Evaluations Only

Offering Independent Public Access Tests for Owner-Trained Assistance Dog Teams Across the RSA.

 

 

We appreciate that being an owner trained partnership or Non AADSA  team can make access to services difficult. We are a non-profit organisation created to bridge this gap through our comprehensive public access assessment.

Our commitment is rooted in the belief that everyone, regardless of how their assistance dog has been trained, deserves access to support and validation. Our mission is to foster inclusivity within the assistance dog sector and provide assistance to all who need it.

 
  • We provide information for service providers and the public
  • Our team bring over 20 years of experience in the assistance dog world.
  • Formally recognised by the Civil Aviation Authority since 2020
  • Experienced in both AADSA and owner-trained sectors.

How we work.

Standardising Assistance Dogs.

What we do.

SSD provides independent public access assessments for owner-trained assistance dog teams.

Our assessment ensures that dogs meet high standards of training, helping to demonstrate that they are suitable to work as assistance dogs.

We also support qualifying teams who experience public access issues and work with businesses to improve understanding of assistance dogs.

In addition, we are actively engaging with the travel industry to help make travel more accessible and straightforward for assistance dog teams across the RSA and internationally.

Where we work.

As a RSA-based NPO, we provide assistance dog assessments throughout South Africa and Namibia. We strive to make our services accessible to teams wherever they are located.

While assessor availability and travel distances may occasionally affect arrangements, we will always do our best to organise assessments as close to home as possible, including for those in rural and remote areas.

Our aim is to ensure that location is not a barrier to accessing assessment and support.

Who we help.

At SSD, we believe that access to support and assessment should be available to all assistance dog teams, regardless of their training pathway. We welcome disabled handlers with owner-trained, privately trained, and organisation-trained assistance dogs, including teams that have already qualified with another organisation. Our focus is on supporting well-trained assistance dog teams and promoting high standards across the assistance dog community.

Education.

We work with shops, businesses, and service providers to improve understanding of owner-trained and non-AADSA assistance dog teams.

We provide guidance on expected training and behavioural standards, the appropriate use of assistance dog equipment, and best practice when handling access requests and resolving access disputes.

 

Cost:

 

The assessment fee is R 9500.00 includes interview. assessment, certification and identification  and jacket.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

 

Upon successfully completing our Public Access Assessment, teams can exercise their public access rights with confidence, knowing that their dog has met high standards of training, behaviour, and taskwork.

Qualifying teams also gain access to a range of benefits, including:

  • Membership of a network of assessed assistance dog teams.
  • Opportunities to share experiences, best practice, and mutual support with other handlers.
  • Confidence that businesses and service providers are being offered education and guidance on assistance dog access.
  • Support and guidance when dealing with public access refusals.
  • A clear and easily recognisable SSD lead slip. Assistance dog jackets and vests can also be purchased after qualifying.
 

Who is the assessment aimed at?

The SSD assessment is for assistance dog teams where the dog is either:

  • Owner trained
  • Trained by a private trainer
  • Trained by an organisation (not accredited by AADSA*, ADI** or IGDF***).

Our assessments are conducted by experienced assistance dog assessors who understand the challenges and achievements involved in training an assistance dog. We aim to make the assessment process a positive and supportive experience for every team.

Whether your dog is owner-trained, privately trained, or already registered with a non-AADSA organisation, you are welcome to apply for assessment.

SSSD is committed to providing a fair, independent, and unbiased assessment of every team.

* Association Assistance Dogs Southern Africa

** Assistance Dog International
*** International Guide Dog Federation

The process

 

Before submitting your application for our Public Access Test, please work through the following steps to ensure that both you and your dog are ready for assessment.

Documentation:

You have the following documents in digital form, ready to upload:

  1. Completed Veterinary form: Download here

  2. Evidence of vaccination and flea/worming treatment

  3. Insurance policy documents

  4. Letter from doctor or healthcare provider as proof of condition

  5. Videos of your dog performing their three mitigating tasks. Download our video task guide here

  6. Signed Client Contract: Download here

Ts & Cs:

You can answer YES to all criteria on our Criteria page, including:

You agree to our code of ethics
You meet our criteria

  • Dog Checklist
  • Equipment Rules
  • Dog Age Policy

You agree to our code of ethics
You meet our criteria

.

Questionnaire:

You fill out the online application questionnaire in full when you apply

Donation Fee:

Payment will be taken at the point of submission R9500.00

​​After your submission

Once we have reviewed your application and all supporting evidence, we will arrange a video based (zoom) pre-assessment interview with you, in this we will discuss how the assessment works, and any concerns or queries you may have.

  • If it is mutually agreed during the pre-assessment to go ahead with your application, we will allocate you with an assessor and offer you a selection of dates and times for your in person public access assessment.

Please note submitting an application does not mean you are automatically accepted for an assessment.

Travel will be required to the public access assessment location.

The SSD certificate is valid for one year from the date you pass your assessment. To keep your certification active, you must complete an annual assessment and pay the renewal fee, currently R 1000.00 processing fee. SSD will contact you before your certificate expires to explain the renewal process. You will not need to submit a new application each year.

What you will need on the day.

 

You should have all necessary equipment to ensure the dog’s safety and comfort. Please click here to view equipment that SSD deems acceptable.

Depending upon individual needs these may include:

  • Small mat for settling
  • Collapsible water bowl
  • Treat bag
  • Chew toy
  • Cleaning up equipment such as dog waste bag

Dogs should be trained to a standard so they perform the required behaviour to a visual, spoken or whistle cue.

​It is required that occasionally the dog is able to demonstrate its ability to work without food rewards.

​Luring the dog will not be allowed in the assessment.

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