ACCREDITATION
Details of our own Assistance Dog Programme
Our Beginnings
Our programme was started by Sheilagh and Marion in 2021. Sheilagh was already a trainer of 30 years and had trained Assistance dog behaviours to various dogs during that time including qualifying her own dog CJ with Canine Generated Independence in 2018.
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All our assessments have been carried out by outside independent Assessors who are both experienced and qualified.
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Marion qualified Willow her GSD in May 2023 as our first dog to be fully assessed. Followed by Bailey Bichon, Banner Labrador, Rusty Chorkie and Fergus Dogue De Bordeaux in October 2023.
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In January 2024 we applied for charity status under our new name the Scottish Assistance Dog Association and were granted in May 2024.
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Our aim is to join ADI as a candidate programme and work towards full membership.
So what does our programme involve?
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Our programme may suit you best if you are more of a practical person than a writer. Rather than have you keep logs of all your training we use assessments to prove your dog's training.
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We do not offer training ourselves but more help you find a trainer to work with if you need one through our training partners and we arrange and keep records of your assessments.
JOINING PHASE
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1) Have a trainer complete the Initial Dog Assessment form to allow us to check that your dog has the correct nature to begin training.
2) Complete application form for membership and send it to us with the Initial Dog Assessment form.
3) Pay joining fee and set up monthly standing order for membership once membership accepted.
You do not have to work with a trainer but if you prefer to click the button for our partnered Trainers and Assessors. If you have a trainer not on the list that is fine provided they use force free methods. If they wish to they can apply to be added to the partnered Trainers list but this isn't necessary.
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PROSPECT PHASE
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3) Complete puppy socialisation/training then train your dog to pass the Kennel Club Bronze Award. If with a trainer who offers the awards them complete the award with them, if not contact us to arrange your assessment.
4) Complete foundation task training concentrating on the ones most useful to you. This can be done alongside your Bronze training and can be assessed at the same time as Bronze if the assessor does both.
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Dogs can then wear a Scottish ADA bandana and lead slip
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APPRENTICE PHASE
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5) Complete Silver Canine Good Citizen
6) Complete Public Access Preparation Assessment
7) Demonstrate one trained task
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Once complete dogs can then wear a Scottish Assistance Dog Association vest.
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QUALIFYING PHASE
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8) Complete Gold Canine Good Citizen
9) Complete Public Access
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This must be completed within one year of finishing the Apprentice phase
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QUALIFIED YEARLY UPDATES
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Dogs must attend one meet up per year with an assessor present to ensure public access standards are being maintained.
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