In the UK, an assistance dog is a trained companion that helps people with disabilities or specific health conditions, assisting them in daily activities and improving their quality of life. Dogs that qualify as assistance dogs typically have specialized training to support physical, sensory, or mental health needs, providing essential services like guiding, alerting, and assisting with tasks.
While professional training can be helpful, owners can train their own assistance dogs, provided they meet the necessary behavior and service standards to ensure public safety.