The Breed You Need , Not Just the One You Want When it comes to choosing a dog to train as an assistance dog, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is selecting the right breed. It’s also one of the most common areas where heart and head can clash. Many people are drawn to a particular breed because they’ve always loved them — perhaps they grew up with one, admire their looks, or have heard how intelligent they are. But when training an assistance dog, the breed you love m

Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can bring daily challenges — from fatigue and muscle weakness to difficulties with balance, mobility, and coordination. In the UK alone , there are now over 150,000 people currently living with MS , and about 7,100 new diagnoses each year . Globally, the figure is estimated at around 2.9 million people  living with MS. But for many people, an assistance dog can make an extraordinary difference. These specially trained dogs don’t just offer

A stroke can change life in an instant. Everyday tasks — getting dressed, walking safely, or making a cup of tea — may suddenly become challenging. Recovery often involves finding new ways to do familiar things, rebuilding confidence, and regaining independence. One source of support that’s making a real difference for stroke survivors is the partnership between people and assistance dogs . The scale of the challenge According to the Stroke Association , stroke is one of the

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a complex condition that affects how the brain and body communicate. People living with FND can experience a wide range of symptoms, including seizures, limb weakness, mobility challenges, tremors, and difficulties with speech or coordination. These symptoms can be unpredictable, often fluctuating in intensity and frequency — making everyday life uncertain and sometimes frightening. Assistance dogs can provide life-changing support fo

An assistance dog can be life-changing, offering independence, confidence, and essential support to people with disabilities or long-term...

Before advancing to the higher stages of assistance dog training, every dog in our programme must pass a Temperament Assessment . This...

The idea of a loyal, supportive assistance dog helping a child navigate daily life is a powerful and heart-warming one. For many...

In the UK, dogs play an increasingly important role in supporting people’s physical and mental health. But terms like assistance dog ,...

Discover answers to the most common questions about our Assistance Dog Training Programme, including costs, suitability, tasks, certification, and how to get started with your dog

Public access training is a crucial part of your assistance dog’s journey, but knowing when to start is just as important. Read our blog

Embarking on the journey of training an assistance dog is a rewarding endeavour, and starting with a puppy can be a fantastic way to build a lifelong partnership. While it's important to wait until your puppy is older before diving into serious tasks or public access training, there is tremendous value in beginning early with the fundamentals. Early training isn’t about forcing your puppy into “work mode”—it’s about laying a solid foundation through positive socialisation, ba

Socialisation is a critical aspect of raising any dog, but for an assistance dog, it carries an extra layer of importance. When we think...

As dog owners, we want the best for our four-legged companions, ensuring they are happy, comfortable, and well-balanced in all...

Training your own assistance dog can be an incredibly rewarding journey. For many people with disabilities, these dogs become...

Training a dog is a journey filled with milestones, surprises, and plenty of learning opportunities—for both you and your canine...

Training an assistance dog is a rewarding experience, but like any journey, it must be approached with care, balance, and patience. One...

Medical Assistance Dogs are life-changing companions trained to assist people with various health conditions, offering support, independence, and peace of mind. These specially trained dogs use their powerful sense of smell to alert individuals to health changes before a medical crisis occurs, allowing timely intervention. Whether someone lives with diabetes, seizures, allergies, or anxiety, a well-trained dog can be a vital partner in managing chronic health issues. But how

It can be confusing and surprising to witness your dog suddenly spook at something which has never bothered them before. It could be a...

Choosing a breed of dog is never an easy decision but it’s even more important when you’re choosing a puppy with the aim of them becoming your assistance dog in the future. Making the wrong choice can mean a whole lot of challenges and heartache. It would be great if it was as simple as choosing any puppy from a list of recommended breeds and knowing without a doubt that the puppy would mature into the perfect assistance dog. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Choosing the

Autism Assistance Dog There is growing awareness of the benefits dogs can bring to children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autistic children and adults often struggle to communicate or express their feelings in a way others understand. A round 1.1% of the UK population (which is more than 1 in 100 people) are thought to have an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis Finding ways to mitigate their condition and enable them to thrive is a priority for parents and

Just like a wheelchair, walking stick, hearing aid or a pair of glasses, assistance dogs are important and necessary auxiliary aids. Fully trained assistance dogs have full rights of access to public places, spaces and services and these rights are protected in law. A service provider would never ask an individual to remove their glasses or hearing aid before entering their premises, and it should be the same for an assistance dog. Assistance dogs have been highly trained to

“PTSD & C-PTSD can affect anyone who has been exposed to trauma – an event or events which provoked fear, helplessness, or horror in...

Anyone who has lived with a dog can vouch for the many benefits they bring. The companionship, the fulfilling sense of responsibility, and their ability to make us smile and provide us with endless entertainment. It’s no wonder then that the positive impacts they can have on the lives of people with PTSD is now becoming increasingly clear. A mental health condition is considered a disability if it has a long-term and substantial effect on your normal day-to-day activity, and

How do I Teach My Dog to Settle in Public? Do you ever sit in a café and look around to see several dogs lying calmly and quietly next to...

Assistance Dogs help people who have physical, medical, psychiatric or developmental disabilities. Did you know, you can train your own...

Since setting up our Online Academy, we've met more and more dog owners who have struggled to apply for an assistance dog, or have failed...

With such long waiting lists for assistance dogs from registered charities, it’s no wonder many people consider whether they could train...