Standards for Trainers
These are intended to be minimum standards for all assistance dog programs that want to be affiliated with ADI. All Trainers are encouraged to work at levels above the minimum.
- Trainers must understand and adhere to all ADI Minimum Standards and Ethics.
- Trainers must be able to produce effective working teams that meet ADI Standards (i.e. Public Access Test, demonstration of tasks) as reviewed at the 1 year anniversary of the team.
- Trainers must have up to date knowledge of best practices in many areas including:
- learning theory
- canine behavior
- canine care and safety
- a variety of training techniques, equipment and methods
Trainers must demonstrate effective:
- communication skills
- instruction of groups and individuals
- assessment and problem solving skills
- self assessment and improvement of performance
Trainers must demonstrate:
- an understanding of the matching process of client with dog
- knowledge of the environment a team will encounter, specifically concerning family, community, school and workplace and the impact these may have on each working team.
- knowledge of and ability to determine when a training process,placement, orcertification needs to be discontinued.
Trainers have a responsibility to the public, therefore they must:
- have knowledge of pertinent canine laws (i.e. leash laws and public access laws)
- build rapport and establish effective working relationships with co-workers, clients, volunteers, and the community
- use appropriate behavior in public when working with each dog and or client (i.e. train one dog at a time, be polite, show respect and consideration to people and property, and maintain good personal and canine hygiene), be willing to educate the public about assistance dogs and access rights