Closer to limiting the use of so-called "fake" assistance dogs

Closer to limiting the use of so-called "fake" assistance dogs
Fraudulent assistance dogs are not new, but only in some states is it illegal to pass a dog off as an assistance dog when it is not the truth. As a result of this, more and more fake IDs of assistance dogs have been circulating lately.

Attempting to address the problem.
As a result of this growing problem, which damages not only the reputation of accredited programs, but especially the people with a disability themselves and their assistance dogs, ADI started to look into how to increase protection for its member programs and their clients. The first idea of having a digital identification card was conceived in 2020. The aim was to create a card that could be easily accessed by assistance dog users via their mobile device, while helping to prevent the use of fake certificates of assistance dogs. ADI has developed a digital identification card that allows certified assistance dog owners to quickly and easily identify themselves.

A positive response from our clients.
At Helppes – Centre for Assistance Dogs in the Czech Republic, we have transitioned to using the ADI digital identification card. Our experience is the creation and distribution of digital identification cards is very easy, clear and convenient. Clients who have already installed the digital identification card report particularly liking the fact that they sometimes leave their plastic identification card at home, but always have their phone with them, and therefore also their identification card. They find digital identification cards very trustworthy with the public. One downside to the digital identification is that it is dependent on the phone battery. Overall, Helppes has been happy with the digital identification card and recommends other ADI programs try it with their clients.

How the ADI digital identification card works.
The digital identification card contains a photo of the client, their contact information, license of their assistance/guide dog,  public access license number, microchip number, the date they passed the ADI public access test and contact information for the ADI accredited program. The digital identification card has several built-in security features, including two-factor authentication, encrypted cloud storage, card expiration restrictions, and a running clock displaying the current date and time. All of this is to prevent forgery through screen shots and more. The digital identification card is easy to use and an ideal, secure choice for assistance dog owners.

An idea originating in Australia. 
The prime mover in the development of this digital identification card was the Chairperson of ADI, Mr. Richard Lord from Australia. In September 2021, the concept of the new digital identification card was presented to ADI accredited members, and in October 2021, all accredited members were invited to register their organizations for the project. This new ADI digital identification card was thoroughly tested in late 2021 by member organizations in Australia, Germany and the United States. Currently, 94 of the 147 accredited ADI organizations worldwide have signed up to participate in the new ADI digital identification card project.

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Dušan Pospíchal, MBA works in Helppes - Centre for Assistance Dogs as a member of the Supervisory Board of the organization, as a coordinator for foreign affairs and also as an expert in the preparation of the first European standard for assistance dogs on behalf of Czech republic. He is also a member of ADEU board. He has been involved in dog training for more than 25 years and he is also a long-standing committee member of the World Federation of Belgian Shepherds (FMBB). He himself has a female of Belgian Shepherd Malinois named Cyrilla.

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