apply to become a client

RAD training requires clients to work through 4 levels of training before a Public Access Test can be considered. These are: 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 the client's needs and also when each block is scheduled.  

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

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. These include: sit, down, stay, send to bed, emergency stop.  

RAD does not train any medical alerts for conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes and POTS. 

We do not train any mobility tasks such as bracing, or safety tasks such s tethering. 

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

Our training is split between zoom and face to face training which takes place in Leicester. Clients must be able to commit to undertaking both aspects of training throughout the programme. 

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.

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 which typially do or do not make good assistance dogs. These can be provided on request. 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 and we are happy provide advice, especially if you have a mixed breed dog. Please contact RAD at enquiries.radassistancedogs@gmail.com if you have any concerns or questions.

RAD only trains dogs for handlers who are over 18. The handler is the person with a qualifying disability who the dog is being trained to support. We cannot train a parent or carer as the handler for a dog. 

RAD receives a lot of enquiries from families where more than one family member has a qualifying disability. RAD believes that a dog can only be expected to assist one person, and our training is focused on training the dog to recognise the cues from one handler and perform the tasks they require. 

RAD supports owners to train their own dog. We do not provide any dogs. 

RAD only trains dogs for adults over the age of 18 who have a primary diagnosis of a mental health condition. 

Applicants must:

* Be able to independently train their own dog every day.

*Be able to provide adequate exercise for their dog's age and breed. 

*Ideally live less than 3 hours by car from Leicester, or have a plan in place for accommodation when they attend training. *RAD operates primarily in Leicestershire and neighbouring counties. We are a charity registered in England and Wales. We are not accepting any new clients from Scotland. 

*Live in accommodation which has direct access to a private garden for their dog to use. 

*Have their dog living with them for the majority of the time. 

*Be able to afford insurance, parasite treatments, veterinary care, and a good quality diet for their dog. 

*Have a dog which is aged between 9 months and 5 years with no identified behavioural problems.

RAD does not offer immediate assessments for fully trained dogs trained independently or by another organisation. As candidates of ADI we require clients to train with RAD for a minimum of 6 months before we can assess a dog for public access. 

If you are in training with another trainer or organisation and would like to discuss the process for becoming a client with RAD please email:

enquiries.radassistancedogs@gmail.com 

Currently, as candidates of ADI, dogs which have passed RAD's additional flying training, after their Public Access Test, can fly on British Airlines. The rules for Assistance Dogs on flights are set by the CAA and are subject to change from time to time. RAD does not offer any guarantee that our dogs will be able to access flights.