Assistance Dogs

Applications to join our Assistance Dog Programme have now closed.

We train Assistance Dogs to support the families of children with Autism.

It is a big decision to bring an Assistance Dog into your family. Many families find it brings a new responsibility that can be shared by different family members.

The primary functions of our Assistance Dogs are:

1. to “anchor” a child to stop them from bolting in public;

2. to stop safely at road crossings; and

3. to aid transitioning by keeping the partnership moving.

Application Criteria

The criteria to be eligible to apply to join our Assistance Dog Programme are:

1. Your child must be aged between 4–7 years of age at time of application.

2. A full multi-disciplinary report showing a diagnosis of autism must be included with the application.

3. The multi-disciplinary report must recommend that your child should attend an ASD Unit or specialised school. (Note: your child does not have to be attending an ASU Unit or specialised school but the report does have to recommend it.)

4. A commitment that one parent/guardian will be at home with the dog for most of the time, and not leave the Assistance Dog on its own for more than 2-3 hours per day.

5. A fully enclosed garden that is safe for a dog to toilet and play in each day.

6. A safe place inside for your dog to sleep.

Irish Guide Dogs promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. We consider all applications regardless of race, sex, gender identification, sexual orientation, national origin, native language, religion, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Is an Assistance Dog right for me and my family?

Our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) will help answer many of your questions about living and working with an Assistance Dog.

A welcome awaits

We have created a video to help a family prepare their child for a visit to the Training Centre by showing them what to expect on the day and not to feel daunted by the prospect.