Digital Certification for Assistance Dogs

With fake Assistance Dog accreditations and public access licenses on the rise, Assistance Dogs International has developed a digital ID card. This will allow its accredited dogs and beneficiaries to enable quick, easy identification and verified accreditation. The digital ID, which can be stored on any mobile device, includes both the photo ID and contact details of the beneficiary, as well as your certified assistance dog's public access license number, microchip details and accredited training organization.

Richard Lord, President of Assistance Dogs International, hopes that the new digital ID will help to reduce the number of fraudulent documents being used by pet dog owners to gain public access, which threatens to dilute the role of assistance dogs, who advocate inclusion in the community, as well as creating the conditions for them to be seen in a bad light. A poorly behaved dog with a harness saying "Assistance Dog" bought online is not an Assistance Dog.

"Our main goal is to ensure that our beneficiaries have the documentation they need at their fingertips to ensure that their Assistance Dogs can do their job, which is to help their guardians live their daily lives," says Richard Lord.

"Assistance dog fraud is not new and has been on the rise with airline restrictions on companion dogs traveling in the cabin. As a result, we have seen an increasing number of fraudulent ID documents over the years. We hope that this new digital ID card is one step closer to putting an end to that. Our Assistance Dogs undergo routine public access training to maintain their license and it is vital that those with fraudulent accreditation do not compromise access for those who need it most."

As well as reducing fraud, the new digital ID card is also a welcome tool for its users, many of whom have limited mobility functions, including renowned Australian musician Tim McCallum (shown left).

"The ID card has been an incredible tool for me. Having our license on my device is so much better than carrying around a card or trying to get a card out of my wallet - with the limited hand and finger function I have. It's so easy to display and present when needed," says Tim McCallum, Australian beneficiary of Assistance Dogs Australia.

With several built-in security protection features, including two-factor authentication, encrypted cloud storage, automatic ID card expiration, running clock and current date to prevent screenshot forgery and more, the digital ID card is a safe and secure option for beneficiaries.

In addition to Australia, the digital ID card was initially tested by beneficiaries of Assistance Dogs Australia, America's Vet Dogs (USA), Guide Dogs for the Blind Foundation (USA) and by VITA e.V. Assistenzhunde (Germany) with the aim of joining ADI's 135 global accredited members by 2022.

It is receiving positive reviews from customers, as well as airlines and other service providers.

ÂNIMAS is one of the entities accredited by ADI, and the only one in Portugal, and has also joined the digital ID, using it to identify the Assistance Dog Duos, the technical team and the Animal Assisted Intervention Duos.

João Sousa and #Sir Lupi are one of the doubles teams who first received the digital ID and, given their sight difficulties, they stress the importance of this card being shown on request. "You can't imagine the stress I had when they asked me for my card. I had to show them all the cards in my wallet and ask them to choose. Now I just show it!"

The idea of creating a digital card that is the same all over the world aims to simplify the work of those who have to check whether or not they are Assistance Dogs and to reduce scams.