The Australian Assistance Animal Handbook: Part I

Terminology, Selection & Training

C L Williams

• Publisher: Claire Williams
• Year: 2021
• eBook ISBN: 9780645156935
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• Subtopic: Zoology
• Index: Biological Sciences

A new and improved version of the 2018 original, this book will guide you through the selection and training of an Australian Assistance Animal. Unsure about the correct terminology? We help with that too! See parts 2 and 3 for information on Australian legislation and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

1

What is an Assistance Animal?

An Assistance Animal (AA) is task-trained to mitigate the effects of their handler’s disability. The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) identifies an Assistance Animal as “a trained support designed to facilitate the participation of people with disability in accessing various aspects of personal and public life” (AHRC n.d.). In most cases an Australian Assistance Animal is a dog, however, the AHRC states that a parrot has been recognised as an Assistance Animal in a single complaint, which accounted for 1 % of all complaints of discrimination against an Assistance Animal and its handler from 2014 – 2016 (AHRC 2016).

 

Although it is common overseas for monkeys, miniature horses and even snakes to be classed as Assistance Animals, Australian Assistance Animals are, almost 100 % of the time, trained canines (Hallenbeck & Silverman, 2010). Assistance Dogs can be any breed or mixed breed, not just the common Labradors and Retrievers. When considering other species for use as an Assistance Animal, it is key to note that it is illegal to own most native and exotic species within Australia without an appropriate license, and a large number of these cannot legally be worked as an Assistance Animal due to restrictions on their transport and/or use in society.

 

Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), Assistance Animals have public access rights. This means that they can accompany their handler anywhere members of the public are usually allowed. This includes shopping centres, airports, schools, parks, cafes, shops, public transport, aquariums and restaurants to name a few. Exceptions to this rule include (a) quarantine areas (such as isolation buildings used to quarantine infectious disease patients), (b) sterile areas (such as sterile surgical suites) and (c) food preparation areas (such as a restaurant kitchen). 

 

Assistance Animals include 3 sub-categories, those being Guide Animals, Hearing Animals and Service Animals, and is, therefore, the correct terminology to use when referring to these working animals. Service Animals include all types of Assistance Animals which are not used for the purpose of Guide or Hearing activities. Thus, Services Animals can include those trained for mobility, allergy detection, seizure alert, psychiatric or psychosocial disability, or autism support. It is key to note that this is not an exhaustive list. 

 

Assistance Animal is the terminology used in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), and this terminology was confirmed by Howell (2019) in a report to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) who run the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) across Australia. Thus, referring to Assistance Animals as Assistance Dogs, Guide Dogs, Service Dogs, etc is technically incorrect but still regularly accepted terminology. You can find out more information about the NDIS in Part III of this series. 

 

It is ILLEGAL to refuse access to an Assistance Animal and their handler in most cases, and discrimination can be reported to the AHRC. You can find more information about refusal of access in Part II of this series. 

2

What is NOT an Assistance Animal?

The following are not considered to be an Assistance Animal as per the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth).  

• An Assistance Animal working in the absence of the person with defined disability (except when the person is temporarily absent, or the animal is being transported to or from that person),
• An Assistance Animal working with a person with a minor ailment (e.g. a cut, a bruise, a headache) who does not meet the definition of an Assistance Animal laid out by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth),
• An Assistance Animal who does not meet the hygiene and behaviour requirements set out by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth),
• An Assistance Animal who does not have at least 1 trained task to mitigate its handler’s disability as per the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), 
• An Emotional Support Animal (ESA). This is terminology used in the USA which is not recognised or used in Australia and, therefore, within Australia these dogs are simply pets and, therefore, do not have public access rights);
• Therapy Animals are not recognised in Australian legislation, however, these animals work with a handler and enter public areas with permission to work with individuals in nursing homes, hospitals or schools, for example, and
• Companion Animals (also known as pets) do not have public access rights.

 

It is key to note that prior to 2 years of age an Assistance Animal tends to be classified as a 'prospect' (prior to 6 months of age when a suitability assessment is typically conducted) or 'in training' (between 6 months and 2 years of age prior to completing a Public Access Test). However, these terms are not recognised under the law. It is recommended, however, that prospects not be taken into areas of public access until they are first assessed as suitable to begin training at 6 months of age. There is no law to prohibit this, however. 

3

Who can have an Assistance Animal?

To have an Assistance Animal, the handler (person with a disability) must have a disability that meets the definition given by the  Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) which is as follows.

 

The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) defines a disability as:

• total or partial loss of the person's bodily or mental functions,
• total or partial loss of a part of the body,
• the presence in the body of organisms causing disease or illness,
• the presence in the body of organisms capable of causing disease or illness,
• the malfunction, malformation or disfigurement of a part of the person's body,
• a disorder or malfunction that results in the person learning differently from a person without the disorder or malfunction, or
• a disorder, illness or disease that affects a person's thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgement or that results in disturbed behaviour.

This means that Assistance Animals can be utilised by a variety of people with various disabilities including, but not limited to:

- Physical disability (e.g. paraplegia, quadriplegia, amputation),

- Intellectual disability

- Psychosocial disability (e.g. PTSD, schizophrenia)

- Developmental disability (e.g. autism spectrum disorder)

- Disabling illness (e.g. MS, diabetes, epilepsy)

 

To have an Assistance Animal you must also have a defined, diagnosed disability whose symptoms have been present for at least 6 months to even consider obtaining an Assistance Animal. It is important to remember that not everyone with a disability will benefit from an Assistance Animal. Before considering obtaining an Assistance Animal you should carefully consider whether an Assistance Animal is right for you.

 

Please note that not all disabilities are visible. Thus, if you see someone in the street with an Asisstance Animal you cannot automatically assume that it is a fake. Many disabilities are unable to be seen by just looking at someone. You can learn more about invisible disabilities online at 'Invisible Disabilities Australia - Australia's Peak Body'. 

 

 

4

Is an Assistance Animal right for you?

An Assistance Animal is task-trained to mitigate the effects of their handler’s disability, however, many people with a disability will not benefit from an Assistance Animal for a variety of reasons. These reasons may include:

• A lack of support from a medical professional. You will require appropriate documentation to identify your need for an Assistance Animal - note that many practitioners are unsure of what is required so you may need to speak to a variety of practitioners to find one who is best suited to assisting you,
• A lack of support from family, housemates or friends (the presence of an Assistance Animal needs to be a household decision,
• Allergy or medical c...

Table of contents

• Half-Title
• Full-Title
• Contents
• Dedication
• Copyright
• 1 - What Is An Assistance Animal?
• 2 - What Is Not An Assistance Animal?
• 3 - Who Can Have An Assistance Animal?
• 4 - Is An Assistance Animal Right For You?
• 5 - Choosing A Suitable Breed & Size Of Dog
• 6 - Choosing A Dog With A Suitable Temperament
• 7 - Choosing A Suitable Age & Sex Dog
• 8 - What Is Unacceptable In An Assistance Animal?
• 9 - What Does An Assistance Animal Do?
• 10 - Sourcing A Program (Pre-Trained) Assistance Animal
• 11 - Sourcing Your Own Assistance Animal
• 12 - How To Choose A Trainer
• 13 - Equipment For Training & Working
• 14 - How To Choose A Training Organisation
• 15 - What Is The Process For Training An Assistance Animal?
• 16 - How Much Does An Assistance Animal Cost To Train & Maintain?
• 17 - The Lifecycle Of An Assistance Animal
• About The Author