The terminology listed on this page is used commonly within the assistance dog community and/or within organisations. Most of these are informal and many have alternatives. There can be conflicting definitions as there isn’t always consistency between multiple organisations and the community. Some of the phrases listed may have different meanings internationally such as service dog.
A dog trained to mitigate the disability of an individual. There are many different types of assistance dog including guide dogs, psychiatric assistance dogs, hearing dogs and medical alert dogs.
A service dog is a dog that is trained and used within the emergency services or army. Partnerships that are from abroad may still use the term. It is to note that assistance dog and service dog are used interchangeably in Ireland and so there may be some variation in parts of Northern Ireland.
An informal term which describes a pet that gives emotional support. There is no UK equivalent to the USA system for ESAs.
A dog that is training to be an assistance dog. Usually dogs labelled like this have completed basic training , however, this is not always the case. These dogs do not always have public access rights and may have to ask permission before accessing non-pet friendly places. Please be aware that there is a unclear boundary within law on when an ADiT becomes recognised as an assistance dog and this difference is usually moderated through internal organisation policy.
A term used within the community to describe a dog which has the potential to become an assistance dogs. Usually these puppies will have been temperament tested but will be in early steps of there training. This is usually basic dog training and socialisation. Puppies described as prospects are usually owned by the Disabled person and are being owner trained or aided-owner trained whilst Assistance dog puppies are usually a programmes dogs that have been given to puppy walkers/raisers for socialisation and early training. This is not a strict rule and some will use either term.
A term sometimes used to describe Assistance dogs, usually those trained by the organisation Support Dogs. They term is sometimes used to also describe a Companion and Family Therapy Dogs.
A term used to describe a dog that usually has some basic training which provides a therapeutic presence usually for a Disabled child and are often career-changed dogs. These dogs are not assistance dogs and are not meant to have public access rights. They can also be used for Animal Assisted Therapy.
A dog that is has a that usually has some basic training and provides a therapeutic presence usually for a Disabled adult. These dogs are often career changed dogs and are not meant to have public access rights
A dog that has been trained to be a therapeutic presence for multiple people and goes to places where they may be needed such as schools, hospitals, airports and care home. Usually these dogs come from charities such as PAT and are volunteers pets.
A therapy dog which usually only works in one place and has been trained for a specific environment like a school dog.
A dog which was not able to complete assistance dog training. This can be due to health or behavioural issues or other problems. ‘Career changed’ may also be used for bitches which have been selected for a breeding programme or a dog that changes type of assistance dog training (eg. a guide dog that becomes a mobility dog). ‘Washed’ is more commonly used within the community whilst ‘Career changed’ is more common within organisations.
A dog that was an assistance dog but was retired. This can be due to age, health or behavioural issues.
