During International Assistance Dog Week, August 2–8, 2026, we celebrate the partnerships that increase independence, mobility, safety, access, and participation for people with disabilities.
Assistance Dogs International's 2026 #BetterTogether campaign reminds us that these partnerships extend beyond the person and dog. Trainers, puppy raisers, volunteers, veterinary teams, businesses, healthcare providers, transportation systems, policymakers, and entire communities all help create environments where assistance dog teams can thrive. (Assistance Dogs International)
Assistance dog or service dog?
The terms overlap, but they are not always interchangeable.
Assistance dog is the international umbrella term used by Assistance Dogs International for guide dogs, hearing dogs, and service dogs trained to mitigate the effects of a person's disability. Under ADI's standards-based definition, an assistance dog is trained to perform at least three disability-related tasks.
A One Health Perspective
👤 Human
An assistance dog may support a person's independence, safety, mobility, communication, health management, confidence, and ability to participate in work, education, healthcare, travel, and community life. Denying access to the dog can effectively deny access to the person who depends on that dog. (Assistance Dogs International)
🐕 Pet/Animal Partner
Within our Human–Pet–Environment framework, the dog is the animal partner and often a deeply loved member of the family. Legally, however, a service dog is a working animal-not a pet-while performing disability-related work.
The dog's welfare matters, too. Ethical assistance-dog standards should support appropriate training, physical and behavioral health, veterinary care, rest, safe working conditions, a sustainable workload, and thoughtful planning for retirement. ADI's standards address the dog's full life cycle, including training, working life, veterinary care, and retirement. (Assistance Dogs International)
🌎 Environment
Independence is not created by the dog alone. The physical and social environment must also be accessible.
Welcoming workplaces, healthcare facilities, restaurants, hotels, transportation systems, schools, sidewalks, community programs, and public policies help assistance dog teams participate safely and with dignity. Community members can help by:
• Speaking to the handler instead of distracting the dog
• Not petting, calling, feeding, or photographing the dog without permission
• Keeping companion animals controlled and at a respectful distance
• Teaching staff accurate public-access policies
• Removing physical, procedural, and attitudinal barriers
• Respecting the handler's privacy and independence
When people, assistance dogs, and inclusive environments support one another, we truly are #BetterTogether.
Join the conversation.
- What is one change your workplace, organization, or community could make to better welcome assistance dog teams?
- Assistance dog handlers: What do you wish more people understood about your partnership, access rights, or your dog's welfare?
- Have you encountered a business, healthcare provider, transportation service, or community space that got accessibility right? Share what they did so others can learn from their example.
Learn more through Assistance Dogs International's International Assistance Dog Week campaign, ADI terminology and standards, Canine Companions' #BetterTogether campaign, and the U.S. Department of Justice's ADA service-animal guidance. (Assistance Dogs International)
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T' Fisher, Director of Operations
Center for Pet Family Well-Being
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