Assistance dog funding dispute threatens independence of man with dissociative identity disorder
Ashley Curtis, who manages dissociative identity disorder with a trained assistance dog, faces a new NDIS decision that could withdraw funding for the animal.
After a severe mental health collapse 13 years ago, Ashley Curtis was diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder and other conditions. A psychologist introduced him to a trained assistance dog, Ellie, which enabled him to leave his home, run competitively, and reduce his partner's caregiving burden. Funding for Ellie was granted in 2022 but the National Disability Insurance Agency later withdrew support, claiming insufficient evidence of benefit.
Curtis has appealed the decision through the Administrative Review Tribunal, while clinicians highlight a lack of research on assistance dogs for DID. The agency also declined to fund assistive technology that Curtis uses to stay oriented outside his house. The dispute underscores broader concerns about NDIS funding criteria and legal representation disparities.
Why it matters
The case highlights how funding rules can affect the daily independence of people with complex mental health conditions.
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