IHDI is Accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI)
We are proud to be an Accredited Assistance Dogs International (ADI) member program and recognized for maintaining standards of excellence in all areas of our assistance dog program.
As a Member Program of ADI, IHDI believes that programs and individuals involved in the assistance dog industry have common goals and interests that are best achieved by uniformly complying with all local, state, and federal laws as well as ethical, moral, and legal policies, practices, and procedures.
We are honored to demonstrate our commitment to this belief through voluntary participation in the ADI accreditation process. Our achievement of ADI accreditation means that the facilities and operations of our assistance dog program meet ADI’s standards of excellence.
ADI and the Accreditation Process
ADI is an international coalition with not-for-profit members representing assistance dog programs from across the world. The purpose of ADI is to improve the areas of selection, training, placement, and utilization of assistance dogs.
Accreditation by ADI is a peer-review process. It is a uniform method by which ADI member programs can achieve compliance with the operational standards of excellence established by ADI.
Participating programs undergo an on-site assessment conducted by highly-skilled assessors. During the course of the visit, assessors interview program staff, volunteers, the Board of Directors, assistance dog applicants, and clients. Assessors inspect a variety of the program’s documents and records as well as their facilities.
Additionally, assessors observe dog training as clients work with their assistance dog partner.
The following areas of IHDI were evaluated during the accreditation survey:
Program Management
- Application policies and procedures
- Canine management, health, welfare, and training
- Education curriculum and instruction
- Record keeping
- Volunteer programs
- Client input
- Dog Trainer qualification and education
- Disability knowledge
Administration
- Organization
- Emergency procedures and safety regulations
- Risk management
- Documentation
- Business practices
- Written policies and procedures
Facilities
- Accessibility
- Building and grounds
- Safety and maintenance
- Kennels
Community Activities
- Behavior of assistance dogs in the community
- Public education about assistance dogs
