About K9Assistance
K9Assistance (Limited) is a registered IPC-status charity in Singapore promoting the use and acceptance of Assistance Dogs for Persons with Disabilities.
Our mission is to improve the lives of the disabled through Assistance Dogs. We aim to be the go-to resource for anything on Assistance Dogs in Singapore and uphold public confidence towards Assistance Dogs and their handlers.
We provide:
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Education to schools, businesses, and organisations on Assistance Dogs
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Assistance Dogs to Persons with Disabilities
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Verification of Assistance Dog Teams
Our Cornerstone
Genuine inclusiveness is the foundation of our work.
Mission
To improve the lives of the disabled through Assistance Dogs.
Vision
Every person with disability and their Assistance Dog will lead life to the fullest.
Goal
To be the go-to resource for anything on Assistance Dogs in Singapore and uphold public confidence towards Assistance Dogs and their handlers.
Core Values
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Respect
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Empowerment
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Sustainability
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Professionalism
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Enrichment
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Collaboration
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Trust
Institution of a Public Character
Current IPC Period:
01/03/26 to 29/02/28
Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs) are exempt or registered charities which are authorised to issue tax-deductible receipts for qualifying donations to donors.
IPCs are required to conduct activities that exclusively benefit the local community and are not confined to sectional interests or groups of persons based on race, belief or religion.
K9Assistance Board Of Directors
Mr Andrew Chew
Andrew Chew is a passionate leader in the disability field, being involved in the charity sector for close to thirty years.
Andrew was on the board of the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped, one of the founding Directors of Guide Dogs Singapore, on the Technical Committee of the International Blind Sports Federation, as well as instrumental in gaining recognition for ten-pin bowling as an acknowledged sport worldwide for the blind and vision-impaired.
While professing to have a fear of dogs, Andrew was deeply touched when he witnessed on multiple occasions the remarkable work of Assistance Dogs who have helped their disabled handlers lead dignified and fulfilling lives.
This realisation led him to be committed to seeing as many Assistance Dogs as possible to empower persons with disabilities in his beloved Singapore.
Jonathan Foster
Jonathan Foster has more than 30 years’ experience working in the Life Sciences and Consulting industries, specialising in technology-based solutions and managing businesses in Asia and Europe.
As well as acting as a Board member and Volunteer of K9Assistance, he supports Operations at 2 UK-based charities and sits on the Board of one of them.
Karyn Heng
Karyn is a finance professional with expertise in treasury and reporting, and a dedicated advocate for Assistance Dogs. With a passion for helping others, she brings both financial insight and a deep personal commitment to our mission.
As a mother to a young daughter, Karyn is especially motivated to support initiatives that empower individuals and improve lives.
She believes in the transformative role that Assistance Dogs play in fostering independence, and is eager to contribute to the organization's efforts in making a meaningful difference for those in need.
Dr Navin Nair
Navin Nair is an IT and HR professional, associate research writer and social advocate.
Since 2006, Navin has been a strong advocate for disability, diversity, and inclusion in Singapore. He is the Country Representative Volunteer (Singapore) at the Division for Inclusive Social Development of the United Nations and a board member of the Handicap Welfare Association as well as the Disabled People’s Association.
Mr Shalom Lim
Shalom is an advocate and artist who lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. He is a BA (Hons) Criminology and Security graduate from the University of Liverpool.
Shalom is also a Board member at the Disabled People's Association since 2023, and an inclusion champion with SG Enable since April 2021.
His passion is in empowering the lives and well-being of the disabled in Singapore. Shalom was also awarded the Goh Chok Tong Enable Awards 2023 (Promise) category.
Dr Kent Soon
Kent Soon is a veterinarian and an animal advocate.
Having worked in mostly large small-animal practices in the UK and now at a veterinary hospital in Singapore, he believes in providing the utmost level of care and attention for his patients and their handlers. Previously, he actively assisted Mandai Wildlife Reserves Singapore on wildlife conservation and was involved in LEO/LION’s club activities.
Meet The K9Assistance Team
Ms Cassandra Chiu
Cassandra Chiu joined K9Assistance as its Executive Director in September 2022.
She is a blind advocate for persons with disabilities and a leader in the disability sector. Cassandra shares with us:
“As one of the very few disabled heads of agencies, I see my role as a beacon for the next generation of advocates. My own experience as an Assistance Dog handler over the past decade made me aspire that one day, Singapore will be truly welcoming to all disabled people with their Assistance Dog.”
Vincent Lim
Vincent is a passionate individual with a desire to be of service to others. He also has a passionate love for dogs, having experienced firsthand the emotional support a pet dog can provide.
He is eager to see the improvement of the lives of persons with disabilities, through the amazing work of Assistance Dogs!
Jeslin Kaur
Jeslin always had a deep love for dogs, and discovering how trained Assistance Dogs can support the lives of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) made that passion even stronger. She believes the bond, companionship, and unconditional love a dog brings is one of the greatest gifts in life.
With her strengths in PR and communications, Jeslin hopes to drive greater awareness and acceptance of Assistance Dogs, paving the way for a more inclusive Singapore for generations to come.
Marco Chia
Marco gained his appreciation for the remarkable abilities of dogs while serving his National Service as a K9 handler in the police force.
Working alongside working dogs gave him firsthand experience of their intelligence, dedication, and the powerful bonds they form with people. Inspired by this, he is passionate about supporting the life-changing role Assistance Dogs play in enhancing independence and improving the lives of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
Watch our Corporate Video
Read transcript
Professional sounding VO artist: K9Assistance was established to promote the acceptance and use of Assistance Dogs. We aim to provide Bonafide Assistance Dogs for people with different types of disabilities. We also endeavor to educate the community on the very important role that Assistance Dogs play.
Professional sounding VO artist: What’s an Assistance Dog?
Kent: Assistance dogs are not pets, not therapy dogs or emotional support dogs.
They are well-trained working dogs that serve only one disabled handler to alleviate his or her specific disability. To provide support to the needs of the persons with disabilities to lead meaningful and independent lives.
There are different types of assistance dogs to help people with different types of disabilities. Assistance dogs are selected for their temperament, trainability and in some cases, their size and they do not compromise environmental hygiene.
Professional sounding VO artist: What are the different types of Assistance Dogs that K9Assistance is focusing on?
Kent: There are many types of assistance dogs.
For example:
Seeing eye dogs help the vision impaired navigate around places safely like the ones you are seeing now.
Autism assistance dogs help mitigate sensory overload and encourage social interactions for autistic persons.
Mobility assistance dogs perform everyday tasks like opening doors for persons with physical disabilities
Hearing dogs alert those who are d/Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing to sounds and dangers.
Assistance dogs not only improve the quality of life for their handlers they also provide non-judgmental companionship and alleviate stress on caregivers.
Professional sounding VO artist: How can one identify an Assistance Dog?
Kent: Assistance Dogs usually wears a harness, vest, or jacket with the name of its organization.
Professional sounding VO artist: And how should members of the public interact with an Assistance Dog?
Kent: When you see an Assistance Dog, remember, don’t try to call out its name, pet or feed food to it. Let it do its job for its handler.
Professional sounding VO artist: What is the current landscape in terms of attitudes and acceptance towards Assistance Dogs? Cassandra Chiu Chairman of K9Assistance.
Cassandra Chiu: 9 out of 10 respondents in our recent public perception survey indicated that they are supportive towards the use of Assistance Dogs. And 75% of them specified their willingness to share public places, transport, and food establishments.
Professional sounding VO artist: What do you think about persons with disabilities using Assistance Dogs? Customer at a food court
Customer at a food court: It’s a no-brainer and a rudimentary right of disabled people to lead an independent life.
Professional sounding VO artist: Is the dog disturbing you? Customer at a hawker center.
Customer at a hawker center (in Mandarin): The dog is very obedient, able to help persons with disabilities.
Professional sounding VO artist: Does it inconvenience you to have Assistance Dogs in your establishment? A restaurant owner.
Restaurant Owner: Having an Assistance Dog at our restaurant is no trouble at all.
Professional sounding VO artist: What do you think about Assistance Dogs helping the disabled? Student at a busstop.
Student at a busstop: Mummy and teacher say we must be kind.
What are your thoughts when seeing an Assistance Dog helping the disabled in the public? Lady at the same busstop.
Lady at the same busstop: I would like to think that our Singapore is a compassionate society.
Professional sounding VO artist: What do you think about Assistance Dogs? A provisions shop owner.
Provisions shop owner (in Mandarin): The dog has never barked. And I have never seen it disturbing anyone. It has ever shown any aggression. It is very well-behaved.
Professional sounding VO artist: What are some of the common concerns about Assistance Dogs? A chart indicated hygiene as the top concern. Followed by safety, fear of dogs, smell, and personal beliefs.
Professional sounding VO artist: We hope that through public education and collaboration with the relevant stakeholders, Singapore can accept and welcome different types of Assistance Dogs. And champion the opportunity for individuals with disabilities to lead meaningful, fulfilling and productive lives with their Assistance Dog.
Professional sounding VO artist: A collage of persons with different disabilities sharing their perspectives. Navin Nair.
Navin Nair: Seeing Eye Dogs have benefited the blind for the last 10 years in Singapore. It would be great if Assistance Dogs can also change the lives of those of us who are physically challenged.
Professional sounding VO artist: Wesley Loh
Wesley Loh: Of those of us who are Autistic
Professional sounding VO artist: Lily Goh signs.
Lily Goh (sign language), with VO: Of those of us who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Navin Nair: Join us
Cassandra: in forging a caring and inclusive society
Wesley Loh: for all of us.
Professional sounding VO artist: Say yes to inclusion. Help us give the gift of dignity, barrier free.
Charity Governance
K9Assistance is governed by a Board of Directors, which is the governing body responsible for overseeing and managing the charity.
The Board’s role is to provide strategic direction and oversight of K9Assistance’s programmes and objectives and to steer the charity towards fulfilling its vision and mission through good governance.
K9Assistance has robust policies
K9Assistance is governed by a Board of Directors, which is the governing body responsible for overseeing and managing the charity.
The Board’s role is to provide strategic direction and oversight of K9Assistance’s programmes and objectives and to steer the charity towards fulfilling its vision and mission through good governance.
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Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Finance of Terrorism ("AML-CFT") Policy
All of the Charity’s directors, employees, volunteers, and contractual parties are required to comply with the Charity's AML-CFT Policy.
Through the Policy, the Charity aims to detect, take appropriate action in response to, and engage the relevant authorities in connection with, money-laundering and terrorism financing-related risks.
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Environment, Social, and Governance ("ESG") Policy
All of the Charity’s directors, employees, volunteers, and contractual parties are required to comply with the ESG policy.
Through The ESG Policy the charity aims to keep its activities environmentally friendly and sustainable, cultivate good relationships with its stakeholders, and maintain high governance standards.
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Whistleblowing
K9Assistance has established a whistleblowing policy which provides the proper avenue for our clients, directors, employees, donors, vendors, volunteers, the authorities, and the Persons with Disabilities whom we serve, to raise concerns about actual or suspected improprieties in matters of financial reporting or other matters, and to receive feedback on any action taken.
The Whistleblowing Designated Officers can be reached by e-mail at whistleblower@k9assistance.sg
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Data Protection
K9Assistance has established a Data Protection policy which provides the proper avenue for our clients, directors, employees, donors, vendors, volunteers, the authorities, and the Persons with Disabilities whom we serve, to raise concerns about actual or suspected improprieties in matters of data management, and to receive feedback on any action taken.
The Data Protection Officer can be contacted at woof@K9Assistance.sg or +65 8834 2810.
Download Our Annual Reports & Financial Statements
Careers at K9
Be part of something greater. With more than 170,000 people with disabilities in Singapore, our expressions of interest list for Assistance Dogs is ever-growing and the demand for more incredible Assistance Dogs is higher than ever.
Find out how you can be a part of the K9Assistance team and help us to transform lives.
We currently have 2 job openings:
Community Partnership & Communications Executive
Fundraising Executive
