At Autism Dogs Charity, we provide life-changing assistance dogs to autistic individuals across mainland England, Scotland, and Wales. Our Autism Assistance Dog Programme offers expertly trained dogs, professional support, and an inclusive community to help handlers and their families thrive​.

Current Application Status: Open

Application Window: open until 14th March 2025

If applications are OPEN, proceed to the application form:
📝 Apply Now

If applications are CLOSED, register for updates:
📩 Sign Up for Notifications

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, you must meet the following requirements:

✔ The applicant must have an official diagnosis of ASD.
✔ The applicant must be at least 4 years old.
✔ The applicant’s permanent residence must be in mainland England, Scotland, or Wales.
✔ The applicant must not have unmanaged epilepsy.
✔ The application must be completed truthfully and correctly.
✔ The dog’s welfare must be fully managed by a responsible adult or third party in addition to the handler.
✔ There must be a suitable support network in place—handlers cannot live alone without reliable daily support.
✔ Households must not have more than two existing pet dogs, and the environment must be suitable for an assistance dog​.

Application Process

Step 1: Check Application Status

Before applying, verify whether applications are open. If they are currently closed, sign up for updates.

Step 2: Complete the Online Application Form

During the open application window, complete the official online application form, providing details about:

• The applicant’s diagnosis and daily needs.
• The home environment and support network.
• How an assistance dog would benefit the applicant.

Step 3: Attend an In-Person Interview

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an in-person interview at our centre. This helps our team assess suitability and understand how we can best support each handler.

Step 4: Application Review & Matching Process

Successful applicants enter the profiling phase, where we carefully match them with a suitable assistance dog based on their needs and lifestyle​.

Programme Phases

Once accepted, applicants begin the Residential Assistance Dog Programme, which includes:
1️⃣ Profiling & Dog Matching – Finding the perfect assistance dog.
2️⃣ Basic Training & Psychotherapy Support – Fundamental training and emotional support.
3️⃣ Bespoke Advanced Training – Customising the dog's training for the handler's needs.
4️⃣ Family Training – Teaching families how to work with the dog.
5️⃣ Delivery Inclusion Training – The dog is introduced to its new home.
6️⃣ Aftercare Support – Ongoing training and support for the lifetime of the dog​.

When to Apply?

The application window will only be open for 4 weeks in 2025 due to our charity's limited resources.

‍Check the application status above to see if we’re currently accepting applications.

If we’re closed, sign up for notifications so you don’t miss the next window!

📩 Get Notified

Important Notes

Applications may be declined if:
❌ The applicant does not meet the eligibility criteria.
❌ The handler lives alone without a clear support network.
❌ A household member has severe dog allergies.
❌ The Autism Dogs Charity team determines that the programme is not beneficial for the applicant.
❌ The applicant provides false or incomplete information.
❌ The charity does not have the resources to accept additional applicants at the time​.

Stay Updated

Want to be the first to know when applications open?
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✔ Sign up for our Newsletter at autismdogs.co.uk.

Prepare for Your Journey with an Autism Assistance Dog Programme

An Autism Assistance Dog can provide comfort, confidence, and support for autistic individuals. If you meet the eligibility criteria, we encourage you to apply when applications are open!

Questions? Contact us at info@autismdogs.co.uk

🔗 Read more about our Programme: Autism Dogs Charity Assistance Dog Programme

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