What does an Autism Assistance Dog do?
An Autism Assistance Dog is a highly trained working dog that supports a child and their family when out in public, with a strong focus on safety and reduced anxiety.
When working, the dog:
• Wears an official jacket and has access to public places
• Is trained to Assistance Dogs International (ADI) standards
• Is attached to the child via a belt and acts as a physical anchor if a child attempts to bolt or elope
• Takes direction from the parent or guardian, who holds the lead and gives commands
Assistance Dogs can also help ease transitions into busy or unfamiliar places and encourage greater understanding and patience from the public.
Before you apply (important to know)
There is a very high demand for Autism Assistance Dogs, and places on our waiting list are limited. This year, 25 places are available for new families.
To ensure families are fully informed and ready for the commitment involved, attendance at an information webinar is required in the year you apply, even if you have attended a webinar previously.
Important: Submitting an application does not guarantee a place on the waiting list.
How to apply (steps + dates)
The steps below outline our application process.
Key Dates:
Webinars:
- Registration for our information webinars is open from 30th January to 16th February 2026. Please click on the red button below to complete the interest form and book a place at one of our two online webinars.
- Two online Zoom webinars will take place on 17th February and 19th February 2026.
- Attendance at one webinar is mandatory for families wishing to apply for an Autism Assistance Dog.
- The sessions will be hosted by our CEO, Training Team, and Client Manager, and will last approximately 1.5–2 hours.
Autism Assistance Dog Application
The link and credentials needed for application will only be available to those who have attended the webinar. Fiona, our Client Manager will send an email to you in advance of the portal opening.
Any questions, please email fiona@aadi.ie
Help us train more life-changing dogs
Every Autism Assistance Dog takes years of training and significant funding. If you’re in a position to support our work, your donation helps us say yes to more families.
Life with an Autism Assistance Dog
Noah and Alfie
Jack and Wednesday
