Public Access Test for Dogs in the UK

"A Public Access Test for my dog would change my life. Here's why.

I won the Best of Friends award at Crufts in 2018 with my Border Terrier, Jack. He helps me with my mental health problems - I've got multiple diagnoses; Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (cPTSD), Dissociative Disorders (DD) and an Eating Disorder (ED). Yes, a it's a lot!

I had a traumatic, neglected childhood. Jack is the first thing I've ever attached to. He taught me what love is. For the first time, I feel some of the most fundamental emotions that humans should have, emotions that are taken for granted by most people."

He saves my life every day.

I need him with me - like a walking stick does for physical problems, he supports my very vulnerable mental health. But at the moment, only Assistance Dogs (such as Guide Dogs for the blind) get access to shops, taxis and so on.

I’m trying to train him as an Assistance Dog, but it’s so hard. Assistance Dogs are trained to incredibly high standards which is why that’s usually done by a big organisation, like a charity.

However, I'm trying to train him while coping with my complex health problems, and without any help from any charity. There is no 'Guide Dogs' organisation for mental health Assistance Dogs.

I’m on my own.

A Public Access Test would be an easier challenge than the Assistance Dog test, so it would totally change my life. I could have Jack with me in public places. It really would be like someone with a mobility problem finally being allowed to have a stick to help them stay stable.

And I know that it would change the lives of other people too. Many people with mental health problems would benefit being accompanied by a dog. A recent study shows that pets *do* help people with mental health problems. Charities are bombarded with people asking for help with getting an animal to support their mental health.

There are tens or hundreds of thousands of people living with a mental illness, who dream of having a dog to love and to help them, and whose lives would be lifted just like mine is by Jack... but the system is 100% against them.

A Public Access Test, recognised in UK law, would put dogs like Jack within reach of hundreds of thousands of people trying to cope with mental health problems around the country.

So please, support this petition. Let's make a Public Access Test that is legally recognised in the Equality Act."