Canine Helpers is sometimes able to certify a privately trained assistance dog.  There are strict limitations to determine whether or not your dog will be suitable for private certification, and Canine Helpers will only perform private certification of Service, Hearing and Therapy Dogs. Canine Helpers does not train or certify other people's Facility Dogs.  For Facility Dogs you will need to apply for a Canine Helpers dog.

The Private Certification Program is a course run over six months, with monthly classes with Canine Helpers staff during that time.  You will use that six-month period to complete all of the training standards required by Assistance Dogs International (ADI). To be certified with Canine Helpers, a privately trained dog must meet all of the same standards that a dog trained by Canine Helpers in the same category does.  For example, the dog must never bite, must not show inappropriate aggression, must have the requisite number of hours training (which varies between categories of assistance dogs), and must meet all of the other standards.

Achieving these standards is no easy task and only a small percentage of dogs are able to do so. As a result, Canine Helpers has a set of guidelines for acceptance into our Private Certification Program to ensure that we are investing our resources on dogs more likely to meet the ADI standards.

Applicants for the private certification program need to be aware that Canine Helpers does not train your dog for you in this program.  The purpose of the program is to certify dogs that have been trained by their owners, and to guide the owners in improving their dog's training.  While advice is given to clients on proper training technique, all of the training will be completed by the owners.

If you believe that your dog will require further training, please contact one of the training organisation listed at the bottom of the page.

If you are considering purchasing your own dog as your assistance dog, please be aware that Canine Helpers is unable to train your dog for you.  If you want a fully trained assistance dog you will need to apply for a dog from Canine Helpers.  Private Certification is only available to those who are able to complete the training themselves, with Canine Helpers' guidance.

Eligibility Guidelines

Please read the guidelines below to determine if you and your dog may be eligible to apply for private certification:

• You must be prepared to travel to Brisbane for the monthly classes;
• You must have a medically documented disability;
• You must convincing evidence that your dog performs a function that alleviates the effect of that disability above and beyond that which a normal pet dog would achieve;
• Your dog must have attained a minimum age of 18 months to begin the process;
• Your dog must be desexed (surgically sterilised);
• Your dog must be fully vaccinated;
• Your dog must be physically fit and healthy and an appropriate weight for his size. Overweight or ill dogs will not be considered;
• There is an upper age limit for acceptance into the Private Certification Program and dogs that are entering or are already in their senior years are unlikely to be considered;
• Your dog must be obedient and respond to basic commands.

If you and your dog meet the above criteria, then you are welcome to apply for entrance into the Private Certification Program. Please be aware that acceptance into this program is no guarantee of success at certification.

To apply for the Private Certification Program, please download the application information and forms below:

Private Certification Program Information Pack

Private Certification Program Application form

Private Certification Program Medical Release and History form

Please note that Canine Helpers is unable to advise you about your privately owned dog until you have applied to join the Program.  Canine Helpers is unable to offer training or training advice for dogs that have not yet joined the Private Certification Program.

If you need training for your younger dog, or a dog that is unable to enter the program yet, we can recommend the following trainers:

Brisbane:

• Northside: Pine Rivers Dog Obedience Club
• Southside: Urban Dog Training.

Gold Coast:

• Gold Coast Dog Obedience and Training Club
• A1 Dog Training (Private Tuition): 0417 642 382.  Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

All of the above recommended trainers have some experience with learner assistance dogs, and while they can not train an assistance dog for you, they will be able to help you to prepare for entry into the Canine Helpers program.

We are unable to make exceptions to the Private Certification program requirements.