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Assistance dogs in leisure facilities

Assistance Dogs are highly trained dogs that function as auxiliary aids for disabled people. We invite customers attending with their assistance dog to speak to a manager on, or prior, to their first visit so we can understand how we can support them to make the most of the services available, including if a personal evacuation plan is needed in an emergency.

The Council asks that assistance dogs are equipped with a harness or jacket identifying them as an assistance dog while on the premises. This is so it is clear to staff and other service users that the dog is an assistance dog, it is working, it is to be respected, and it is not to be approached. It can also help to prevent inappropriate challenge or complaint directed at the disabled service user. If it is not clear that a dog is an assistance dog, staff will discuss use of the facilities and leisure services policy with the customer and may ask for more information about the assistance dog’s training before admittance.

Assistance dogs must remain with and under close control of the assistance dog handler when using leisure facilities (see arrangements for swimming below).

The assistance dog handler has responsibility for the dog’s behaviour on site and should ensure the dog is clean, free from parasites, is adequately toileted in an appropriate area before entering council premises and is covered by public liability insurance. The assistance dog handler should, where possible, clean up after their dog.

Assistance dogs are permitted with their handler in

  • Reception areas

  • Viewing areas away from the edge of poolside.

  • Changing areas (but not under showers)

  • Toilets

  • Gym areas (but must not be permitted to lie/sit where there is a risk of injury from/to equipment or other service users)

  • Studios (but must not be permitted to lie/sit where there is a risk of injury from/to equipment or other service users)

Assistance dogs are not permitted

  • In the pool or edge of poolside.  When using the swimming pool, the assistance dog handler can leave their dog in the reception office (or with a carer who remains in the reception area or a pool viewing area away from the water edge). Staff can assist with access to the pool and make arrangements for the assistance dog to be reunited with the handler as soon as possible after exiting the pool.

  • In leisure facilities unaccompanied by the disabled person who is partnered with the dog as an auxiliary aid (if the dog is on site without the assistance dog handler also being on site e.g. with other family members, it will be deemed as ‘not working’ and therefore a pet). If a service user is involved in the training of assistance dogs, they must discuss access to the facilities with a duty manager prior to bringing a dog in training to sites.

What is an assistance dog?

Assistance Dogs are highly trained dogs that function as auxiliary aids for disabled people. Just as some disabled people use a wheelchair, mobility aid, hearing or other aid to support their independence and confidence, some people will be partnered with an assistance dog.

Guide dogs are the most recognised type of Assistance Dog, used by individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Assistance Dogs can also be trained as a support aid for hearing loss, physical impairments, epilepsy or seizure-related disorders, autism or PTSD.

Assistance dogs are expected to be highly trained which means they:

  • will not wander freely around the premises

  • will sit or lie quietly on the floor next to their owner

  • have been trained to behave appropriately in public

  • have safe and reliable temperaments

  • are healthy and do not constitute a hygiene risk

  • are fully toilet-trained

  • are regularly checked by experienced veterinarians

  • are accompanied by a handler who has been trained how to work alongside their assistance dog

Examples of assistance dogs (not an exhaustive list):

  • Guide Dogs which assist a blind or visually impaired person

  • Hearing Dogs which assist a deaf person

  • Seizure Alert Dogs which have been trained to assist a person who has epilepsy. These dogs are trained to behave differently when they detect a potential seizure, which may appear to be misbehaving.

  • Service / Support Dogs which assist a disabled person with tasks such as practical tasks, raising the alarm, fetching items, providing support to manage anxiety and increase independence.

How do we recognise an assistance dog?

Assistance dogs may be instantly recognisable by a harness or jacket, though, the law does not require the dog to wear a harness or jacket to identify it as an assistance dog. Some, but not all, assistance dog users will carry an ID book giving information about the assistance dog and the training organisation.  

Staff are not present in all areas of leisure facilities and may not be able to leave their stations or other customers for safety reasons (for example lifeguard duties or when working with children), therefore the Council asks that assistance dogs are equipped with a harness or jacket identifying them as an assistance dog.

This is so it is clear to staff and other service users that the dog is an assistance dog, it is working, it is to be respected, and it is not to be approached. It can also help to prevent inappropriate challenge or complaint directed at the disabled service user or staff.

Why we welcome assistance dogs in our leisure facilities

In line with our equality objectives, to deliver responsive services and customer care that is accessible and inclusive to individuals’ needs, we want our leisure services to be inclusive and accessible, where everyone in our community feels welcome and supported to improve their wellbeing and fitness and have fun. An assistance dog is a supporting aid that can allow a disabled person to access our facilities. They are an aid in the same way as someone might use a wheelchair, mobility aid or hearing aid to access the facilities.

A disability is defined by the Equality Act 2010 as ‘a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on the ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities’.

The council recognises it is unlawful to discriminate against a disabled person including in the following ways:

  • Direct discrimination: treating a person less favourably than others because they are disabled or perceived to be disabled.

  • Indirect discrimination: where a particular policy has a worse impact on disabled people than on people who are not disabled. For example, a blanket ‘no dogs’ policy will have a worse impact on disabled people using assistance dogs and could be indirect discrimination unless the policy can be objectively justified.

  • Failure to make reasonable adjustments: where a physical feature, provision or practice puts a disabled person at a substantial disadvantage the service provider has a duty to take reasonable steps to avoid that disadvantage. For example, amending the ‘no dogs’ policy to allow assistance dogs and assessing what is reasonable in terms of facility access.

  • Disability harassment: treating someone in a way which makes them feel humiliated, offended or degraded for reasons related to their disability e.g. for use of an assistance dog.

  • Victimisation: treating a person badly because they have made a complaint of discrimination or supported someone who has made a complaint.

Assistance dogs in leisure facilities

We invite customers attending with their assistance dog to speak to a manager on, or prior, to their first visit so we can understand how we can support them to make the most of the services available, including if a personal evacuation plan is needed in an emergency.

Assistance dogs must remain with and under close control of the assistance dog handler when using leisure facilities (see arrangements for swimming below).

The assistance dog handler has responsibility for the dog’s behaviour on site and should ensure the dog is clean, free from parasites, is adequately toileted in an appropriate area before entering council premises and is covered by public liability insurance. The assistance dog handler should, where possible, clean up after their dog.

If it is not clear that a dog is an assistance dog, staff will discuss use of the facilities and leisure services policy with the customer and may ask for supporting information about the assistance dog’s training before admittance. It is not a legal requirement for documentation to be produced. Staff can ask that in future the dog is clearly identifiable through appropriate harness or jacket.

Assistance dogs are permitted with their handler in

  • Reception areas

  • Changing areas (but not under showers)

  • Toilets

  • Gym areas (but must not be permitted to lie/sit where there is a risk of injury from/to equipment or other service users)

  • Studios (but must not be permitted to lie/sit where there is a risk of injury from/to equipment or other service users)

Assistance dogs are not permitted

In the pool or edge of poolside.  When using the swimming pool, the assistance dog handler can leave their dog in the reception office (or with a carer who remains in the reception area or a pool viewing area away from the water edge). Staff can assist with access to the pool and make arrangements for the assistance dog to be reunited with the handler as soon as possible after exiting the pool.

In leisure facilities unaccompanied by the disabled person who is partnered with the dog as an auxiliary aid (if the dog is on site without the assistance dog handler also being on site e.g. with other family members, it will be deemed as ‘not working’ and therefore a pet). If a service user is involved in the training of assistance dogs, they must discuss access to the facilities with a manager prior to bringing a dog in training to sites.

Other animals

Pets and therapy/emotional support animals are not under UK law considered assistance animals and are not allowed in leisure facilities other than where signposted, such as some green spaces.

FAQs

What happens if the assistance dog misbehaves?

As a trained assistance dog there are some behaviours that you would not expect to see:

  • Dogs that have not been trained to behave well in public e.g. lunging, constant barking, jumping up or pulling strongly on a lead, chewing or otherwise damaging facilities (however, it must be noted that some assistance dogs may jump up or bark to alert their handler).

  • Dogs with aggressive or very fearful temperaments e.g. cowering or growling.

  • Poorly cared for dogs that constitute a hygiene risk.

  • Dogs that are not toilet trained

  • If a dog’s behaviour on site is inappropriate, staff should discuss this with the assistance dog handler and ask them to address the behaviour.

  • If there are serious or repeated incidents, staff can ask the assistance dog handler to leave the site with their dog.

  • Staff must use the incident reporting form to log the incident and decision. The Operations Manager or Head of Leisure Services will review incidents and liaise with the leisure centre user as required.

What if someone complains due to a conflicting disability, phobia or allergy?

  • Where an Assistance Dog poses adverse health and wellbeing risk to other disabled customers/staff, Duty Managers will liaise with both parties to determine suitable alternative arrangements where possible, such as using facilities at different times. Facility staff will ensure sufficient cleaning takes place.

What if someone complains due to Religious or Cultural concerns?

  • Both disability and religion are protected characteristics. However, religious or cultural beliefs cannot be used to prohibit access for Assistance Dogs and their owners. If a conflict arises, Duty Managers will take all reasonable steps to determine suitable arrangements, such as using facilities at different times.

Complaints in relation to Assistance Dogs