Service Dog Public Access Test
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The Service Dog Public Access Test (PAT) – Live Virtual Assessment is SDTSI’s official evaluation designed to assess whether a service dog demonstrates the behavior, control, and etiquette required to safely accompany their handler in public spaces. Conducted via a live video call with a certified SDTSI evaluator, this assessment replicates real-world scenarios to ensure your service dog is calm, focused, and well-behaved under distraction.
Whether you’re completing our Psychiatric Service Dog Training Program or coming from another training path, this test is a vital step toward verifying that your dog is qualified for public access.
During this live 1-on-1 evaluation (30–45 minutes), our professional evaluator will observe and score your team across the following categories:
• Dog remains under control at all times (leash, voice, or signal)
• Dog stays with the handler unless cued otherwise
• Handler demonstrates appropriate control and communication
• Sit, Down, Stay, Come on cue
• Loose leash walking (no pulling)
• Wait at doors, enter calmly when invited
• Controlled greetings (no jumping or excessive excitement)
• Neutral reaction to people, pets, noises, and moving objects
• Maintains task focus even in stimulating environments
• No begging, barking, sniffing, or other disruptive behavior
• If your dog is task-trained, you may showcase 1–2 key tasks relevant to your disability (e.g., Deep Pressure Therapy, panic interruption)
• Dog can lie calmly under a table, chair, or at handler’s side
• Dog remains quiet and unobtrusive for several minutes
• Convenient – Complete the test from your home or a public setting near you via Zoom or similar platform. Professional Evaluation – Our evaluators are trained to assess working service dogs, not just pet obedience.
• Globally Accessible – Available internationally. No travel needed.
• Documentation Provided – Upon passing, receive a Public Access Test Certificate digitally, along with an evaluation report.
Before booking, make sure:
• Your dog is at least 12 months old
• Your dog has completed a basic or advanced training program
• You have access to a stable internet connection and camera setup that can show your dog’s full behavior during testing
• You can access public-like settings (e.g., outdoor park, café patio, or store entrance if allowed)
• SDTSI Students nearing completion of their PSD/Service Dog Training Course
• Self-trained teams seeking independent validation
• Handlers needing documentation for landlords, employers, or travel providers
• Trained by a private trainer or trained by an organisation (not accredited by ADUK, *ADI** or IGDF***) seeking third-party validation
Live PAT Virtual Assessment: $349 USD
Includes:
• 1:1 video test with evaluator
• Official feedback report
• Digital certificate upon passing
• Retake at discounted rate if needed
👉 Book directly or via email at [email protected].
Upon successfully passing the SDTSI Virtual Public Access Test (PAT), the handler and dog team is formally recognized as having met the minimum standards of behavior, obedience, and public access etiquette required for service dog teams.
• Confirms that your dog is under control, non-disruptive, and task-capable in public settings
• Reinforces your legal rights to be accompanied by your service dog in accordance with ADA (U.S.), Equality Act (UK), or local disability access laws
• Enhances your credibility with landlords, employers, airlines, and the general public
Duration: 5–10 minutes (not part of the live test)
1. Schedule & Confirm
• Send confirmation with test instructions and Zoom link.
• Ask the handler to have a friend or family member to hold the phone or use a mobile phone holder to record them during the test.
2. Send Pre-Test Checklist
• Equipment needed (leash, harness/ID vest, treats if used, service dog gear)
• Testing environment expectations (storefront, parking lot, indoor public space)
3. Verify Dog Eligibility
• Ensure dog is at least 12+ months, has completed foundational training, and is task-trained (for PSDs or medical alert)
4. Get Signed Consent
• Inform the handler this will be recorded for certification purposes.
• Greet the handler and assistant/cameraperson.
• Confirm:
• Handler’s name
• Dog’s name and age
• Type of service dog (PSD, mobility, etc.)
• Explain that the test will be recorded for review and validation
Handler demonstrates with the dog:
• Controlled Entry/Exit: Enter and exit a doorway calmly
• Sit and Stay: Maintain position despite distraction
• Down and Stay
• Recall: Dog returns reliably from short distance
• Heeling/Loose Leash Walking: Dog walks calmly beside handler in a straight line and around a corner
Performed in or near:
• A public sidewalk, building entrance, store aisle, or coffee shop
Test:
• Controlled Reaction to Noise: Sudden loud noise nearby
• Calm Reaction to Distractions: Passing people, carts, children, dogs (if available)
• Ignoring Food on Ground
• Handler Drops Leash (Safety Check): Dog should stay or return calmly
• Elevator or Staircase Simulation: Dog follows cues with control
For Psychiatric or Medical Service Dogs:
• Dog performs at least one trained task to mitigate the handler’s disability
(e.g., Deep Pressure Therapy, Alerting, Retrieval)
• Ask handler if they had any questions or challenges
• Give preliminary feedback (formal pass/fail is sent after video review)
• Inform them of the review period (usually 1–2 days)
• Remind them to upload any remaining paperwork or training logs if required
Review the Zoom recording using PAT checklist.
• If passed, issue:
• Evaluation Report
• Certificate of Public Access Test Completion
If not passed, offer:
• Evaluation Report with written feedback
• Option to retest after further training
The assessment method of the Public Access Test (PAT)—particularly in SDTSI’s Live Virtual Format—should be structured, transparent, and rooted in objective behavioral standards. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of how the PAT is assessed, including the format, scoring, criteria, and pass/fail thresholds.
• Conducted over a scheduled live video call (Zoom, Google Meet, or similar)
• Evaluator observes the team in real-time performing tasks in a real-world or public-like setting
• Handler must ensure camera setup allows clear, continuous view of the dog’s behavior
The assessment covers 23 standardized tasks, grouped into the following categories:
|
Category |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Controlled Public Behavior |
Calmness in vehicle, at entrances, around people, and in building |
|
Obedience & Manners |
Sit, down, stay, recall, polite greetings, and food refusal |
|
Environmental Response |
Reaction to distractions, shopping carts, children, traffic |
|
Mobility & Heeling |
Loose-leash walking, adjusting to pace changes, indoor navigation |
|
Settle & Wait |
Calm under table or beside handler during wait times |
|
Optional Task Demo |
Task(s) performed to mitigate a disability (optional but encouraged) |
|
Dog Care Standards |
Dog is clean, well-groomed, and appears well-cared for |
Each task is scored on a 3-point scale, with evaluators noting specific observations:
|
Score |
Description |
|---|---|
|
✅ Pass (2–3 points) |
Task is performed reliably, calmly, and with appropriate control |
|
⚠️ Needs Improvement (1 point) |
Task is completed but with hesitancy, repeated cues, or mild reactivity |
|
❌ Fail (0 points) |
Task not completed, unsafe behavior, or requires major intervention |
• Some minor mistakes (e.g., slow response, slight leash tension) may be noted but do not count as fails if not recurring
• Repeating a cue more than once may reduce the score for that task
• Minimum 80% of tasks must score “Pass”
• No more than 2 “Fail” scores allowed across the test
• Safety-related behaviors (e.g., aggression, major reactivity, bolting) result in automatic fail
• Optional task demonstration does not affect pass/fail status but strengthens evaluation
• Detailed evaluation report provided after test
• Feedback includes strengths, areas needing improvement, and personalized training suggestions
• If test is not passed:
• Handler receives a 40% discount on retake
• Encouraged to review feedback and practice specific skills before rescheduling
• Digital Certificate of Completion
• Evaluation’s Report for documentation
• SDTSI records updated to reflect passing status
