For our existing members, please create a new account with the same email you had registered on our previous website, this should then relink your access to the members area. Please contact us at info@canineallies.co.uk if you have any problems. Thank you.
Canine Allies CIC Assistance Dogs.
Companionship with purpose.
Canine Allies CIC‘s website is currently undergoing rebranding and so certain parts of the website may be buggy or may not work. We apologise for the inconvenience and are working to get it sorted as soon as possible. For enquiries or any issues please contact info@canineallies.co.uk
What is an Assistance Dog?
Assistance dogs are dogs trained to perform tasks that mitigate their handler's disability. They are protected by the Equality Act 2010 which allows them to accompany their handler (almost) anywhere. It is illegal for a public business to refuse access to a disabled individual and their assistance dog. This is because an assistance dog is considered an auxiliary aid the same as a cane or wheelchair, refusing an assistance dog could be considered discrimination.
Our Frequently asked questions
There is no official registration in the UK for assistance dogs currently. Certain teams may opt to partner with ADUK, an organisation of sub-organisations that supply programme dogs or other training programmes. Although, it is not required for an assistance dog to be registered with one of these or any organisation to be an assistance dog.
Almost any breed can be an assistance dog, including mixed breeds, big and small! The only breeds that cannot be an assistance dog are those listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (Pitbull terrier, Japanese tosa, dogo Argentino, fila Brasilerio & XL Bully).
We accept dogs from as young as 8 weeks old up to 6 years of age. This is because we aim to begin the retirement process of our Assistance Dogs at around 8-10 depending on other factors to ensure they can enjoy their well-earned retirement!
No. Some organisations have ID booklets or ID cards for assistance dogs partnered with them but they are not required by law, they hold no legal value within the UK. It is illegal for a business to deny you access for not showing ID.
Every dog is different so it will take a different amount of time for each team. Overall, the process takes generally about 2 years before a dog is fully trained. For a dog to become fully qualified with Canine Allies they must be in the programme at least 6 months.
Assistance Dog = Task trained to mitigate their handler's disability, they are protected by the Equality Act 2010 and have public access rights (are allowed in non pet-friendly establishments)
Therapy Dog = Are trained to provide comfort to multiple people, they do not have public access rights but may be invited to places such as hospitals, care homes, etc
Service Dog = This is the US term for Assistance Dog. In the UK, Service Dogs are known as military or police dogs. You should not use this term instead of assistance dog in the UK as this could be considered passing your dog off as police/military personnel.
Emotional Support Dogs = Provide comfort to their handler by just being there, they are not trained, not protected by law and do not have public access rights.