Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) recently published a global survey entitled Paws for Access Report on Assistance Dog Rights. This joint publication is a culmination of responses from more than 1,200 assistance dog handlers in 24 countries. The survey aimed to uncover a global perspective on the challenges faced by assistance dog handlers in accessing the community. The results of this report are clear: there are widespread challenges for handlers and their assistance dogs accessing public spaces, despite many countries having laws to protect their rights.

The repercussions of being denied entry to a venue with an assistance dog extend beyond immediate practical inconveniences. While a rejected individual may be required to find another cafe, grocery store or bus, the emotional and subsequent behavioral impact of such experiences can linger. Many handlers reported feeling burdened, frustrated, and anxious. As a result, 40% of respondents considered avoiding public places altogether, with higher rates in Australia (59%) and among guide dogs’ users worldwide (48%). And there does not seem to be any public area that is particularly accepting, with reports of access refusals for assistance dog handlers from restaurants and cafés (56%), hotels and other accommodation (28%), public transport (up to 63%), even medical facilities (28%) and grocery stores (19%).

Faced with these challenges, ADI and IGDF are calling for greater awareness, education and legislative changes. “This report is further evidence of the significant and consistent challenges faced by assistance dog handlers daily,” said ADI Executive Director Chris Diefenthaler. “Despite legal provisions aimed at facilitating access, many still face undue challenges and discrimination, which not only hinders their daily activities but also impacts their emotional wellbeing.”

The report recommends a five-point action plan to target improving base knowledge levels in businesses and the public at large, as well as simplifying the identification of legitimate assistance dogs to minimize confusion.

1. Public Education through awareness campaigns that clarify the roles of assistance dogs and dispel common misconceptions.
2. Standardization and Regulation to develop a consistent global definition of assistance dogs and their roles.
3. Improved Identification through vests and ID cards could help reduce skepticism.
4. Small Business Training to educate businesses about legal rights and responsibilities regarding assistance dogs and provide training to staff to reduce access refusals.
5. Legislative Reforms to protect the rights of assistance dogs teams.

Unfortunately, recently in the United States there is less support for disability rights. In March 2025, the Department of Justice rescinded 11 guidance documents related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These documents provided practical information on topics such as accessible parking, hotel accommodations, and retail maintenance for disabled access. The removal of these guidance documents may lead to confusion among businesses about compliance, potentially resulting in decreased accessibility for individuals with disabilities, including those partnered with an assistance dog. The removal of the guidance documents for the ADA has potential long-term impacts on the disability community, including ADI and our member organizations; it may lead businesses to be less informed about their obligations, resulting in more frequent denials of access to individuals with assistance dogs. This necessitates additional advocacy and education efforts by organizations like ADI to ensure public spaces remain accessible. And while this setback might seem specific to the United States, we cannot take these rights for granted and should apply lessons learned in one region to all regions.

We are calling on all individuals to join the effort:

• Governments to enforce legal protections
• Businesses to educate staff and uphold access
• Communities to stand up and speak up for inclusion in public spaces

Let’s Paws for Access and build a world where no one is denied access for having an assistance dog. Join the Conversation: #Paws4Access and visit our webpage for resources.

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This article is compilation of work from ADI's Advocacy and IDEA Committees.

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