Disability Assistance Dogs

Thousands of people across the UK are supported by an Assistance Dog and here in Guernsey, Assistance Dog Teams are regularly working within our community.


Assistance Dogs are dogs that have been highly trained to carry out a range of tasks and alerts that support a disabled person or a person with a long-term medical condition and enhance their independence and confidence.


There are many different types of Assistance Dog including Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs, Disability Assistance Dogs, Medical Alert Assistance Dogs, Mobility Assistance Dogs, Autism Assistance Dogs & Psychiatric Assistance Dogs. It is even common to find that some Assistance Dogs are trained to perform tasks that cross more than one of these categories!


Assistance Dogs are trained to adhere to etiquette that ensures a high standard of behaviour when out and about that is non-disruptive to members of the general public.


Pets, Emotional Support Dogs and Therapy Dogs do not have the same training and public access rights as an Assistance Dog,


Paws For Support provides continuous, ongoing, expert training to it’s Assistance Dog Teams before, during and after qualification.


Once qualified, Paws For Support Assistance Dog teams will have:


  • Met the legal definition of disability (evidence provided by handler’s doctor)
  • Successfully completed training that evidences having learned 3 specific tasks to mitigate the handler’s disability. For example:

-picking up dropped items

-opening/ shutting doors

-identifying and retrieving named items

-loading/ unloading the washing machine

-placing items where required

-finding help

-Alerting to sounds

-Medical alert

And many more!


  • Completed ADI standard Public Access Test (to be retested on a yearly basis)
  • Have Public Liability Insurance
  • Pass an Annual Vet Check indicating that the dog is fit to work


Disability Assistance Dog Capes

Paws For Support Assistance Dogs can be identified by our striking, blue Assistance Dog Capes which are clearly labelled with 'Assistance Dog' and 'Do Not Distract' as well as our organisation logo and symbols advising the public not to touch or make eye contact with our dogs. Some capes also carry 'Medical Alert' patches where necessary. 

Our Assistance Dogs are usually in uniform, through there may be times where they require public assess in unplanned circumstances and in these instances there should still be accommodated (e.g. unplanned hospital admissions).

Disability Assistance Dogs

Callie
Qualified

Callie is an English Springer Spaniel, and she started training slightly later (when she was 1yrs old) and worked at Les Voies as the very first school therapy dog here in Guernsey.

Her confidence and calm nature helps her thrive as a school therapy dog. She loves the children and working (especially because she gets to spend all day with her owner).

Callie has had 2 litters of pups - Haze and Cyan have become wonderful therapy dogs too.

Pinta
Qualified

Pinta is a Podenco/ Pointer mix. She was brought to the Island having been rescued from Spain. Pinta joined her owner and her family only 10 weeks ago on an off chance meeting but when she placed her head on Martine’s lap and looked up at her - it was meant to be! She is learning tasks such as scent detection, deep pressure therapy, bracing (to help with dizziness), getting help (should Martine fall), picking things up/ bringing things to her.

Pinta’s favourite thing to do is run very fast in circles closely followed by jumping exceptionally high! She loves to play with her toys and has recently learned how to play fetch with her teddy!

Lily
Qualified

Lily is a working cocker spaniel puppy, fondly nicknamed "the pocket rocket" as she does everything at a hundred miles per hour! Lily loves training, and while she’ll happily accept treats, her favourite thing in the world is human affection. This pup would do anything for belly rubs!

Her owner, has a connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and also has a related condition called POTS which affects her heart and blood pressure. Lily is learning to do a range of tasks to help, including retrieving items, alerting her owner when her heart rate goes too high, finding and fetching medicine on command and alerting people when her owner needs help. She’s going to be a very busy little dog!

Floki 
In Training

Floki is a  Sprocker Spaniel who was bred locally. From the litter he was matched specifically with her owner, with the intention of becoming an assistance dog. Floki has gained confidence manoeuvring around a wheelchair. He understands basic commands and has a wonderful bond with his owner and Family. He loves playing tuggy, chasing balls and going for walks. Floki enjoys learning new skills especially when rewarded with a treat or toy (he can hear a treat bag rustle from any room).

Salem
Qualified

Salem is a Miniature Schnauzer from Buffingham Kennels in Peterborough.  Salem came to live with his owner and her family, when he was 12 weeks old and has settled in as if he has always been here. He is a bundle of energy who loves the sound of his own Bark. He is training to be his owners Medical Alert Assistance Dog and is doing very well and helping her get out and about.  He loves long runs across the beach when not working.

Dougal 
In Training

Dougal is a Poodle who  was sourced specifically from the UK by Sue and the gang at animal aid, to be trained to be an epilepsy assistance dog. Dougal has started his basic puppy training which includes retrieving things when dropped, sitting and staying calm when out and about and also trying to do hands free lead walking as his excitement when seeing other dogs is a work in progress. This has been a challenging yet rewarding time for owner  who has refractory frontal lobe epilepsy which means her tonic clonic seizures don’t always give her warnings, partial seizures when can get confused and absence seizures when she would drop his lead constantly so working on him being anchored to his owner so not a problem if she drops the lead. Dougal absolutely loves playing with his ball and would happily spend the whole day playing fetch in the garden, equally he likes playing fetch with himself by dropping the ball down the stairs and running down to retrieve it! He has already become a welcome part of the family and couldn’t imagine life with out him now!

Piper
Qualified

Piper is a Miniature Schnauzer.  
She became a qualified assistance dog in October 2024 and is a loyal companion to her mum. Piper helps her mum with a number of physical tasks around the house, and when they are out and about.  She is also learning to detect when her mum is having a hypo (low blood sugar count) due to her diabetes.       
Piper has travelled to the UK with her mum and went on the Bluebell steam train which was a great day out. 
Piper lives near L’Ancresse common and loves nothing more than a good run around on the common with her friends.

Bingo
In Training

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Elsie
In Training

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Barney
In Training

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Registered Office: Paws For Support, Willow Springs, Clos Des Goddard, Vazon, Castel, Guernsey GY57JD                     Registered Charity CH573