Guidelines for authorisation to certify disability assist dogs

Learn how organisations can apply to be authorised to certify disability assist dogs, including the requirements, criteria and process.

Update

In March 2026, the Government announced a review of the Dog Control Act 1996. From 18 May 2026, the Minister of Local Government imposed a moratorium on applications for new organisations to be authorised to certify disability assist dogs under Schedule 5.

You can contact the Ministry at dogs@mcert.govt.nz to register your interest in applying and to be notified once the moratorium is lifted.

Guidelines for authorisation to certify disability assist dogs

The Dog Control Act 1996 (the Act) provides for the authorisation of organisations to certify disability assist dogs. Under section 75 of the Act, these dogs, which are trained (or in training) to assist a person with a disability, may legally enter any public place or any premises registered under regulations made under section 120 of the Health Act 1956.

For an organisation to be authorised to certify disability assist dogs, it needs to be listed in Schedule 5 of the Act. These guidelines help organisations apply for authorisation.

See Schedule 5 of the Dog Control Act 1996 (New Zealand Legislation website)(opens in new tab)

Legislation

The Minister of Local Government (the Minister) may recommend that the Governor-General amend the list of authorised organisations in Schedule 5 by Order in Council under section 78D of the Act. The Minister must consult with the Minister for Disability Issues before making a recommendation.

The Ministry provides advice to the Minister on applications to support the Minister’s decision-making.

Criteria for authorising organisations

The Minister may consider the following criteria before deciding to make a recommendation to the Governor-General:

  • there is a need for the organisation’s disability assist dog service
  • the organisation has appropriate training practices and resources, and provides support for clients
  • the organisation has a legal, management, and governance structure that will ensure it can perform its role.

These criteria take into account the ongoing viability of the organisation, the quality of its service, and its accountability to its clients.

Required information

Your application should include:

  • a letter outlining the purpose of the organisation, its functions and facilities, why clients will need assistance from disability assist dogs with exemptions for working in public places, and how the organisation will provide this assistance
  • the organisation’s legal name and other names it is known by (if any)
  • the name and contact details of the person or people responsible for the application
  • evidence of the organisation’s status as a legal entity
  • evidence of the organisation’s training standards and criteria for dogs working in public places, including its use of humane training methods. For examples of best-practice guidance see Assistance Dogs International’s standards (Assistance Dogs International website)(opens in new tab)
  • evidence of policies for assessing clients’ needs and ability to manage a specially trained disability assist dog, and for ensuring that suitable dogs are matched with clients
  • evidence of ongoing training, testing, support and follow-up procedures for clients and dogs, including the removal of certification as a disability assist dog as required
  • governance and operational documents, such as a constitution, plans, reports, rules, trust deed, or charter.

Additional evidence

Along with the information listed above, the following additional information will help assess the extent to which the application meets the criteria.

Criterion 1: There is a need for the organisation’s disability assist dog service

Possible evidence includes:

  • how dogs will assist their handler, particularly in public places
  • the demand for dogs in the community. This could include letters or emails from interested clients or relevant statistics.

Criterion 2: The organisation has appropriate training practices and resources, and provides support for clients

Possible evidence includes:

  • endorsements of the organisation’s training practices by appropriate organisations or individuals (with contact information for verification)
  • documentation outlining the organisation’s dog trainers’ qualifications and experience relevant to training dogs to work in public places
  • a procedure for evaluating and supervising staff
  • documentation showing that the organisation has or will have a reliable supply of dogs for training. This could include a breeding and puppy-raising programme or policies to procure suitable adult dogs
  • an identifying coat or harness and/or identification card for certified dog teams or trainee dogs
  • a policy for re-homing dogs that, in the course of being trained, do not meet the requirements for becoming disability assist dogs
  • a policy for re-homing dogs that are disability assist dogs, but because of illness, injury or old age are no longer able to continue to function as disability assist dogs
  • the quality of the organisation’s services, such as feedback, audits, reviews, or evaluations
  • full or provisional membership of Assistance Dogs International, the International Guide Dog Federation, or an equivalent best-practice assistance dog organisation.

Criterion 3: The organisation has an appropriate legal, management, and governance structure

Possible evidence includes:

  • registration with Charities Services, or if the organisation is not a charitable entity, documentation showing the organisation has effective governance and management. This could include a list of trustees or board members and details of their relevant expertise
  • sources of the organisation’s funds
  • documentation showing the organisation has a procedure to consider feedback and complaints from clients and staff, and processes for evaluating staff performance
  • procedures that show appropriate record keeping practices will be in place for all documentation and policies. 

Consideration of applications

Contact information

An application for authorisation, together with the supporting information, should be sent to:

Local Government Operational Policy
Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport
dogs@mcert.govt.nz(opens in new tab)

Notification

The Ministry will confirm receipt of the application and may request additional information or clarification.

Consultation and processing time

In considering an application, where necessary the Ministry will seek advice from the Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People, disability sector groups, and interested animal groups before providing advice to the Minister. As each application is likely to have different evaluation needs, the time taken to process each application may vary.

Decision on authorisation

The Minister of Local Government makes the final decision on whether the organisation meets the criteria listed above and whether to recommend that the Governor-General authorise the organisation by adding it to Schedule 5 of the Act. The applicant will be notified of the final decision once the Ministry has completed its assessment and the Minister of Local Government and the Minister for Disability Issues have considered the advice.

Ongoing monitoring of organisations

The Ministry administers the Dog Control Act 1996 and may monitor authorised organisations to ensure that they continue to operate to a sufficient standard. The Governor-General may remove an organisation from Schedule 5 of the Act, on the Minister’s recommendation, if it is no longer operating to a sufficient standard.

Note: K9 Search Medical Detection (K9SMD) was removed from the list of authorised Schedule 5 organisations on 20 December 2024. Any dogs certified by K9SMD before this date retain their legal access rights. From 20 December 2024, no dogs can be certified by K9SMD.