About Certified Assistance Dogs Australia

My name is Diane Petersen. I believe there is no other support that improves the wellbeing and functioning for  a person living with disability, greater than a fully, and appropriately trained assistance dog.

When a dog is raised with a secure attachment, and  is linked with their human through the power of the human animal bond, measurable benefits are obvious.

I am strongly opposed to using any form of force, it simply isn't necessary and is counter-intuitive to the welfare and development of a reliable assistance dog.

My lived experience with PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as living alongside my own assistance dog, are the cornerstone of how I approach the assistance dog industry. I've been involved in training dogs since 2013.

I have taught professional obedience and puppy school since 2019 and launched my first assistance dog organisation (Both Ends of the Leash) in 2021, sold in 2024.

My experience has been utilised alongside the building of Australia's only assistance dog trainer specialisation within the CERT-IV of Animal behaviour and training (ACM40322). 

Holding a CERT-IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40116) since 2022, I have delivered ADT (assistance dog trainer) and BEH (behaviour) units of the ACM40322. This experience includes having created content and lesson plans to the ASQA (Australian Skills Quality Authority) and AQF (Australian Qualifications Framework) Standards.