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.
Why it takes €25,000 to prepare an autism assistance dog for 10 years of life-changing work.
This long journey of training is what prepares a dog to safely guide and protect autistic children who might otherwise run into danger.
At Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (AADI), every dog is trained to the highest standards and certified by Assistance Dogs International (ADI), with lifelong aftercare to ensure families are fully supported.
There is a very high demand for Autism Assistance Dogs, and places on our waiting list are limited.
| The application process opens once a year. The next opportunity to apply will be in 2027. |
To ensure families are fully informed and ready for the commitment involved, attendance at an information webinar is required in the same year you apply, even if you have attended a webinar previously.
Important: Submitting an application does not guarantee a place on the waiting list.
Application Process
The application process for an assistance dog opens once a year.
When it opens, families can apply during that period by following the steps below:
Join our newsletter to stay updated on when next year’s waiting list opens and what to expect from the process.
Life with an Autism Assistance Dog
Noah and Alfie
Jack and Wednesday
