Assistance Dogs in Training Australia

28/04/2025

*** People MUST be able to self-train their own Assistance Dog - with training support & help as needed - if they want to!!!

This post is for anyone who has an Assistance Dog, an Assistance Dog in Training, or knows someone who has an AD or ADiT...
as the Australian Government is FINALLY working towards developing a NATIONAL FRAMEWORK for Assistance Dogs in Australia... but we don't want the opportunity for people to train a Dog to become their Assistance Dog themselves to be taken away!

We've been lobbying for a National Framework for Assistance Animals for the past few years... A consistent, National Framework will give people with a disability more clarity about Assistance Dog training requirements, recognition and accreditation...

Over the years there have been numerous 'enquiries' into the area of Assistance Animals with one of the biggest challenges being the States & Territories which do have rules & regulations relating to Assistance Animals not being able to 'embrace' the rules & regulations of the other jurisdictions. Not all States/Territories have rules, regulations, accreditation requirements.... so a National Framework can certainly be a step in the right direction.

now everyone who has an AD or an ADiT has the opportunity to provide input into the development of National Principles for Assistance Animals in Australia.

While we understand why the large charities & organisations working in the Assistance Animal space want to be the ONLY source of accredited Assistance Animals - we DON'T want to see the new Principles preventing people from training their own Animal/Dog to become an Assistance Dog which meets the definition of an Assistance Animal under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

If you would like to make a submission relating to the development of Australia's Assistance Animal National Principles, please click on the link below to go to the DSS website.

https://engage.dss.gov.au/assistance-animal-national-principles/ #:~:text=Assistance%20animals%20are%20animals%20trained,as%20any%20other%20disability%20support

Assistance Dogs in Training Australia will be making a submission requesting the Principles allow for people to self-train an Assistance Dog, to the standards required for it to be recognised as an Assistance Animal under the DDA 1992.

If you'd like your thoughts to be included in the ADiTA submission rather than make your own submission, please contact us at enquiries@adita.com.au We must receive your comments/feedback within the next few weeks for it to be included in the ADiTA submission. Thank you, Kaylene

13/04/2025

If you - or someone you know - has fostered an Assistance Dog in Training please reach out to Ved Dave who is a Master’s student at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), currently working on a research project exploring the experiences of people involved in fostering assistance animals.
The aim is to design a platform that supports foster carers, handlers, trainers, and training centres by strengthening community connections, increasing training throughput, and encouraging engagement within the assistance animal network.

The UTS students are currently conducting interviews with individuals who are either currently fostering or have previously fostered assistance animals. The interviews take around 45 minutes and can be held online or in person, depending on what’s most convenient. All data will be stored securely on UTS servers and accessible only by the research team and our teaching staff.

The team is in contact with Assistance Dogs Australia and Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, and would be thrilled to have input from the Assistance Dogs in Training Australia community as well.

If you or anyone you know would be open to participating, the team would be more than happy to provide further details or set up a time that works for an interview.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Ved Dave

27/05/2024

Emotional Support Dogs - what are they and what do they do?

ADiTA is receiving an increasing number of enquiries about emotional support dogs - and we understand why medical professionals are recommending some people purchase a pet for the many health benefits they provide.

In Australia an emotional support dog is a PET DOG which provides their owner with companionship, love and affection which can reduce a sense of loneliness and isolation. Having a pet may be a person's reason to get out of bed each day or a reason to leave their home to take their dog for a walk. These can be very important benefits for someone suffering from anxiety or depression.

Having a pet can also improve our heart health and improve our fitness. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/7-ways-pets-improve-your-health

ADiTA has prepared information about Pet/Emotional Support Dogs, Therapy Dogs and Assistance Dogs and the different roles they can play in the lives of their owners and the community.

While an emotional support / pet dog doesn't have any legal recognition in Australia - we recognise know a loving, loyal pet dog can make the world of difference to their owners and their health.

https://www.canva.com/design/DAGGYdytwns/u1MZHV_abSRSL6zzBrEZ6w/view?utm_content=DAGGYdytwns&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor

24/05/2024

We are VERY HAPPY the NSW Government has included Assistance Animals in Training in their point to point transport rules (with increased fines applying for refusing to provide transport to a person with an Assistance Animal or Assistance Animal in Training).

Their website states: Guide Dogs and Assistance Animals play an essential role in the community by supporting people with disability to travel independently and safely, and (enabling them to) engage with their community.

People and their Guide Dogs or Assistance Animals are legally allowed to travel in taxis, rideshare and hire vehicles. Under point to point transport law, drivers - whether rideshare, taxi or hire vehicle - cannot refuse an assistance animal or assistance animal in training. The fine for refusing a Guide Dog, Assistance Animal or assistance animal in training has recently been increased. Drivers now face a significant fine of $1000 (up from $300) if caught.

ADiTA welcomes this news.

06/05/2024

If you or someone you know is thinking of training your puppy/dog to become your Assistance Dog, you will find useful information on the Assistance Dogs in Training Australia (ADiTA) website including information on the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and State / Territory legislation relating to Assistance Animals where it exists.

Assistance Dogs in Training Australia (ADiTA) has been formed to provide a service to people with a disability, or their carers, who are seeking information about Assistance Dogs in Training (ADiT) in Australia.

08/03/2024

While many pet owners may be excited by Virgin Australia's announcement that they are developing a policy to support small animals travelling on domestic flights within Australia .... Assistance Dogs in Training Australia is wondering what this could mean for people travelling on Virgin flights with their Assistance Dog????

From the little we know so far - Virgin's pet policy will require animals to be secured in a very small airline approved (PP10) carrier placed UNDER the seat in front of them. The combined total weight of the animal and carrier could be around 9kg... so only really small dogs will be able to travel.

We are concerned the travelling public may be so excited to bring their furry family with them on their next holiday - that they'll underestimate the importance of preparing their dog or cat for the trip including crate training them so they don't spend the whole trip stressed by being crated.

Assistance Dogs in Training Australia is asking Australians who have an Assistance Dog or Assistance Dog in Training if they would complete a short survey about their AD, their training journey and any comments/thoughts/concerns they may have about Virgin airline's proposed 'pets-in-cabin' policy.

We are currently talking with politicians about the increasing number of people with Assistance Dogs or Assistance Dogs in Training and the need for a public education campaign around ADs in the community.

If you would like to complete the survey, please click on the link below.
https://form.jotform.com/240642062115848