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Educational Assistance Dogs

Supported by the Royal Canin Foundation, Educational Assistance Dogs, provide valuable support in primary and secondary schools.

Public Access Rights

Please note that Educational Assistance Dogs do not possess the same public access rights as Assistance Dogs. Therefore, they cannot be brought into shops, buses, or other public places.

Selection & Training

Each Educational Assistance Dog is carefully chosen for its gentle nature. They undergo comprehensive obedience training, are well-socialized in school environments, and are introduced to children. Like all our dogs, ongoing training throughout their working life is essential.

Benefits of Educational Assistance Dogs

Having an Educational Assistance Dog in your school offers numerous benefits, including:

Role of the Educational Assistance Dog

The Educational Assistance Dog will work alongside designated teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs). Initially, the dog will attend school three days a week, which can be increased to five days once the dog has settled. The dog will have a tailored timetable and may move between classes as needed, depending on whether it is a primary or secondary school.

Handler Training and Responsibilities

Two to three handlers, including the main carer, must be chosen within the school to assist with the dog during the day. All handlers will receive training in positive reinforcement dog handling and will learn to recognize signs of stress in the dog and how to manage it appropriately.

School Responsibilities

The school must fulfill the following requirements:

Applicant/Main Carer Responsibilities

The main carer must meet specific criteria, similar to those for a Buddy Dog:

The main carer is responsible for the health and welfare of the Educational Assistance Dog, ensuring it is up-to-date with vaccinations and well cared for during and after the school day. A contingency plan should be in place for the dog’s care if it becomes unwell and cannot attend school. The main carer must also hold a permanent position within the school.

By integrating an Educational Assistance Dog into your educational environment, you can create a more inclusive, engaging, and supportive atmosphere for all students.

How To Apply

Our highly trained Educational Assistance Dogs (EADs) cost €15,000 for training and maintenance.

To ensure we can continue providing these special dogs to schools, we require beneficiary schools to host at least TWO fundraising events per year for the duration of the dog’s working life. This support is essential for the sustainability of our program.

For more information, please email nadine@aadi.ie. Availability of EADs depends on the supply of suitable dogs and current puppies.