Training and assignement of dogs

Assistance dogs are specifically trained to support people with special needs, helping them to regain independence. Our dogs help children and adults with illnesses or disabilities with their everyday activities. They also offer moral support thus helping them live their lives to the full.

By training our Assistance Dogs for the specific needs of an individual, we can make sure that the people we help enjoy maximum benefit from our programme.

Arthanis Assistance Dogs follow a rigorous and varied training course that lasts 18-24 months.

Path

From their birth to their assignment, assistance dogs follow a thorough path.

  • Acquisition of two-month-old puppies from dog breeding programmes, after careful selection of the breeds according to the required characteristics and abilities
  • Placement in foster families for an initial education and socialisation period of 12 to 15 months
  • Placement in specialised centres to undergo a 6 month- long training program designed around the beneficiary’s specific needs (duration depends on each dog’s maturity level)
  • Training of the beneficiary person (approximately 2 weeks)
  • Assignment of the trained dog to the beneficiary person
  • Regular follow-up of the duo

We offer our trained dogs completely free of charge so that their beneficiary will truly benefit and enjoy a better quality of life.

Raising awareness

Arthanis Foundation works hard to raise public awareness about the benefits of using Assistance Dogs. We want to alter the public’s perception of people with special needs and demonstrate how an Assistance Dog can enable them to live their lives more independently.

Fostering greater tolerance and community spirit

Advocacy

The Arthanis Foundation promotes the contribution and image of Assistance Dogs and is lobbying national and European authorities to get such dogs recognised as Auxiliary Caregiving aides.

We are campaigning for unlimited access for Assistance Dogs to all public places and means of transport, and for a better social insurance coverage.

 

For a greater recognition of Assistance Dogs

c/o MLL - Rue du Rhône 65 - 1204 Genève

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