as an assistance dog “In-Training”.

  4. If your dog passes the temperament assessment, you will get confirmation of acceptance into our assistance dog program, you will be issued your Assistance Dog “In-Training” ID card, and we will put you in touch with one of our accredited trainers and give you access to our assistance dog foundation course;

  5. Once you complete our assistance dog foundation course, we will provide you access to the Pat Dogs Assistance Dog Academy to continue your training.

  6. During the Academy training program, you must complete a ‘Canine Good Citizen’ test.

  7. Upon passing the Canine good citizen test, We will arrange for your “In-Training” assistance dog jacket, and after receiving it, you will be able to continue training your dog in non-pet-friendly locations.

  8. Once you have completed our assistance dog academy training program, you will be ready to sit a public access test.

  9. We will arrange for an assessor to complete the Pat Dogs Public Access Test.

  10. If you pass your Public Access Test, We will issue you a notification of completion, issue you with your fully accredited Assistance Dog ID Card and also send you your new assistance dog patches for your assistance dog jacket.

What to expect after your dog is fully certified

  1. There is an expectation that you maintain all the standards of hygiene and behaviour appropriate for an animal in a public place.

  2. You and your dog will be required to have a Public access test annually by one of our certified assessors.

  3. You and your dog must have at least one training session every six months with one of our accredited trainers to ensure you are supported through your journey with your assistance dog. However, many of our members choose to add additional sessions each year.

  4. You will be required to maintain annual membership to Pat Dogs Australia.

What to expect after your dog is fully certified

  1. There is an expectation that you maintain all the standards of hygiene and behaviour appropriate for an animal in a public place.

  2. You and your dog will be required to have a Public access test annually by one of our certified assessors.

  3. You and your dog must have at least one training session every six months with one of our accredited trainers to ensure you are supported through your journey with your assistance dog. However, many of our members choose to add additional sessions each year.

  4. You will be required to maintain annual membership to Pat Dogs Australia.

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About Assistance Dog Training

An assistance dog is specially training to give people support in their daily life.

What areas can an assistance dog assist you?

  • Sensory Processing

  • Behaviour Interruption

  • Guiding / Reminding

  • Deep Pressure Therapy

  • Alert to escalating systems

  • Retrieving / Carrying

  • Tactile Stimulation

  • Buffering

  • Sleeping

How Can the Human-Animal Bond Be Beneficial?

The close connection between an Assistance Dog and their handler provides a profound sense of safety and calm. This bond helps reduce stress responses and enhances community engagement, proving especially valuable for individuals with mental illness. The calming influence of the dog supports smoother interpersonal interactions and aids in achieving personal goals.

What Are the Public Access Rights for Assistance Dogs?

Assistance Dogs have Public Access Rights, allowing them to accompany their owners in public places. This ensures that the trained support is always available when needed, providing consistent and reliable assistance in a wide range of settings.

What Can We Offer:

  • Assist in training and certifying your own dog as a Mental Health or Autism Assistance Dog through personalised guidance from dedicated trainers and structured online learning.

  • Support your access to NDIS funding for our Canine Capacity Building Program, aiding in life skills development and future assistance dog training.

  • Deliver specialised assistance dog training courses via our online platform.

  • Back your application for an Animal Assistance Permit with Transport NSW.

  • Secure your Assistance Dog travel rights for Virgin Australia flights.

  • Aid in registering your assistance dog with your local council.

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