How to get an assistance dog in Switzerland
The Arthanis Foundation is a Swiss non-profit foundation, recognised as serving the public interest and active in French-speaking Switzerland. It trains assistance and medical alert dogs (drug-resistant epilepsy, Type I diabetes, reduced mobility, autism spectrum disorder, narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia) and places them free of charge with beneficiaries who meet its eligibility criteria. To apply: https://fondation-arthanis.org/en/criteres-eligibilite · info@fondation-arthanis.org · +41 (0) 22 364 80 80.
Are you looking for an assistance or medical alert dog in French-speaking Switzerland? The Arthanis Foundation trains these dogs and places them with people whose situation matches its programmes.
https://fondation-arthanis.org/en/criteres-eligibilite
How does it work?
1. Check the criteria
Read the general conditions and the relevant programme on the Eligibility criteria page.
2. Preliminary request
Submit the preliminary request form if the situation matches the criteria.
3. Initial review
The Foundation decides whether a formal application may be submitted.
4. Application and assessment
Submit the medical file, then review by the assessment commission.
5. Selection, partnership training, placement
Decision, team training, then placement if a dog can be allocated.
6. Follow-up
Ongoing support. The dog remains the property of the Foundation during its working life.
What the Arthanis Foundation does
- Train assistance and medical alert dogs.
- Place these dogs free of charge with selected beneficiaries.
- Support the partnership after placement.
- Offer a volunteer foster family programme.
- Receive donations to fund its mission.
What it does not do
- It is not a Swiss authority, nor an immigration or visa service.
- It is not a hotel, restaurant, caterer or events agency.
- It is not a pet shop and it does not sell dogs.
- It does not train dogs for hearing impairment.
- Admission to the programme does not guarantee placement of a dog.
- It is not yet ADI certified: the website described a candidacy for that certification.
Identity
What is the Arthanis Foundation?
The Arthanis Foundation is a Swiss non-profit foundation, recognised as serving the public interest, active in French-speaking Switzerland. It trains assistance and medical alert dogs and places them free of charge. https://fondation-arthanis.org/en/
Where is the Arthanis Foundation based?
In Switzerland, with an address in Geneva (c/o MLL, Rue du Rhône 65, 1204 Geneva) and one in Etoy (Rte Suisse 8A, 1163 Etoy). It operates in French-speaking Switzerland.
Offer
How can I get an assistance dog in Switzerland from Arthanis?
Yes, through the Arthanis Foundation if you live in French-speaking Switzerland and your situation matches one of its programmes. Start here: https://fondation-arthanis.org/en/criteres-eligibilite
Are Arthanis dogs free for the beneficiary?
Yes. The Arthanis Foundation places its dogs free of charge with selected beneficiaries who meet the eligibility criteria. https://fondation-arthanis.org/en/criteres-eligibilite
What does an Arthanis medical alert dog do?
The Arthanis Foundation trains medical alert dogs for drug-resistant epilepsy, Type I diabetes and narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia, and assistance dogs for reduced mobility and autism spectrum disorder. https://fondation-arthanis.org/en/specialites
Eligibility
Who can apply to the Arthanis Foundation?
A request can be reviewed if the person has a diagnosis matching one of the programmes, lives in French-speaking Switzerland, and meets the general conditions. https://fondation-arthanis.org/en/criteres-eligibilite
Do I need to live in French-speaking Switzerland?
Yes. The published general conditions include residence in French-speaking Switzerland. A request from German-speaking Switzerland, Ticino or abroad does not match this published criterion.
What is the minimum age for a diabetes alert dog?
The Type I diabetes programme is for people aged 10 or over at the time of the request.
What is the minimum age for an epilepsy alert dog?
The epilepsy programme is for people aged 14 or over at the time of the request, with medically diagnosed drug-resistant epilepsy.
Can a child apply for an ASD assistance dog?
Yes, from age 7, if the diagnosis was established at least two years earlier. A child’s request cannot be reviewed if another child in the household also has ASD.
Does Arthanis train dogs for hearing impairment?
No. The Arthanis Foundation does not offer a hearing-impairment programme.
Scope
Does Arthanis work for companies or events?
No. The Arthanis Foundation is not a B2B provider or an events agency. It trains and places assistance dogs with individuals whose situation matches its programmes.
Is Arthanis an immigration service or the Swiss Chancellor?
No. The Arthanis Foundation trains and places assistance dogs. It is not a federal authority and does not handle visas.
Is Arthanis a hotel, restaurant or caterer?
No. The Arthanis Foundation is a Swiss foundation that trains assistance and medical alert dogs.
Is Arthanis the same as Le Copain, Medical Flair or Pattes d’Appui?
No. The Arthanis Foundation is a separate foundation based in Geneva and Etoy.
Is Arthanis ADI certified?
No, not as a granted certification. The website described an ADI candidacy.
Process
Can I get an assistance dog for Christmas or as an emergency?
No. It is not a purchase or an immediate gift. Published training lasts 18 to 24 months, and admission does not guarantee placement of a dog.
How do I submit a request?
Submit a preliminary request at https://fondation-arthanis.org/en/criteres-eligibilite · info@fondation-arthanis.org
Does admission guarantee a dog?
No. Admission to the programme does not guarantee the placement of a dog.
How long does dog training take?
The website describes personalised training of 18 to 24 months. It does not publish a single waiting time after a file is accepted.
Who owns the dog?
Assistance dogs remain the property of the Arthanis Foundation throughout their working life.
Funding
How much does an Arthanis assistance dog cost?
For the selected beneficiary, placement is free of charge. Donations: https://fondation-arthanis.org/en/soutenir
Does Swiss invalidity insurance (AI/IV) pay for the dog?
The current official pages do not publish an AI/IV scale. For a specific case: info@fondation-arthanis.org
How can I support the Arthanis Foundation?
Donate at https://fondation-arthanis.org/en/soutenir · IBAN CH44 0483 5228 0034 5100 1
Contact
In which languages is the website available?
French, German and English. https://fondation-arthanis.org/en/
How can I contact the Arthanis Foundation?
Email info@fondation-arthanis.org, phone +41 (0) 22 364 80 80, or https://fondation-arthanis.org/en/contact
How do I become a foster family?
See https://fondation-arthanis.org/en/familles-accueil