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STANDARDS AND ETHICS REGARDING DOGS

ADI also believes that any dog the member organizations trains to become an Assistance Dog has a right to a quality life. Therefore, the ethical use of an Assistance Dog must incorporate the following criteria.

1. An Assistance Dog must be temperamentally screened for
emotional soundness and working ability.

2. An Assistance Dog must be physically screened for the
highest degree of good health and physical soundness.

3. An Assistance Dog must be technically and analytically trained
for maximum control and for the specialized tasks he/she is
asked to perform.

4. An Assistance Dog must be trained using humane training
methods providing for the physical and emotional safety of
the dog.

5. An Assistance Dog must be permitted to learn at his/her own
individual pace and not be placed in service before reaching
adequate physical and emotional maturity.

6. An Assistance Dog must be matched to best suit the client's
needs, abilities and lifestyle.

7. An Assistance Dog must be placed with a client able to interact
with him/her.

8. An Assistance Dog must be placed with a client able to provide
for the dog's emotional, physical and financial needs.

9. An Assistance Dog must be placed with a client able to provide
a stable and secure living environment.

10. An Assistance Dog must be placed with a client who expresses
a desire for increased independence and/or an improvement in
the quality of his/her life through the use of an Assistance Dog.

11. An ADI member organization will accept responsibility for its
dogs in the event of a graduate's death or incapacity to provide
proper care.

12. An ADI member organization will not train, place, or certify
    dogs with any aggressive behavior. An assistance dog may
     not be trained in a way for guard or protection duty.
     Non-aggressive barking as a trained behavior will be acceptable
     in appropriate situations.

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