The annual waiting list process has been opened for families seeking a life-changing assistance dog and this year, Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (AADI) will invite 25 new families to enter the assessment and matching process.
AADI provides highly trained assistance dogs to autistic children aged 5–12 who are at risk of flight, supporting greater safety, independence and inclusion for children and their families. Demand for the service continues to significantly exceed capacity, with more than 1,000 enquiries received each year.
In 2026, AADI has taken the decision to reduce the number of families progressing through the waiting list process compared with previous years. This approach reflects the organisation’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of dog training, family support and animal welfare, while ensuring the long-term sustainability of its programmes.
As part of the application process, families are required to attend an online information session, which provide detailed information on the role of an assistance dog, the training journey, family responsibilities, and what life is like with an assistance dog at home. Each session also includes a live Q&A with members of the AADI team.
Registration for the information sessions opened on the AADI website last Friday, January 30th. Attendance at one of these sessions is mandatory before families can apply to join the waiting list. Families interested can find all the relevant details here – https://www.autismassistancedogsireland.ie/ad-list-info/
Following completion of the information sessions, eligible applications will be accepted. Where applications exceed the number of available places, a lottery system will be used to ensure fairness and transparency.
Successful families will then progress to phone and home assessments with an AADI instructor, followed by the matching process, which typically takes 18-24 months from application.
A fully fundraised charity, Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland receives no government funding towards the training or placement of its assistance dogs. All services are provided free of charge to families.
