I've got all the paperwork and trying to get in touch with the local co-ordinator. His ringtone does sound like he is out of the country, anyway he's not picking up - for the past week.
I have called my vets and they charge to complete an assessment.

I was wondering those of you who've been through it, does it cost if the co-ordinator puts you in touch with an assessor? I don't want to pay out £30ish to have this assessment done by a vet if I can have it done for free..

As far as I'm aware the assessments are all carried out by volunteers and there shouldn't be any charge at all.

No charge for me when I had the coordinator set me up with a list of assessors...

Thanks, will hang on to get hold of co-ordinator then, don't want to pay for this if i don't need to..

Sue, if you're still having problems go back to Mel she'll be able to help.  Once you get hold of the co-ordinator they should give you a list of assessors, you can take your pick, they're all volunteers and it's FOC.  I've had 4 PAT dogs now and never paid for an assessment

Thank Susie,
I've called their head office and have been told the co-ordinator is on holiday...

They've given me a name of an assessor who lives round the corner from me, just waiting for her call back..Fingers crossed, otherwise another call, apparently there are a number of assessors nearby, thankfully..

I am a PAT dog assessor and we do not charge............ ;)

Tohme where are you based, if locally to me can you do it? The ladies not called me yet..

> I am a PAT dog assessor and we do not charge............ ;-)

What is he youngest age a PAT dog visitor can be? My daughter aged 15 wants to do as part of her Duke of Edinburgh volunteering work

To be in charge of a dog and go it alone, its 18yrs, They have a junior programme, where you get involved in events going on..

I'm not sure that would be enough she needs to do six months of volunteer work.
She did fundraising for her Bronze for Guide Dogs for the Blind. It's a great idea.

Thanks for reply

I live in Wiltshire

He went and passed the assessment today!! So paperwork will be sent off and a wait on that.
Really pleased with him at the moment.. Way to go my little(BIG) man!!

I am pleased for you and your dog, however the PAT guidelines specifically tell us that we are not allowed to convey to the owner whether or not their dog has passed the assessment!

Ohh, all the results on the paper were good.. I thought i'd passed :-(..
So I won't know until when?

Fingers crossed for you.  Hope you get the results soon and they dont keep you waiting.

The PAT centre has to process all the requirements including the assessment and your references etc.

You will then get a letter informing you of the next steps.

Keeping fingers crossed for you :)

We've got our assesment booked in for the 12th September. Was really looking forward to it until the assesor told me that she has 3 dogs of her own & that she'll put them in a room next door whislt we go through our bits & pieces.....Our boy is a little poppet but does get really excitable around other dogs, so who knows what will happen :s

Good luck with the assessments, hope you pass with flying colours

> What is he youngest age a PAT dog visitor can be? My daughter aged 15 wants to do as part of her Duke of Edinburgh volunteering work

Could she apply to volunteer for the Cinnamon Trust instead.  They have some joint ventures with YKC members too

Steadiness to other dogs is not part of the test.

That must have changed, I'm sure my assessor either told me outright or at least said she couldn't imagine he could fail!

Hey Sue, what sort of things happened in the assessment? I'm thinking of trying with Ripley in a few months.

well done with your boy!

My friend's Spinone was a brilliant pat dog. Her one misdemeanour was to suck on one old ladies dentures that she found on a table. They had been taken out after the lady had muesli for breakfast and were waiting to be cleaned.

> suck on one old ladies dentures

PMSL.. I daren't think what Bos would suck on, he loves ears and toes as it is..

Pookin,

You are sent a form which they assess on.
You have to show relaxed lead walking, have control whilst having a conversation(sit the dog)
Demonstrate grooming, stomach included.
Restrict the collar by pulling in tight
Assessor to fuss the dog
Assessor to examine paws, ears, tail
Assessor to offer small treat
Assessor to drop an object, making a loud noise to see how the dog reacts

And then they assess the general health and wellbeing of the dog.
They also write the overall behaviour of the dog
There are options to circle for each part assessment.

I felt it very informal and relaxed, which in turn helps the dogs.. I know my boy and he loves people, so thought would be ideal.
From there the co-ordinators have now made contact and I will be meeting up with other volunteers and their dogs in a local pub in Oct. Apparently they like to meet up for a chat and a few drinks and be social. They have asked what type of places I'd like to visit etc, I've said any, but not mental health hospitals.

I send in the form with its bits and pieces and then the decision is made about whether he is to be a PAT dog or not.

Thanks Sue, thats useful to know.
I need to work on control of dog while having conversation, Ripley is very much an attention seeker with new peeps.
How tight do they pull the collar? She always freezes if someone goes for her collar quickly, she was roughed about a bit by the kids in her last home so gets a bit frightened by any grabbing.

> Ripley is very much an attention seeker with new peeps

Thats not too much of a problem, its if they fail to listen to any of your commands from the way I see it.

> How tight do they pull the collar?

You pull the collar and you pull the dog in tight to you>

> You pull the collar and you pull the dog in tight to you

We're going to have to do some positive association with that methinks, she doesn't like being pulled by her collar at all, but there's plenty of time to work on that gently.
I'll be waiting to hear how your visits go as well when you're all confirmed :)