Our online registration platform went live in May 2023. We would like to thank you all for your patience as this has been a huge project and has been developed by our volunteers in their free time outside of their full time jobs!
Please get in touch via phone or email if you would like more information. An application link will be sent to those that have called to discuss the process. We are happy for someone to call on your behalf if you are uncomfortable speaking on the phone.
Please note: submitting a full application does not mean the applicant is automatically approved for membership.
It is necessary for your doctor or psychiatrist to complete our downloadable questionnaire, and for your Veterinarian to complete our downloadable vet form as part of the online registration process. These documents are only available to those that have started their online application.
To apply you do not need to be registered as disabled however you will need the following to apply:
PADs Foundation help people with long term mental health diagnosis (supported by their doctor or Psychiatrist) to select and train a dog up to become their assistance dog. Emotional support and Therapy dogs do not have public access rights. Training can take up to 2 years and is carried out by handler (applicant) and their chosen trainer. A minimum of one monthly face to face training with a qualified trainer is required for all In Training members. PADs Foundation will offer support from how to select a suitable breed, how to find a suitable breeder, trainer as well as behaviour criteria and assessment. Please note we do not accept Toy, Brachycephalic or banned breeds. A dog that is to be trained as an assistance dog needs to be physically able to perform the specific mitigating behaviours to assist your disability.
If your application is successful you and your dog will be considered as In Training Members of PADs Foundation. Please note that you will not have public access rights with your dog until it has passed Public Access Standards and performs a minimum of three task related behaviours. As In Training Members you and your trainer will work through our In Training Guide to reach Public Access Standards. Please note that not all dogs will successfully reach the high standard of training required. Once you have passed the PADs Public Access Test and the dog has successfully demonstrated the required mitigating behaviours you and your dog will have public access rights under the Equality Act 2010. If you would like at this point to become full members of PADs Foundation we will issue you with membership cards and PADs harness which is useful to raise awareness of assistance dogs. Please note that it is not a legal requirement for the dog to wear an assistance dog harness. In order to maintain full membership your dog will be required to have a full annual vet check (our own document to be complete by vet) and an annual behaviour check.
We ask for a contribution of £30 towards each PAT test. On successful completion of the PAT and for full PADs Membership there is a £30 annual fee for fully trained members to go towards the cost of a made to measure PADs harness, new annual ID cards and postage. There is no fee to register as an In Training Member.
PADs Foundation is a charity run by a small number of volunteers and in the early stages of recruitment therefore we are currently unable to provide volunteer trainers for everyone. PADs Foundation have guidelines on how to find a suitable trainer and will support you and your trainer through the training process.
If PADs Foundation doesn’t have a volunteer trainer available close to you, you will be responsible for funding your dog’s training. Costs vary from trainer to trainer, please use our Find a Trainer Guide to assist you.
