There are 8 main charities that provide assistance dogs to help people in their daily lives.
They are: Canine Partners, Dog A.I.D, Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs (for Deaf People), Dogs for Good, Medical Detection Dogs, Support Dogs (Training Dogs for Transforming Lives) and The Seeing Dogs Alliance.
Dogs are also provide by other places, depending on individual need. (ie a local council) In addition there are self trained dogs. This means they have trained their dog to meet their own physical, mental or other needs. These dogs and their owners should be treated equally.
The Law:
Guide dog and assistance dog owners have important rights under the Equality Act 2010 (EA). The EA provides for people with disabilities to have the same right to services supplied by shops, banks, hotels, libraries, pubs, taxis and restaurants as everyone else.
Under Part 12 of the EA it is also illegal for assistance dog owners to be refused access to a taxi or minicab with their assistance dog. Medical exemptions are available if drivers have a certificate from their GPs.
Service providers also have to make “reasonable adjustments” for guide dog and assistance dog owners.
Shropshire Disability Network are receiving an increased number of cases, where people have been discriminated against because they have an assistance dog. We would like to know, if you have been treated unfairly. Tell us by email at admin@shropshire-disability.net or call/text 07780 852229. If need be and you want us to, we will report Disability Hate Crimes on your behalf.
Here are two publications that are worth reading:
Assistance Dogs a Guide for All Businesses: This link enables you to download this booklet- https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/publication-download/assistance-dogs-guide-all-businesses
Assistance Dogs Leaflet download here: new-dogs-assistance-leaflet This leaflet has been produced for London Transport but is relevant to all.