General
Thank you for your interest in our Autism Assistance Dogs Programme. We are delighted to provide to you some relevant information regarding our Autism Assistance Dog Programme.
This programme places fully trained Assistance Dogs within homes. It takes approximately 12 to 14 months to train these dogs. The Charity provides Autism Anchor Assistance Dogs and Autism Companion Assistance Dogs.
Taking on either a fully-trained Autism Anchor/Companion Assistance Dog is a big undertaking. Life caring for child(ren) with Autism is challenging in the first instance. If there are additional on-going stressors, such as children changing medication, work or school tribunal’s , relationships ending or having additional caring roles for parents. Adding a dog into the mix is not advisable.
Whilst the dog is fully trained , it is an additional workload and our assistance dogs have their needs to be met such as:
- Exercised for at least one hour a day regardless of the weather.
- Groomed daily.
- Fed and cared for.
- Training maintained.
- Placement of a fully trained autism companion dog
Please be advised that it is essential that you read through all documents carefully to ensure your family and child fulfil the necessary criteria to be able to pursue your application. It is vital that both parents/guardians are in agreement to the application. If you are interested in progressing, complete the Application Form and return by recorded delivery in order to ensure the arrival of your application form.
The charity offers families two means of obtaining an Autism Assistance Dog.
- Placement of a fully trained assistance dog
- An assistance Dog through the Family Member Fostering Programme.
The Autism Assistance Dog Programme relies on our ADNI Foster Volunteers, who take on the full-time responsibility of caring for and training an ADNI puppy. Training takes approximately 12 to 14 months to train it is a 24/7 commitment. Foster carers attend a weekly puppy training class which lasts approximately one hour. As the puppies grow training extends to outside the training hall. This socialization training is a vital component of the dogs training. At present training classes are in Belfast, other venues can be arranged throughout Northern Ireland, subject to acquiring adequate numbers of foster carers.
When the puppies are approximately 5 months old the recipient family are introduced to our ADNI Dog Training classes. Attendance at these classes is required on either on a weekly or fortnightly basis.
An ADNI puppy will be identified for the family (however sometimes changes will have to be made). Initially at the training classes you will be observing the foster carer and your puppy, and gradually you will be taught how to control the trainee pup/dog using the relevant commands.
Where possible recipient families will care for their pup/dog over a week-end, this will give families the opportunity to experience first hand the commitment and work involved in having an Assistance Dog within the family home. It will allow families the opportunity to make an informed decision whether they want to proceed with their application. Throughout the whole process you will be supported by ADNI.
The Charity receives no government funding and we rely on fundraising and grants in order to provide these ‘life-changing’ dogs. At present we have no specific funding stream to provide Autism Assistance Dogs to children and adults over the age of twelve.
We have four types of Assistance dogs - Autism Assistance and Autism Companion Dogs, Disability Assistance Dogs and Therapy Dogs.
Click on an image below for more information.
Autism Anchor Dogs
Helping a child remain safe, calm and focused in busy places.
Disability Assistance Dogs
Learn how our dogs can help full-time wheelchair users.
Therapy Dogs
Exceptional dogs bringing comfort and happiness to people.
