Public Access

Assistance dogs may be owner-trained or trained and assessed through an organisation such as a charity. There is no legal requirement for an Assistance Dog to wear a vest, carry ID, be assessed, or be listed on any register within the UK. However, they are expected to be well-behaved, calm, and able to assist their owner (carry out trained tasks) despite noisy environments/distractions.

If there is no legal requirement, why take a test?

Obtaining Public Access certification can reassure the owner that their dog is at an acceptable standard, that their dog is comfortable and confident during their work, and it can also offer reassurance to service providers, that your dog has been independently assessed.

Here at Canine and Able, we can guide you and your dog through the requirements of a Public Access Test, ensuring you are ready for Assessment. Although we recommend doing this through The Assistance Dog Assessment Association (ADAA), all Public Access Tests through recognised organisations (e.g. ADUK, ADI), have similar core requirements and standards. We are happy to help with any application process and the preparation of your dog (and you) for any assessment process.

Public Access Requirements – Examples

Behaviour/General Obedience:

Under control and focussed on handler despite distractions
No signs of aggression, fear, anxiety in strange environments
Remains at the handler’s side on a loose lead
Does not seek out other animals or people’s attention
Has a reliable sit, down, stay, come, leave it, heel, recall
Remains calm around children/strangers

Teamwork/Communication

Responds promptly to basic obedience cues
Responds reliably to task cues despite distractions
Stops/turns when the handler does – maintaining a good heel position

Public Places

Is calm and confident entering and leaving buildings
Negotiates narrow spaces/aisles, obstacles, crowds maintaining a good heel position
Loads/unloads from vehicles and public transport calmly and safely
Settles quietly on public transport or in waiting rooms/cafes
Ignores dropped food and other items

Assistance Dog Training

Adam has special needs and lives alone, he is diabetic and has other conditions that, of course, we never stop worrying about. After talking about it we, the family, decided to get him a puppy and to have it trained as an Assistance Dog. Miraculously, Missy was available immediately…he was overwhelmed when he was given her as a surprise. It was funny, she couldn’t be taken for walks until after her jabs kicked in, so hubby secured a big plastic box on the seat of my walker and Adam would push her to and from our homes.

Nursery

Today we were so lucky to be visited by some Therapy dogs, we have been planning this for a while and now we have parent permissions, it went ahead.

We will hopefully get another visit soon!

This was an amazing learning experience for the children as they were able interact with the Therapy dogs. These dogs can be great for emotional regulation, cognitive development and understanding of living things such as animals. Also, they were just the cutest!

Thank you to Canine and Able

School

I'm writing this as the Chair of the Parent Council for Glass Primary and Nursery. Charlotte has been absolutely wonderful - her skills with both dogs and children exemplifies her professionalism and care in everything she does. The children have had such a positive experience during every visit and we hope Charlotte continues her visits which benefits children, staff and parents. 10 out of 10.

C Skene

Obedience Training

I have been delighted with the progress my golden retriever and I have made since working with Charlotte. My confidence that I would be able to manage the boisterous 18 month old rehomed dog was at rock bottom. But thanks to Charlotte we are making great progress and my relationship with my dog has improved massively too. Charlotte has the perfect temperament, educating and encouraging.

S Lumsden

Care Home

Canine and Able have come to visit our Care Home in Huntly for almost a month now, and each weekly Therapet visit brings so much joy and fun for our Residents. Claire and Charlotte are friendly, professional, and very respectful - it feels as though they have always been a part of our Home!

They are very knowledgeable about dogs and training, and this is evidenced by how well behaved and calm Lilly, Ivy, and the upcoming puppy Tinkerbelle is with our Residents. If you are looking for help with dog training, we would recommend their services to anyone!

Deveron Way Care Home

Care Home

The wonderful Team from Canine and Able were back again this morning, and we had a great time giving Ivy and Tinker plenty of cuddles and kisses. Ivy is such a soft and gentle soul, and Tinker is growing so fast!

Thank you so much to Charlotte and Claire for bringing your precious pups in and brightening our Monday morning.

Hospital

What wonderful work these girls do...I have seen this first hand and would highly recommend their care and commitment.

J Murdoch

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Volunteer

Volunteering can be a very rewarding experience – even more so with a dog by your side!
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Therapy dogs

Sessions for nurseries, schools, hospitals, care homes, workplaces, community groups.

General Dog Training

Our affordable social-enterprise activity to help fund our therapy sessions. Puppy confidence, obedience, heelwork, recall, socialisation, and more.

Transport Training

Confidence and behavioural training for Assistance dogs (and their humans) in all manner of transport (planes, trains, buses, trams, ferries, taxi).

Public Access

Confidence and behavioural training for Assistance dogs (and their humans) in public places to the required standard set by the Assistance Dog Assessment Associations (ADAA).

Other Services

Educational talks regarding the roles of Therapy dogs and Assistance dogs and the Laws surrounding access rights.