PADA-ICofA

PADA-ICofA (Personality Assessment for Domestic Animals) is an internationally recognized, scientifically grounded protocol for assessing the personality and suitability of domestic animals — including dogs, cats, horses, and livestock — for roles in animal-assisted services and related fields. PADA-ICofA is represented in 15 countries and growing.

Developed in collaboration with ethologists and researchers and rooted in over two decades of expertise in behaviour and welfare, the PADA-ICofA assessment objectively evaluates innate traits that influence how animals respond to everyday environments, social interactions, and stimuli — always with animal well-being as the highest priority. 

Certified PADA-ICofA teams use this protocol to provide reliable assessments that support training, rehoming, veterinarians, breeding and ethical work in professional contexts, while also contributing to ongoing research and international standards in evaluation.