Guide Dogs are delighted to confirm that after a rigorous external assessment, we have successfully completed the accreditation as set by the International Guide Dogs Federation (IGDF). The accreditation did not identify any issues to be addressed.
The IGDF sets and maintains the standards against which members are accredited. They have 97 members from 35 countries and is the only association for Guide Dogs organisations/schools - they cannot operate within the IGDF without the accreditation.
The main benefits of this accreditation are:
the value placed on this by external service providers (especially transport operators such as airlines) that a partnership qualified by an IGDF accredited organisation is genuine and that the dog can be expected to behave appropriately in public.
consumer choice and protection, especially in areas of the world where there are multiple guide dog providers.
The external assessment involved taking time to speak with our staff, volunteers, and service users to confirm that policies and procedures translate into operational practice, which we were able to demonstrate through our continued adherence to high standards.
We are proud of this news and want to thank everyone for your continued support in helping people with sight loss live the life they choose.
