Service and Therapy Dog Policy

Creating an Inclusive, Safe, and Supportive Environment

At 12 Points Psychology, we are committed to maintaining a welcoming and inclusive environment for all clients, including those who require the assistance of a service dog or those who benefit from animal-assisted therapy.

This policy outlines our approach to integrating service and therapy dogs into our clinic in line with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) and the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic). Our goal is to ensure that clients, staff, and animals alike feel safe, respected, and accommodated while receiving or providing care.

Section 1: Clients Attending with Service or Assistance Dogs

Definitions

✔ Service/Assistance Dog – A highly trained dog that assists individuals with disabilities by performing specific tasks. These dogs meet the requirements outlined in the Disability Discrimination Act and have full public access rights.
✔ Therapy Dog – A trained dog providing comfort, emotional support, or facilitating goal-directed activities under the guidance of a therapist. These dogs do not have the same public access rights as service dogs.

Bringing a Service or Assistance Dog to the Clinic

1. Notifying the Clinic Before Your Visit

Clients are encouraged (but not required) to notify us at least 48 hours in advance if they will be attending with a service dog. This allows us to:
✔ Make necessary arrangements for other clients with allergies or phobias.
✔ Ensure a safe introduction between your service dog and any therapy dogs on-site.

2. Information We May Request

To help us prepare for your visit, we may ask for:
✔ Your dog’s name and breed.
✔ Evidence of training/certification (if applicable).

Note: While service dogs have legal access rights without documentation, this information helps us facilitate a smooth experience for all clients.

Expectations for Service Dogs On-Site

✔ Dogs must be clean, healthy, and up to date with vaccinations.
✔ Dogs must remain on a lead or harness and under their handler’s control at all times.
✔ The handler is responsible for the dog’s welfare, including toileting and clean-up.
✔ The clinic reserves the right to discuss alternative arrangements if the dog’s presence disrupts sessions or the clinic environment.

Incident Reporting & Resolution

✔ Any incidents involving a dog (e.g., disruptive behaviour, accidents) must be reported immediately and documented by the clinic.
✔ If the dog’s behaviour significantly disrupts the therapeutic process, we will work with the client to find a practical solution (e.g., repositioning the dog, rescheduling, or adjusting session structure).

Section 2: Therapy Dogs at 12 Points Psychology

Some of our clinicians integrate Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) into their sessions. Our therapy dogs are trained to provide comfort, grounding, and emotional support as part of the therapeutic process.

Guidelines for Therapy Dogs in the Clinic

1. Training & Certification

✔ Therapy dogs working at 12 Points Psychology must be trained and certified by a reputable organisation (e.g., Lead the Way) and/or assessed by our Director, Danielle Graber as meeting equivalent requirements.
✔ Clinicians handling therapy dogs must have professional indemnity & public liability insurance covering animal-assisted therapy.

2. Responsibilities of Clinicians Handling Therapy Dogs

✔ Ensuring therapy dogs are clean, healthy, and well-groomed before sessions.
✔ Monitoring the dog’s stress levels and well-being during sessions.
✔ Confirming client consent before introducing a therapy dog into sessions.
✔ Providing a designated, secure area for clients who prefer not to have a dog in the session.

3. On-Site Protocols for Therapy Dogs

✔ Therapy dogs must be under their handler’s control, on leash, or in a secure area when not in session.
✔ Clinicians are responsible for cleaning up after their dog and maintaining hygiene standards.
✔ Therapy dogs will not be forced onto a client—if a client is unsure, we will respect their comfort levels.
✔ Conversely, therapy dogs may not be present in all sessions or be able to work with all clients.

4. Client Preferences & Comfort

✔ Clients will be asked to sign our full consent form (including information specific to AAT) before therapy dogs participate in sessions.
✔ If a client is uncomfortable or allergic, alternative arrangements will be made.
✔ Therapy dogs can be introduced gradually to ensure a stress-free experience for both the client and the animal.

Incident Management

✔ Any incidents involving a therapy dog (e.g., allergies, unexpected reactions) must be documented and reviewed.
✔ If a therapy dog’s presence causes distress, or the therapy dog becomes distressed, we will adjust the session structure accordingly.

Section 3: General Clinic Guidelines

1. Notice & Awareness

✔ Our clinic is an animal-assisted therapy practice, and all visitors should be aware that service and therapy dogs may be present on-site.
✔ Clients with allergies, phobias, or concerns should notify us in advance so we can make seating or scheduling adjustments.

2. Client Seating & Accommodation

✔ Clients with serious or significant dog allergies or phobias will be encouraged to complete their sessions via telehealth to ensure everyone’s health, safety and comfort.

3. Staff Training

✔ All team members receive training on working with service and therapy dogs.
✔ Staff are aware of legal obligations, client rights, and best practices for integrating dogs into therapy spaces.

4. Liability & Responsibility

✔ Clients are responsible for their service dog’s behaviour while on-site.
✔ The clinic is not liable for any incidents involving service or therapy dogs.

Acknowledgement of Policy

By attending 12 Points Psychology, clients acknowledge and agree to abide by this policy regarding service and therapy dogs.

We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all individuals—including those who benefit from the presence of service or therapy dogs.

📧 Questions? Contact us at hello@12pointspsychology.com