Assistance Dogs International

Yellow Lab Service Guide Dog

Assistance Dogs international is a combination of non-profit organizations that work together to promote a higher standard of care, training, and placement of assistance dogs worldwide. Founded in 1986 with headquarters in Maumee, Ohio. Assistance Dogs international serves as a international recognized authority on assistance dog programs and authorizing organizations that are able to train dogs to assist with disabilities. This includes but is not limited to dogs for the visually impaired, hearing dogs, and service dogs for those with metal or physical health challenges. The Assistance Dog international incorporated aims to improve the lives of people with disabilities by advancing the training of assistance dogs.

What does ASI do?

Assistance Dogs International operates as an umbrella organization, containing more than 140 member programs across five continents. These 140 organizations must meet ADI’s attentive standards to become authorized to work with ADI. Ensure these organizations follow ADI’s ethical training practices and follow-up protocols. ADI provides satisfactory follow-up care for the assistance dogs and their human partners. The accreditation must be renewed every five years for to ensure proper care and standards. During these renewals members must go through a detailed review process that evaluate their welfare protocols, training methods, and general operations.

Assistance Dogs International's rigorous accreditation process is planned out to maintain high standards in animal welfare, training, and ethical practices among all members under its umbrella. The five-year renewal structure includes interviews, on-site assessments, and detailed examinations of each organization’s compliance with ADI’s guidelines. Members are required to show continuous commitment to quality and improvement through follow-up care and strict compliance with ADI's ethical framework.