Pawsitive Squad CIC

Enabling independence, therapy and learning

If you need any support or a different version of this page or any section of the website, please contact us via WhatsApp or text (audio/video/text messages only - no phone calls) at 07548 825 101 or email at enquiries@pawsitivesquad.co.uk.

Click here for the Dyslexia friendly, easy read version of this page.

assistance dog program summary

Approved Assistive tasks

Customers need to choose at least 3 tasks relating to being disabled/ neurodivergent/ (D) deaf which remove barriers to safety, emotional regulation, mobility or daily living which the dog would do outside of the home. The list of most common tasks we offer is listed below. Dogs can make everyone feel more calm, motivate to get up and bring routine but these are not assistive tasks. If something you think would be helpful is not listed below please contact us to ask. Customers can train more than the 3 tasks if they wish. We do not teach guiding or counter balance.

Tasks which support physical or mobility related needs

Pick up dropped items
Take rubbish to bin
Turn on & off lights
Find and fetch named items (eg key)
Pull emergency chord
Press life & entrance access buttons
Fetch items off shelf/ out of cupboards
Open doors, cupboards, curtains etc
Take item from you to another person
Fetch phone when it rings
Assist with dressing and undressing
Load & unload washing machine

Sensory, emotional and mental health support tasks

Deep pressure, light pressure and head rest,
Alert to emergency sounds e.g. fire alarm,
Fetch supportive items e.g. bottles, ear defenders,
Create space around handler,
Find and lead to exit,
Alert to early signs of anxiety/ distress/ overload etc.
Interrupt episodes of self harm, destructive behaviours or dissociation
Road safety tasks including dual handling, refusing to cross in front of vehicles, indicating to curbs, stopping automatically at curbs to prompt checking for traffic.
Find and indicate to or lead to parent/carer/partner
Find person who lost, has eloped or run away.

Medical and Hearing alert & response tasks

Alert to upcoming medical events such as seizures, hypo, fainting etc
Lie beside person when they've fallen, fainted, are unconscious, having a seizure etc.
Provide tactile stimulation during/after medical event to promote recovery
Pull emergency cord
Fetch drink/ glucose/ rescue meds etc
Fetch carer during medical event
Fetch and give health care plan to carer/ emergency services
Pull pillow under head
Alert to vital sounds for safety such as fire alarm, car alarm
Notify handler of person calling their name
Notify handler of any other general life specific sounds like microwave ping, baby crying etc.

Alert to upcoming medical events such as seizures, hypo, fainting etc
Lie beside person when they've fallen, fainted, are unconscious, having a seizure etc.
Provide tactile stimulation during/after medical event to promote recovery
Pull emergency cord
Fetch drink/ glucose/ rescue meds etc
Fetch carer during medical event
Fetch and give health care plan to carer/ emergency services
Pull pillow under head
Alert to vital sounds for safety such as fire alarm, car alarm
Notify handler of person calling their name
Notify handler of any other general life specific sounds like microwave ping, baby crying etc.

Equipment

You will need:

- A dog! (vaccinated, not raw fed, flea & wormed etc) and who doesn't have any major behavioural or emotional issues (if they are reactive, significantly anxious or any way aggressive, please don't apply, you need to work through this with a behaviourist first!)

- A PC, laptop or larger screen tablet - a phone is not suitable to access the zoom classes. If using a PC you will also need a plug in webcam which can be turned onto the dog.

- Appropriate non aversive collar & lead (we recommend a KUMFI harness as these fit well under our working vests and allow multiple contact points plus a lead, we recommend a HALTI training lead (NOT HEAD COLLAR THESE ARE NOT PERMITTED).

- Dog treat pouch & a variety of training rewards

- A variety of dog toys (you need at least 2 identical toys your dog likes, so if you find something they really enjoy get a few of them in the same colour please!)

- Dog muzzle with pant room which is needed for emergencies only (your dog needs to be able to open their mouth in the muzzle you can find out more HERE)

- First aid kit including at minimum non adhesive dressing, cotton bandages and vet wrap

- Target stick (optional)

- Long line (no extendable leads permitted!)

- A portable fabric mat

- A boundary for home - we recommend a raised bed but a standard dog bed or crate is fine as well.

- Some sort of platform your dog, a good option is an exercise step or a couple of yoga blocks

- At least 6 hard, non breakable cups

- Food centred enrichment puzzle/ mat e.g. lick mat, slow feeder bowl, snuffle mat etc.

Ready to join us?

The very first step to joining our assistance dog program is to complete our Introductory Course. This essential course provides you with an opportunity to experience our approach, learn what the program involves, and decide if it’s the right fit for you. It also ensures that all participants begin with the same foundational knowledge needed for successful assistance dog training. You can view the dates of our upcoming introductory courses: Introduction Course for the assistance dog program . Upon completion, if you wish to continue, you can apply to join the assistance dog program. If we feel we are a suitable fit then you will be invited to start immediately.

Extra Information

PDF Version of the below table here

Pawsitive Squad is a registered community interest company (non profit organisation) number 1145 1119 (England and Wales)

Accessibility

Terms and conditions

Cookies Policy

Complaints Policy

Data Protection GDPR

enquiries@pawsitivesquad.co.uk