De Hond Helpt

About De Hond Helpt

De Hond Helpt Hulphonden supports people in training their dog or puppy to become a recognized assistance dog. The organization is based in Rottum.

Assistance dog training

The training is tailored to the person, the dog, and the timing. The program consists of individual training and, if needed, group training, and takes an average of a year and a half.

• Basic skills and obedience
• Socialization
• Specific skills, such as emotional support, opening doors, and retrieving objects
• Regular evaluations

Program stages

After registration, there is an introductory phone call and an intake/test. The program progresses from basic skills and specific skills to a final test; after that, there is an annual retest.

• Register via the contact form
• Introductory phone call
• Intake/test
• Start of the basic program
• Basic skills test
• Teaching specific skills
• Final test
• Annual retest

Before taking part

Participants must be able to take an active part in the training. The dog must be healthy and no older than two years; people who do not yet have a dog can get help finding a suitable one.

Assistance dogs

The organization supports training for psychosocial assistance dogs and ADL assistance dogs (activities of daily living). The listed tasks for ADL dogs include retrieving objects and opening doors.

• Psychosocial assistance dog
• ADL dog (activities of daily living)