Assistance Dog Training
The Pack 4 Life Assistance Dog Training pathway (P4LAD) is a tailored training program for you and your dog, as we believe the relationship forms the foundation of a great working team. Our experienced trainers will work with you to develop a specialised program of support. And, remember we’re not just trainers, we’re partners in your journey!
Pack 4 Life Assistance Dog (P4LAD) Pathway
Pack 4 Life Institute is an approved assistance dog training institution under the Queensland Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009.
Our assistance-dog pathway provides specialist support for eligible dog-and-handler teams, including training, public-access preparation, assessment, certification and ongoing review in accordance with applicable Queensland requirements.
We understand that starting something new can be daunting so we have tried to make the Pack 4 Life Assistance Dog (P4LAD) Pathway as fun and straightforward as possible to achieve. The Pathway has seven distinct, easy to follow steps to take you from the beginning of the journey to the final destination as a qualified, working Assistance Dog team!
Assistance-dog training consultations may be delivered online where the nature of the work makes this appropriate. Assessments, certification activities and Public Access Testing are delivered in accordance with the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009 and applicable Queensland requirements.
The initial Public Access Test must be conducted face-to-face. Where an assessment requires direct observation of the dog-and-handler team, it will be conducted in person.
Step 1 – Assess Eligibility
The Assistance Dog pathway at Pack 4 Life starts with assessing eligibility. The eligibility form will take you through all you need to know about what you need to be eligible to enter the Assistance Dog training program. Filling out this form and sending it back to us will start the process for you.
Step 2 – Suitability Assessment
If you are eligible, the next step is to have a suitability assessment which will help us to determine if you and your dog are suitable for the program. This is an essential part of the process, takes one and a half hours and usually occurs in your home, in person or via zoom.
Step 3 – Relational Awareness & Wisdom for Assistance Dog Teams
Once you and your dog have completed the Suitability Assessment, the next step is Relational Awareness & Wisdom for Assistance Dog Teams.
This four-week program is a prerequisite for progression into the Pack 4 Life Assistance Dog training pathway and is designed to set you and your dog up for success.
The program consists of four individual sessions, delivered weekly over four weeks, either face-to-face or via Zoom. Together, we begin developing the foundations that will support your future assistance-dog training, including understanding your dog, communication and body language, relationship and trust, welfare and individual needs, expectations of the assistance-dog pathway, and your role as your dog’s handler and training partner.
Importantly, these four weeks also provide an opportunity to experience the Pack 4 Life approach before making a significant commitment to the full assistance-dog training program. It gives us time to work together, clarify expectations and determine whether the pathway and training relationship are a good fit for you and your dog.
Following completion of the four-week program, we will discuss your progress and the next appropriate step in your assistance-dog training pathway.
Relational Awareness & Wisdom for Assistance Dog Teams is a separate program from Relational Awareness & Wisdom for Clinicians and does not include the professional online learning modules. The Assistance Dog Teams program consists of four weekly individual sessions, delivered face-to-face or via Zoom, and is a prerequisite for progression into the Pack 4 Life Assistance Dog training pathway.
Steps 4 and 5 - Basic and Advanced Training
Once you have completed the entry level Relational Awareness and Wisdom training, your suitability assessment and committed to the program you will enter the Assistance Dog training pathway, P4LAD. This involves two distinct stages of training SIT and PATT
P4LAD Basic training – Situational Awareness, Interactions and Teamwork (SIT)
P4LAD Advanced training – Public Access, Assistance and Task Training (PATT)
Step 6 – Public Access Test
Your trainer will decide when you and your dog are ready to undergo the Public Access Test (PAT). Once you have completed all requirements you will be an official Pack 4 Life Assistance Dog ‘P4LAD’ Team! You will then be given an official working jacket, ID and be eligible for ongoing support and advice from the organisation should you have any access issues.
Step 7 – Follow up and Re-testing
There are follow up support and annual re-testing requirements. Assistance dogs have public access rights that are regulated by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 – Federal Register of Legislation and the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009. You will need to comply with legislative requirements, animal welfare standards and any specific requirements set out by your organisation to maintain your status as a P4LAD working team.
Duration (average) 12-18 months
Interested in Relational Awareness & Wisdom for Assistance Dog Teams?
Relational Awareness & Wisdom for Assistance Dog Teams forms part of the Pack 4 Life Assistance Dog pathway. Before progressing to this program, you and your dog must first complete the Suitability Assessment process.
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