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Switzerland pushes for certified assistance dog trainers to ensure safety

Unregulated training centers spark concerns as demand for life-changing assistance dogs surges. Will stricter rules protect vulnerable users?

In the image we can see there are dogs standing on the floor and there is a dog sitting on the...
In the image we can see there are dogs standing on the floor and there is a dog sitting on the plastic box. Behind there are iron cages and there are charts pasted on the wall.

Switzerland pushes for certified assistance dog trainers to ensure safety

Council wants better training of assistance dogs

The Council wants Swiss assistance dog trainers to have a certificate in the future to ensure quality and safety.

Switzerland is moving closer to stricter rules for assistance dog trainers. The Council of States has approved a motion to make certification mandatory, aiming to improve quality and public safety. The proposal now heads to the National Council for further debate.

The push for regulation comes as demand for assistance dogs grows. These animals support people with conditions like epilepsy and autism. But concerns have risen over the number of training centres operating without proper qualifications.

If the National Council approves the proposal, trainers will soon need certification by law. The change would standardise training and reduce risks from poorly prepared assistance dogs. The next step depends on the National Council’s review of the motion.

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