If you rely on a service or support dog, you’ve probably experienced hesitation from businesses when trying to access public spaces. It’s not your dog they’re questioning - it’s untrained dogs with vests or unverified online certificates that have made them wary. And honestly, who can blame them?
That’s why we created Beyond the Vest Certification: to establish meaningful standards for support and service dogs, making life easier for businesses and the people who depend on their dogs.
Every evaluation is led by a seasoned professional with decades of experience in dog training and behaviour. Through a live evaluation and video submission, we confirm that your dog is trained to handle their public role with calmness and reliability in busy settings like restaurants, airports, hotels and retail stores.
That’s why we created Beyond the Vest Certification: to establish meaningful standards for support and service dogs, making life easier for businesses and the people who depend on their dogs.
Every evaluation is led by a seasoned professional with decades of experience in dog training and behaviour. Through a live evaluation and video submission, we confirm that your dog is trained to handle their public role with calmness and reliability in busy settings like restaurants, airports, hotels and retail stores.
Meet Catherine Hudson, Head Evaluator
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My journey with dogs began as a breeder, where I learned firsthand the importance of nurturing healthy, well-balanced dogs from the start. That experience led me to pursue my passion for dog training, which I’ve now been doing for over 40 years.
As the owner of My Bark Avenue Academy, I’ve had the privilege of working with thousands of dogs and their owners - from first-time puppy parents to experienced handlers - helping them build trust and strong partnerships with their companions. Along the way, I’ve been recognized with multiple awards, most recently the Reader's Choice Best Dog Trainer in Northumberland County and the 2024 Canadian Choice Award in the dog training category. I created Beyond the Vest Certification program because I’ve seen the challenges faced by people with legitimate, well-trained service dogs. It’s become too common for untrained dogs to access public spaces making businesses wary of all service dogs. A recent article by Andrew Lupton of CBC News confirmed what I’ve been seeing. It’s not enough for a dog to wear a service dog vest. They need to be calm, responsive, and reliable in public settings.
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Catherine Hudson, Head Evaluator
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Our certification process evaluates your dog’s training and behaviour in real-world situations - things like staying calm around noise, following commands in new places, and handling crowds while staying focused on their role. Beyond the Vest Certification gives you peace of mind with a professional evaluation and proof of your dog’s training, while providing businesses with the confidence they need to welcome you and your dog.
Ready to see if this Beyond the Vest Certification is right for your dog?
