Certification Program
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Assistance Dog Certification Program
The Certification program consists of providing assistance and support to persons who
have trained their own dogs or want to train their own dogs with assistance from a
certified trainer with the goal of having their dogs certified for public access.
Ability Dogs is pleased to offer this service to those teams that are qualified and
prepared to bear the responsibility.
Per ADA requirements, a Service Dog must be able to perform at least two reasonable
tasks for the disabled handler (such as retrieve dropped or hard to reach items, pull a
manual wheelchair, turn lights on and off, assist with walking, open and close doors, etc.)
STEP 1
Complete application <Application>
Include a recent photo of yourself & your dog
Send the completed application, along with the 250.00 Certification fee.
In some cases, you will be asked to send a video of your dog performing the qualifying
tasks. You may be asked to rate your dog's overall behavior for the following
characteristics: friendliness, fearfulness, confidence, ability to focus, prey drive,
sensitivities to noise, etc.
STEP 2
Complete the Public Access Test (PAT)
(This can be done via video if you are not in the Southern California area)
Once you successfully complete your test, you will be given a photo ID card, certificate &
vest/cape.
Pulling and stability harnesses are extra and your representative will advise you of the
cost.
THE PUBLIC ACCESS TEST (PAT) <Sample of PAT test>
The Public Access Test was devised to help ensure that teams are properly suited and
prepared for the responsibility of maneuvering safely in public and representing the
assistance dog community.
The Certification program consists of providing assistance and support to persons who
have trained their own dogs or want to train their own dogs with assistance from a
certified trainer with the goal of having their dogs certified for public access.
Ability Dogs is pleased to offer this service to those teams that are qualified and
prepared to bear the responsibility.
Per ADA requirements, a Service Dog must be able to perform at least two reasonable
tasks for the disabled handler (such as retrieve dropped or hard to reach items, pull a
manual wheelchair, turn lights on and off, assist with walking, open and close doors, etc.)
STEP 1
Complete application <Application>
Include a recent photo of yourself & your dog
Send the completed application, along with the 250.00 Certification fee.
In some cases, you will be asked to send a video of your dog performing the qualifying
tasks. You may be asked to rate your dog's overall behavior for the following
characteristics: friendliness, fearfulness, confidence, ability to focus, prey drive,
sensitivities to noise, etc.
STEP 2
Complete the Public Access Test (PAT)
(This can be done via video if you are not in the Southern California area)
Once you successfully complete your test, you will be given a photo ID card, certificate &
vest/cape.
Pulling and stability harnesses are extra and your representative will advise you of the
cost.
THE PUBLIC ACCESS TEST (PAT) <Sample of PAT test>
The Public Access Test was devised to help ensure that teams are properly suited and
prepared for the responsibility of maneuvering safely in public and representing the
assistance dog community.