kSIST FprEN 17984-3:2025

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 17984-3:2024
01-julij-2024
Psi pomočniki - 3. del: Kompetence strokovnjakov za pse pomočnike
Assistance Dogs - Part 3: Competencies for Assistance Dogs Professionals
Kompetenzen von Assistenzhund-Fachleuten
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 17984-3
ICS:
03.100.30 Vodenje ljudi Management of human
resources
11.180.99 Drugi standardi v zvezi s Other standards related to
pripomočki za invalide aids for disabled and
handicapped people
65.020.30 Živinoreja Animal husbandry and
breeding
oSIST prEN 17984-3:2024 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN 17984-3:2024
oSIST prEN 17984-3:2024
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 17984-3
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
June 2024
ICS 65.020.30; 11.180.99
English Version
Assistance dogs - Part 3: Competencies for assistance dogs
professionals
Kompetenzen von Assistenzhund-Fachleuten
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 452.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2024 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 17984-3:2024 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

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Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Assistance dog breeding specialist . 6
5 Puppy selector . 7
6 Puppy raising supervisor . 8
7 Dog care specialist (kennel) . 9
8 Assessors . 10
8.1 Assessor for the suitability of the applicant . 10
8.2 Assessor for dogs in training . 10
8.3 Assessor for the team . 11
9 Orientation and mobility specialist. 11
10 Assistance dog trainer . 12
11 Assistance dog instructors . 13
11.1 Guide dog instructor . 15
11.2 Hearing dog instructor . 16
11.3 Medical alert assistance dog instructor . 16
11.4 Mobility assistance dog instructor . 17
11.5 Autism assistance dogs and development disorder assistance dog instructor . 17
12 Team training instructors . 17
Annex A (informative) Country-specific examples of methods to assess competencies . 20

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European foreword
This document (prEN 17984-3) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 452 “Competencies
for Assistance Dogs Professionals”, the secretariat of which is held by UNI.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
prEN 17984-3 is the third part of a series of standards under the general title Assistance Dogs, which
comprises the following parts:
Part 1: Vocabulary
Part 2: Lifetime welfare
Part 3: Competencies for assistance dogs’ professionals
Part 4: Training and assessment
Part 5: Client services
Part 7: Conformity assessment
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Introduction
At present there are no defined competencies at a European level for professionals working in assistance
dog organisations. This creates a high risk of assistance dog users being partnered with poorly and
insufficiently trained dogs. It presents further risk to the welfare and wellbeing of assistance dog users
and dogs if staff are not competent to perform their role according to safe and recognized standards.
This document will reduce this risk by encouraging organisations to provide training, or select
appropriately trained professionals, to work within their organization. This document will allow
assistance dog users greater choice when selecting an assistance dog provider and offers a level of quality
of the service they can expect.
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1 Scope
This document specifies the competencies required of assistance dogs’ professionals. The purpose of this
document is to improve and ensure the quality of professionals working in a role within an assistance
dog organization. Each speciality of assistance dog requires a specific set of role competencies and there
are some common core competencies.
Core competencies:
— breeding;
— puppy raising;
— dog care;
— assessors;
— orientation and mobility;
— trainers;
— instructors.
Specific competencies:
— guide dogs;
— hearing dogs;
— medical alert dogs;
— mobility assistance dogs;
— autism and development disorder dogs;
— team training instructor.
It is accepted that assistance dog organisations vary greatly in structure and not every organization will
have all the roles identified. Where one person performs more than one role, it is expected that they will
have the competencies of all the roles they perform e.g. a dog trainer may also have the competencies of
a dog care specialist. And there will be some organisations where some of these roles are not required,
e.g. those with no breeding programme will not require the associated role competencies.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
FprEN 17984-1, Assistance dogs — Part 1: Vocabulary
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in FprEN 17984-1 and the following
terms and definitions apply.
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ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
knowledge
facts, information, truths, principles or understanding acquired through experience or education
3.2
skill
ability to apply knowledge to complete tasks and solve problems acquired through education, experience
or other means
3.3
competence
ability to apply knowledge and skills to achieve intended results
3.4
education provider
organization which provides training to adults
Note 1 to entry: See Annex A for country-specific examples of assessment and education providers.
3.5
national accreditation body
institution which attests to the competence and impartiality of conformity assessment bodies (testing
and calibration laboratories, certification, and inspection bodies), according to an international standards
body
4 Assistance dog breeding specialist
An assistance dog breeding specialist shall:
— demonstrate knowledge of physical and behavioural genetics and genetic improvement of dogs,
including selection and matching of studs and bitches;
— demonstrate knowledge of the principles of dogs’ anatomy, physiology, general pathology, and
infectious and parasitic diseases;
— demonstrate knowledge regarding nutritional requirements of brood bitch, including throughout
pregnancy and during nursing, and nutritional requirements of puppy;
— demonstrate knowledge of reproduction and more specifically birth related issues;
— be aware of current best practices of suitable environments for dog: breeding, birth and early
development, identify them in the environment and modify it accordingly or make the
recommendations to improve these in the interest of the dog’s wellbeing and breeding safety;
— identify appropriate point of referral to a veterinarian either physically or through distance
consulting, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the dogs and puppies;
— be continually alert for risks during whelp and be rapid in response to alleviating and minimizing the
risks by taking prompt action;
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— monitor the delivery to minimize risks and have the proper responses in case of complications;
— demonstrate understanding of the competencies required of a working assistance dog;
— monitor the dog's growth and health from birth to eight weeks of age with respect of the current
knowledge of puppy’s development;
— monitor the puppy's psychological development, including socialization and behaviour;
— keep accurate records for each individual in each litter related to puppy growth and development,
psychological development, including socialization and behaviour;
— evaluate the suitability of a puppy to enrol in an assistance dog program with respect of the puppy’s
welfare;
— using a consistent measurement tool, provide evidence of the puppy’s suitability, health and
soundness for the role of an assistance dog;
— demonstrate knowledge of welfare principles enlisted in the present norm and provide accurate
records that demonstrate their applications.
5 Puppy selector
A puppy selector shall:
— demonstrate knowledge of the competencies required of an active assistance dog with respect of the
puppy’s welfare, wellbeing, and soundness;
— apply different humane test techniques in order to evaluate the suitability of a puppy to enrol in an
assistance dog programme;
— provide evidence and justification for matching with puppy raisers and evaluate the decision,
adjusting where necessary in the puppies’ best interest;
— demonstrate knowledge of the principles of anatomy, physiology, general pathology, and infectious
and parasitic diseases and consider the consequences for the suitability of the puppy;
— identify appropriate point of referral to the appropriate specialist (veterinarian, behaviourist, or
other professionals) either physically or through distance consulting, to ensure the safety and
wellbeing of the dog;
— demonstrate understanding of puppies’ behaviours individually and in the litter group, which ones
will be identified for assistance selection on completion of puppy evaluation based on health, welfare,
wellbeing, and soundness;
— using consistent measurement tools, evaluate and record the temperament of the proposed breeding
bitch and once selected continually evaluate her behaviour to establish suitability for breeding,
match to suitable stud and to provide evidence of breed selection traits for future litters;
— demonstrate knowledge about dog socialization and identify when the dog has or does not have
suitable socialization behaviours for enrolment in an assistance dog programme;
— demonstrate knowledge of welfare principles enlisted in the present norm and provide accurate
records that demonstrate their applications.
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6 Puppy raising supervisor
A puppy raising supervisor shall:
— demonstrate knowledge of the principles of the dog's growth and health from birth to adulthood with
respect of the current knowledge of puppy’s development;
— observe and record the dog's physical developmental, growth and health from birth to adulthood
with respect of the current knowledge of puppy’s development;
— demonstrate knowledge of the principles of preventive parasite control, vaccination and
prophylactic program and make sure they are applied;
— identify appropriate point of referral to a veterinarian or behaviourist either physically or through
distance consulting, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the dog;
— identify problem indicators in the behavioural development of the dog;
— demonstrate knowledge of the competencies required of a working assistance dog;
— monitor the dog's psychological development, including socialization and behaviour;
— keep accurate records for each individual related to puppy growth and development, psychological
development, including socialization and behaviour;
— assess the potential of a puppy, based on proven measurement and evidence to enter into an
assistance dog programme with respect of the puppy’s welfare, wellbeing, health and soundness for
the role;
— demonstrate understanding of puppies’ behaviour individually and in different human/canine
groups and within different environments and identify puppies who are likely to be successful in the
role of an assistance dog;
— create and implement a training plan with realistic targets for a desired behaviour of the puppy based
upon the principles of learning, ethology, health and welfare and the intended outcomes of the
training;
— apply the techniques of dog training by adapting them to the specific role and individual
requirements of the animal and its environment, more specifically to the socialisation process;
— select and utilize effectively appropriate equipment for the training of individual puppies eventually
associated with aspects of the assistance dog’s function;
— plan, supervise or directly deliver education programmes for puppy raisers;
— apply theoretical and practical knowledge of teaching and learning of adults and at times, children,
and young people;
— contribute to regular reviews to assess the dog’s temperament, behaviour and learnt skills and
continually review the puppies progress and suitability for the programme; with respect of the
puppies’ welfare, apply different pain-free test techniques during the assessment;
— demonstrate the ability to assess the puppy raisers applicants; determine their motivation for taking
on the role, identify any need for additional skills development and knowledge for the applicants to
be successful in their application to volunteer with a puppy raising programme;
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— evaluate the suitability of the physical and social environment of puppy raiser applicant with the
puppy raising programme;
— identify puppy raisers ready to receive and be matched with a puppy that has been suitably assessed
and is appropriate to their skill level;
— in collaboration with the puppy raiser, set a training plan for each puppy;
— identify and respond to the needs of puppy raisers for further information, training, and techniques;
— create a collaborative environment for the puppy raisers (e.g. classes, informal meetings);
— understanding differences in interacting with a dog for target audience and the purpose we are
preparing them for; understand and explain the rules and regulations related to the accessibility of
teams; demonstrate observation and analysis skills of interindividual and group relationships;
— demonstrate different communication techniques by adapting them to the public and the
professional context, including colleagues, volunteers, and handlers;
— demonstrate knowledge of welfare principles enlisted in the present norm and provide accurate
records that demonstrate their applications.
7 Dog care specialist (kennel)
A dog care specialist shall:
— demonstrate knowledge of the principles of dogs’ anatomy, physiology, general pathology, and
infectious and parasitic diseases and apply them to hygiene, sanitation, and infectious disease
control;
— demonstrate knowledge of the principles of preventive parasite control, vaccination and
prophylactic program and make sure they are applied;
— identify problem indicators with the behaviour and the health of the dog; more specifically, recognize
changes in a dog that indicate health concerns and take appropriate action to alleviate these
concerns: stool and urine monitoring, monitoring of body weight, and appropriate food selection;
— evaluate and adapt the material environment and the equipment of the kennel in respect of the WG2
welfare principles;
— demonstrate basic knowledge of training techniques;
— with respect of WG2 welfare principles, apply these techniques in relation to dog and puppies’
handling for transport, exercise, basic veterinary treatments, and other everyday handling such as
ear care, grooming, bathing, walking with a gentle leader, on the tread mill (or, in Holland alongside
the bike) and wearing a muzzle when required;
— recognize signs of stress, changes in behaviour associated with the environment and adapt practices
in handling and kennel enrichment to relieve stress;
— demonstrate a range of communication techniques by adapting them to other staff including peers,
veterinarians, trainers, and instructors; adjust communication as needed to members of the public
and volunteers who may or may not be dog professionals;
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— demonstrate knowledge of welfare principles enlisted in the present norm and provide accurate
records that demonstrate their applications.
8 Assessors
8.1 Assessor for the suitability of the applicant
An assessor for the suitability of the applicant shall:
— with respect of the beneficiary’s privacy, collect through different appropriate methods (e.g.
questionnaire, interview, home visit) the necessary information regarding the beneficiary’s clinical
and psychological conditions (from medical and psychological team), needs, motivation and support,
and lifestyle situation;
NOTE In regards to privacy and personal data handling, local regulations and requirements such as the GDPR
can apply.
— demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the different disabilities that can be assisted by a dog,
and more specifically in the disability for which the beneficiary is seeking support from a service in
the provision of an assistance dog and the accompanying service;
— have a clear conception of the role of an assistance dog, its strengths and limitations, risks and
benefits for the beneficiary and the dog;
— demonstrate knowledge of what is feasible with a dog for the beneficiary depending on their specific
disability and individual conditions;
— demonstrate knowledge about dog requirements in order to ensure a suitable match with a person
with a disability;
— demonstrate knowledge about the possible risks for the beneficiary with a disability deriving from
the presence of a dog;
— demonstrate knowledge about the possible risks for the dog deriving from the beneficiary’s general
condition;
— in case the beneficiary’s condition is not suitable with the assistance of a dog, identify and evaluate
the resources the beneficiary could use in order to reach the requirements (e.g. find another person
that can support the team);
— produce accurate reports to enable quality control and use professional judgement to make
recommendations on each application;
— demonstrate knowledge of the principles related to client services enlisted in this norm and provide
accurate records that demonstrate their applications.
8.2 Assessor for dogs in training
An assessor for dogs in training shall fulfil the required competencies of assistance dog trainers.
Assessors for dogs in training shall:
— demonstrate knowledge on how to seek out necessary information regarding the dog’s clinical and
behavioural conditions (e.g. from veterinary and dog training professional);
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— demonstrate knowledge of principles of the dog's growth and health from birth to adulthood with
respect of the current knowledge of puppy’s development;
— demonstrate knowledge about different dog breeds involved in the program and their
characteristics;
— demonstrate knowledge of the competencies required of an active assistance dog;
— demonstrate knowledge about the techniques of dog training; their application to the specific role
and individual requirements of the animal and its environment; more specifically apply this
knowledge through the evaluation of the dog’s temperament and behaviour to determine whether it
is suitable to perform the role;
— respect all welfare principles enlisted in WG2;
— produce accurate reports to enable quality control and use professional judgement to make
recommendations on each assessed dog;
— demonstrate knowledge of welfare principles enlisted in the present norm and provide accurate
records that demonstrate their applications.
8.3 Assessor for the team
An assessor for the team shall fulfil the required competencies of assistance dog trainers.
Assessors for the team shall:
— demonstrate applied knowledge about dog requirements in order to ensure a suitable match with a
beneficiary with a disability (e.g. size of the dog, temperament of the dog, speed of the dog);
— demonstrate knowledge about the different disabilities that can be assisted by a dog, more
specifically in the disability for which the team is matched up and the positive impact the assistance
dog can bring to the beneficiary;
— based on formalized tests such as a set up path, evaluate the efficacy and reliability of the team in the
different tasks;
— based on the assessor’s interview and observation of the dog and the partnership, evaluate the
beneficiary’s capacity to take care of the dog;
— assess, identify, and evaluate the different needs of the team depending on the disability of the
beneficiary and the training of the dog and provide action and solutions to issues found;
— respect all welfare principles enlisted in WG2;
— produce accurate reports to enable quality control and use professional judgement to make
recommendations on each assessed team;
— demonstrate knowledge of welfare principles enlisted in the present norm and provide accurate
records that demonstrate their applications.
9 Orientation and mobility specialist
An orientation and mobility specialist shall:
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— demonstrate a range of communication techniques by adapting them to the public and the
professional context, including colleagues, volunteers, and handlers;
— foster knowledge and development at all levels that concern the habilitation for visually impaired
beneficiaries in OM with the aid of the guide dog;
— implement strategies, procedures, aids, and methods to prepare the beneficiary to work with a guide
dog and/or complement the aid of the guide dog;
— calibrate and maintain a correct physical and psychological distance to strengthen the user’s
awareness and competence;
— identify and enhance the motivational aspects and the individual adaptability;
— carry out OM trainings with the aid of the guide dog by applying acts of habilitation;
— establish with the beneficiary a relationship specifically aimed at their autonomy and their
independence;
— demonstrate knowledge in methods, strategies, didactics, and specific OM’s habilitation techniques
with the aid of the guide dog;
— use appropriate language system, techniques and methods concerning the typology and tools for the
OM with the aid of the guide dog;
— define OM tasks with the aid of the guide dog, times, and ways to reach and solidify specific abilities
and performances through individual and individualised action plans;
— plan and put into practice individual and individualised OM training with the aid of the guide dog for
people with sight loss;
— evaluate the user abilities and performances including safety, responsibility, and autonomy;
— produce professional specialist reports to indicate decision as to the most appropriate mobility
outcome or matching need;
— ensure reports accurately describe the needs and capabilities of beneficiary so that the most
appropriate dog can be selected and prepared to meet the assessed needs;
— draw up a report regarding the provided evaluation which can be shared with other operators and
with the user.
NOTE 1 Orientation and mobility specialists are not expected to train guide dogs. They are a qualified person
providing instructions to a blind or visually impaired person to help them develop or relearn skills and concepts so
that they can move about safely and independently.
NOTE 2 This profession can also be referred to as an O&M instructor. A GDMI is a person who is qualified as a
guide dog instructor.
10 Assistance dog trainer
An assistance dog trainer shall:
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— create and implement a training plan with realistic targets for a desired behaviour of the dog based
upon the principles of learning, ethology, health and welfare and the intended outcomes of the
training;
— identify the factors, including behavioural development of the dog, which may affect the progress
and success of training and adapt the training methods accordingly, more specifically through the
assessment and continual review of the dog’s temperament and behaviour to determine whether it
is suitable to perform the role;
— assess, develop, and evaluate a range of environments used during the training of specific aspects of
the assistance dog’s role and their importance to different types of beneficiaries;
— select and utilize appropriate humane equipment for the training of individual dogs associated with
particular aspects of the assistance dog’s function;
— seek advice on a humane fit of harness;
— contribute to regular reviews to assess and continually review the dogs progress and suitability for
the role and seek advice when some issue is identified;
— identify problem indicators with the behaviour and the health of the dog; more specifically, recognize
changes in a dog that indicate behaviour and health concerns and take early appropriate action to
alleviate these concerns;
— organize its work following the rules and regulations related to the practice of dog training within
the agreed time frames;
— demonstrate detailed knowledge of each dog’s abilities to deliver a training programme, either pre-
determined or appropriately adapted;
— maintain accurate and current documentation for dogs in training about their progress and keep
appropriate records;
NOTE Regarding documentation for dogs in training, local regulations and requirements can apply.
— demonstrate observation and analysis skills of interindividual and group relationships;
— demonstrate different communication techniques by adapting them to the public and the
professional context, including colleagues, volunteers, and handlers;
— provide written communication in the beneficiary’s preferred format, e.g. braille;
— demonstrate knowledge of welfare principles enlisted in the present norm and provide accurate
records that demonstrate their applications.
11 Assistance dog instructors
An assistance dog instructor shall fulfil the required competencies of assistance dog trainers and have
one or more of the following specialities: guide dogs, hearing dogs, medical alert assistance dogs, mobility
assistance dogs, autism assistance dogs and development disorder assistance dogs and post-traumatic
stress disorder assistance dogs
Assistance dog instructors shall:
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— demonstrate a range of communication techniques by adapting them to the applicants and the
beneficiaries, along with other staff including peers, veterinarians, trainers, and instructors;
— adjust communication as needed, especially when the person has an impairment which affects
communication skills;
— evaluate the needs of the beneficiary;
— create a training plan for dogs and assistance dog teams and implement or supervise it according to
specific individual beneficiary requirements;
NOTE Regarding supervision and implementation of training plans for assistance dogs, local regulations and
requirements can apply.
— apply knowledge of the functional impact of the disabilities or health conditions of the beneficiary to
ensure
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