Autism assistance dogs are specially trained canines that provide support to individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
These dogs help enhance the quality of life for their human companions by offering companionship, reducing anxiety, and aiding in social interactions.
They can assist with sensory processing challenges, provide a sense of security, and promote independence.
The presence of an autism assistance dog can foster a calming environment and help individuals navigate daily activities more comfortably.
Their training encompasses various tasks, including tracking, providing deep pressure therapy, and supporting individuals in social situations.
Enhanced Safety: Assistance dogs can help individuals with autism navigate their environments safely, reducing the risk of wandering or getting lost.
Improved Social Skills: Dogs can act as social facilitators, making it easier for individuals with autism to engage in social interactions and connect with others.
Increased Independence: Training an assistance dog can empower individuals with autism to perform daily tasks more independently, enhancing their confidence and self-reliance.
Emotional Support: Assistance dogs provide unconditional companionship, helping to alleviate feelings of anxiety, stress, and loneliness.
Routine Establishment: Caring for a dog can help individuals with autism develop and maintain daily routines, benefiting their overall structure and predictability.
Sensory Regulation: Dogs can be trained to sense and respond to their handler's emotional and sensory needs, assisting in managing overwhelming situations.
Decreased Meltdowns: The presence of a trained assistance dog can help calm individuals during distressing moments, potentially reducing the frequency and severity of meltdowns.
Enhanced Communication: Dogs can encourage individuals to express their feelings and communicate better, whether verbally or through other methods.
Motivation for Physical Activity: The need for regular walks and playtime with a dog can promote physical exercise, encouraging a healthier lifestyle.
Positive Behavioral Reinforcement: Training a dog promotes a focus on positive behaviors, which can translate to similar practices in the handler's daily life.
THE PROCESS:
The autism assistance dog training process involves several key steps, each designed to ensure that the dog can effectively support their handler.
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The first step is selecting a suitable dog for autism assistance. Breeds that are typically chosen include Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers due to their temperament, trainability, and gentle nature. Factors considered include age, health, and personality traits that align with the specific needs of the individual requiring assistance.
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Once a suitable dog is selected, basic obedience training is initiated. This phase focuses on teaching commands such as sit, stay, come, and heel. The dog must demonstrate a solid understanding of these commands before progressing to more specialised training.
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Socialisation is crucial for dogs working with individuals on the autism spectrum. The dog must be exposed to various environments, people, and sounds to help them remain calm and focused in different situations. This can include outings to parks, stores, and other public spaces.
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This phase involves training the dog to behave appropriately in public settings. The dog learns to remain calm in the presence of distractions and to follow commands even in chaotic environments. This training is essential for ensuring the dog can effectively accompany their handler throughout daily activities.
This period is crucial for establishing a bond between the dog and the handler, as well as ensuring the dog responds appropriately to the handler's cues and needs.
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After the initial training process, ongoing training and support are important. This may include regular refreshers on commands and tasks, as well as support with any behavioural concerns that may arise. Continued training helps maintain the skills learned and adapt to any changing needs of the handler.
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Keith Finley
“It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business.”
Monet Goode
“We are so grateful to have found Ciara—someone who is not only knowledgeable about Autism and assistance dogs but also genuinely caring. Her expertise and dedication have been a huge support to our family”
Sarah Ford
FAQs 🐾
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An autism assistance dog is specially trained to support an autistic person’s unique needs. They can help with tasks like interrupting anxiety behaviours, creating personal space in crowds, alerting to meltdowns or shutdowns, or simply providing calming companionship. Every dog is trained to support the individual they live with.
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At the moment, I offer owner-led training and support for those training their own dogs as assistance dogs. While I do not provide dogs or accreditations myself, I focus on preparing your dog for public access and task-based work, in line with UK law and best practices.
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Yes – the UK does not require certification for assistance dogs by law. Instead, dogs must be trained to perform tasks that mitigate a disability and behave safely in public. I help ensure your dog meets these expectations and can provide documentation of their training history to support this.
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Tasks are personalised to your needs but may include:
Deep pressure therapy
Creating space in queues
Guiding to exits or safe spaces
Interrupting repetitive behaviours
Reminders to take medication
Fetching items or responding to alarms
We’ll explore which tasks are meaningful and achievable for you and your dog together.
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Not every dog is suitable for this work. It depends on their temperament, health, age, and ability to learn. I offer initial assessments to help you decide if your current dog is a good candidate, or support in choosing a suitable puppy or rescue to train.
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I offer puppy assessments and training plans to help increase the chances of your puppy becoming a successful assistance dog. You’ll get tailored guidance, regular check-ins, and early socialisation and confidence-building work.
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Yes. I’m autistic and ADHD myself, and my training is designed to be neurodivergent-friendly. Sessions are paced gently, with plenty of flexibility and understanding. We can communicate in the way that works best for you – including email summaries, quiet sessions, and visual supports.
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This depends on your goals and capacity. Some clients see me weekly or more, others every few weeks or monthly. I also offer online support in between to reduce overwhelm and help you stay on track at your pace.
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No problem! I offer online consultations and training support via video call or voice notes, depending on what works best for you. I’ll still provide feedback, resources, and task guidance remotely.
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How do I book or find out more?
You can book a free online consult directly through my appointment’s page or contact me first with any questions through the enquiry page. If you’re unsure where to start, I offer an initial consultation to talk through your needs and goals with no pressure.