Step One – Organization should contact ADI staff to express intention to apply to ADI as a Candidate organization. ADI staff will schedule a meeting to review the Candidate program, then open a Dropbox folder for the organization to submit the Candidate Application Packet (see below for details).

Step Two - Upon receipt of a completed Candidate Application Packet, ADI reviews all information included in the packet to determine if the organization meets the criteria for becoming a Candidate Organization.

Step Three - The Candidate Application is then forwarded to the Regional Council Candidate Review Committee (CRC), who will assign a committee member to conduct a phone interview with the executive director or equivalent. The CRC committee member may request additional interviews with others within the organization and additional information as needed. 

Step Four - Once the interview is complete, the committee member submits a written report to the CRC Committee for review at their next scheduled meeting. The CRC Committee may also request additional information before making their recommendation.

Step Five - The CRC Committee makes a recommendation to the Regional Council for approval or denial at their regularly scheduled meeting.

Step Six – The Regional Council approves or denies the candidate application. 

Step Seven - Organizations will be notified of the outcome within 6 months of the completed application being received at the ADI office. 

If an organization has been denied for candidacy, they may reapply after one year.  Details on the improvements made must be detailed with the application.


Three inmate handler puppy raisers are kneeling behind a yellow Labrador Retriever. The men are smiling at the camera. The dog is wearing a purple assistance dog vest and is lying down.

Application Packet

The following items are required to submit with your Candidate Application Packet:

  1.   A completed Candidate Application Information form
  2.   Proof of not-for-profit status (varies by country), registered charitable status (required for organizations in applicable countries), and/or IRS 501(c)(3) designation (required for US organizations)
  3.   Mission Statement 
  4.   Business Plan
  5.   Previous Year Financial Statement for the organization 
  6.   Current Annual Budget including current year projected revenue and line-item expenses for the organization.
  7.   Organization's Complaint Policy*
  8.   Letter from Board President in support of the nomination
  9.   List of board members and current occupations
  10.   Completed Letter of Recommendation Form from a current ADI Accredited Member, dated within the past three months.**  
  11.   Reference Letters from three (3) assistance dog clients who have worked with their assistance dog successfully for a minimum of one (1) year, dated within the past three months.***
  12.   Candidate Application Processing Fee (Non-refundable)
    • The candidate non-refundable application fee is $500 USD via credit card (contact Chris or Steph for alternative payment options, if necessary).

The Candidate Application Packet, all required documentation, and non-refundable application fee (credit card) must be completed and returned electronically.

Please contact Elizabeth Reberk, Education Coordinator at [email protected] requesting a Dropbox folder to be opened to submit your documents. 

In Europe, please contact Steph Atkin, ADEu Development Coordinator at [email protected] requesting a Dropbox folder to be opened to submit your documents.

*Complaint Policy - Candidate applicants must have a clear written policy that outlines to clients, volunteers and staff the organization's policy and procedure if they have a complaint. There must be a clear and fair process for resolving problems and complaints. The complaint process must include the option to have the matter reviewed by the board of directors if the matter cannot be resolved at a lower level in the organization. ADI has a model complaint resolution available on request. When complaints are received or problems arise concerning a potential candidate organization prior to or during the application process, these issues must be addressed and explained by the organization before a decision can be made.

**Optional – if your organization is having difficulty in obtaining a letter of recommendation from an ADI Accredited member, you may elect to invite a member of the Candidate Review Committee for a site visit and in-person interview. The site visit and interview would be at the applicant organization's cost for all travel expenses including an overnight stay in a hotel, if needed. All attempts will be done to keep the costs as low as possible. The request for a site visit from the director must accompany the application acknowledging the responsibility for the cost of travel for the site visit.

***Client reference letters are to be sent directly from the client to Elizabeth or Steph via email (above). If a client needs the form in their primary language, please contact us for a translated version.