The purpose of this public access test (PAT) is to help evaluate service dog team behavior in public, no-pets places. This PAT is a minimum community standard for use with any type of service dog team.
A service dog must be trained to do work or a task to help its disabled person, but universal PATs do not usually test that disability assistance training. Once a service dog in training is reliably able to help with a person's disability, teams commonly use a PAT to decide whether they are ready to graduate to service dog status. PSDP recommends this, as well as using our Service Dog in Training Manners Evaluation leading up to the PAT.
Service dog testing is not required by law in the United States, and PSDP believes this is appropriate. A history of focused and safe training development is always more meaningful than passing a PAT on a single day, and behavior in each ongoing moment is key. Training and responsible handling are lifelong activities.
PSDP does not certify service dog teams. Individuals are welcome to use this voluntary PAT with a knowledgeable tester for the purposes of service dog training or evaluation. PSDP is not liable for any risks or consequences of using this free public resource.
A service dog must be trained to do work or a task to help its disabled person, but universal PATs do not usually test that disability assistance training. Once a service dog in training is reliably able to help with a person's disability, teams commonly use a PAT to decide whether they are ready to graduate to service dog status. PSDP recommends this, as well as using our Service Dog in Training Manners Evaluation leading up to the PAT.
Service dog testing is not required by law in the United States, and PSDP believes this is appropriate. A history of focused and safe training development is always more meaningful than passing a PAT on a single day, and behavior in each ongoing moment is key. Training and responsible handling are lifelong activities.
PSDP does not certify service dog teams. Individuals are welcome to use this voluntary PAT with a knowledgeable tester for the purposes of service dog training or evaluation. PSDP is not liable for any risks or consequences of using this free public resource.