MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR TRAINING SERVICE DOGS

These are intended to be minimum standards for all assistance dog programs that are members or provisional members with Assistance Dogs International (ADI).  All programs are encouraged to work at levels above the minimums.

1. The service dog must respond to commands (basic obedience
    and skilled tasks) from the client 90% of the time on the first
    ask in all public and home environments.

2.   The service dog should demonstrate basic obedience skills by
     responding to voice and/or hand signals for sitting, staying in
     place, lying down, walking in a controlled position near the client
    and coming to the client when called.

3.  The service dog must meet all of the standards as laid out in the
     minimum standards for Assistance Dogs in Public and should be
     equally well behaved in the home.

4.  The service dog must be trained to perform at least 3 tasks to
     mitigate the client’s disability. 

5. The client must be provided with enough instruction to be able
    to meet the ADI Minimum Standards for Assistance Dogs in Public.
    The client must be able to demonstrate:

            *  That their dog can perform at least 3 tasks.

            *  Knowledge of acceptable training techniques.

            * An understanding of canine care and health.

            *  The ability to maintain training, problem solve, and
                continue to train/ add new skills (as required) with
                their service dog.

            *  Knowledge of local access laws and appropriate public
                behavior.

6. The assistance dog program must document monthly follow ups
    with clients for the first 6 months following placement.  Personal
    contact will be done by qualified staff or program volunteer within
    12 months of graduation and annually thereafter.

7.  Identification of the service dog will be accomplished with the
     laminated ID card with a photo(s) and names of the dog and partner.
     In public the dog must wear a cape, harness, backpack, or other
     similar piece of equipment or clothing with a logo that is clear and
     easy to read and identifiable as assistance dogs.

8.  The program staff must demonstrate knowledge of the client’s
     disabilities in relation  to the  services they provide. The program
     shall make available to staff and  volunteers educational material
    on different disabilities.

9.   The client must abide by the ADI Minimum Standards of Assistance
       Dog Partners.

10.  Prior to placement every service dog must meet the ADI Standards
       and Ethics Regarding Dogs, be spayed/neutered and have current
       vaccination certificates as  determined by their veterinarian and
       applicable laws. It is the program’s responsibility to inform the
       client of any special health or maintenance care requirements for
       each dog.