Home environment

• If you live in rented accommodation, you must provide written evidence from your landlord/housing association that you are permitted to keep an assistance dog on the premises.
• Your home environment must be suitable for keeping an assistance dog and a home check is part of the application process.
• You must have access to a secure outdoor area at ground level that can be used as an exercise and toilet area for the dog.
• Anyone who lives with you must be willing to support your relationship with an assistance dog and comply with Hounds for Heroes guidelines
• You must be able to access a local vet.

Caring for your dog

You must have the motivation and means to meet the care needs of an assistance dog:

• Giving food and water
• Providing regular exercise, a minimum of one hour a day, spread over 2-3 sessions, one of which should be off lead in a safe environment.
• Grooming
• Medical care.

You must not leave your dog at home for longer than four hours. Leaving the dog for lengthy periods should not happen on a daily basis.

There may be times when, for example, you are going for a hospital appointment or an event such as a firework display or air show where it would not be appropriate to take a dog. In these situations, you must be able to provide alternative care for your dog if it is likely to be longer than 4 hours.

Commitment

If you are partnered with a Hounds for Heroes dog, you must be prepared to engage with our aftercare programme.

Bringing an assistance dog into your life is a major lifestyle change so you must genuinely enjoy the close companionship of a dog and the desire to form a working relationship with one.