A deaf woman with a health condition has hit barriers getting her toy poodle registered as a disability assist dog.
By Amy Williams of RNZ
There are eight organisations that certify and train disability assist dogs, allowing the animals and their handlers access rights in public places, such as supermarkets, libraries and on public transport.
But only one organisation will consider dogs that are already in a disabled person's house and Joanne Marshall said that needs to change.
She started training Kiko when she adopted him as a puppy about two years ago and he responds to her signs and voice commands.
At her request he often helps her to undress by pulling gently on her socks and trousers.
"He's blown me away many times," Marshall said.
When she's out walking, Marshall said he alerts her to the presence of cars and other things she cannot hear but needs to avoid.
"Kiko actually picked us and we had to ask the breeder to change. It was through that, that we could see something in Kiko that was different, that we could work with."
Marshall's disability is complex, she sometimes loses mobility and has to monitor her blood pressure.
She talked to RNZ on video, with an interpreter, and said Kiko can sense changes in her blood pressure, through smell, and alerts her with nose nudges or pawing.
"Having somebody that's constantly there alerting to when there's a change chemically, it has saved me many trips to the doctor, it has saved me money," she said.
"Even my neurologist says that Kiko is actually saving the government money because there's less hospital, less MRIs, less procedures that have to happen."
Application declined
Perfect Partners Assistance Dogs Trust is the only organisation that considers dogs for certification that have been trained by a disabled person, including those who are deaf – but Marshall's application was declined last month.
She lodged a complaint with the Health and Disability Commissioner – in its response this month, the trust said videos provided show Kiko is not ready and needs to complete an independent dog obedience training programme before they will consider taking on the pair.
But Marshall said she could not access the required dog obedience training because NZ sign language interpreters were not provided and there was no government funding for that cost.
The trust asked a veterinary behaviourist to review the videos.
"Based on the video footage, [the vet] identified concerns about the levels of stress he showed, and avoidance and anxiety-related behaviour, particularly outside the home," the decision letter said.
"She noted that repeatedly exposing a dog to settings that overwhelm him can increase fear over time, and that stress at this level is likely to affect whether he can reliably perform tasks when they are needed. This is consistent with the concerns identified by our assessment team."
'Life I had is pretty much closed in'
Perfect Partners Assistance Dogs Trust apologised that the process has been difficult for Marshall.
"We recognise how important Kiko is to you, and how much you feel not having a certified assistance dog affects your daily life, your safety and your access to the community."
Marshall said it limits her activities.
"I can't take him into the galleries, I can't take him into the library, I can't do my research with books; I'm basically online at the moment. The life that I used to have is pretty much closed in."
A letter from her GP in support of certification states Kiko is her disability assist dog and is required as a service animal.
Marshall would like to see more options for those who have dogs helping them, to get them certified as service animals.
She said it feels like no disability dog coat fits her situation.
Ministry considering gaps, challenges
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People New Zealand specialises in certifying disability assist dogs and support for people who are deaf or hard of hearing but does not certify client-trained dogs.
"Hearing Dogs rightfully said that I had a right to question the coat because they only do the deafness for the sounds and noise around the home they don't do the neuro. So the biggest barrier at the high level is the silo of all these organisations doing a singular disability," Marshall said.
The Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport administers the Dog Control Act, which sets out the legislative framework for disability assist dogs.
Its general manager for local government policy and partnerships, Richard Ward, said the ministry is considering whether there are any gaps and challenges in the disability assist dog regime.
"This includes looking at the oversight of authorised organisations, barriers to access and inclusion, and how to maintain public confidence in disability assist dogs recognised under the act."
Its latest tally shows in late 2025, six of the eight organisations certifying disability assist dogs had wait lists with a total of 78 people waiting for a disability assist dog across those organisations.
"Organisations have told us that capacity and resourcing can make it difficult to meet demand. They rely on a mix of funding, donations and volunteers to train dogs and support clients," Ward said.
Those most affected in the sector want the Support Services Bill scrapped. (Source: 1News)
Perfect Partners Assistance Dogs Trust programme manager Belinda Simpson said they are currently training – or have placed – more than 40 dogs owned by disabled people and did not have a waiting list.
She said an assistance dog's primary job is to stay focused on its handler, so it can perform tasks or medical alerts when they're needed.
"Every application is assessed by experienced people, with the dog's welfare front of mind."
Risks for the dogs, owners and public
Simpson said they would welcome more organisations working with disabled people's own dogs, with the right mix of health and disability expertise and assistance dog training experience.
"We don't believe the pathway should be opened up so that anyone can take their own dog into public places without training to minimum standards and organisational oversight, as that would be risky for the dog, the person and the public."
She said the dog's welfare is important.
"Any level of stress, fear or anxiety affects a dog's ability to process its environment, respond to cues and prioritise its handler's needs," she said.
"Putting an anxious dog into busy, complex public places isn't fair on the dog or the person, and it creates risks for the dog, the handler and the public."
Simpson said the trust will be providing feedback to the ministry's review of the the disability assist dog regime.
"In general, we'd like to see minimum training standards, organisational oversight and annual reassessment remain at the centre of any framework, because they protect handlers, their dogs and the public."
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