Clients’ Rights

Clients’ Rights

In keeping with our purpose of helping people with disabilities achieve greater independence and improve the quality of their lives. New Horizons Service Dogs, Inc. believes the following ethical criteria are essential to ensure this mandate is reasonably and responsibly met.

1. Clients have a right to be considered to receive a New Horizons Dog regardless of race, sex, religion, or creed.
2. Clients have the right to be treated, at all times, with respect and dignity in their interactions with New Horizons Service Dogs personnel and representatives.
3. Clients have the right to receive the Assistant Dogs International (ADI) Program Standards and Ethics guidelines.
4. Clients have the right to be partnered with the next available and appropriate service dog with the strengths, skills, and temperament to meet their needs.
5. Clients have the right to receive a sound educational program to learn how to use his or her New Horizons Service Dog most effectively at home and/or in public.
6. Clients have the right to receive appropriate education on their role as a New Horizons Service Dog user in the community.
7. Clients have the right to receive regularly scheduled team evaluations and follow-up support.
8. Clients have the right to receive additional training and counseling for their service dog due to:
   1. A change in the client’s functional level.
   2. A behavioral management problem with the dog.
   3. A major veterinary problem
9. Clients have the right to be trained regarding the use and public access of New Horizons Service Dogs.
10. Clients have the right to expect personal and medical information to remain confidential and not be disclosed unless he or she has given express prior permission.
11. Clients have the right to be eligible for a successor service dog once they are re-screened and take part in Team Training
12. The public is entitled to receive information from the Assistant Dogs International (ADI) Program Standards and Ethics.
13. The public is entitled to receive information about the benefits of a New Horizons Service Dog for persons with disabilities.
14. New Horizons Service Dogs are to be under control at all times and to exhibit no intrusive behavior in public.