Assistance Dog Programme

To begin, you will need to complete this online application form.

The following document must be submitted before you can be accepted onto the programme.

A letter confirming your diagnosis, uploaded with your application.

This can be sent to us separately via email to care@puppyandfriends.co.uk (if you do not have one currently ready to upload with your application) 

Please note: Puppy and Friends Academy does not cover any fees related to obtaining these documents.

Once your full application and all required documents have been received, our team will review everything and contact you regarding the outcome of the first stage.

This is normally done within 24 hours. If you do not hear from us, please check your junk folder or email us for an update.

If your application is approved, you will be invited to join our Online Assistance Programme and may begin working toward assessments.

The Puppy, Bronze, Silver, Mitigating Tasks, and Gold assessments can be submitted by video at no cost.

A Temperament Test must be completed in person with a local, accredited force-free trainer once your dog is at least 9 months old.

The Public Access Test can be taken at 18 months of age and is carried out in person with our trainers in the Shropshire area (or within 50 miles). The fee is £120

(If you wish for one of our trainers to travel to you an additional charge will be applied) 

Weekly Zoom support calls

Weekly Zoom training classes

Access to The Online Assistance Programme 

Full access to all of our other online courses

Trainer and mentor support 24/7

Submissions of training videos and awards

Digital certificates of Awards passed

Facebook support group

Permission to use a Puppy and Friends Academy vest once Silver Award and temperment test has been passed)

Discount to in person training and workshops in Shropshire

Ongoing trainer support and assistance with access challenges

Public access test which is £120 

Temperment assessment which is £80

Logo uniform vest - these can be ordered from our supplier once Silver award and temperment test has been passed. Price may vary depending on what you order. 

ID card and logo lanyard which is £17 

Annual in person public access re-testing which is £80

You can cancel your membership at anytime, there is no charges or fees for cancelling.

However, as a result of this cancellation, the handler and Assistance Dog will no longer be protected, represented, or affiliated with the Company: Puppy and Friends Academy.

Our programme operates under rigorous guidelines to ensure the safety, reliability, and professionalism of all assistance dogs in public settings.

Therefore, the use of our official logo uniform vests is strictly prohibited if your dog has not successfully passed the required Public Access Test.

Furthermore, access to non dog-friendly venues will no longer be accepted, supported, or endorsed, as this privilege is reserved only for Assistance Dogs 'in training' that have successfully passed their Silver award and temperament assessment and who are current members of the Assistance Dog Programme. 

Once your Assistance dog has passed their public access test, you will be able to cancel your membership and still be protected under the company (This is including your annual reassessment) 

Our priority and commitment is to maintain the highest training standards and strict regulations of assistance dogs. 

Congratulations! You and your dog will officially join the Puppy and Friends Academy Online Assistance Programme.

Membership must remain active if you wish to take assessments, use Puppy and Friends Academy vests, carry membership cards, or receive trainer support.

After your first payment, you will immediately receive access to the Online Assistance Programme to begin working through the training requirements.
You must upload training videos for feedback and support. Keep copies of these logs for your own records.
Members who have passed both the Silver Assessment and a Temperament Test may use our “Assistance Dog in Training” vest.
Only teams who have passed the Public Access Test may wear the official “Assistance Dog” vest.
These vests may be used only by active members.

Your dog must receive a full veterinary health check each year, confirming they are fit to work as an assistance dog. Written clearance is required before taking the Gold Award or Public Access Test.

Flat-faced breeds (e.g., French Bulldogs, Pugs) may be limited in their ability to work in warm weather and may not be suited to full-time roles.

You must successfully complete seven assessments: Puppy, Bronze, Temperament Test, Silver, Mitigating Tasks, Gold, and finally the Public Access Test.

All assessments up to Gold are free and can be submitted by video.
The Public Access Test costs £120

Your dog must be at least 12 months old to take the Gold test, and Gold must be passed before training in non–dog-friendly locations.

Your dog must be 18 months or older to take the Public Access Test.

All mitigating tasks must be fully trained.

Tasks must be demonstrated in person or through video (for tasks that may not occur naturally during an assessment, such as night terror interruption or medical alerts).

A Temperament Assessment with a local trainer is required before the Silver Award. You will need an additional temperament assessment if your dog begins showing concerning behaviour, including reactivity, fearfulness, or involvement in an altercation (whether as instigator or victim).

If such behaviour appears, you must immediately stop all public access training until your dog has retested and passed another temperament evaluation.

You must consent to your Public Access Test being recorded. Videos are kept private and will only be used with your permission.
You must take a Public Access Test each year to maintain standards.

This includes a health check and temperament review.
The first test is done in person (within 50 miles of Shropshire).
Future annual re-tests to be completed in person (within 50 miles of Shropshire).

Please note: Assistance dog assessments, including the Access Test are not required by law.

However, completing them helps ensure that your dog is trained to a high, safe standard and can support you effectively, particularly in situations where public access may be questioned.

I accept full responsibility for my dog’s behaviour and understand that I am liable for any injury or damage my dog may cause to themselves, to another person, or to property while participating in training with Puppy and Friends Academy.

I acknowledge that all training provided by Puppy and Friends Academy is part of an Owner-Trained Assistance Dog programme. I understand this training is independent and not affiliated with ADI or any other governing body.

I understand that completing training with Puppy and Friends Academy does not guarantee public access permissions, and I may still experience access challenges. I also understand that airlines may refuse travel regardless of my dog’s training progress.

I agree to follow force free, positive training methods at all times. I will not use any corrective or aversive tools, including (but not limited to) slip leads, face halti, check chains, half-check collars, prong collars, e-collars, rattle bottles, or any form of physical punishment such as pinning, kicking, pinching, or applying physical force. I accept that my membership will be immediately terminated if I use aversive equipment or training techniques.

If my dog shows concerning behaviours during public access training, including reactivity, fear responses, or if they are involved in an incident such as being attacked by another dog. I agree to remove them from public situations and attend a complimentary assessment at our Shropshire location before continuing any further public training.

This section must be signed by a responsible adult aged 16 or over, who agrees to take full responsibility for the dog while in public at all times.