What Is an Assistance Dog in Training (ADiT)?

Many people are unsure what an Assistance Dog in Training (ADiT) is and whether these dogs have public access rights. This article explains the concept from a legal and practical perspective to help clarify what the law allows and what it does not.

Legal Perspective

Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA), there is no specific legal recognition or definition for an “assistance dog in training.” Section 9(2)(c) of the DDA simply defines an assistance animal as one that is trained to assist a person with a disability and meets the standards of hygiene and behaviour appropriate for an animal in a public place.

In other words, a dog is either an assistance dog as defined under the DDA or it is not.

This means that public access rights are determined entirely by whether the dog meets the DDA’s definition of an assistance animal.

• If the dog meets the DDA definition, it has public access rights.

• If it does not meet the DDA definition, it does not have public access rights until it reaches the required behavioural and hygiene standards.

For example, a young or inexperienced dog that is not yet toilet trained, fully vaccinated or titer tested, or capable of performing basic obedience skills such as “heel,” “sit,” “drop,” and “leave it,” would not yet qualify as an assistance dog under the DDA.

When Should Public Access Training Begin?

Public access training should only commence once a dog has mastered basic obedience, is reliable in pet-friendly environments, and has begun its task training. Some trainers prefer to wait until the dog is more mature before beginning public access work to ensure the dog is well prepared for the demands of these settings.

It is important to understand that using the term “in training” does not automatically grant public access rights. The term is typically used informally to describe a dog that is progressing through the stages of assistance dog education.

Key Takeaway

There is no legal status for “assistance dog in training” under the Disability Discrimination Act. However, if a dog meets the DDA definition of an assistance animal—including being trained to assist a person with a disability and meeting hygiene and behaviour standards—it may have public access rights even while its training continues.

In practice, “in training” usually refers to the ongoing development of the dog’s skills as it works toward meeting the full public access standard and, eventually, passing a Public Access Test.

As long as you can demonstrate that your dog satisfies the requirements set out in the DDA, both you and your dog are entitled to public access rights.