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    Dogs at work, people at our core

    Mobility Dogs offers several pathways depending on the type of support you need.

    Some people need a highly trained dog for daily life – one that can assist with physical tasks and accompany them anywhere, with full public access rights. Others benefit from a dog placed into a specific setting like a school, court, or healthcare environment, where the dog provides calm and consistent support alongside a trained handler. We also place dogs that offer practical support and companionship within the home, without public access rights.

    Every match is made carefully, with the right dog for the right person and environment. Understanding the differences between these pathways is the first step to finding the best fit for you.


    Mobility Dogs:
    Practical, physical task assistance for people with physical disability

    Best suited for people who:

    • Are over 18 and have a permanent physical disability
    • Require task trained assistance to support daily independence
    • Need help from a dog in public spaces ie: shops, appointments, transport

    What Mobility Dogs do:

    • Retrieve dropped items
    • Open/close doors and drawers
    • Assist with a variety of daily tasks
    • Support independence at home and in the community

    Important to know up front:

    • Mobility Dogs are highly trained assistance dogs
    • There is a formal assessment and placement process
    If this sounds like you, find out more here:

    Therapy Dogs:
    Support within approved workplaces and community settings

    Best suited for:

    • Organisations such as schools and courts
    • Professionals working in structured therapeutic and clinical environments

    What Therapy Dogs do:

    • Work alongside a therapist or similar
    • Provide support in an organisational setting
    • Support many people alongside a trained professional

    Important to know:

    • Do not have public access rights outside their approved environment
    If this sounds like you, find out more here:

    Companion Dogs:
     Specifically selected to support an individual or family and their unique situation

    Best suited for people who:

    • Unable to commit to a puppy
    • Want to stay active
    • Want a dog that has received foundational training

    What a Companion Dog offers: 

    • Genuine companionship, a sense of purpose and connection

    Important to know:

    • Currently only available in the Auckland and Waikato regions
    • Do not have public access rights
    • Are not trained for complex medical alerts, behavioural support, or specialist therapeutic work
    If this sounds like you, find out more here:

    A registered charity, Mobility Dogs receives no government funding for the training of our dogs and relies solely on donations from the philanthropic community – support this work here