Know Exactly Where You Stand With
PAT Certification
(Public Access Test)
A short, focused discussion to understand your situation, your dog,
and what’s required to move forward with confidence.
Know Exactly Where You Stand With
PAT Certification
(Public Access Test)
A short, focused discussion to understand your situation, your dog,
and what’s required to move forward with confidence.
No obligation. Just clarity on your next step.
No obligation. Just clarity on your next step.
Things Are Changing Quietly, But Significantly
Things Are Changing Quietly,
But Significantly
Across Australia, the way assistance dogs are recognised, assessed,
and accepted in public spaces is changing.
What was once interpreted differently from state to state is moving toward a
more consistent national understanding with clearer expectations, tighter definitions, and increasing scrutiny around what qualifies as a legitimate assistance dog.
For many handlers, this shift has created uncertainty, anxiety, and fear of getting it wrong.
The gap between what people believe qualifies as an assistance dog
and what actually stands up in workplaces, housing, transport, education, and public access settings is widening.
At PTSD Dogs Australia, we exist to close that gap with clarity, compassion,
and informed guidance.
Across Australia, the way assistance dogs are recognised, assessed,
and accepted in public spaces is changing.
What was once interpreted differently from state to state is moving toward a
more consistent national understanding with clearer expectations, tighter definitions,
and increasing scrutiny around what qualifies as a legitimate assistance dog.
For many handlers, this shift has created uncertainty,
anxiety, and fear of getting it wrong.
The gap between what people believe qualifies as an assistance dog
and what actually stands up in workplaces, housing, transport, education,
and public access settings is widening.
At PTSD Dogs Australia, we exist to close that gap with clarity, compassion,
and informed guidance.
We Support People Living With Disability Not Just Dogs
While our name reflects our strong foundations in Post‑Traumatic Stress Disorder, our support extends far beyond PTSD alone.
We work with people living with a wide range of disabilities who rely on appropriately trained assistance dogs to help them function safely, independently, and with dignity.
This includes (but is not limmited to) people living with:
Post‑Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Anxiety and panic disorders
Autism and sensory processing differences
Medical and psychiatric disabilities requiring task‑trained support
Disability is not always visible.
Neither is the need for an assistance dog.
An assistance dog is not a comfort item, emotional support animal,
or pet with training.
It is a working, task‑trained medical support partner.
We Support People Living With Disability Not Just Dogs
While our name reflects our strong foundations in Post‑Traumatic Stress Disorder, our support extends far beyond PTSD alone.
We work with people living with a wide range of disabilities who rely on appropriately trained assistance dogs to help them function safely, independently, and with dignity.
This includes (but is not limmited to) people living with:
Post‑Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Anxiety and panic disorders
Autism and sensory processing differences
Medical and psychiatric disabilities requiring task‑trained support
Disability is not always visible.
Neither is the need for an assistance dog.
An assistance dog is not a comfort item, emotional support animal, or pet with training.
It is a working, task‑trained medical support partner.
Assistance Dogs Are Medical Support Not Convenience
At PTSD Dogs Australia, we recognise assistance dogs as:
Animals trained to mitigate the functional impacts of disability
Partners that support regulation, grounding, safety, and independence
A serious responsibility carrying legal, ethical, and public trust obligations
We help people understand:
What does qualify mean
What qualify does not mean
And what is required to meet real world legal and public access expectations
Assistance Dogs Are Medical Support Not Convenience
At PTSD Dogs Australia, we recognise assistance dogs as:
Animals trained to mitigate the functional impacts of disability
Partners that support regulation, grounding, safety, and independence
A serious responsibility carrying legal, ethical, and public trust obligations
We help people understand:
What does qualify mean
What qualify does not mean
And what is required to meet real world legal and public access expectations
Assistance Dog Laws Are Evolving And So Is Enforcement
Across Australia, handlers are being questioned, refused entry, or asked to justify their dogs more often than ever before.
This is occurring because:
National interpretation of assistance dog standards is tightening
Businesses and service providers are becoming more legally informed
Misrepresentation has increased public scepticism
Inadequate training or documentation is being challenged
Good intentions are no longer enough.
To be recognised and protected, an assistance dog must be trained, safe, appropriate in public, and genuinely disability mitigating.
Assistance Dog Laws Are Evolving And So Is Enforcement
Across Australia, handlers are being questioned, refused entry, or asked to justify their dogs more often than ever before.
This is occurring because:
National interpretation of assistance dog standards is tightening
Businesses and service providers are becoming more legally informed
Misrepresentation has increased public scepticism
Inadequate training or documentation is being challenged
Good intentions are no longer enough.
To be recognised and protected, an assistance dog must be trained, safe, appropriate in public, and genuinely disability mitigating.
GHAD PAT
(Public Access Test)
PTSD Dogs Australia is a GHAD certified organisation able to support individuals choosing to undertake a Public Access Test (PAT), as part of demonstrating that their dog meets recognised public behaviour standards.
A Public Access Test:
Assesses whether a dog is safe, calm, unobtrusive, and under handler control in public spaces
Focuses on behaviour and handling,
Completes clearly identifiable tasks to mitigate disability
However, it is important to understand that:
A Public Access Test alone may not determine whether a dog qualifies as an assistance dog under federal law. Being GHAD Certified DOES cover you.
Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), assistance dog recognition is based on:
The presence of a disability
Whether the dog is trained to mitigate the effects of that disability
Whether the dog meets appropriate standards of hygiene and public behaviour
Real Life Impact
#TeamShadow's Story.
Hey Angie, how's it going!
Sorry, I don't use Facebook much, but #TeamShadow and I are going great. You were right, teaching him some practical blocking skills has really increased his utility at the airport and waiting in lines at the shop. He does a really good back block now and I'm looking forward to teaching him a reverse middle.
We've travelled eight times since #TeamShadow got his PTSD dogs accreditation and I can't tell you what a difference it's made. For me, having the confidence of the GHAD certification has made it much easier to navigate things that were previously stressful: taxi refusals, Uber refusals, and private business telling us to get out. Not only do they do that less because of the jacket design, I have much more confidence in challenging it based on the strength of the qualification and the standard we reached, which was our main goal in moving over.
Cheers,
#TeamShadow
A GHAD PAT is helpful, supportive, and credible, and makes public access much easier!
We support people to understand whether public access testing is appropriate for their situation, and how it fits into the broader training, documentation, and legal framework.
GHAD PAT (Public Access Test)
PTSD Dogs Australia is a GHAD certified organisation able to support individuals choosing to undertake a Public Access Test (PAT), as part of demonstrating that their dog meets recognised public behaviour standards.
A Public Access Test:
Assesses whether a dog is safe, calm, unobtrusive, and under handler control in public spaces
Focuses on behaviour and handling,
Completes clearly identifiable tasks to mitigate disability
However, it is important to understand that:
A Public Access Test alone may not determine whether a dog qualifies as an assistance dog under federal law. Being GHAD Certified DOES cover you.
Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), assistance dog recognition is based on:
The presence of a disability
Whether the dog is trained to mitigate the effects of that disability
Whether the dog meets appropriate standards of hygiene and public behaviour
Real Life Impact. #TeamShadow's Story.
Hey Angie, how's it going!
Sorry, I don't use Facebook much, but #TeamShadow and I are going great. You were right, teaching him some practical blocking skills has really increased his utility at the airport and waiting in lines at the shop. He does a really good back block now and I'm looking forward to teaching him a reverse middle.
We've travelled eight times since #TeamShadow got his PTSD dogs accreditation and I can't tell you what a difference it's made. For me, having the confidence of the GHAD certification has made it much easier to navigate things that were previously stressful: taxi refusals, Uber refusals, and private business telling us to get out. Not only do they do that less because of the jacket design, I have much more confidence in challenging it based on the strength of the qualification and the standard we reached, which was our main goal in moving over.
Cheers,
#TeamShadow
A GHAD PAT is helpful, supportive, and credible, and makes public access much easier!
We support people to understand whether public access testing is appropriate for their situation, and how it fits into the broader training, documentation, and legal framework.
What happens after
the webinar?
You will have two clear options
You can either...
1- Book a 15-minute 1-to-1 chat with a trainer for $27 to ask questions and get personal advice
Or
2- Book directly into the Re-Certification process
If You’re Feeling Uncertain You’re
Not Alone
Many people come to us saying:
“I was told registration was enough”
“My dog helps me, but I’m being questioned”
“I’m scared of being denied access”
“I don’t want to misrepresent myself”
“I just want to do this properly”
You’re not failing.
The system has changed faster than public understanding.
If You’re Feeling Uncertain
You’re Not Alone
Many people come to us saying:
“I was told registration was enough”
“My dog helps me, but I’m being questioned”
“I’m scared of being denied access”
“I don’t want to misrepresent myself”
“I just want to do this properly”
You’re not failing.
The system has changed faster than public understanding.
Our Commitment
At PTSD Dogs Australia,
we are committed to:
Ethical, lawful assistance dog standards with honest education even when it’s uncomfortable.
Always protecting public trust in legitimate assistance dogs while supporting people with
disability with respect and dignity.
We will never promise what cannot be legally or ethically supported.
Our Commitment
At PTSD Dogs Australia, we are committed to:
Ethical, lawful assistance dog standards with honest education even when it’s uncomfortable.
Always protecting public trust in legitimate assistance dogs while supporting people with
disability with respect and dignity.
We will never promise what cannot be legally or ethically supported.
Take the Next Step
With Clarity
Whether you are:
Exploring an assistance dog for PTSD or another disability
Unsure if your current dog truly qualifies
Considering a GHAD Public Access Test
Facing access or documentation challenges
Seeking accurate, Australian‑specific guidance
We are here to help you understand where you
stand and what your options are.
Because clarity is protection.
And doing this properly matters to you and to the
entire assistance dog community.
Take the Next Step With Clarity
Whether you are:
Exploring an assistance dog for PTSD or another disability
Unsure if your current dog truly qualifies
Considering a GHAD Public Access Test
Facing access or documentation challenges
Seeking accurate, Australian‑specific guidance
We are here to help you understand where you
stand and what your options are.
Because clarity is protection.
And doing this properly matters to you and to the
entire assistance dog community.
Start With a Short,
Focused Discussion
We offer a 15-minute preliminary discussion to do exactly that.
Not a webinar... Not a drawn-out process.
A direct conversation to:
Understand your situation
Talk through your dog and current level
Clarify what applies to you
Give you a clear, practical next step
Why There's a Small Cost
The session is $27.00 to book.
That’s intentional.
It keeps the conversation focused, and ensures we’re speaking with people who are serious about getting this right.
In return, you get clarity without the runaround.
Choose a time. Secure your spot.
Get answers.
Start With a Short,
Focused Discussion
We offer a 15-minute preliminary discussion to do exactly that.
Not a webinar... Not a drawn-out process.
A direct conversation to:
Understand your situation
Talk through your dog and current level
Clarify what applies to you
Give you a clear, practical next step
Why There's a Small Cost
The session is $27.00 to book.
That’s intentional.
It keeps the conversation focused, and ensures we’re speaking with people who are serious about getting this right.
In return, you get clarity without the runaround.
Choose a time. Secure your spot. Get answers.
