Public Access Assessment

Ensuring your assistance dog is confident, safe, and ready for public life.

At Pawsitive Action Leeds CIC, we provide welfare-first, disability-informed Public Access Assessments for owner-trained assistance dogs. Our goal is to support both dogs and handlers in navigating public environments with confidence, safety, and mutual trust.

We believe in empowering individuals with disabilities and neurodiversity to train their own dogs with the guidance and respect they deserve – and our Public Access Assessments are part of that journey.

What is a Public Access Assessment?

A Public Access Assessment evaluates whether your assistance dog is well-prepared to work in public settings, such as shops, cafes, medical facilities, and public transportation. It checks that your dog can remain calm, focused, and responsive in environments with unpredictable stimuli.

This is not about perfection – it’s about welfare, safety, and readiness.

Who Needs This Assessment?

  • People training their own assistance dog
  • Owner-trainers wanting documentation to support access advocacy
  • Individuals facing access challenges who need evidence that their dog meets public standards
  • Handlers preparing for public access tasks or public-facing work

We specialise in supporting neurodivergent and disabled individuals and tailor our assessments to meet your specific communication, mobility, and sensory needs.

What We Look For

We assess your dog’s ability to:

  • Walk calmly through public areas
  • Ignore food, strangers, and distractions
  • Remain settled during downtime
  • Respond reliably to your cues
  • Cope with loud noises, tight spaces, and unexpected events
  • Maintain appropriate hygiene and manners in public
  • Demonstrate a strong, trusting relationship with their handler

We assess using positive, welfare-based methods only – no corrections, no harsh tests, no unnecessary stress.

What You’ll Receive

After a successful assessment, you’ll receive:

  • A written Public Access Assessment Report
  • A handler certificate of assessment
  • Optional digital ID badge design (for personal use – not a legal document)
  • Honest feedback and recommendations on whether more training is needed

Please note: This is not a legal license, but it is a recognised, structured way to demonstrate your dog’s training and suitability in public. We advocate alongside you for your legal rights under the Equality Act 2010.

What if My Dog Isn’t Ready Yet?

That’s okay! We will never pass a dog who is stressed, overwhelmed, or not yet prepared – because welfare comes first.
If your dog needs more time, we’ll offer you:

  • A progress plan
  • Optional follow-up support
  • Continued training sessions and check-ins

There’s no shame in needing more time – we’ll walk that journey with you.

Assessment Info & Pricing

  • Duration: 90–120 minutes (includes briefing and debrief)
  • Locations: Real-life public settings (e.g. supermarket, café, public transport)
  • Cost: From £80
    (Concessions, sliding scale pricing, and grant-funded places available – just ask.)