No, AD4A is certified by ISCTA, the International Society of Canine Trainers and Assessors, an organization with broader goals than ADI. With regard to Service Dogs, ISCRA has more open views than ADI, both on suitable breeds and on organizational structure. The reason AD4A can offer trained Service Dogs for $7500 is that we do not adhere to the costly infrastructure requirements that ADI mandates. Our mission is to provide better dogs, faster, at less cost, so more people who need dogs can get them. This mission cannot be met under ADI's restrictive practices. However, the ADI Standards for dogs, clients and training are superb, so we adhere closely to those standards. AD4A Service Dogs are trained through the three levels of Service Dog Training and are assessed by ISCTA-Certified Assessors administering the ADI's Public Access Certification Test (PACT).
No. The only time you would need "proof" of your disability is if you went to court because you were suing an organization for refusing to grant you and your Service Dog access.
The laws in Canada are slow to catch up with the US, and right now there aren't any laws either for or against Service Dogs, other than for Guidedogs for the Blind. This is changing, primarily because of the use of Psychiatric Service Dogs (PSDs) for soldiers afflicted with PTSD. Right now, anyone can train their dog to serve as their Service Dog. That is good. The bad side of it is that many businesses will not honor Service Dogs because there are no laws forcing them to grant access, as there are in the US. I advise my clients to train their dogs, pass the ADI-PACT test, and make use of the badges and vest they earned. If someone refuses access to your PSD, do not give them your business.
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AuthorTamara Ann Follett is the founder and Principle Trainer for AD4A. ArchivesCategories
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