Medical Alert Assistance Dogs

UPDATE:

Thank you for your interest in our Medical Alert Assistance Dogs programme.

Unfortunately, we are currently unable to accept any new applications. We will notify here when this changes.

Please reach out to any other certified organisation under Schedule 5 of the Dog Control Act listing authorised agencies for qualified assistance dogs in New Zealand.

Thank you for your interest in our assistance dog programme.

The following medical conditions are included in our programme. Other medical conditions are considered on a case by case basis:

Epilepsy

Narcolepsy

Diabetes

Allergies causing anaphylaxis

Addisonian crisis (also known as Adrenal crisis

Cardiac condition such as, but not limited to Postural Tachycardia syndrome (PoTS)

Please note: We can train dogs for emotional support however these dogs are not certified assistance dogs and do not have public access. We also do not train or certify assistance dogs for PTSD.

The purpose of an Assistance Dog is to be an asset to a person’s life, their desire for independence and support of their medical condition.

Having an Assistance Dog is a serious and long-term commitment. The Applicant will be responsible for the life and well-being of the Assistance Dog. This must be taken seriously.

The Applicant must have as a minimum:

The full support of all family members

Be able to correctly manage an Assistance Dog when they are working

Have one specific medical condition for an Assistance Dog

Be active enough to regularly use the Assistance Dog for the purpose it was trained

Be able to care, both physically and financially for an Assistance Dog providing appropriate health care, food, water, exercise and grooming to maintain the dog’s good health

Provide a safe and nurturing environment appropriate for an Assistance Dog

 The Application Process

Step 1 – Complete the Application form

Download the application form (below) complete and send back to:

assistancedogs@k9medicaldetection.nz

We will acknowledge we have received your initial enquiry.

Please ensure the form is fully completed.

Please note, this does not automatically confirm your acceptance into the K9 Medical Detection Assistance Dog programme

Step 2 – Acceptance or Declined.

Once the initial enquiry has been reviewed to determine whether the Applicant is suitable and meets K9MD’s criteria, the applicant will be advised if they have been declined or are to proceed to the second part of the application process. Such decision is at the sole and unfettered discretion of K9MD and such decision shall be final. If the applicant proceeds to the second stage a more comprehensive form, including medical information will be sent directly to the applicant. This information will be held in the strictest of confidence.

Step 3 – Interview and Assessment

If the applicant’s medical information allows the application to progress then an interview/assessment will be scheduled. An interview/assessment does not any in way guarantee acceptance. The interview/assessment will help both the Applicant/Handler decide if receiving an Assistance Dog would be beneficial and appropriate to the Applicant. An opportunity for a personal meeting allows further discussion and a greater understanding of the service provided by _______. Once the interview/assessment has been completed, ________will consider all the factors in their sole and unfettered discretion and in due course contact the applicant to discuss whether the application has been successful or not.

Step 4 - Preliminary waiting list

Step 5 – Official Waiting List

If accepted, the Applicant is then placed on the _______ official waiting list for an Assistance Dog. There is no guarantee when an Assistance Dog will be available to the Applicant.