Apply for a canine partner assistance dog
What is a canine partner?
Our assistance dogs are placed with adults with physical disabilities and conditions, to provide vital practical support both in and out of the home. Our assistance dogs are tailor-trained to their partners’ needs and can carry out important practical tasks that our partners may find painful, tiring, or physically cannot do themselves. This could include retrieving dropped items, helping with undressing, opening and closing doors, pressing switches, and much more.
As a trained assistance dog, they are an extension of their partner’s abilities and have full access rights in public places by law. They can also travel on public transport. In return, our partners are expected to be able to provide for all the dog’s needs as independently as possible, including exercise and health needs. Partners are required to undertake a Partnership Training Course and our Aftercare Team will support the partnership for the full working life of the dog.
How do I apply for a canine partner?
We are currently closed to new applications but please see more information below about applying in future. We will update this website page and our social media at least 4 weeks before there are any updates on opening to new applications. (Page last updated July 2024)
Thank you for your interest in applying for a canine partner. We are currently closed to new applications. As an ADUK charity, we are committed to prioritising returning partnerships who have previously had a canine partner, to enable them to continue to maintain their independence and retain the benefit that their previous dog has given them. At present, we are therefore focussed on working with those who are already assessed and on our waiting list, and our returning partnerships, whose canine partner dogs are no longer working.
To find out if you would be eligible to apply when we reopen, please see our Assistance Dog Applicant Information pack here or click the button below.
Download the assistance dog applicant information pack
Reopening process
To manage demand for our services and the time that applicants are on our waiting list, we will open our waiting list at specific times and to specified locations.
The information you will need to provide and how to make a first-stage application for a canine partner will appear on this page at least four weeks prior to the next opening date. This is to ensure that you have enough time to check your eligibility and prepare for making your first-stage application.
Due to such high demand, upon receiving all first-stage applications, a set number of these applications will then be automatically and impartially selected by a computer program, to go through to second-stage assessment. This approach enables all potential applicants a fair opportunity to apply, whilst enabling us to best manage our wait times for those who do go on to join our waiting list within our resources available to support our partnerships in all regions of the UK.
Other services and options
Canine home assistance
Highly trained dogs placed with disabled adults to provide practical support and assistance in the home but not in public.
Canine companion
Dogs placed in a home where there is an adult or a child with a physical disability or condition who would benefit from the companionship and emotional support.
Rehome a Canine Partners dog
Dogs that are unsuited to life as an assistance dog due to health or behavioural requirements, but would make a loving pet dog.
Alternatively, if you need assistance dog support for a different disability, condition or impairment, please visit the ADUK website where various assistance dog charities cater for many different needs and requirement.
After reading the above information, if you have any specific enquiries or questions about applying for a canine partner, please contact us by emailing applicationsenquiries@caninepartners.org.uk or calling 01730716042.
Thank you for your patience while we aim to get back to you as soon as possible