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Assistance Dogs International

@adiintl.bsky.social

370 followers 520 following 98 posts

Assistance Dogs International (ADI) is a worldwide coalition of non-profit organisations that train and place Assistance Dogs. www.assistancedogsinternational.org For enquiries please use link: https://assistancedogsinternational.org/forms/contact-us//

assistancedogsinternational.org

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Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · Jan 6

Are you looking for an #assistancedog? Make sure you know the difference between an assistance dog and other types of dog, where to look, what to look for and how and where to apply. You can find information on our website: assistancedogsinternational.org/main/looking...

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Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · 21d

We have a new Executive Director, David Locklin, who began his career over 25 years ago at @guidedogs and is now based in the USA. "I'm honored to join an organization that unites such dedicated, skilled, & passionate professionals" says David. We're honored to have you! Welcome!

David Locklin - red hair, beard and glasses, - kneeling down with his arm around a yellow labrador

Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · Sep 9

ADI welcomes our new Corporate Partner Dogvatar! Dogvatar uses an AI-powered trainer assistant "Simon" to improve outcomes, success rates, & welfare of working dogs & support trainers & puppy raisers with real-time personalized insights. See www.dogvatar.dog for more info!

Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · Aug 26

It's #internationaldogday! This is a great opportunity to say thank you to all the incredible dogs our members work so hard to train so that they can help people who need them. Our latest statistics show we have over 28,300 #assistancedog teams across the world. #lifechangers

A yellow labrador assistance dog puppy in a frame with the words Thank You To All the Amazing Assistance Dogs

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Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · Aug 14

Want to know more about @adiintl and what we do? Listen to this great podcast with our ED Chris on www.petliferadio.com to find out how we started, created our standards, and grew to become the leading authority on #assistancedogs!

Working Like Dogs - Assistance Dogs International on Pet Life Radio

On this episode of Working Like Dogs on Pet Life Radio, Marcie and her loyal service dog, Fenway, sit down with Chris Diefenthaler, Executive Director of Assistance Dogs International (ADI).

www.petliferadio.com

Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · Aug 13

It's important to train #assistancedogs for many different scenarios. Thanks to www.catc.cz who worked with our member helppes.cz to train their dogs in aircraft and emergency situations.

Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · Aug 8

Continuing our celebration of places that really welcome #assistancedogs this #internationalassistancedogweek, here’s Sue and James from www.caninepartners.org.uk. Thank you to the chemist in Cockermouth - you know who you are! #IADW2025 #Paws4Access

Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · Aug 7

We’ve been thanking those that give a warm welcome to #assistancedogs this #InternationalAssistanceDogWeek. Here’s Sandy from abilitycenter.org telling us the difference a dog makes when it comes to access. #lifechangers

Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · Aug 7

We’re off to Canada for our next thank you for pawsitive access, with Tim and Gage, trained by www.autismdogservices.ca. Huge thanks to royalcitynursery.com in Guelph for the outstanding welcome they gave to Tim, Gage and family. Another example of Access Done Right! #InternationalAssistanceDogWeek

Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · Aug 6

Access is also important when training #assistancedogs. Venues like @tanglewoodma.bsky.social‬ go out of their way to welcome puppy raisers and trainers like Brenda with Marley from @neads-wcsd.bsky.social‬, allowing dogs to gain valuable experience. Thank you! #InternationalAssistanceDogWeek

Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · Aug 6

A warm welcome for an assistance dog at the most significant moments in life is vital. Here is Lowra from ADI member
www.os-mose.be
with a wonderful story of how her dog Gaia helped her at the birth of her first child. #InternationalAssistanceDogWeek #Paws4Access

Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · Aug 5

Kristen & @FreedomSvcDogs Boogie show what #AccessDoneRight looks like—and express gratitude to the restaurants that make them feel welcome. #IADW2025 #PawsForAccess #LifeChangers

Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · Aug 5

We know that travel, especially by air, can pose huge problems for assistance dog users. But some airlines and airports do get it right. Here’s Marek from www.helppes.cz with his dog Rey thanking those who enable him and Rey to travel around Europe. #InternationalAssistanceDogWeek

Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · Aug 4

When Christina had to go into hospital, her assistance dog Frigga went with her. Just another example of the difference pawsitive access makes. Frigga was trained by our member servicehunde.dk #IADW2025 #lifechangers

Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · Aug 4

Shopping malls can be great training places for #assistancedogs like Lily from www.candocanines.org. Here’s a shoutout to www.ridgedalecenter.com in Minnesota who are a great example of positive access for assistance dogs and their handlers. Thank you! #InternationalAssistanceDogWeek

Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · Aug 3

It’s #InternationalAssistanceDogWeek and we want to highlight those places that welcome #assistancedogs and share pawsitive access stories with you! First up it’s https://traffordcentre.co.uk/. Thank you for being so welcoming to Anne and Dave! @hearingdogs.org.uk

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Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · Jul 31

Following on from our Blog about young trainers, we just had to share this from our member https://helppes.cz/. They have many young clients, including young children, and also involve the children of their employees and volunteers in dog training. Here's Stela showing how it's done!

Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · Jul 29

Check out our latest Blog which looks at how young people can play a valuable role helping train #assistancedogs. It's beneficial for assistance dogs in training, the junior trainers, and assistance dog organizations themselves.
Red more here: assistancedogsinternational.org/blog/2025/07...

A young boy sits in a chair with a black labrador assistance dog by his side

Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · Jul 25

Transportation poses significant challenges for assistance dog handlers.56% of respondents globally experienced refusals in taxis or rideshares. Guide dog handlers reported even higher refusal rates at 63%. https://assistancedogsinternational.org/resources/paws-for-access-report/ #Paws4Access

Graphic with the text "63% of guide dog users denied rideshare transport"

Graphic with the text "40% of assistance dog users avoid going out due to past refusals rideshare"

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Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · Jul 24

"Handlers frequently need to verify or justify their assistance dogs...people with invisible disabilities face additional pressure to justify the legitimacy of their assistance dog" Read our report: https://assistancedogsinternational.org/resources/paws-for-access-report/ #Paws4Access #AccessMatters

A graphic with the text "But you don't look disabled is a big one"

Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · Jul 23

"The emotional toll on assistance dog users is considerable, leading to feelings of exclusion, anxiety, & frustration. This is exacerbated by the need to continually advocate for their rights before receiving equal treatment" https://assistancedogsinternational.org/resources/paws-for-access-report/

A graphic with the text "A doctor refused to see me because I had an assistance dog"

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Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · Jul 22

65% of assistance dog users in our report faced skepticism due to the rising number of fake #assistancedogs? This adds to the emotional burden and frustration experienced by handlers. Read the full report here: https://assistancedogsinternational.org/resources/paws-for-access-report/

A graphic with the text "people often question if my dog is really a service animal because of all the fake ones out there"

A graphic with the text "65% face skepticism due to fake service dogs"

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Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · Jul 21

Being denied access hurts more than plans. It hurts dignity. 1 in 2 assistance dog users face public access refusals. It’s time for global change. Read the report: https://assistancedogsinternational.org/resources/paws-for-access-report/ #Paws4Access #AccessMatters @ADIintl @IGDFDogs

Front page of the Paws for Access report with Out Now written across it

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Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · Jun 30

Our #Paws4Access report (with www.igdf.org.uk/) highlights the global discrimination faced by assistance dog users.
We call on:
Governments to enforce legal protections
Businesses to educate staff
Communities to stand up for inclusion assistancedogsinternational.org/blog/2025/06...

A bearded man in a wheelchair holds the leash of a yellow labrador assistance dog. They are in a shop

Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · Jun 11

Embrace Pet Insurance is ADI’s newest Corporate Partner! Embrace Pet Insurance is offering a minimum 10% discount to ADI members organizations’ graduates, staff, and volunteers in the United States.
See website for details: www.embracepetinsurance.com.
Welcome and huge thanks!

A white poodle cross dog lies on the ground looking at the camera, being petted by several people

Assistance Dogs International @adiintl.bsky.social · May 28

Our latest Blog looks at our affiliated partner courthousedogs.org: These dogs - all graduates from ADI accredited organizations - accompany individuals through the legal process, providing a calming influence. Read more here: assistancedogsinternational.org/blog/2025/05... #lifechangers

a woman sits in a court room petting a yellow labrador