Animals, especially dogs, are a comforting presence in anyone’s life. Some animals are specially trained to carry out certain tasks for people with disabilities. They are known as Assistance animals and it is a funded item under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Depending on the disability support needs of the participant, they can access this support if it satisfies all the necessary NDIS funding criteria. Usually, assistance animals are dogs trained by an officially recognised assistance animal provider registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
Accessing an Assistance Animal requires the participants to take a suitability assessment. This is to test whether an assistance animal is actually suitable for the participant or not. Important things like the participant’s ability to handle the animal as well as how beneficial is an assistance animal for the participant will be tested here. The animal also has to pass a Public Access Test to ensure that it is properly trained and to see how effective is its service. It is very important to remember that other types of animals such as therapy animals, emotional support animals or companion animals like your pets are NOT considered assistance animals even if they are trained to do some tasks to help you. You may love these animals and find their companionship helpful and soothing but it is highly unlikely that the NDIS will fund them.
The participant must Assistance Animals is a support item that ensures the welfare of the animal along with ensuring that the support is effective and beneficial for the participant. This support will be incredibly helpful to improve the mental well-being and quality of life of the participants. You can contact any registered NDIS service provider to know more about accessing an assistance animal.