Who do we serve?
As an independent organization, we strive to consider all stakeholders in our standards.
For simplicity, we group them into three groups:
- Assistance dog teams (handlers and assistance dogs)
- Supporters (assistance dog professionals and funders)
- The public and policymakers
1 – Assistance dog teams
Handlers with disabilities
Sometimes falsely portrayed as a passive recipient of the dog’s assistance, we recognize handlers as the competent leaders of the assistance dog partnership.
The certification and digital ID in the register attests to the competence and responsibility of the handler, as well as the need for the dog’s assistance.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs mitigate the disabilities of the human with carefully learned tasks. In return, they deserve optimal well-being (five domains) and good working conditions.
A successful partnership is mutually beneficial for human and dog.
We place special emphasis and advocate for the needs of the assistance dogs in everything we do.
2 – The supporters
Assistance dog service providers
We recognize the joys and challenges involved in forming and supporting successful assistance dog teams. Assistance dog professionals may also get a free listing in our global register.
We envision a future when service providers are united by an independent professional development path and a globally accepted diploma: Building respect and a community that professionals can turn to for support.
Funders
Will the investment in an assistance dog team have the desired impact?
Philanthropists and the social care system gain clarity and confidence from our transparent, standard-based certification and register. Qualification, quality management, and meaningful data will drive research and long-term impact. Our easily administered Impact Funds make transparent giving extra easy, even for private individuals.
3 – The public and policymakers
Compliance with access rights and acceptance require an easily recognizable universal ID. This enables the public to easily distinguish qualified teams from fake ones.
Our independent certification, based on transparent, ISO-aligned standards, and our global register empower governments, policy-makers, and the public, ensuring full acceptance and access for qualified assistance dog teams.
