BECOME A CLIENT

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BECOMING A Client

To become a client of RAD Assistance Dogs you need to provide the following documents:

  • Evidence of your Mental Health Disability.
  • Vet Health and Vaccination Evidence
  • Dog Insurance Certificate


It is a requirement at RAD that all dogs need to be neutered or spayed before undertaking their final public access assessment.


It's important to have all this evidence to hand when you start your application. You are also required to complete a dog behaviour questionnaire and attend a face to face induction training session In Leicester before any training can start. The cost of this behavioural assessment day is £25.

Client INTAKES

RAD currently has a waiting list for prospective clients.


Due to a high volume of clients and work load, RAD have closed for new clients until July 2024. 


Please note, we reserve the right to decline any application. As a small organisation we do not guarantee to be able to offer any feedback about declined applications.

We are only taking on clients in areas that we have trainers, We currently have trainers in Leicestershire, Horsham, Chichester, Carlisle and Manchester.



Sign Up For client Updates

Our latest round of applications is now closed. Please fill in your details below and we will contact you when our next intake opens.  RAD will only email once a space is open, not when you sign up to client updates. 

We never pass your information to any third parties. You are free to unsubscribe from these notifications at any time.

HOW DOES TRAINING WORK?

RAD train clients via weekly zoom classes and in face to face classes in the Leicester area.

ZOOM TRAINING

Zoom training enables you to access dog assistance training where ever you live in the UK.


Zoom training in your own home means that training takes place in a stress free, low distraction environment where you and your dog both feel safe and secure.


It enables you to get the most out of your dog in an environment where they are comfortable before transferring these learnt behaviours to the wider world.

in person TRAINING

Face to face dog assistance training at RAD takes place weekly in the Leicester area. All face to face classes are bookable and you can attend as many as you choose.


At RAD we currently have weekday and weekend training sessions and weekday social sessions. 


We also currently have volunteer RAD Dog Trainers in Kent, Horsham, Birmingham, Stroud, Worchester and Cornwall that you can also meet for in person classes.


All clients need to undertake face to face training monthly, please do consider if this would be possible for you before you apply.

  • How long does it take to complete training?

    RAD offers 4 courses: Dog Beginners, Dog Intermediate, Dog Advanced and Dog Public Access. To complete all 4 courses, it will take roughly 18 months to 2 years depending on your prior experience with dog training. 

  • What age can a dog take their final public access assessment?

    At RAD assistance dogs we only assess dogs for their final public access assessment over the age of 18 months.

  • What behaviours do we train?

    At RAD we train behaviours to mitigate the symptoms of mental health disability.  


    These include: blocking (to create space around you and create distance from others), deep pressure therapy, responding to crying, interrupting behaviours, leading to an exit, tug, get it.


    We also teach basic obedience behaviours too.  These include: sit, down, stay, send to bed, emergency stop.  

  • Can I train more than one dog?

    Our training is in-depth which is why we recommend working with only one dog when you start learning.


    We do have several clients who train two dogs, for example to train a dog for themselves and one for their child.

  • Where does training take place?

    Our training is split between zoom and face to face training. Our main face to face training takes place in Leicester, however we have a growing network of volunteer trainers across the country.

    If you have any questions about where your nearest face to face training would be, please contact us. 

  • Training equipment restrictions

    RAD has a policy against the use of aversives, that includes slip leads, choke chains and prong collars.


    At RAD we put a huge focus on lead walking training and recommend the use of a lead and/or harness.

  • What breeds does RAD accept?

    Dog welfare is important to us at RAD and we need to make sure that the breed of dog is the right choice for the client.  


    RAD has guidelines on dog breeds that make good assistance dogs.  The dog needs to be suitable for the job and for your lifestyle.  Assistance dogs need to spend a lot of their time in a settle, especially if you attend school or work.  Please consider this requirement before purchasing a 'working' line dog.  


    RAD does not accept brachycephalic dogs.  These breeds can be prone to BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) and can have severe breathing concerns.  These dogs are more likely to get heatstroke in hot weather.  RAD has a heat policy, and the working temperatures for brachycephalic dogs are lower.  If you have a brachycephalic dog there will be large proportions of the year you wouldn't be able to work your dog.  RAD is here to support you with this, especially if you have a mixed breed.  Please contact RAD at dtm@radassistancedogs.org.uk if you have any concerns regarding this.

RAD Training videos

As a client of RAD you are able to access our range of training videos in addition to zoom and face to face training.

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