Breaking Barriers: A Global Look at Challenges Faced by Assistance Dog Handlers

Assistance dogs are essential to the lives of people with disabilities, offering support that ranges from guiding the visually impaired to alerting those with medical conditions. However, a recent survey by the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) and Assistance Dogs International (ADI) reveals that many handlers face significant barriers when accessing public spaces with assistance dogs. The report’s primary goal is to shed light on the daily challenges assistance dog handlers face and identify the advocacy they seek to improve inclusion. It underscores the need for improved public education, clearer definitions of assistance roles, and stronger enforcement of existing laws.

This blog summarizes the survey findings, explores the impacts on handlers, and discusses actionable solutions to alleviate the access denial issue. Whether you’re familiar with assistance dogs or new to the topic, this piece aims to educate and inspire advocacy for equal access.

The Survey and Key Findings

The survey was conducted in a global scope and received responses from over 1,000 dog handlers across 20 countries such as the USA, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, UK, and Japan. Cases of multiple types of assistance dogs were investigated, including guide dogs, hearing dogs, service dogs, and medical alert or response dogs.

1. Pervasive Access Denials

Researchers found that 43% of respondents were refused access to public spaces in the past year. The most common locations for denials included:

• Restaurants and cafes (56%)

• Hotels and other accommodation (28%)

• Medical facilities (28%)

• Grocery stores (19%)

• Regional Differences in Access Issues

Comparative statistics revealed how access challenges varied significantly by country:

• Frequency: 79% of handlers reported multiple access refusals within the last year in the UK and Netherlands, followed by Russia (71%), Ireland (60%), and Australia (58%)

• Scenario: Netherlands reported significant issues in public transport and medical facilities, whereas the USA reported a noticeable concern to airlines.

It is now believed that these regional differences stem from discrepancies in public understanding, local legislation, and the application of laws between countries.

3. Verification and Justification Inconveniences

Nowadays, handlers frequently need to justify or verify their assistance dog when entering a public place, which increases their emotional stress and frustration. The survey showed that the type of assistance dog influenced the frequency of access denial because some of them could be more difficult to recognize. For instance, handlers of guide dogs (48%) and psychiatric service dogs (40%) generally reported more access denial issues compared to the global average of 43%. This finding highlights the need to address the public’s misconceptions about specific assistance dog types.

4. Transportation Barriers

According to the report, 56% of respondents globally experiencing refusals in taxis or rideshares such as Uber and Lyft, and guide dog users faced even higher refusal rates (63%). Reasons for refusals usually include allergies and concerns about dog hairs. However, such barriers in transportation reduce handlers’ ability to commit to scheduled arrival times, thereby further affecting their employment, healthcare access, and social participation.

5. Skepticism and Fake Certifications

The growing popularity of assistance dogs and a rise in fake certifications led to a decrease in the perceived credibility of genuine assistance dogs. 

• 65% of respondents encountered skepticism regarding their dog’s legitimacy

• 81% felt skepticism was a result of the increase of untrained assistance or emotional support dogs

• 58% reported interference (biting, lunging, snapping) from untrained dogs, disrupting their dog from working safely

• Emotional and Behavioral Impacts

Being refused to enter a public place with an assistance dog could have a longer-term and more profound impact on handlers’ emotions and behaviors. Many handlers reported feeling burdened, frustrated, and anxious from the survey. 40% of respondents considered avoiding public places altogether, with higher rates in Australia (59%) and among guide dog users worldwide (48%).

Problems: Why Challenges Persist

1. The Public’s Lack of Awareness and Misconceptions

Many denials occur because of the public’s limited understanding and misconceptions about the roles and rights of assistance dogs. For example, some common misunderstandings include assuming disabilities must be visible to warrant an assistance dog and confusing assistance dogs with other dogs that lack task-specific training.

2. Inconsistent Legislation and Enforcement of UN Rights

Access denials vary regionally due to differing implementation and enforcement of regulations and laws concerning assistance dogs. The insufficient awareness and enforcement of handlers’ rights under UN Conventions and Mandates contribute to the challenges of being denied.

• 28% of respondents globally felt that their rights were not being upheld in their respective countries

• The sentiment was particularly strong among those who faced frequent access refusals and skepticism in the UK (63%) and in Canada (54%), compared to the average among guide dog users (34%).

• No Global Standard for Assistance Dogs

According to the report, assistance dogs are “specifically trained to perform tasks that mitigate the effects of a disability, including guiding, alerting, medical response, mobility support, and psychiatric assistance.” This definition excludes emotional support animals (ESAs), which provide comfort but are not trained to perform disability-related tasks. However, a universal and well-recognized identification system is still absent, which allows fake certifications to flourish and undermines legitimate groups.

Solutions: How to Create a More Inclusive World

The survey respondents offered five key recommendations in order to improve the public’s base knowledge level and simplify the identification process of legitimate assistance dogs.

1. Public Education: Awareness campaigns that emphasize how assistance dogs support individuals with visible and invisible disabilities and what breeds they may be, which can help clarify the roles of assistance dogs and increase the inclusion of handlers.

2. Standardization and Regulation: A consistent worldwide definition of assistance dogs and stricter penalties for fake certifications and untrained dogs to ensure that dogs receive the welfare they deserve.

3. Improved Identification: Redesigned vests and ID cards with clear “assistance” labeling to validate the dog’s legitimacy and reduce skepticism.

4. Small Business Training: Teaching businesses about assistance dogs’ legal rights and responsibilities and training their staff to correctly identify real handlers to manage their access requests.

5. Legislative Reforms: Stronger enforcement of UN conventions regarding assistance dog users’ rights and laws that distinguish support, service, and assistance dogs from each other.

   
   

Conclusion: A Call to Action

The report highlights a cruel reality: systemic barriers are hindering the independence and development of assistance dogs and their handlers. Although laws and regulations exist, public awareness, enforcement of legal protections, and worldwide collaboration are deficient.

As a member of this diverse community, you are encouraged to:

• Educate yourself and others about the roles and rights of assistance dogs

• Support advocacy groups pushing for legislative improvements

• Speak up and offer a hand if you witness access denials in public places

Together, we can make public spaces accessible to everyone and foster an environment where assistance dog handlers are treated with compassion rather than skepticism.

For more details, read the full Paws for Access report by IGDF and ADI.

Source

International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) & Assistance Dogs International (ADI). (2025).

PAWS FOR ACCESS: A global survey on assistance dogs rights.