Assistance Animal Assessment Reports
OT Assistance Animal Assessment and NDIS Funding Applications
Could an Assistance Animal Help Support you with Your Disability?
Our Occupational Therapist is trained in the area of Assistance Animals and has extensive experience in supporting people navigate the journey of applying for NDIS funding.
We assess your needs and circumstances to identify how an Assistance Animal can support you. We will also explain the NDIS requirements for evidence and help you understand the process and expectations to maximise your likelihood of submitting a strong application.
This service is available to self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants anywhere in Australia via home visit or telehealth.
Please see our Paws and Thrive Facebook page for more information here.
Please complete our e-referral form and Assistance Animal Questionnaire and we will get in touch.
NDIS Funding Options
Assistance Animals are purposefully trained to complete tasks (or trained, observable behaviours) that support you with your disability. Unlike Therapy Dogs, an Assistance Animal lives with you in your home and provides support only for you. A fully trained and qualified Assistance Animal is legally able to accompany you in public places where standard pets are not allowed to access. This can include public transport (including rideshare and airline travel), restaurants, hospitals and many others. You may be eligible for NDIS Assistive Technology funding for an Assistance Animal if you meet the required criteria. Further detailed information is available from the NDIS website. There are 3 main options when applying.
Fully Trained Assistance Animal Provided by an Organisation
If your most appropriate option is to purchase a fully trained Assistance Animal through an organisation, you will need to find a suitable organisation who provides Assistance Animals for individuals of your age, location and disability. Lengthy waitlists and restrictions may apply. Please note, Paws and Thrive do not provide the Assistance Animal or training.
Owner -Trained with the Support of a Qualified Animal Trainer
You may be considering training a puppy (or another animal) yourself under the direction of a qualified animal trainer. If you already have a puppy or seeking a specific breed and feel you are able to manage the training required (obedience, behaviour, public access and specific disability tasks) this may be a suitable option. The NDIA may consider funding the training and the fees associated with passing the Public Access Test (PAT).
Maintenance Funding for an Existing Assistance Animal
If you already have a qualified Assistance Animal and have already passed the PAT requirements, you may be eligible to apply for maintenance funding. This funding can be added to your plan to support the costs involved with maintaining the Assistance Animal’s health and hygiene, behaviour and obedience and public access requirements required to continue performing the disability tasks that support your disability. An Assistance Animal Assistive Technology funding application and evidence of meeting eligibility criteria are still required.
Pre-Assessment Consultations
Discover a world of possibilities
We offer a 1 hour consultation with you to discuss your individual needs and circumstances. Your family members or local supports are welcome to join us too. We will answer any questions you may have and gather an understanding of your unique needs and wishes. Information will be provided about the NDIS funding application requirements, process and pathways, as well as expectations, timeframes and supporting documentation that can support your application.
Assistance Animals are not suitable for everyone. Careful consideration is required to ensure an Assistance Animal is right for you, and is safe and sustainable for you and the animal before you pursue a full Occupational Therapy Assessment.
If you would like to know more about your options and discuss the process of applying, the NDIS criteria, options for organisation trained Assistance Animals versus owner training, Public Access Test, expectations, timeframes, costs and anything else, please complete our e-referral and Assistance Animal Questionnaire and we will get in touch.
There are lots of things to consider and a lot of misinformation out there. We’re here to help you get the right information so you can decide what’s best for you.
Full Assistance Animal Assessment
Navigating the Assistance Animal application process
For NDIS participants who are seeking an Assistance Animal Occupational Therapy Assessment to accompany the NDIS Assistance Animal application form. We provide a comprehensive assessment of how your disability influences you functionally, what supports and Assistive Technology you have tried and your individual circumstances, needs and goals. We work with you, your family and your local support team to collate the relevant information and evidence required to demonstrate how you meet the NDIS criteria for an Assistance Animal.
The Assistance Animal Occupational Therapy telehealth assessment consultation usually takes 2 hours and involves an informal discussion. We will provide you with some resources to help you prepare for your appointment and what additional supporting documents we will need.
This service involves a comprehensive analysis of your disability needs, how an Assistance Animal could support you to manage those needs and build your capacity towards your NDIS goals. The report addresses each of the NDIS criteria for funding eligibility and provides supporting evidence from current literature, relevant to you. We work with your local providers (as appropriate and with your consent) as well as your animal trainer or Assistance Animal provider to gather additional supporting evidence to strengthen your application. Please allow approximately 20 hours of OT to complete the full application process. Participants will be provided with an electronic copy of the detailed Occupational Therapy Assistance Animal report and the NDIS Assistance Animal application.
A copy of the NDIS Assistance Animal Application template can be accessed here.
If you are interested in either a pre-assessment information consultation or the full application process, please complete our Assistance Animal Questionnaire and we will get in touch with you.
Please also ensure you complete our e-referral.
Ask us
If you are interested in learning more about Assistance Animals, and unsure whether this support would be right for you or what the next steps are, please get in touch.