Service dogs

What is a Service Dog?

A Service Dog – also known as a Disability Assist Dog – is a specially trained and certified dog that assists a person with a disability. Service Dogs have an important role to play in enabling people with disabilities to be as independent as possible.

Where are Service dogs allowed to go?

In Aotearoa New Zealand Service Dogs have the right to access any public place and private business, including supermarkets, health facilities, shops and malls, food outlets, motels or hotels, movie theatres and restaurants. They are also entitled to travel on all forms of public transport, including in taxis.

These rights are outlined in the Dog Control Act 1996 and are also protected under the anti-discrimination laws in the Human Rights Act.

How do you identify a Service Dog?

In New Zealand Service Dogs must be trained and certified by one of the following organisations:

Each organisation issues a coat for the dog to wear with the organisation’s name on it, and some form of identification for the handler, either in the form of a photo ID card or app on their phone.  

Other things to remember

When Service Dogs are working, you should not pat or talk to them.
If you have questions or concerns, talk to the dog’s handler. It is okay to query what organisation the Service Dog is certified under, but you should not ask questions about the person’s disability.
Unofficial service dog coats can be purchased at stores and online, so it is important to note that only dogs wearing official coats and whose handlers carry the issued form of identification, are certified Service Dogs. Dogs wearing unofficial coats do not have the same rights as certified Service Dogs.