Certified Assistance Dogs Australia

Certified Assistance Dogs Australia Assistance Dog Industry Specialist - helping people live more independent lives with their assistance dog My name is Diane Petersen.

I am an assistance animal industry specialist. I have worked training assistance dog and handler teams within my previously founded organisation Both Ends of the Leash; until ownership was transferred to head trainer Briahne Kelly. My passion for the disability sector, assistance dogs and people living better, more independent lives alongside their certified assistance dogs has led me to many oppo

rtunities. Most recently I have created and delivered content for Australia's only assistance dog training qualification (ACM40322). Evidence is the fuel that ignites my passion. I have a deep interest in research and evidenced based methodologies and practices. I have developed a proven assistance dog and handler training program called Puppy to Public Access(TM) which as the name suggests is a comprehensive program that guides the handler and assistance dog from the earliest possible age, through to them becoming a reliable human-dog partnership equipped with all of the skills and knowledge needed to negotiate all public places and forms of public transport safely and without stress. Positive reinforcement is the only method of training I endorse and use. I will not use punishments or aversive methods in my training program. The wellbeing of the handler and the welfare of the assistance dog are my highest priority in every interaction along the training journey. The breed of dog, and their breeder's protocols are the greatest influence you have control over. I can guide you through the process of breed selection and together we can approach breeders who are known for their successful litters. Appropriate, calm and safe socialisation is the next most important influence you have with your prospective assistance dog. Many people are not well enough at the time they seek to obtain a prospective assistance dog puppy. For these people we recommend consideration of a protocol such as our P-2-P pre-loaded, fully-loaded or, hybrid assistance dog training programs. Certified Assistance Dogs Australia will continue to educate and support within the assistance dog space toward the goal of a nationally consistent standard for assistance dogs, trainers and handlers in Australia.

The journey towards a Nationally Consistent approach to the training and certification of assistance dogs and Assistance...
18/03/2025

The journey towards a Nationally Consistent approach to the training and certification of assistance dogs and Assistance Dog Trainers in Australia commenced in 2021 when the first public consultation was conducted.

A project as big as this one requires consultation and planning - if you're reading this post you are in a defining moment in the assistance animal space.

Please read the National Principles for the regulation
of Assistance Animals document by following the links on this Engage.DSS page where there are also links to submit your feedback on the draft assistance animal principles.





Assistance Animal National Principles Open Closes in 75 days Assistance animals are animals trained to support the independence and wellbeing of people with disability. Assistance animal users have a right to have their animal with them, the same as any other disability support. Despite this, assist...

Please be aware on all grassed areas that residual pesticides may be present.
11/02/2025

Please be aware on all grassed areas that residual pesticides may be present.

W**d killers are designed to keep lawns and parks looking pristine 🌿 But what really happens when pets walk (or lie) on grass that’s just been sprayed with w**d killers and pesticides? Well…plenty 🐶 🐈

Especially when a dog and cat’s favourite pastime is licking those feet and bellies soon after being in the park 👅 🤢

Find out how you can stop w**d killer worry in the comments below 👇

01/02/2025

Huge thanks to A Current Affair for bringing attention to the rediculous refusals NDIS routinely issue. It’s well past the time where NDIA need to acknowledge the life saving benefits of Assistance Dogs.

25/01/2025

Happy Australia Day from Defence Community Dogs 🇦🇺
We hope you're having a great weekend.

www.dcdogs.com.au
Improving the lives of Veterans. One paw at a time. 🐾

Australian Army Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

The Disability Discrimination Act (1992) includes legislation that prohibits the denial of access to public places, on...
15/01/2025

The Disability Discrimination Act (1992) includes legislation that prohibits the denial of access to public places, on the basis of being accompanied by an assistance dog.





Recently CADA conducted a survey asking 75 Australians living with assistance dogs, how their dogs had impacted on their...
13/01/2025

Recently CADA conducted a survey asking 75 Australians living with assistance dogs, how their dogs had impacted on their thoughts and feelings of su***de and self harm.

Let's discuss these important issues more openly.

Su***de is the leading cause of death among young Australians aged 15-24.





***deprevention

SUNSHINE COAST WARNINGTaking fresh water with you out & about is a good idea - especially at the moment.(edit: it was no...
05/01/2025

SUNSHINE COAST WARNING
Taking fresh water with you out & about is a good idea - especially at the moment.

(edit: it was not one of CADA’s families)

HOT OFF THE PRESS - Jade Fountain of Animal Behaviour Matters has been published in this great paper explaining The Valu...
31/12/2024

HOT OFF THE PRESS - Jade Fountain of Animal Behaviour Matters has been published in this great paper explaining The Value of Sniffing reviewing scent activities for canines.


New paper out! Jade of Animal Behaviour Matters has a new publication, the first part of her PhD research into scent activities for dogs! 🐕🐕‍🦺📚

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159124003332?via%3Dihub

When you meet a new dog and have been invited to say hello please remember where to pet them. Always ask first, and resp...
28/12/2024

When you meet a new dog and have been invited to say hello please remember where to pet them.

Always ask first, and respect every handler’s right to prefer not to allow a greeting.

NEVER approach or distract an assistance dog. Many are medical alert dogs and your distraction could have serious consequences.

Are you looking for a new activity to share with your doggos in 2025? Scentwork (Nosework) is a brilliant activity that ...
26/12/2024

Are you looking for a new activity to share with your doggos in 2025? Scentwork (Nosework) is a brilliant activity that will build your bond with your dog working as a team. It's super enriching and you'll meet a bunch of great people and their dogs. If you participate in scent work why not tag your club in the comments. Let's do more sniffing in 2025.

Artwork credit: Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin





Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin

Did you know??Please keep your parasite protection up to date; intestinal worms can also infect humans, they are zoonoti...
17/12/2024

Did you know??
Please keep your parasite protection up to date; intestinal worms can also infect humans, they are zoonotic infections.

Link to research is in the comments

Certified Assistance Dogs Australia

I describe myself as a positive rewards, relationship centred trainer. Our dog’s welfare is always at the heart of the t...
01/12/2024

I describe myself as a positive rewards, relationship centred trainer. Our dog’s welfare is always at the heart of the training relationship. Dogs are sentient beings. All behaviour is communication. For me, the relationship (human-animal bond) is paramount.

Thanks and credit to RowanTree Dog Training for this beautifully presented explanation.

Connection is the greatest reinforcer for me as a trainer. I shamelessly build meaningful connection with every dog I en...
17/11/2024

Connection is the greatest reinforcer for me as a trainer. I shamelessly build meaningful connection with every dog I engage with, and with their humans as well. 🫶🏼

Last Thursday (14.11.24) I had the privilege to witness the wedding of two incredible people, while their gorgeous pooches watched on.

and had a great afternoon as vital members of the family.

Incredible day. 🩵🐾🦮🐾🦮🩵

Lest we forget | 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month | thank you to all who served | human & animal | your sacrifice ...
10/11/2024

Lest we forget | 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month | thank you to all who served | human & animal | your sacrifice for our freedom can never be repaid. Lest we forget.

what if you could select a puppy and engage a training organisation to work with you, while they train your dog? ...
09/11/2024

what if you could select a puppy and engage a training organisation to work with you, while they train your dog?

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