Taking disability assist dogs on public transport

Disability assist dogs

These dogs, which are trained (or in training) to assist a person with a disability, may legally enter any public place.

Disability assist dogs can be recognised by the jacket they wear.

Things to remember when disability assist dogs are working

Remember that:

you do not pat or talk to the dogs, as they are at work.
disability assist dogs never wear a muzzle
disability assist dogs and their handlers have access to priority seating areas on bus, rail, and ferry
assist dogs currently active under a certifying organisation are required to wear a uniform vest or harness for that organisation
if you have a question, talk to the dog's handler
the handler will hold organisational photo or mobile app identification that can be presented if required.

Organisations that certify disability assist dogs (as of July 2025)

Assistance Dogs New Zealand (ADNZT)

Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust (ADNZT)(opens in a new tab) is a registered charitable trust, providing trained dogs to clients with a range of disabilities. "72% of our clients are children and young adults under 20 years old, and 50% of our clients live with autism and often multiple disorders".

A disability assist dog wearing his jacket and identification tag.

Blind and Low Vision NZ (Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Incorporated)

For Blind Low Vision NZ guide dogs, approximately 120 puppies are bred each year, of which about one-third go on to become working guide dogs (opens in a new tab). It takes 2 years of rigorous training for the puppies to become guide dogs, involving an incredible team of skilled people.

A blind and low vision disability assist dog wearing a vest.

While in training to become an assist dog, Blind and Low Vision guide puppies wear a vest like the one shown here.

A blind and low vision disability assist dog wearing a harness.

Once fully trained and working, Blind and Low Vision assist dogs wear a harness like the one shown here.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People New Zealand

Hearing Dogs (opens in a new tab) National Charity exists to enhance the independence and wellbeing of deaf and severely hearing-impaired New Zealanders through the provision of specially-trained Hearing Dogs, to internationally recognised standards.

A hearing dog for deaf people wearing a yellow vest for identification.

K9 Medical Detection New Zealand

K9 Medical Detection NZ (opens in a new tab) mission is to improve the health of all kiwis by using genetically selected dogs working in a controlled clinical environment to assist in the early detection of cancer and other diseases.

Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust

The Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust (opens in a new tab) trains mobility dogs to offer practical support, companionship and security. They transform the lives of people living with disabilities, and your support can make an incredible difference.

A disability assist dog wearing a green jacket.

New Zealand Epilepsy Assist Dogs Trust

The NZ Epilepsy Assist Dogs Trust (opens in a new tab) is a charitable trust registered in 2007 for the purpose of training dogs in New Zealand.

A dog wearing a purple vest worn by disability dogs of the NZ Epilepsy Assist Dogs.

Pawsible Service Dogs

Pawsible Service Dogs' (opens in a new tab) mission is to connect people, dogs and communities. Enhancing the lives of individuals by providing service dogs, making anything pawsible, possible.

Perfect Partners Assistance Dogs Trust (PPADT)

Perfect Partners Assistance Dogs Trust (opens in a new tab) oversees the training and certification of disability assist dogs to enable people with disabilities to enhance their quality of life using the human animal bond. The relationship between disability assist dog and owner helps to overcome physical, emotional and social challenges.

Photo of a Perfect Partners Assistance Dog wearing a blue vest

Complaints

If you and your disability assist dog are refused service on an Auckland Transport public transport service, please let us know as soon as possible, along with the time, date, service number and place (bus stop number if you know it).

Contact us online
Call us on 093666400

We take refusal of carriage for disability assist dogs and their owners seriously and will follow up as soon as we are notified.

Disability Assist Dog identification tag

The Disability Assist Dog identification tag is a unique tag worn by a certified dog to provide easy identification of disability assist dog status. The Disability Assist Dog identification tag is not mandatory.

However, the tag will provide easy recognition of a disability assist dog, allowing access to civil defence centres in an emergency, and will also support rapid reunification if the dog and owner/handler become separated.

Image showing the Disability Assist Dog identification tag worn by a certified dog.

References

The Dog Control Act 1996 (opens in a new tab) provides for the authorisation of organisations to certify disability assist dogs. Organisations that are authorised as disability assist dogs are listed in Schedule 5 of the Dog Control Act 1996 (opens in a new tab).

The Human Rights Act defines a disability assist dog as having the same meaning as in section 2 of the Dog Control Act 1996.

This means that for someone to be protected under the Human Rights Act 1993 (opens in a new tab) when using a disability assist dog, the dog must be certified according to the standards set out in the Dog Control Act.

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Last updated 8/07/2025