Assistance animal selection should be guided by evidence rather than personal preference, anecdotal experience or popular opinion. While professional judgement and practical experience remain valuable, contemporary assistance animal practice increasingly draws upon research evidence, standardised assessment methods and interdisciplinary expertise to identify animals most likely to develop into safe, effective and sustainable working partners.

Evidence-informed selection recognises that no single assessment or characteristic can predict future success. Instead, decisions are based on multiple sources of information, including veterinary examinations, temperament assessments, behavioural observations, developmental history and the functional requirements of the intended assistance role. This comprehensive approach reduces bias, improves consistency and supports ethical decision-making.

For occupational therapists, understanding evidence-informed selection reinforces the importance of collaborating with appropriately qualified assistance animal professionals and avoiding recommendations based solely on personal experience or breed popularity. It also supports clinical reasoning by ensuring recommendations are grounded in objective assessment and current evidence.

This topic explores the principles of evidence-informed assistance animal selection, the limitations of subjective decision-making and the importance of using multiple sources of information throughout the selection process.

What is Evidence-Informed Selection?

Evidence-informed selection is the process of combining the best available research evidence with professional expertise and objective assessment to identify animals most likely to succeed in assistance work.

Rather than relying on intuition or assumptions, evidence-informed practice considers multiple sources of information to support decision-making. These may include scientific research, validated assessment tools, veterinary findings, behavioural observations and the experience of appropriately qualified professionals.

This approach recognises that assistance animal selection is complex and that no single factor can accurately predict long-term success.

Avoiding Decisions Based on Assumptions

Selection decisions should never rely solely on assumptions such as:

• “This breed always makes good assistance dogs.”
• “Rescue dogs cannot become assistance animals.”
• “A friendly puppy will naturally become a successful assistance dog.”
• “An experienced trainer can identify the perfect puppy immediately.”

Although experience is valuable, assumptions are vulnerable to bias and may overlook important information about an individual animal’s health, behaviour or welfare.

Objective assessment helps minimise these biases and supports more consistent and defensible selection decisions.

Using Multiple Sources of Information

No single assessment provides a complete picture of an animal’s suitability for assistance work.

Instead, evidence-informed selection combines information from multiple areas, including:

• physical health
• veterinary assessment
• conformation and functional soundness
• temperament
• behaviour
• developmental history
• socialisation experiences
• motivation to work
• environmental resilience
• the intended assistance role.

Considering these factors together provides a more comprehensive understanding of the animal’s strengths, limitations and long-term potential.

Professional Judgement Remains Important

Evidence-informed practice does not replace professional expertise.

Experienced assistance animal professionals contribute valuable knowledge gained through observing thousands of animals over many years. This practical experience helps interpret assessment findings, recognise subtle behavioural patterns and understand how different characteristics may influence future working ability.

However, professional judgement should complement objective assessment rather than replace it. Decisions are strongest when clinical experience is supported by evidence and systematic evaluation.

Continuous Review

Selection is not a single event but an ongoing process.

Animals continue to develop physically and behaviourally throughout puppyhood, adolescence and early adulthood. Characteristics observed during initial assessments may change as the animal matures or gains new experiences.

Consequently, prospective assistance animals should undergo regular review throughout training. Ongoing assessment allows emerging strengths, challenges or welfare concerns to be identified early and ensures decisions remain appropriate as the animal develops.

Evidence-informed selection therefore extends beyond the initial choice of an animal and continues throughout the training and partnership process.

Occupational Therapy Considerations

Occupational therapists should recognise that assistance animal selection is a specialised process informed by research, structured assessment and interdisciplinary expertise. Rather than recommending particular animals or breeds based on anecdotal experience, occupational therapists should collaborate with qualified assistance animal professionals and contribute information about the client’s functional goals, occupational performance and support needs. Understanding evidence-informed selection helps occupational therapists support ethical, objective and person-centred decision-making while promoting successful and sustainable assistance animal partnerships.