Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to give emotional support animals the same legal status as guide dogs.

Standards for assistance dogs are currently and historically maintained on the basis of a voluntary regulatory framework. There is no specific legislation for the regulation of assistance dogs and no legislation is planned.

There are recognised standards for assistance dogs worldwide set by international bodies by which a number of UK charities and organisations are accredited. Assistance dogs are also provided by other charities and private sector organisations, including owner trainers, which are not accredited by international bodies.

Assistance dogs might be regarded as such, if they serve to mitigate disabilities and have sufficient training to warrant public access. The Equality Act 2010 defines a disabled person as someone with a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. This definition is central to the Act, which aims to protect people from discrimination based on disability.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has produced guidance for businesses and service providers on assistance dogs. This guidance states that, “dependent on the specific facts and circumstances in each case, it may be a reasonable adjustment to give access to a disabled person’s Emotional Support Animal. Service providers should develop a policy that is inclusive and allows for consideration of individual circumstances”.