What We Do

Psychiatric Assistance Dogs Foundation (PADs Foundation) provides a free training platform for clinically referred adults with a long-term mental health condition. The platform is designed to guide handlers and their trainers through the structured training process and assessment criteria required for a dog to work as an assistance dog.

Where volunteer trainers are available, PADs Foundation may be able to provide training support free of charge. However, due to the limited number of volunteers, many members work alongside their own qualified and registered dog trainer while following our programme.

Our platform includes structured training stages, assessments, guidance, and resources that handlers and trainers can work through together. While we cannot guarantee that every dog will reach the required standard to work as an assistance dog, we can ensure that participants receive guidance in ethical, welfare-focused training practices that strengthen the bond between handler and dog.

Once a dog has successfully completed the training programme, PADs Foundation will arrange an in-person Public Access Test (PAT). Successful completion of the PAT enables the handler and dog team to apply for full PADs Membership.

PADs Foundation is committed to improving the independence, confidence, and quality of life of people living with long-term mental health conditions through owner-trained psychiatric assistance dogs.

Our Mission:

We are committed to improving the quality of life and independence of people with psychiatric disabilities, by having a psychiatric assistance dog.

1. Supporting members to develop greater independence through partnership with a suitably trained psychiatric assistance dog.

2. Helping members reduce their reliance on external support where appropriate, promoting confidence, autonomy, and participation in daily life.

Our aims are:

To support individuals in overcoming barriers to participation in daily life and society.

To support members in developing greater independence through partnership with a suitably trained psychiatric assistance dog.

To provide education, guidance, and support in the ethical training and handling of psychiatric assistance dogs.

To raise public awareness and understanding of psychiatric disabilities and assistance dog access rights.

To promote high standards of welfare, training, and responsible assistance dog ownership.

We also provide information on the PADs Public Access Test (PAT) and the requirements for becoming a Full PADs Member. We continue to expand our resources for businesses, family members, carers, and the wider community.