German Government Project: Access for Assistance Dogs

Roswitha Warda is chairman of Pfotenpiloten (meaning Paw Pilots) and a newly established charitable foundation in Germany, the Assistance Dog Foundation.

Rosie explained that Pfotenpiloten is a non-profit making and independent organisation which is not associated with any particular school, association or user groups.  They look at what is necessary for quality improvements for assistance dogs.

They have received EU funding and also have a number of organisations that support them including a huge pet care chain with over 1,000 stores which is hugely beneficial in terms of reaching an audience. 

Rosie’s presentation covered a range of initiatives that she has been involved in to improve accessibility for assistance dogs within Germany.

Last year, during National Assistance Day, they encouraged people to post a photo on social media of themselves at an establishment with a caption saying “Assistance Dogs Welcome”.  There were thousands of posts. 

Rosie advised delegates that the Federal Ministry of Work and Social Affairs are sponsoring a 30-month long campaign called “Assistance Dogs Welcome”. 

Some of the elements of the campaign include:

1. The creation of leaflets and publicity documents, including a leaflet showing different types of assistance dog and how to support an assistance dog team. The brochure is available in German, English and Turkish. 
2. Starting conversations with associations and chains that have refused access to assistance dog handlers.
3. Action days in the community at regional events with a mobile interactive exhibit, which can be taken to towns and cities where events are taking place - going to where the crowds are.
4. A two-minute animated film illustrating why assistance dogs have more rights than other dogs. Eight out of ten people don’t know about the needs of assistance dog handlers.  Improving education will help to increase accessibility.
5. School visits and action days.
6. Door stickers. Rosie explained that they didn’t want the sticker to say just “Assistance dogs welcome” in case it implied that the establishment was doing them a favour, so the door sticker read:  “Assistance dogs welcome here and everywhere else”, to emphasise that it is a right.
7. Publicity materials were targeted towards: Shops, public spaces, medical facilities and transport.
8. Creation of a community and hotline for validated teams which can be used to report discrimination.
9. An interactive map built on Google Maps, where it will be possible to add a classification to show either:
   -All dogs welcome here
   -Assistance dogs only welcome here
   -Assistance dogs refused here

The map is still in the development phase.  There will be a comment field to enable the user to explain the basis for their classification.  Rosie hopes that people will start using it and tag places creating a strong tool to make Germany, and the world, more accessible.

It always comes down to what is an assistance dog.  A free team evaluation is available through the Assistance Dog Foundation for teams who don’t already have recognition through organisations such as IGDF.

Rosie explained that they have a strong independent test, having developed their own set of exam criteria.  She considers it a unique approach involving an extensive use of technology, filmed from two different perspectives.  Two independent evaluations are involved.  The assessors have experience in the sector, and they also want to involve handlers in the assessment.