Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland

What Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland does

Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (AADI) is a registered Irish charity founded in 2010, headquartered at 18a Euro Business Park, Little Island, Cork, that trains and places autism assistance dogs to children with autism and their families across Ireland. Dogs are trained to Assistance Dogs International (ADI) standards through a proprietary pipeline comprising early neurological stimulation from 3 days old, an eight-week puppy socialisation programme with volunteer foster families, and approximately two years of advanced training at the Cork "Doghouse" facility. Each assistance dog costs €25,000 to train and is provided free of charge to families; school support (educational) dogs cost €15,000 and serve primary and secondary schools. AADI also places "Buddy Dogs" — animals released from the advanced programme — as companion dogs, and runs the Fáilte Programme to certify businesses in autism awareness with IBEC, Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, USI, and Cork Chamber.

The organisation operates three service lines — Autism Assistance Dogs, Educational/School Support Dogs, and Buddy Dogs — supported by a comprehensive Family Support Programme (aftercare) covering workshop training, aftercare visits, and peer-to-peer support. As of 2024, 138 assistance dogs have been placed since founding, with 28 Assistance Dogs, 10 Buddy Dogs, and 4 School Support Dogs placed in that single year; 17 schools are currently active and 30 sit on the School Support Dog waiting list.

AADI is funded entirely through voluntary donations and corporate partnerships, with no direct government funding for core operations. Revenue streams include one-off and recurring individual donations (reclaimable at 45% via the Charity Tax Back Scheme on gifts of €250+), monthly puppy sponsorship tiers (€10–€50/month), merchandise, raffles and challenge events (e.g., €598,205 raised via Woodie's Heroes 2025, €125,000 via the Lapland Husky Adventure 2025), corporate partnerships (Woodies, Royal Canin Foundation, Intel, McCarthy Insurance, J&J Vision Care, Bluebird Care), legacy giving, and grants (Community Foundation Ireland, Cork City Council, Hospital Saturday Fund, HSE National Lottery). The charity holds ADI accreditation and Triple Lock status from the Charities Institute Ireland (2025), is led by CEO Nuala Geraghty under a voluntary board chaired by Irene O'Riordan, and is patronised by President Catherine Connolly (from May 2026).

Name

Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland

Legal name

Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland

Website

https://autismassistancedogsireland.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Assistance Dog Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Service & Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Accommodations Management (EDALAGAK)

Keywords

• Autism assistance dogs
• Service dog training
• Disability support services
• Assistance dog charity
• Canine autism programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Cork

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Members of the public make one-time or recurring donations to fund the training of autism assistance dogs. AADI is a fully fundraised organisation receiving no direct government funding. The Charity Tax Back Scheme allows AADI to reclaim up to 45% in tax on donations of €250+.
2. Puppy Sponsorship: Monthly sponsorship packages at €10/month (enrichment toys), €25/month (vet care and food), and €50/month (full early training). Sponsors receive welcome kits, regular photo updates, and progress reports.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of calendars, Christmas cards, and other merchandise through the AADI shop, with proceeds supporting dog training.
4. Raffle and Event Fundraising: Raffle ticket sales (e.g., Toyota Aygo X car raffle at €10/€25/€40) and event participation fees (e.g., Lapland Husky Adventure at £350 registration plus €7,000–€10,000 fundraising target).
5. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partners (Woodies, Royal Canin Foundation, McCarthy Insurance, J&J, Intel, Bluebird Care, and others) provide funding, in-kind support, employee fundraising, and Charity of the Year programmes.
6. Legacy Giving: Individuals are encouraged to leave gifts in their will to AADI. Bequests, life insurance policy nominations, and retirement plan designations are accepted.
7. Charity Tax Back Scheme: AADI claims back 45% in tax from Revenue on qualifying donations of €250+, increasing donation value at no extra cost to the donor.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland is a registered charity that trains and places autism assistance dogs with families of children with autism across Ireland, free of charge to recipients. The organization breeds, raises, and trains dogs specifically to support autistic children with safety, companionship, and public access tasks, and provides ongoing aftercare and handler training. Since 2010 it has placed 138 dogs and operates with 38 staff and around 200 volunteers from its base in County Cork.

Product overview

Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (AADI) is a charity organization, not a technology company. It offers a portfolio of service programmes centred around assistance dogs for autistic individuals. The core offerings include: Autism Assistance Dogs (trained to ADI standards for safety and mobility support), Educational Assistance Dogs (for schools), and Buddy Dogs (rehomed dogs for emotional support). Supporting programmes include the Fáilte Programme (autism awareness certification for businesses), Puppy Sponsorship (monthly donor programme), and various fundraising events including an annual car raffle and Arctic adventure challenge. All assistance dogs are provided free of charge to families, with the organisation funded entirely through public donations and corporate partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• School Support Dog Programme: Educational Assistance Dogs placed in primary and secondary schools to support neurodivergent students with wellbeing, emotional regulation, and inclusion.
• Buddy Dogs
• Fáilte Programme

Products and services

• Autism Assistance Dog Training and Placement End-to-end service that selects, trains, and places a certified autism assistance dog with a family of an autistic child in Ireland, including handler training and ongoing aftercare. The service is provided free of charge to recipient families and is accredited under Assistance Dogs International (ADI) standards.
• Family Handler Training and Aftercare Program Continuing support service that trains recipient families to handle and work with their assistance dog, including follow-up visits, refresher sessions, and public access certification support. Provided to families that have received an AADI dog.

Quantifiable outcome

• 83% overall impact score recorded by schools in AADI's School Support Dog Programme; wellbeing and emotional regulation 89%, inclusion and social connection 84%, staff confidence 85% (2024 research, 10 participating schools)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Woodies (Woodie's Heroes)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerWoodie's Heroes is AADI's longest-running major partnership. Since 2015, Woodies' annual Heroes campaign has raised €4.7 million for Irish children's charities, with AADI receiving its share annually. In 2025, €598,205 was raised across four charities. AADI has been a partner for 11 consecutive years. Woodies staff, volunteers, and customers directly fundraise through in-store activities.
• Royal Canin FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoyal Canin Foundation is partnering with AADI on the Animal Assisted Education Programme, placing specially trained dogs in primary and post-primary schools to support neurodivergent students. The foundation is helping place 10 school dogs to support neurodiverse students. The programme is conducted in collaboration with University College Cork (UCC).
• McCarthy Insurance GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMcCarthy Insurance funds Assistance Dog training and AADI's vital aftercare programme. The partnership also included a nationwide school colouring page campaign receiving over 7,000 entries, with the winning school receiving arts and sports funding and naming the sponsored assistance dog.
• Johnson & Johnson Vision CarecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJ&J Vision Care supports raising awareness and fostering belonging for the autistic community. The Limerick team funds the training of a sponsored puppy (Triton) through recycling old lenses, and Triton has been fostered by local senior volunteers.
• Bluebird CareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBluebird Care is in a 2-year partnership with AADI. Their partner Mango Media filmed AADI's graduation ceremony at Glenroyal Hotel. Bluebird Care's enthusiasm and mission to give back to the community aligns with AADI's values.
• IBECminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBEC (Irish Business and Employers Confederation) is a proud supporter of the Fáilte Programme, which educates businesses on autism awareness and service dog etiquette. IBEC's logo appears alongside Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, USI, and Cork Chamber.
• Fáilte IrelandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFáilte Ireland supports the Fáilte Programme, AADI's autism awareness certification for businesses and employees. The programme aims to transform public spaces into welcoming environments for families with autism.
• Tourism IrelandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTourism Ireland co-supports the Fáilte Programme alongside IBEC, Fáilte Ireland, USI, and Cork Chamber, promoting autism awareness across Ireland's tourism and hospitality sectors.
• Cork ChamberminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCork Chamber is a proud supporter of the Fáilte Programme and the official partner for The Lead Out Cork City fundraising event. Cork Chamber commented on the event as a 'brilliant opportunity for Cork businesses to come together.'
• Union of Students in Ireland (USI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSI is listed as a proud supporter of the Fáilte Programme, which educates students and staff across third-level institutions on autism awareness and service dog etiquette.
• University of Liege (Belgium)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAADI dog Triton became the first male AADI dog selected for the Assistance Dogs International Breeding Collaborative. His frozen semen is stored at the University of Liege in Belgium and will be used to create Guide and Assistance dogs for both adults and children across Europe.
• University College Cork (UCC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCC collaborates with AADI and Royal Canin Foundation on the Animal Assisted Education Programme, placing specially trained dogs in primary and post-primary schools across Ireland to foster inclusivity and reduce stress for neurodivergent students.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• National Autistic Society: UK's leading autism-focused charity providing information, support, and advocacy (not assistance dogs). Adjacent peer sharing the autism beneficiary segment, complementary rather than competitive; useful comparator for non-dog autism service scope.
• Canine Companions for Independence: Large US-based non-profit training service dogs for multiple disability groups including children with autism. Comparable service-dog training model, free placement, and ADI accreditation, but operates at significantly larger scale across multiple disability categories.
• Guide Dogs for the Blind (US): Large US assistance dog organisation historically focused on guide dogs but expanding into autism and veteran services. Adjacent peer with much larger scale; relevant for benchmarking training standards and donor mobilisation.

Direct peers

• Assistance Dogs Australia: Australia's leading ADI-accredited assistance dog charity, placing dogs with children with autism, PTSD sufferers, and people in wheelchairs. Directly comparable mission, accreditation, and placement-fee-free model.
• Service Dogs UK: UK charity providing autism assistance dogs and PTSD service dogs to veterans and civilians. Closely comparable training model, volunteer reliance, and free placement, though UK-based.
• Canine Partners: UK ADI-accredited charity training assistance dogs for people with physical disabilities, including autism. Comparable training pipeline, free placement, and ADI certification standards.
• Dogs for Good: UK charity that trains assistance dogs for autistic children and adults with physical disabilities. Most comparable peer: similar ADI-aligned training model, free placement to beneficiaries, and reliance on volunteer puppy fosterers and community fundraising.
• Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind: Irish ADI-accredited charity training guide and assistance dogs. Domestic peer sharing the same regulatory, fundraising, and volunteer infrastructure in Ireland; serves a different primary beneficiary (vision impairment) but operates an analogous training pipeline.
• Autism Service Dogs of America: US non-profit specifically focused on placing service dogs with autistic children. Highly comparable mission and beneficiary segment, though operating under a different regulatory regime (US ADA rather than Irish Equality legislation).

Regional players

• Hero Dogs (Israel): Israeli assistance dog charity placing dogs with people with PTSD, autism, and mobility issues. Comparable ADI-style training methodology and volunteer foster programme; geographic peer (non-overlapping territory).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AutismAssistanceDogsIRL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/autism-assistance-dogs-ireland
• Instagraminstagram.com/autismdogsirl

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland