We are ending the year on a high note. Our new position statement has now officially launched, and it has already begun shaping conversations at a national level. We shared it with MPs in November, and since then we’ve had a steady run of meetings across Parliament and Government, with more booked for the new year.
The statement sets out three clear calls:
A definition for assistance dogs in legislation.
Right now, there is no single legal definition that tells the public, businesses or frontline staff who qualifies and who doesn’t. This gap creates confusion and contributes to access refusals. A definition would bring clarity and help ensure that assistance dog handlers are treated fairly and consistently.
Standards for training and welfare in legislation.
Organisations across the UK work to high standards, but these standards are not reflected in law. Setting out clear expectations in legislation would support good practice, protect welfare, and provide a benchmark everyone can understand.
Responsibility for service providers.
Handlers routinely face barriers in places where access should be straightforward. We are calling for clearer responsibilities for service providers, so they know what is expected of them and handlers can rely on a more consistent experience.
Since launching the statement, we’ve seen a noticeable increase in interest from MPs, civil servants and partner organisations. These conversations are helping us explain the real-world impact of the gaps in the current system and the practical changes that would make a difference.
This work sits alongside our five-year strategy and gives us a stronger base for shaping national policy. We will keep updating you as we move into the next phase, and we’re grateful to everyone who has helped us get to this point.