Assistance Dog Policy
If you have any questions about our Assistance Dog Policy.
Please feel free to contact us using the information provided below.
Creating a welcoming environment for all
At Tribe, we believe our classes are for everyone and are committed to creating a calm, respectful, and inclusive environment where all clients feel safe, supported, and able to practise with ease.
With this, we recognise how vital assistance dogs are for some clients to fully participate in our classes. To keep the environment calm and safe for everyone, please read our Assistance Dog guidelines below.
What is an assistance dog?
- An assistance dog (also referred to as service or guide dogs) is a dog that has been specially trained to support a person with a disability. This may include, but is not limited to, guide dogs for visual impairments, hearing dogs, medical alert dogs, and mobility support dogs.
- Our general “no dogs” policy does not apply to trained assistance dogs. Please note, emotional support dogs do not fall under the remit of assistance dogs.
Welcoming assistance dogs
- For the safety of your animal, assistance dogs are welcome in all non-heated classes and in studio spaces that are open to clients. Environments 25º and above are shown to be unsafe for most dogs.
- Clients attending with an assistance dog are encouraged to let us know of their attendance at least 48 hours in advance, so we can offer the best possible experience for you both. This can be done via email or phone call.
- For our London Studios: Please note that our studios are in a basement setting with no natural light; handlers should ensure their assistance dog is comfortable in such environments.
Respect, privacy, and dignity
- We will not ask for ID, paperwork, or proof for an assistance dog.
- Clients are never required to explain their disability.
- We ask all members of our community to honour one another’s privacy and lived experience.
- Staff may ask about your dog’s trained alert so we can respond appropriately and support your safety while you’re in the studio.
During class
Assistance dogs should remain calmly under the guidance and control of their handler at all times.
Where possible, we are happy to offer:
- Extra space in the studio for the dog to rest comfortably
- A suitable position in the room to support both the handler and the wider class
- Thoughtful adjustments to help maintain a peaceful practice for everyone
Handlers are responsible for ensuring their dog is:
- Clean and well-groomed
- Well-behaved and settled during class
- Promptly managed if any mess or disruption occurs. Should any accidents happen, the team will provide you with cleaning supplies on site.
We understand that assistance dogs may occasionally move, reposition, or vocalise. We simply ask that handlers make reasonable efforts to minimise disruption where possible.
Supporting the whole community
We recognise that some clients may have allergies, fears, or sensitivities around dogs. When this arises, we aim to respond with compassion and balance, seeking practical, respectful solutions that support everyone involved, rather than exclusion.
Rare and exceptional circumstances
In the unlikely event that an assistance dog is causing a genuine safety issue or significant disruption that cannot be resolved through reasonable adjustments, we may need to discuss alternative arrangements.
Any such decision would be based on safety and wellbeing, never on the presence of an assistance dog alone.
Emotional support animals
We honour the comfort animals can bring. However, dogs whose role is solely emotional support and who are not trained assistance dogs do not have the same legal access rights under UK law. Requests to attend with emotional support animals are considered with care on a case-by-case basis.
Open conversation
If you would like to talk with us about accessibility, class suitability, or any adjustments that would help you and your assistance dog feel at home in our space, we warmly invite you to reach out. We are always happy to listen and explore what will work best for you.