Victorian Assistance Dogs:
All you need to know
On this page I provide you with the legal definition of assistance dogs and what it means for us in Victoria specifically. I will also outline the services I offer to help you with assistance dog certification. If you are in another state, please refer to your state’s assistance dog regulations as these guidelines are specific to Victoria’s legislation only.
If you click the link below you can download an information booklet regarding Annie's Dogs pathway toward Victorian Assistance Dog Registration.
I hope this page provides much needed clarity in what can otherwise feel a very confusing world.
Many thanks,
Annie
What is an assistance dog?
“Assistance Dog is a generic term for a guide, hearing, or service dog specifically trained to perform identifiable physical tasks and behaviours to assist a person with a disability in order to aid in quality of life and/or independence. Assistance dogs are covered under many legislative access laws for public access rights when working with their handler who lives with a disability. All dogs can intrinsically provide emotional support to a human being. Assistance dogs are different from emotional support dogs in that they are specifically trained to perform identifiable tasks to increase independence and/or quality of life.”
Taken from: www.assistancedogs.org.au;
“The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) Section 9, sets out the legal definition of an assistance animal as a dog or other animal that is:
(a) Accredited under a State or Territory law to assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effects of disability; or
(b) Accredited by an animal training organisation prescribed in the regulations; or
(c) Trained to assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effect of the disability and meets standards of hygiene and behaviour that are appropriate for an animal in a public place.”
Taken from: https://humanrights.gov.au;
My commentary: Helping you understand what this means-
An assistance dogs needs to perform tasks that you require for a condition you live with.
These tasks cannot include helping you feel loved or valued. Instead, the legal requirement is that your dog provides a function that you need for a diagnosed condition you live with (i.e. a medical alert dog that tells you when your blood sugar levels are low; or a physical mobility dog that helps you pick up objects that you can’t otherwise reach etc).
Because assistance dogs are providing a need for their owner, they are allowed public access (i.e. they can go with you into the supermarket). Therapy dogs, emotional support dogs, companion dogs etc. do not have this same unbridled access.
Requirements of Victorian Assistance Dogs
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“Your assistance dog must also have completed obedience, including assessment in the following skills:
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heeling or walking with a handler, without sniffing, marking or wandering
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sociability with other dogs
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responsiveness to a handler’s commands, including staying on command (known as a stay test) and coming to a handler on command (known as a recall test)
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absence of aggression towards humans or other animals
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absence of anxiety, stress, fear, or undue excitement when in public places, and
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standard of hygiene appropriate for a public place.
This training needs to be completed by a dog trainer and be evidenced by an obedience certificate and a declaration by the relevant dog trainer. The obedience training will need to be provided by a person who either:
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holds a qualification in Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training or
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a Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services or•is a qualified dog obedience trainer with one of the following Ministerially approved dog obedience training organisations
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Australian Association of Professional Dog Trainers Inc
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Four Paws K9 Training
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The Kintala Dog Club Association Inc.
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Delta Institute
The owner of an assistance dog must demonstrate that:
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they have a disability as defined under the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA Cth)
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the assistance dog is trained to perform tasks or functions that assist to alleviate the effect(s) of that disability (as per the definition of assistance dog under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010).
In addition to the above, your assistance dog needs to:
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be desexed
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be microchipped
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be at least 12 months of age
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be proven to have completed obedience training provided by a dog trainer.
Note: The obedience training can either be completed separately, or as part of the training undertaken to perform tasks or functions that assist the person with a disability to alleviate the effects of their disability.
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not be a dangerous, menacing, or restricted breed dog.
Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, a person may request that a person with a disability produce evidence that an animal is an assistance animal. Given that an assistance animal – in this case an assistance dog – is distinguished by being trained to alleviate the effect of a disability, it is appropriate to ask for evidence that the animal is required for this purpose.
Evidence of a disability (as defined under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992) necessitating you to be accompanied by your assistance dog may include a:
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declaration from a health professional as part of a registration application form, or
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a written recommendation from and/or a declaration by the relevant treating medical practitioner to verify that you have a disability and will require the assistance of an assistance dog.”
HELPING MAKE SENSE OF THIS:
All assistance dogs in Victoria require their owner to have a diagnosed condition/disability. This means, you cannot be self-diagnosed, or just want your dog to be with you because they make you feel better. A specialist/general practitioner is required to have diagnosed you with a disability in order for you to qualify for an assistance animal in Victoria. You will need to carry with you a letter from your medical practitioner to this effect.
All assistance dogs in Victoria must perform several identifiable tasks that alleviate the effect of your disability. In Victoria "emotional support" is not considered a task that would satisfy the standard of an assistance dog. Examples instead include: Making the bed for someone with a physical disability; Creating space for someone who has PTSD; Providing grounding for someone on the ASD spectrum; and the list goes on.
All assistance dogs in Victoria must be well kept, which includes their hygiene, grooming requirements and toilet training.
All assistance dogs in Victoria must be behaviourally and temperamentally sound. They cannot bark, growl or be otherwise reactive if someone was to approach them. This also exists for their environment also - they cannot be reactive toward bikes, cars, other dogs, loud noises and the list goes on.
Finally, all assistance dogs need to be obedient, being controllable by you at all times. This obedience needs to be assessed by a Certificate III obedience trainer or higher.
What about a Public Access Test (PAT)?
“Other Australian states require assistance animals to pass a Public Access Test. This assesses an animal’s ability to work and behave as an assistance animal in public places, including on public transport.
Assistance animals need to be:
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non-aggressive
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obedient to their handler's commands
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quiet (no barking)
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experienced in real life situations
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calm in confined and crowded spaces
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calm in noisy and stressful situations.
In Victoria your animal doesn’t need to complete a Public Access Test, but we strongly recommended that your trainer use the requirements as a guide to minimum standards of behavior and hygiene.”
Taken from: https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/
My commentary: Helping you understand what this means-
There is no Victorian PAT for your assistance animal to complete. It is still a good idea to use another State's PAT test to help prepare your dog prior to your assessment.
You can find Queensland's public access test here: https://www.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0032/88655/pat-certification-handler-card-form.pdf
Requirements of your assistance dog
The following outlines briefly what has been discussed above, and breaks down what you need to do for your dog to become an assistance dog into 4 key areas: Obedience; Temperament and Public Experience; their Role; and their assessment and proof.
OBEDIENCE:
Your dog needs to respond to you 100% of the time and do so without the use of food. Their obedience should be consistent no matter the situation or distractions present i.e. other dogs, people, sounds, places etc. They should be able to stay for an extended duration of time without moving; sit and drop on command; come when called; not jump; not bark; walk loosely on a lead; and be under your control at all times.
Their obedience will need to be assessed by a Certificate III or higher dog trainer.
TEMPERAMENT AND PUBLIC EXPERIENCE:
Your dog needs to be non-reactive, but confident with other dogs, people, sounds and experiences. Including public transport, busy cafes, streets, and parks etc.
You should use another state's formal public access test as a guide - the Queensland Public Access Test is usually the most common for Victorian trainers to use.
ROLE:
Your dog needs to perform at least one specific action that you medically require. You will need to receive a letter from your GP stating their belief that an assistance animal will benefit your condition. You need to be able to prove your dog can do these actions. Emotional support is not enough to gain an assistance dog certification.
ASSESSMENT AND PROOF OF TRAINING:
You are required to complete a Public Transport Assistance Dog Pass through PTV. You are also required to register your assistance animal with your local council.
You will need your dog's obedience assessed by a Certificate III dog trainer or higher.
You may also be asked to provide evidence of your need for the dog. You will need a letter from your medical professional outlining briefly your medical condition and the fact your assistance dog aids your condition.
Services I offer that can help you achieve the assistance dog standards
Obedience Training:
What: 3 day intensive obedience course without the use of food and in the presence of high level distractions. This courses teaches your dog to listen to you in all situations. (Please check the videos and information under the 'Obedience Information' tab in the menu bar).
When? The last 3 Sundays of most months. Several times a year I also do 3 days in a row. Check out the "Want to book?" section.
Cost: $660.
Why? Assistance dogs require high levels of obedience. They should respond and listen 100% of the time without needing food to have them obey. They should be able to stay for an extended duration of time without moving; sit and drop on command; come when called; not jump; not bark; walk loosely on a lead; and be under your control at all times. Their obedience should be consistent no matter the situation or distractions present i.e. other dogs, people, sounds, places etc. Many people find this level of obedience difficult to achieve. My 3 day intensive course will help you.
Post course, I offer one day refresher courses for all previous graduates of my 3 day course to help maintain and extend their obedience. The cost of these one day courses is $50.
Assistance Dog Boot Camp
What: Join my 4 day assistance dog boot camp. This course focuses on teaching your dog high levels of obedience, explaining the legalities of assistance dogs in Victoria, as well as teaching your dog their role for your diagnosed condition.
When: There is usually one course scheduled per year. Check out the "Want to book?" section.
Cost: $2,500
Upon completion of this course: If successful, your dog will gain an assistance dog in training certificate. This certificate provides identification to your dog as an in training assistance dog. As it is not yet a fully accredited assistance dog, it will not have automatic public access, however it is the first step to becoming fully certified. When you are ready you will need to complete 2x 3hr assessments with my partner assessor ($700) to gain your full certificate.
PLEASE NOTE: It is important that dogs attending this course are already temperamentally sound (i.e. non-reactive or nervous).
Functional role training:
What: I provide you with an assistance dog how-to-guide the moment you sign up to the course. This guide breaks down the most complex of tasks i.e. how to make your bed, into achievable steps to teach your dog. The tasks included in this guide have been specifically chosen to allow for the training of most required tasks either by explicit examples or by learning how to apply the task to your specific needs. i.e. A specific task taught in the guide is how to teach your dog to provide deep pressure, an application you are taught is how to teach your dog to provide a mindful check in with you.
When: You work on these actions in your own time. Your dog may also innately be doing actions that help you without needing to be taught. If you would like me to provide assessment of these actions and help with the paperwork (read the next column) this is fine so long as when I come to assess these actions you have proof of this (i.e. video footage if unable to be replicated in the moment).
Cost: $100.
Why: Part of an assistance dog certification is the need for your dog to complete tasks which you CANNOT do for yourself and which fill a need of your DIAGNOSIS (i.e. retrieving fallen items for someone who is mobility impaired; or creating space for someone who is psychologically triggered). Your dog cannot gain an assistance dog pass unless they can perform at least one action that aids your diagnosis. You will also need your GP to sign off on this during the paperwork stage.
PLEASE NOTE: Assistance dogs take time to learn their roles. Dogs that have been trained by organisations are often in training for 2 years before being deemed an assistance dog for their owner. Be patient. Consistency and practice every day will get you there.
Final Assessment:
What: When you feel ready, we book in two sessions x 3hrs each to assess your dog’s obedience, manners, temperament and ability to perform their roles for you.
When: We work in consultation with each other for these dates.
Cost: $700.
PLEASE NOTE: Booking the above day does NOT guarantee that your dog will pass my assessment or gain PTV assessment. No refunds will be returned if your dog does not pass as it is your responsibility to ensure your dog is ready to be assessed and can meet the standards required.
Contact
If you would like to chat further about an assistance dog pathway that works for you, please call me on: 0473 739 067. All assistance dogs that I train need to first enrol through phone call rather than email or message, as this enables me to ensure we are both on the same page.
