1. AADI Changing the Lives of
Children with autism.
Presented By
Sharon Thomas Fundraising & Development
Manager
Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland.

2. Contents
• Introduction to AADI.
• Our Mission Statement.
• How an assistance dog can help a child with autism.
• How a Companion dog can help.
• How many people in Ireland have autism.
• Eligibility for an assistance dog.
• Assistance dog training process.
• A life changing difference.
• Fundraising.
• Pictures of our puppies in training & assistance dogs.
• AADI video.

3. Introduction
Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland was founded on April 26th 2010
and their headquarters is based in Mallow, Co. Cork.
AADI are a national charity providing highly trained Assistance
dogs for children with autism. The charity provides a valuable
service that can have life changing effects for children with
autism and their families.
AADI dogs are specially trained to provide safety, independence
& companionship to children with autism who would otherwise
live in a very isolated world.
Each dog costs €15,000 to train. We rely solely on public
donations and fundraising events for its survival as we do not
receive any government funding.

4. Our Mission Statement
Our mission is to train assistance dogs for children with autism.
Our dogs help to ensure the child’s physical safety and provide
a calming influence, increased confidence and independence
for the child. An assistance dog is highly trained and will greatly
enhance the life of a child with autism and their families. This
service is offered free of charge to the family.
AADI changing the lives of children with autism.

5. How an Assistance Dog can help a
child with autism?
Assistance dogs can have a huge benefit for both the child and
families of children with autism. They increase safety levels and
alleviate bolting behaviours, as the child is attached to the dog.
The dog helps with the child’s behaviour and social skills
assisting them in social situations which also allows for greater
public understanding that the child has a disability and is not just
having a tantrum.

6. The dog can be a calming influence on the child giving
them an increased attention span and allowing families to
be able to go out together again.
It gives the child greater independence, thus becoming a
constant companion. It means the child can learn
responsibility by becoming involved with feeding and
grooming routines of the dog.
It generally creates a positive change in behaviour,
lowering aggression levels and a source of comfort when
upset.

7. How a Companion Dog can help?
IN-HOUSE COMPANION DOGS:
AADI also provide In-house companion dogs for individuals with
disabilities. These are highly trained dogs that have had some
intensive training but do not have the required skills to become
a certified assistance dog. In-house companions do not have
public access.
BENEFITS OF AN IN-HOUSE COMPANION DOG:
In-house companion dogs provide companionship in an often
isolated world.
They improve the physical and mental health in people with
disability.
Increases responsibility and confidence in the individual in the
day to day care of the dog and provides opportunities for social

8. HOW MANY PEOPLE IN IRELAND
HAVE AUTISM?
Below is a piece taken from Irish Autism Actions website:
Irish Autism Action show the official figure is that 1 in 100 people
in Ireland have autism.
Prevalence Study Autism Counts - Irish Autism Action has
funded a study that determined the number of people in Ireland
who are on the autism spectrum. By providing a concrete figure
for incidence of autism the Irish Autism Prevalence Study will
make a compelling case for the State to invest in resources for
autistic people. This study was carried out in conjunction with
DCU and lead by Professor Anthony Staines. The study
concluded that the current rate of autism in Ireland is 1 in 100.

9. ELIGIBILITY FOR AN ASSISTANCE
DOG?
Specific criteria is required before being accepted for an Assistance
Dog, if this criteria is met a detailed application form is sent out to
the families to be completed and returned. At this stage they are
placed on a waiting list prior to a home assessment.
At the moment our waiting list is closed and it’s a waiting time
of up to 5 years. We aim to train and place 8 to 10 assistance
dogs a year.
During the home assessment in which you meet all the family
including the child with autism you will go through the application
form establishing suitability and commitment. You also need to
establish areas where they will be taking the dog and how much
they will be using it.

10. After this the family will be informed if they have been accepted
and their position on the list giving them an idea of how long they
will have to wait.
One or both of the parents are expected to attend our 5 day
training course without the child to learn about the dog and its
welfare.
After this they take the dog home and the Instructor will work in
their home environment with the child doing the attachments. This
normally takes 5 or 6 sessions.
After this they will have a 6 week and 6 month follow up visit
and then yearly aftercare visits.
We will always be available to give advice and to do any extra
visits that may be required.

11. Assistance Dogs Training Process
It costs €15000 to train each dog and AADI are not government
funded so all money raised is through fundraising. Each Assistance
dog takes 16 to 18 months to train and is placed with a foster family
initially from 2 months to 14 months old where they learn the basics
like socialising and commands.
The puppy foster carers are visited on a monthly basis by our
Puppy foster care supervisor to see how the pup is progressing and
to give help and advice.
All pups are vaccinated, wormed and flea treated as recommended
by our vet. They are also micro chipped, will wear an ID tag and a
red jacket to identify them as an Autism Assistance Dog.

12. The AADI dogs come back to our centre for training at
approximately 12 to 14 months of age. During their time in training
they are assessed for temperament and their training would begin
with 10 days of obedience using clicker training, which is a positive
motivational method of dog training using food reward. The dog is
trained to be more responsive before going out to work in different
environments, including housing estates and shopping centres,
where there are more distractions for the dog. We would also work
on social behaviour and recall introducing the dog to their assistant
dog jacket.

13. Before being matched the dog should have
reached the acquired standard which would
include:
 Walking on a loose lead with no tension on the left hand side
of the handler either by the handlers’ side or just ahead.
 Responsive to voice commands only.
 Minimal distractions for dogs, cats, scent, and must be
controlled by voice only, no physical control.
 Introduction / development of straight line, speed control, right
and left turns, standing for kerbs, and all obedience
commands.
 Established spending routine – (The dogs are taught not to
go to the toilet on walks).
 Consolidated recall.
 No health problems.

14.  Must be sound in all environments including shopping centres
and have no suspicions.
 Must be very good socially including cafes, shops etc. and
good on transport e.g. trains and buses.
 Minimum / easily controlled scavenging.
 Must be good with children and conditioned to cope with tails
and ears being pulled and loud screaming noises and specific
behaviours that autistic children display.
 Good concentration.
 Acceptance of jacket and handle and child attachments.
 Responsive to handlers vocal control when walking on either
side or walking behind dog and child.

15. Client Story:
A Life Changing Difference
Since Bella has arrived Rebecca seems to have become more
relaxed, less stressed and uptight so it has helped Rebecca notice
what is going on around her and she has become more attentive.
Bella has also given Rebecca a sense of responsibility as when
she is going somewhere she knows that Bella has to go with her
and will go get her belt in order to attach Bella to it. Bella has
helped Rebecca in her everyday life by making her more
independent in the fact that she now has the confidence to walk
down the street on her own with Bella rather than being uptight and
requiring encouragement from her parents.
It is a wonderful experience to see what a difference Bella has
made to all of our lives. We went to Lanzarote on our holidays this
year with Bella and she was a huge help. The airport, flights and all
that goes with it went like a dream, where Bella was told to go
Rebecca would follow. When Rebecca was in the pool Bella was
always keeping an eye on her even when her jacket was off. Bella
goes to school with Rebecca every day and sits beside her in the
classroom, she goes on school tours, trips and she is getting ready

16. It is a great comfort to us to know that Bella is with Rebecca where we
cannot be. One of the biggest things to have happened since Bella arrived
is that people are not afraid to talk about Rebecca and instead of pity
looks, its looks of wonder and amazement. We are blessed to have been
so lucky to get Bella, a great addition to the family and the sky is the limit
now.
Thanks to all involved a wonderful difference has been made in Rebecca’s
life.
The Pettit Family.

17. Fundraising
AADI are not government funded so all money raised is through
fundraising and voluntary donations.
How can you help?
Get involved: Volunteers are needed to help out with organising
fundraising events, occasional collections and coming up with
ideas for fundraisers.
What's required for these position’s: Must love dogs, be
outgoing, have enthusiasm and energy to help with our
fundraising initiatives.
What we can offer you:
Event management/ Fundraising experience which will look great
on your CV. You will get to meet lots of new and interesting
people and of course our beautiful assistance puppies in training.
Be a part of something wonderful and be the change you want to

18. AADI Puppies & Dogs

21. AUTISM ASSISTANCE
DOGS IRELAND
Changing the Lives of
children with autism.

22. Have you got Questions??

23. Thanks for Listening.