Document HSP: 3111E/ 3111V

Health and Safety Policy/ Procedure

HSP: 0031E/ 0031V Update for: Volunteer health and safety file/ website Title: Issued by: Head of Health and Safety – Jo Duffy Inclusion of

assistance dog Issue date: February 2013 Review date: February 2016 partners

Purpose of the document The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to MS Society staff and Branch volunteers on the inclusion of assistance dog partners at MS Society events and activities.

MS Society policy The MS Society welcomes all members with assistance dogs and assures them everything reasonably practicable will be done to ensure their inclusion at MS Society activities and events. In line with Assistance Dogs International the MS Society believes that in order to assure the comfort and safety of people with disabilities and the general public, high standards for behaviour, cleanliness and public appropriateness must apply equally to all assistance dogs. Any assistance dog that is trained to meet these standards should be allowed to work in public when accompanied by the person for who’s disability it was specifically trained. The MS Society appreciates that these assistant dog partners are willing to take the time to consider the needs of other members attending these MS Society events and activities.

Scope of the document This health and safety policy/ procedure covers Cymru, England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Related documents Disability Discrimination Act 1995 – sections 19(1) (a) (b) (c); 20(4) (a) (c) (d); 21(1) (2) (d) Equalities Act 2010 – sections: 193(1) (a); (2) (a) Guidance Document: Assistance dogs - guidelines 001 Relevant Event/ Fitness risk assessments Copies of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Equalities Act 2010 are available from the Head of Health and Safety at: [email protected] Assistance Dogs International website: http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org

Document storage MS Society offices: this policy/ procedure document will be available on the intranet at: (link to be added) Branches: this policy/ procedure document will be available from local area staff, the Branch Health and Safety Officer and the website at: (link to be added)

Definitions

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Access: people with disabilities who are partnered with assistance dogs are legally allowed to take assistance dogs into public buildings and inclusion in MS Society events and activities must be afforded to them. Assistance dogs: a dog that is trained to perform more than one task to mitigate the effects of its partner’s disability. It will also greatly enhance the quality of their lives with a new sense of freedom and independence. Assistance dog’s behaviour: the animal does not annoy any member of the group, its conduct does not disrupt the normal course of the event or activity, it works without unnecessary vocalisation, it shows no aggression towards people or other animals, and it does not solicit or steal food or other items from other members attending the event or activity. Assistance Dogs International (ADI) is a coalition of not for profit organisations that train and place assistance dogs. The purpose of ADI is to improve the areas of training, placement and utilisation of assistance dogs as well as staff and volunteer education. ADI has a comprehensive accreditation system and members have to be regularly assessed to ensure they meet the high standards expected of assistance dog programs. Assistance dog partners: people with disabilities who are partnered with assistance dogs. Public appropriateness: the animal is clean and does not have a foul odour; it does not urinate or defecate in inappropriate locations. Trained assistance dog: the animal obeys the commands of its handler, works calmly and quietly on a harness, leash or other tether, has been specifically trained to perform its duties in public and is accustomed to being out in public, is able to lie quietly beside the handler without blocking aisles, doorways etc.

Responsibilities Assistance dog partners: are responsible for agreeing to follow the behaviour and training standards for all Service Animals as laid out by Assistance Dog International, standards set by the organisation that provided their assistance dog and the agreed outcomes of MS Society risk assessments. Branch: is responsible for following this policy, completing the relevant risk assessments and welcoming all members with assistance dogs by ensuring that everything that is reasonably practicable is done to ensure their inclusion in MS Society events and activities. Volunteers/ members: are responsible for following this policy and ensuring they do not interfere with the assistance dog or its partner in any way while they are attending a branch event or activity. Local Support Development Officer (LSDO)/ Area Development Officer (ADO)/ Service Development Officer (SDO)/ Volunteer Development Officer (VDO): is responsible for ensuring branches are aware of this policy and providing support when required. Area Managers: are responsible for supporting area team staff where needed. Branch Health and Safety Officer: is responsible for providing advice and support to area team staff and volunteers in line with this policy. Head of Health and Safety: will provide ongoing support to all those responsible for implementing this policy and will review this policy when needed.

Procedure/ instruction

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Branches where the inclusion of assistance dogs is new Preparation When a branch becomes aware that a member with an assistance dog wishes to attend an event or activity they should: . Work with the assistance dog partner and the organisation providing the dog to ensure that everyone is aware of their responsibilities. . Is aware of any specific needs and accommodates them where reasonably practicable. . Completes a specific risk assessment if circumstances deem this necessary (i.e. a fitness activity where mobility and space are issues). Further guidance on this is available from the health and safety department. . Ensure whoever is running the event is aware of the members’ requirements and provide support where needed.

Implementation At the event or activity: . It should be made clear to all members that they must not interfere with the assistance dog or their partner at any time. . The assistance dog partner must comply with the behaviour and training standards for all Service Animals as laid out by Assistance Dogs International along with any standards laid out by their own organisation at all times. . If an issue arises: o The branch should inform the assistance dog partner in the first instance – they will then work together to resolve the issue. o If an issue cannot be settled, the Branch/ assistance dog partner must contact the organisation that trained and provided the assistance dog and all three parties will work towards an agreeable solution. If further support is needed this will be provided by the area teams and/ or health and safety department as appropriate.

Where assistance dogs and their partners are already integrated into branch activities and both parties are happy that the guidelines set out in this policy, and the relevant event or fitness risk assessment conditions are being met – no further action is needed.

Communication and Training Employee: this policy will be sent by email to all departments that may be affected by these enquiries. It will be stored on the Operations drive for all Operations staff and on the Intranet for all Conference, Fundraising, Helpline and Volunteering staff. Volunteer: area staff will be responsible for communicating this policy to branches where an enquiry is made regarding the inclusion of assistance dog partners at MS Society events and activities. It will also be available on the Volunteer Website.

Audit and Review This policy/ procedure document will be reviewed every three years by the Head of Health and Safety and any changes will be communicated throughout the organisation.

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