Public Access Test

Service Description

After years of work, you and your dog are finally ready to lose your "in training" label and graduate to become a fully qualified service dog. Before signing up for this test, you and your dog must meet the following qualifications: 1. Your team has more than 120 documented hours over a period of at least six months of training, and at least 30 of those hours are public access training. 2. Your dog is trained to perform at least 3 forms of tasks or work that alleviate your disability. 3. Your disability has been verified and your medical care team is on board with this as a form of treatment. 4. You have earned your AKC CGC, CGCA, and CGCU. 5. You should be able to function as ambassadors for the assistance dog movement. This includes but is not limited to: (5a) Know pertinent canine laws (i.e. leash laws and public access laws). (5b) Ensure the dog is healthy, flea free and the rabies vaccination is up to date. (5c) Take time to make sure your dog is well groomed and free of any foul odor. (5d) Show respect and consideration to other people and property. (5e) Use humane training methods; monitor the dog’s stress level; provide rest breaks. (5f) Carry clean up materials. Arrange for prompt clean up if a dog eliminates or gets sick. (5g) Be polite and willing to educate the public about assistance dogs and access rights. (5h) Answer the two required questions for your dog’s public access from management of a location. 6. Lastly, Rachell feels your public access skills are at a level becoming of a service dog. Please be aware to maintain your status within our organization, you must repeat this test on a yearly basis.