Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust (Mobility Dogs) has once again achieved accreditation from Assistance Dogs International (ADI), marking the third consecutive time the organisation has met the highest international standards in the service dog industry.
Mobility Dogs is now accredited for a further five-year term, with its next ADI review scheduled for 2030. Only three organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand currently hold ADI accreditation, placing Mobility Dogs among a very small group nationally recognised for excellence, consistency and best practice.
ADI accreditation is widely regarded as the gold standard for service dog organisations worldwide. The rigorous assessment process evaluates every aspect of an organisation’s operations, including dog welfare, breeding and training programmes, client matching and support, governance, ethics, policies, safety, and long-term outcomes for both dogs and the people they support.
“This reaccreditation is a significant achievement for our organisation,” says General Manager, Jody Wilson. “ADI accreditation involves an extensive and detailed review process, and maintaining these standards across three consecutive accreditations reflects the dedication, professionalism and care of our small but highly committed team.”
The assessment process includes comprehensive documentation reviews, on-site evaluations, and evidence-based demonstrations that standards are not only met, but consistently upheld over time. Few organisations globally — and even fewer in New Zealand — achieve reaccreditation multiple times.
Mobility Dogs provides highly trained dogs to people living with physical disabilities, enabling greater independence, confidence and participation in everyday life. ADI reaccreditation reassures clients, supporters and funders that the organisation operates to internationally recognised best-practice standards and places animal welfare and client wellbeing at the heart of everything it does.
“This accreditation confirms that our dogs are trained ethically and to the highest professional standard, and that our clients receive safe, reliable and life-changing support,” says Jody. “We’re incredibly proud of what this means for the people and dogs we serve.”
ENDS