In brief

• People may have an assistance dog for a range of reasons.
• Depending on the type of assistance animal, there are different places they can and cannot go.
• This story includes some things you might need to know about assistance dogs in Canberra.

You may be familiar with guide dogs, but did you know people may have an assistance animal for a range of reasons?

Dogs are the most common type of assistance animal. They may also be referred to as service dogs.

This article looks at assistance dogs in the ACT, including things you may find helpful to know.

Assistance dogs are allowed in all public places.

Assistance dogs can accompany their owner in any public place in the ACT. This includes:

• shopping centres and stores
• cafes, restaurants and clubs
• hospitals and nursing homes
• public transport
• taxis and rideshare vehicles
• theatres, cinemas and other entertainment venues
• schools, playgrounds and libraries
• hotels and motels.

They’re not allowed in some restricted places. These include commercial kitchens, operating theatres.

Each airline has its own policy for assistance animals.

People need assistance dogs for various reasons.

Assistance dogs work for one person and one person only.

They can help their person gain independence and confidence to participate more fully in all aspects of life.

Dogs can provide support for people with disability and/or health conditions.

It’s important to remember you may not be able to see why someone needs their assistance dog.

A veteran assistance dog, for example, may provide life-changing support for someone with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

There are different types of assistance dogs.

Guide dogs support people with sight loss. They help them move around more safely.

Hearing assistance dogs support people with hearing loss. They alert them to sounds and potential risk.

Mobility assistance dogs help people with mobility issues. They support them with daily activities such as undressing, carrying things, and opening doors.

Medical alert dogs are trained to constantly monitor their handler’s health condition. They alert them to an impending episode where their health would deteriorate quickly. The alert allows the person to take preventative action to avoid/limit the episode, or to make themselves safer and reduce the risk of injury during the episode. They may also be called:

• seizure alert dogs
• diabetic alert dogs
• cardiac alert dogs
• allergy alert dogs.

Autism assistance dogs support people with autism. They can help in many ways, from reducing sensory overload to providing routine and stability.

Dogs supporting people who have a mental health illness or disorder. These dogs can help reduce anxiety or distress. They support people living with conditions such as depression, anxiety or schizophrenia. They may also be called psychiatric service dogs.

Therapy dog programs are designed to improve wellbeing. A person or organisation brings a therapy dog to visit a facility. While each dog will have a handler, it’s others who benefit most from its presence. Therapy dogs may visit:

• hospitals and palliative care
• aged care facilities and dementia wards
• mental health facilities.

Emotional support animals can be any type of animal. They can support people through mental and other medical illnesses. They haven’t been specially trained to alleviate conditions, though. This means that unlike assistance animals, they are not allowed in all public spaces.

At ACT hospitals, for example, assistance animals can remain with patients during their stay. Emotional support animals may only visit.

Read more about assistance animals in ACT public healthcare settings.

The assistance dog-handler bond is extremely important.

Based on trust and reliability, the relationship benefits both.

It can provide comfort, security and a sense of independence for the handler. For the dog, it gives a sense of purpose and belonging.

Note: a person with an assistance dog may be referred to as its owner, handler or partner.

You should never distract an assistance dog.

It’s not always easy to be sure a dog is an assistance dog. It’s best to assume they are and avoid calling or patting it.

Interacting with an assistance dog can distract it. This can interfere with its work and training. It can also cause the handler delays, stress or embarrassment.

Remember, the animal needs space to focus on its job: keeping their person safe.

Dogs do not have to be registered as an assistance animal.

Assistance dogs don’t need to be registered as such. People with an assistance dog do not have to carry an ID.

The dog may wear an identifiable coat or harness, but this is optional. As such, it may not be immediately obvious that a dog is an assistance dog.

Owners can register their assistance dog if they choose to.

The ACT Assistance Animal Accreditation Framework is a voluntary registrations scheme.

Owners can have their dog tested, accredited and registered as an assistance animal via the ACT Public Access Test.

The test measures:

• ability to assist
• animal welfare
• obedience and behaviour
• dealing with distractions, like noise and food
• handling public places and transport.

Once the dog has passed the test, the handler receives an Accredited Assistance Animal card (ID card). This is valid for up to two years.

The card can assure handlers, businesses and the community that the animal meets required standards of behaviour and hygiene.

Dangerous dogs cannot be registered as assistance animals.

It’s illegal to discriminate against someone with an assistance dog.

It’s an offence to refuse someone with an assistance dog access to a public place.

If someone is refused, they can lodge a complaint with Domestic Animal Services by:

• phoning Access Canberra on 13 22 81
• emailing animalcontrol@act.gov.au.

There are also penalties for falsely claiming a dog is an assistance dog.

Find out more

Different states and territories have their own rules and frameworks.

You can read more about assistance animals in the ACT on the City Services website.

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