Assistance dogs:
an unregulated frontier

We are creating independent global standards to protect assistance dog teams and decision-makers.

Through ISO-style certification and a global register, we safeguard legitimate teams from imitation.

The need for reliable standards

Globally, the number of assistance dog teams is growing fast. Yet, universal standards and safeguards are missing.
Largely improvised, the sector remains a modern frontier: full of promise and pioneering energy, yet dangerously unregulated.

Without independent certification to distinguish qualified teams from fake ones, unqualified “assistance dogs” and poor welfare erode public trust and access rights. Humans and their dogs often pay a high price for the lack of quality assurance.

We recognize the handler as a
competent, responsible leader,
not a passive recipient,

and the dog as a
sentient partner,
not a mere medical device.

Building global trust

Independent certification

ISO-aligned and using audit-grade technology: Our standard-aligned, comparable and independent certification and ID create universal recognition.

Global register

We are currently designing a global register for teams and service providers. This replaces improvision and confusion with transparency around qualification.

Support that counts

Join us to help certified teams thrive and safeguard the dogs’ welfare. With your support, we can provide tangible as well as legal support, advocacy, and community.

What makes us different?

Independence from partisan interests is at our core and written into our nonprofit statutes.

At the same time, it is not our intention to police the sector. Rather, build lasting global foundations that recognize, support, and advance qualified assistance dog teams. By focusing on quality, excellence advances and imitation loses ground.

Our commitment is shaped and supported by over a decade of international standardization work, dialogue, and outreach. Read more.

Attention, policymakers and funders:

We consider all stakeholders in our policies: handlers, professionals, the public, policymakers, funders — and especially the dog, who cannot speak for itself.

ISO-aligned quality assurance and transparency reduce the risks for policymakers and funders, securing impact and safety.

We are inviting policymakers and funders from around the world to contribute their perspective to the design of our register and certification scheme.
Join us in building a sustainable infrastructure that secures the future of legitimate assistance dog teams worldwide.

Assistancedog foundation performing various support roles for individuals in need.

Testimonials

More experiences of certified assistance dog handlers are shared here.

Ute K. – Qualified assistance dog handler

It was relaxed

The atmosphere at the exam was relaxed. This was certainly helped by the fact that we discussed the route before.

Manja M. – Qualified assistance dog handler

The exam is based on everyday life

As the exam was based on my everyday life and daily routine, I quickly came away from the feeling of being in an exam and I soon stopped noticing the unobtrusive cameras.

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