IGDF Standards Overview
The International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) is the industry-elected body responsible for the development, monitoring and evaluation of the standards applied within all IGDF-member organisations, and to which all Enquiry and Applicant organisations aspire, in order to ensure equity of high-quality service to guide dog users and handlers around the world.
It can take many years for a new organisation to achieve the required standards which will enable them to become an IGDF Member. All member organisations are re-assessed on a 5-yearly basis to ensure that the standards are maintained before their ongoing accreditation is approved.
The standards themselves go into great detail and cover the following key areas:
Standard 1 – Applicant / Client Selection
Standard 2 – Client and Guide Dog Team Instruction and Follow-Up
Standard 3 – Staff Employment, Education and Professional Development
Standard 4 – Humane Care
Standard 5 – Dog Supply and Veterinary Services
Standard 6 – Guide Dog Assessment and Training
Standard 7 – Kennel Specifications
Standard 8 – Buildings and Transport
Standard 9 – Administration
Standard 10 – Risk Management and Business Continuity
A full copy of the IGDF Standards is available to IGDF Members, Applicant Organisations, Enquiring Organisations and Affiliate Organisations under the member’s resources section of the website, or by emailing enquiries@igdf.org.uk
For non-IGDF organisations, an overview of the IGDF Standards can be found here.
