Public Access Test

The Public Access Test
The Public Access Certification Test (PACT) which can be found on "Assistance Dogs International" at The ADI Public Access Certification Test was developed over 15 years ago as a consumer protection measure by the ADI Team Testing Committee, which included input from both providers and IAADP Partner members. Overall, the goal of the test is to discover whether or not a particular team is ready to go places out in public without trainer supervision. The safety of the dog, the handler and the public were the main considerations in developing the specific exercises for testing the team.

This test creates a level playing field, since it does not matter whether it is a guide, hearing or service dog team being tested or who trained the dog. What matters is the team’s performance.

Disability mitigating tasks or work are not critiqued during the test.

The Public Access Test evaluates the dog's obedience and manners and the handler's skills in a variety of situations which include:

1. Handler (Katie)

2. Nox Ability To:

    

*** It is highly recommended the test be video taped to document the team passed it.

IAADP agrees with ADI's ethical position that the amount of training given to an assistance dog should NEVER fall below the minimum level needed to pass this Public Access Test.

NOTE: Passing the Public Access Test does not mean the organization, ADI, officially "certifies" your dog, since ADI does not certify any dogs and neither does IAADP. It is up to the program or trainer giving the test to provide the desired credentialing. Most providing with a card, Which Nox Has Listed on his “About Nox” page.CERTIFICATION is not required in the USA. Many states lack programs willing to certify dogs that did not go through that program’s training course. The DOJ decided to foster “an honor system,” by making the tasks the dog is trained to perform on command or cue to assist a disabled person, rather than certification ID from specific programs, the primary way to differentiate between a service animal and a pet. It opened the door for people to train their own assistance dog, usually with the help of an experienced trainer, if a program dog is unavailable.