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Assistance dog behaviour & public access assessments

We provide behaviour and public access assessments for assistance dogs and handler–dog teams, with a focus on welfare, safety and suitability for work in real-world environments.

Our work includes:

Behaviour & Obedience Assessments (BOA)
Public Access Tests (PAT)
Suitability and review assessments for existing assistance dogs
Independent opinion on behaviour and welfare in complex cases

Assessments are designed to be fair, transparent and grounded in current behaviour science.

Who we work with

We work with:

Owner-trainers and handlers preparing their dogs for assistance work
Allied health professionals (e.g. psychologists, occupational therapists) supporting clients who use assistance dogs
Veterinarians and behaviour clinicians seeking independent assessment input
Organisations and facilities developing or reviewing assistance dog programs

Our aim is to provide clear information about a dog’s suitability for their intended role, and what is needed to support welfare and safe public access.

Relationship with clinical behaviour services

Our role is to assess behaviour and public access suitability, not to provide full clinical behaviour treatment for the dog.

If an assistance dog or candidate dog is showing significant behaviour problems (e.g. aggression, severe fear, persistent over-arousal), a clinical behaviour consultation may be required.
Clinical behaviour consults are delivered through our partnered clinical service, Future Proof Training Academy (FPTA), on veterinary referral.

We can help clarify whether a case is best served by:

An assistance dog assessment (BOA/PAT)
A clinical behaviour consult via FPTA
Or a staged approach that involves both

Types of assessments

Behaviour & Obedience Assessment (BOA)

A BOA focuses on:

Core obedience and control in low to moderate distraction environments
Handler–dog communication and responsiveness
Ability to settle, recover and maintain appropriate behaviour
Basic welfare and management (equipment, handling, general presentation)

BOA assessments are often used:

As a preliminary step before undertaking a full Public Access Test
During training to check progress and readiness for public access work
As part of structured assistance dog programs or pathways

Public Access Test (PAT)

A PAT evaluates the team’s ability to work safely and appropriately in public spaces.

Areas typically assessed include:

Entering, exiting and moving through public environments
Behaviour in queues, waiting areas and seating spaces
Reactions to common distractions (people, trolleys, other dogs, noises, food)
Response to startle or unexpected events
Handler skills, awareness and ability to manage the dog responsibly

The focus is on:

Public safety
Dog welfare and coping
Consistency and reliability of behaviour in everyday public settings

Where appropriate, PATs can be conducted across more than one environment to reflect the dog’s actual working life.

Review and suitability assessments

We also provide review assessments where:

An existing assistance dog is struggling with work or showing changes in behaviour
There are questions about whether the role or workload is still appropriate
A team needs clearer guidance on limitations, supports or environmental adjustments
An organisation is reviewing outcomes or incident reports involving assistance dogs

These assessments focus on welfare, sustainability and realistic expectations of performance over time.

How the assessment process works

Initial enquiry
- We confirm who is requesting the assessment (handler, allied health professional, organisation).
- We clarify the purpose (e.g. BOA readiness, PAT, review, workplace requirement).
Information gathering
- You provide background information about the dog, training history, work role and environments.
- Relevant documentation may include handler letters, allied health reports, previous assessments and incident notes.
Assessment planning
- We decide on suitable locations and scenarios that reflect the dog’s normal work life.
- Where appropriate, some elements may be observed via video and recordings, with key components completed in person.
Assessment session(s)
- The dog and handler complete planned tasks and scenarios.
- We observe behaviour, coping, recovery, handler skills and welfare indicators.
Report and outcome
- You receive a written summary or formal report (depending on the referral question).
- This includes observations, strengths, areas of concern and recommendations (e.g. further training, environmental adjustments, limits on work, or reassessment timeframes).

Information for handlers

If you are a handler or owner-trainer:

Be prepared to describe your dog’s current role, usual work environments and any concerns you already have.
We are interested in how your dog copes, not just whether they can “get through” tasks.
We may suggest adjustments to expectations, environments or training, even if your dog passes key elements.

Our focus is on sustaining both your safety and your dog’s welfare over the long term.

Information for allied health professionals & organisations

If you are referring or supporting a client with an assistance dog:

Please outline the functional role the dog is expected to play (e.g. mobility, psychiatric, sensory support).
Let us know any specific risks, environments or tasks that are particularly important or challenging.
Where possible, provide relevant clinical or functional reports so we can understand context.

We can provide:

Written assessments tailored to your documentation needs
Guidance on environmental modifications and realistic expectations
Input into policies and processes around assistance dog use in your service or organisation

Enquiries

To discuss an assistance dog assessment (BOA, PAT or review):

Email: aabaconsultants@gmail.com

Please include:

Whether you are a handler, allied health professional, vet or organisation
The dog’s age, breed and current role (or intended role)
The type of assessment you believe is needed (BOA, PAT, review)
Any key concerns or questions you’d like the assessment to address

We’ll review the information and advise on the most appropriate assessment option and next steps.