Assistance Dogs and Other Animals Policy

 

Version	Edited by	Date issued	Next review date
2	Janet Butcher	12.03.2026	12.03.2027

 

Position	Named individual
Practice Manager	Janet Butcher

 

Table of contents

1     Introduction   3

1.1       Policy statement 3

1.2       Status  3

2     Policy  3

2.1       Requirement 3

2.2       Definition  3

2.3       Types of working dogs  4

2.4       Training and identity of an assistance dog  4

2.5       Should an assistance dog not be registered by ADUK  5

2.6       Dogs under training  5

2.7       Access within the Practice  5

2.8       Risk assessment 6

2.9       Maintaining infection control measures  6

2.10     Staff responsibilities  6

2.11     Owner’s responsibilities  6

2.12     Injury sustained from an assistance dog  7

3     Employees with an assistance dog   7

3.1       Requests  7

3.2       Employee’s responsibilities  7

3.3       Reasonable adjustments  7

4     Other animals  7

4.1       Therapy dogs  7

4.2       Pets  8

4.3       Visiting animals  8

4.4       Injury sustained from non-assistance animal 8

Annex A – Assistance dog risk assessment 9

 

1.1      Policy statement

This policy predominantly supports those patients and employees who may have the need for an assistance dog but also refers to therapy animals, pets and other animals that may visit this Practice. Under the Equality Act 2010, assistance dogs, guide dogs, hearing dogs, medical alert dogs and their owners have the same rights to access this Practice as everyone else.

Guidance throughout this document has been sought from:

·         Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK)

·         RCN document titled Working with Dogs in Health Care Settings

1.2         Status

In accordance with the Equality Act 2010, we have considered how provisions within this policy might impact on different groups and individuals. This document and any procedures contained within it are non-contractual, which means they may be modified or withdrawn at any time. They apply to all employees and contractors working for the Practice.

2.1      Requirement

Assistance dogs are welcome at this Practice as we are committed to providing services that are equally accessible and responsive to all sections of the community. This includes assistance dogs in training along with their walker or sponsor. Other types of animals that are permitted within this Practice are detailed at Chapter 4. 

2.2      Definition

The Equality Act 2010 defines an assistance dog as:

·         A dog that has been trained to guide a blind person

·         A dog that has been trained to assist a deaf person

·         A dog that has been trained by a prescribed charity to assist a disabled person who has a disability that consists of epilepsy or otherwise affects the person’s mobility, manual dexterity, physical co-ordination or ability to lift, carry or otherwise move everyday objects

·         A dog of a prescribed category that has been trained to assist a disabled person who has a disability (other than those described above)

Assistance dogs are working dogs that have been rigorously trained by the following associations:

 

Canine Partners                                  Medical Detection Dogs

Dog A.I.D                                            Service Dogs UK

Dogs for Good                                    Support Dogs 

Dogs for the Disabled                         The Seeing Dogs Alliance

Guide Dogs for the Blind                    Veterans with Dogs   

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People

Registered assistance dogs are working animals, not pets, and are relied on by their owners for independence. Each charity will have their own agreements outlining the expectations and responsibilities of the owner. They will also regularly monitor the owner and the dog to ensure their expectations are fulfilled. 

Information about these charities can be found at www.assistancedogs.org.uk.

2.3      Types of working dogs

In healthcare settings, there has been an increase in the number of working therapy dogs that help people with physical conditions and assist with mental wellbeing. The two main classifications of therapy dog are:

·         Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) which is delivered in conjunction with other healthcare professionals and is ordinarily goal directed with the outcomes documented and evaluated

 

·         Animal-assisted activity (AAA) is the term used when a handler brings a dog to the patient/resident for general interaction. These dogs are usually owned by the person who is their handler. This is also termed as being an emotional support animal (ESA) and further information on this can be found in the Emotional Support Animals (UK) website. ESAs are pets that are required for a person's ongoing mental health treatment or for their hidden disability.

Due to the nature of primary care, therapy dogs are unlikely to be needed within this Practice. Likewise, ESAs do not have the same legal recognition as an assistance dog.

2.4      Training and identity of an assistance dog

While the Practice can request to see identity for an assistance dog, it should be noted that it is not a legal requirement for assistance dogs to have been trained by a charity, nor for them to carry any specific identification. Therefore, without any specific formal training, there can be no ‘proof of ID’ to suggest that the animal is an assistance dog. 

At this Practice, staff will always request to see the identity document when an assistance dog is visiting the premises. While is it understood that this may not be available, this good practice is seen as being a reasonable request as it guarantees the high standards of training, and that the animal has also been treated for fleas and worms.

An assistance dog would be expected to be highly trained and as such should remain calm, focused and well-behaved in public. Should an assistance dog display behaviour that is what would not be as expected, then it may be appropriate to raise a concern in a respectful and proportionate way and revoke or refuse access due to the need to meet the duty of care to other patients. 

Further guidance on this subject can be found within ADUK guidance titled Assistance Dogs in GP surgeries – information for Practice Managers 

Further reading on training and identity can be found within the Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance titled Assistance dogs: A guide for businesses and service providers.

2.5      Should an assistance dog not be registered by ADUK

When a dog is not be registered with ADUK, then the following should be considered:

·         What training and temperament/behaviour testing has the dog received?

·         Has the dog been appropriately vaccinated against distemper, parvovirus, and hepatitis? Furthermore, an annual vaccination for leptospirosis is also required noting that titre testing is not a substitute for vaccination

·         Has the owner undertaken prevention treatment for the dog for fleas, ticks and worms on a regular cycle? Note that the topical ectoparasite treatment is applied to the back of the dog’s neck and, in addition to an unpleasant odour, in some cases it may result in a rash to a person should they stroke the animal

·         If visiting a health care setting, owners of dogs should feed the animal with raw animal protein, noting that raw vegetables are acceptable

·         The owner must have appropriate public liability insurance that is suitable for a health care setting

Further reading can be found in the RCN guidance titled Working with Dogs in Health Care Settings.

2.6      Dogs under training

ADUK advises in its information for Practice Managers that, as assistance dogs and emotional support dogs in training are not currently referenced in UK access laws, they do not have the same legal requirements as a trained dog. 

In these instances, there is no obligation to allow a dog under training to have access to the Practice.

2.7      Access within the Practice

Assistance dogs are permitted to enter most areas of the Practice including patient facing areas and clinical rooms, i.e., a GP consulting room and, in most cases, a Practice Nurse’s room. An assistance dog is not permitted to enter any area that is considered to be the most IPC sensitive, sterile environment within the Practice, such as a treatment room where minor surgery is undertaken. Any such area should be seen as being similar to an operating theatre in secondary care. 

When the assistance dog is not permitted to enter, the owner will be requested to ensure alternative arrangements are made for the short period while they are receiving their treatment. In these instances, the patient should be advised that it is the Practice’s wish to minimise any separation time from their dog. 

Further reading can be found in the RCN guidance titled Working with Dogs in Health Care Settings.

2.8      Risk assessment

A risk assessment to support animals within the Practice is required to ensure that measures are adopted to suit the Practice’s needs. Risk measures should include any additional IPC requirements and actions needed when an assistance dog is not permitted to enter. 

A risk assessment template is at Annex A which details all types of visiting animal.

2.9      Maintaining infection control measures

Should there be any animal body fluids that need to be cleared, this should be treated in the same way as the normal procedure as for human waste. Personal protective equipment should be worn and all surfaces cleaned with the appropriate cleaning solution. 

Following attendance by an assistance dog to the Practice, the cleaning staff are to be made aware of any areas that the assistance dog visited. This will enable them to provide a higher level of cleaning to these areas. For further detailed information, see the Practice’s Infection Prevention Control Policy. 

2.10   Staff responsibilities

Physical contact with a dog by clinical staff will be resisted during any consultation or examination. All clinical staff must ensure good hand washing with soap and water after any contact with an assistance dog to ensure the safety of other patients. 

Clinical staff are to be mindful following any attendance of an assistance dog that they then consider other patients in their surgery list for that session who are potentially clinically averse to the presence of dogs. This may include patients who:

·         Have an allergy to animals, especially dogs.

·         Are immunosuppressed.

·         Have a phobia of dogs.

·         Have another medical reason.

Other staff are to ensure that, following any physical contact with the assistance dog, they also promote good hand hygiene.

2.11   Owner’s responsibilities

The owner has a responsibility to ensure their assistance dog is well behaved and supervised throughout the visit and must ensure an assistance dog:

·         Is physically fit before visiting the Practice. If pets become ill, diagnosis and treatment by a vet must be sought.

·         Is kept on a lead throughout the visit and clearly identified as an assistance dog.

·         Is discouraged from jumping, scratching and licking.

·         Does not come into contact with open wounds.

·         Is of an acceptable hygienic standard, i.e., not wet, muddy etc.

·         Is exercised and has had its toileting and feeding requirements met.

·         Has claws trimmed to reduce the risk of scratches.

·         Is regularly groomed and checked for signs of infection or other illness.

·         Has received the relevant inoculations and is wormed on a regular basis.

2.12   Injury sustained from an assistance dog

Should an animal bite and injure any person, first aid is to be administered and the incident recorded in the accident log. It is recommended that the incident be recorded as a significant event to facilitate learning and prevent future similar incidents. For further detailed information, see the Practice’s Significant Event and Incident Reporting Policy.

England only: Should the police become involved, then the Care Quality Commission is to be informed as this is considered a notifiable incident.

3.1      Requests

New or existing members of staff considering the need to apply for an assistance dog should apply to the Practice Manager who will seek advice from the occupational health service, and a workplace assessment is likely to be required. In addition, any employee who requires an assistance dog will also require a personal emergency evacuation plan (PEEP). For further detailed information, see the Practice’s Health, Safety and Risk Management Policy.

Prior to any assistance dog arriving with the employee, arrangements will be made with the relevant charity to carry out appropriate training with other Practice staff.

3.2      Employee’s responsibilities

The employee/assistance dog owner will always be responsible for the behaviour of the dog and, to maintain a clean environment, they must clean any mess the dog leaves or, should this be difficult due to their disability, the employee is then to inform another member of the team to request support.

3.3      Reasonable adjustments

The Practice Manager will ensure that specific space will be made available for the dog and its bed. Changes to working hours will be considered to allow for short breaks for exercise and toileting purposes. 

4.1      Therapy dogs

The RCN guidance, Working with Dogs in Health Care Settings discusses therapy dogs and animal assisted intervention and how this supports patients within a healthcare setting. Due to the nature of primary care, it is unlikely that there is any need for therapy dogs although larger multidisciplinary health centres may utilise therapy dogs. 

4.2      Pets

The Practice will adhere to the guidance detailed in the RCN’s Working with Dogs in Health Care Settings whereby pets are not permitted into healthcare settings unless in exceptional circumstances. This applies to staff members. 

However, should a pet be allowed into the Practice, it will be requested that the owner completes a risk assessment (see Annex A) to detail their knowledge and requirements of the pet. This risk assessment is to also confirm if employees have any allergies or phobias to animals. The owner’s responsibilities remain the same as detailed at Section 2.11. 

4.3      Injury sustained from non-assistance animal

Actions are as per Section 2.12. Should a pet animal injure any person, then recourse is to be taken against the pet owner. If a visiting animal causes injury, then recourse is likely to be taken against the Partners.