My Canine Companion

What My Canine Companion does

My Canine Companion (MCC) is a registered Irish charity headquartered in Cork that provides autism service dogs, school therapy dogs, and university-based wellbeing dogs free of charge to beneficiaries. Founded in 2013 by Niall and Cliona O'Rourke, MCC has become Ireland's largest service dog provider, supplying approximately 50% of the country's annual autism service dog output versus Irish Guide Dogs (~30%) and Autism Assistance Dogs (~20%). Its core technology is a proprietary two-year training methodology: puppies are placed with their future end-user families at approximately 10 weeks of age for early socialisation under instructor supervision, followed by roughly four months of intensive final training to ADI standards — a model reported to yield a 90%+ success rate, approximately twice the industry average.

The organisation operates three primary programmes: Autism Service Dogs (the core offering, with up to 50 dogs qualified per year at full capacity), a School Therapy Dog Programme launched as a Munster pilot in 2020 and scaled to 60 dogs in primary and post-primary schools nationwide by May 2024, and MCC PAWS @ UCC, a 3-year pilot (2023–2026) delivered with University College Cork. Additional placements exist at Cork University Hospital, including a first-in-Ireland radiation therapy waiting area dog programme. MCC holds Assistance Dogs International (ADI) accreditation — the only such accredited member in Ireland — and is also subject to the Irish Charities Governance Code. The volunteer infrastructure (puppy raisers, short-term and training dog boarders) and private social media support platform are integral to service delivery.

MCC's revenue model is entirely donation-based, with no government funding. Income streams include single donations (€5–€100), monthly sponsorship tiers (€5–€100/month; Gold/Silver from €12/month), merchandise sales, and community fundraising events (e.g., Big Walk Home, Global Ireland Golf Day, Vintage Tractor Run). Corporate partnerships include Currys Ireland (charity partner, extended into 2023), AIB (€28,000 Community Fund award in 2023), Pavers Shoes, Volkswagen Group Ireland, Glenveagh Homes, and Frank Keane BMW. Acquisition is driven by community events, school programmes, university partnerships, media appearances (RTÉ News, Late Late Show), and word of mouth within the Irish autism support community, supplemented by an annual online waiting list opening that processed over 2,000 expressions of interest in January 2023 for 100 annual family slots.

Name

My Canine Companion

Legal name

My Canine Companion

Website

https://mycaninecompanion.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

My Canine Companion is Ireland's largest service dog provider, supplying ~50% of the country's annual autism service dogs via a proprietary puppy placement programme with a 90%+ success rate, alongside a school therapy dog network and a university wellbeing programme, all delivered free to beneficiaries through a donation-funded, ADI-accredited charity based in Cork.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Assistance Dog Services

NAICS

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (812910), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Autism 1:1 Paraprofessional / Aide Support Services (EDAKAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

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

Keywords

• Autism service dogs
• Assistance dog training
• School therapy dogs
• Service dog charity
• Therapy dog programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Cork

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: My Canine Companion relies entirely on charitable donations from individuals, organisations, and community fundraising events. The charity does not receive government funding. Donations are solicited via the website, merchandise shop, and fundraising events.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including clothing (t-shirts, kids' t-shirts), face masks, and other #MyCC branded items. Proceeds support the charity's operations.
3. Sponsorship Packages: Monthly Gold and Silver Sponsorship Packages allow supporters to sponsor a puppy-in-training for as little as €12 per month, helping cover costs of food, training, and care.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

My Canine Companion is Ireland's largest service dog provider that trains and places fully trained autism service dogs (free of charge) with families of children on the autism spectrum. The charity also operates a School Therapy Dog Programme placing therapy dogs in primary and post-primary schools, and a university wellbeing programme (MCC PAWS @ UCC) with University College Cork. All dogs are trained to ADI standards through a unique Puppy Programme where puppies are placed with their future end-user families at 10 weeks old.

Product overview

My Canine Companion is Ireland's largest service dog provider, offering a comprehensive portfolio of programmes centred on autism service dogs and school therapy dogs. The core offering comprises Autism Service Dogs (provided free to families with a 90%+ success rate through their unique Puppy Programme), the School Therapy Dog Programme (60 dogs nationwide as of May 2024), and MCC PAWS @ UCC (a university campus wellbeing initiative launched in 2023). Supporting services include Puppy Raising and Dog Boarding volunteer programmes, Puppy Sponsorship monthly donations, and merchandise sales. All services are supported by ADI accreditation and delivered through trained instructors and volunteer networks, with the organisation receiving no government funding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MCC PAWS @ UCC: A 3-year pilot project (2023-2026) in collaboration with University College Cork to enhance student wellbeing through canine-assisted activities on campus.

Products and services

• Autism Service Dogs Fully trained autism service dogs provided free of charge to families with autistic children. Dogs undergo a 2-year training programme (18 months puppy programme followed by 4 months intensive training) and provide safety through tethering to prevent bolting, independence, public access rights, and companionship for children on the autism spectrum.
• School Therapy Dog Programme Ireland's first school therapy dog programme placing trained therapy dogs in primary and post-primary schools. Dogs support students and staff throughout the school day, improving wellbeing, mental health, reducing anxiety, decreasing absenteeism, and boosting morale.
• MCC PAWS @ UCC (Promoting Academic Wellbeing & Support) A 3-year pilot project (2023-2026) in collaboration with University College Cork that brings trained therapy dogs onto the UCC campus for weekly dog-based wellbeing activities. Led by UCC's School of Nursing and Midwifery, it aims to enhance student wellbeing, foster sense of belonging, reduce stress and loneliness, and help students adjust to university life.
• Puppy Raising Programme Volunteer programme where individuals or families raise MCC puppies in their homes according to MCC guidelines under training staff supervision. Puppy raisers socialise puppies in various settings including shopping centres, public transport, restaurants, and churches. Required to support both adult service dog programmes and therapy programmes.
• Dog Boarding Services Temporary boarding homes for dogs in their final stages of training, with MCC covering all food and veterinary costs. Services include Training Dog Boarders (Cork only, Monday-Friday 9am-4pm at training school), Short Term Boarders (nationwide, overnight to 2 months), and Dog Boarders (approximately 4-month placement with enclosed garden required).

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90% success rate for dog and child partnerships on the puppy programme (approximately double the industry average)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• University College Cork (UCC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2023MCC and UCC jointly launched MCC PAWS @ UCC, a 3-year pilot programme (2023-2026) bringing MCC therapy dogs onto the UCC campus for weekly wellbeing activities. Led by UCC's School of Nursing and Midwifery, it is the first university-based programme of its kind in Ireland. The programme aims to enhance student wellbeing, reduce stress and loneliness, and promote social connections.
• Currys IrelandcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCurrys Ireland is MCC's charity partner, raising funds through in-store donations and fundraising activities. MCC visits Currys head office to thank staff. The partnership was extended into 2023. Currys also sponsors the MCC school challenge, providing Samsung tablets for raffle prizes.
• Glenveagh HomesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMCC visited Glenveagh Homes' Maynooth office to give a talk about the charity's work and spread awareness of autism service dogs and the green jacket programme among staff.
• Robertson LowminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRobertson Low organised an in-office charity cycle (Cork to London distance) in aid of MCC, with MCC service dogs visiting their offices.
• Grange Castle Golf ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGrange Castle Golf Club organised a golf classic in aid of MCC, raising funds for the charity. MCC service dogs attended the donation handover.
• Frank Keane BMWminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFrank Keane BMW supported the Grange Castle Golf Classic in aid of MCC.
• Pavers ShoesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPavers Shoes made a donation to MCC. MCC dogs visited to accept the cheque.
• Malahide Cricket ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMalahide Cricket Club organised a quiz night raising €4,080 for MCC.
• Volkswagen Group IrelandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVolkswagen Group Ireland (Liffey Valley) served as the starting point for The Big Walk Home fundraising event, where team members walked 242km from Dublin to Cork over 7 days.
• Cork University Hospital (CUH)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCC has placed therapy dogs (MCC Anna, MCC Kim) in CUH departments including paediatric radiology, fracture clinic, children's wards, and the radiation therapy waiting area (Glandore Centre, first in Ireland). MCC Kim has been present since 2019. A six-week quality improvement initiative studied dog therapy benefits for patients and staff.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Service Dogs Inc. US non-profit that trains and places service dogs with children and adults, including autism service dogs. Comparable in beneficiary focus, service category, and non-profit charity model.
• Dogs for Good: UK charity (formerly Dogs for the Disabled) that trains assistance dogs for children with autism, physical disabilities, and dementia. Comparable in service mix, voluntary/donation funding model, and ADI-accredited operating standards, with a larger scale and longer UK track record.
• NEADS (National Education for Assistance Dog Services): US non-profit training service dogs for individuals with disabilities, including children with autism. Comparable in service category, ADI accreditation, and non-profit operating model.
• Irish Guide Dogs: Ireland's other major service dog charity, historically focused on guide dogs for the blind but now also placing autism assistance dogs (~30% of Ireland's annual autism service dogs). Directly comparable in mission, accreditation status, and target geography.
• Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland: Ireland's third autism service dog provider, placing ~20% of Ireland's annual autism service dogs. Same end beneficiary (autistic children and families), same country, same ADI-aligned standards — direct competitor for both families and donations.
• 4 Paws for Ability: US non-profit that places service dogs with children with disabilities including autism. Directly comparable in target beneficiary (autistic children), donation-funded model, and high-volume breeder-puppy pipeline approach.
• Autism Service Dogs of America: US-based organisation specifically focused on placing service dogs with children with autism. Closest comparable in narrow-mission focus on autism service dogs, complementing MCC's primary programme.

Broad incumbents

• Canine Companions for Independence: Largest US service dog organisation, providing service dogs including for autism support. Comparable in mission, ADI accreditation, and volunteer-driven training model, but operates at national scale across multiple disabilities categories.
• Guide Dogs UK: UK's largest service dog charity, now placing autism assistance dogs alongside traditional guide dogs. Comparable in donation model, training methodology, and ADI accreditation, but operates at a much larger scale and broader scope.

Others

• Pet Partners: US non-profit operating the largest therapy animal registry in the world, including therapy dog visits to schools, hospitals and universities. Comparable to MCC's school therapy and PAWS @ UCC programmes rather than its autism service dog offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mycaninecompani
• Facebookfacebook.com/MyCanineCompanion
• Instagraminstagram.com/mycaninecompanion
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/my-canine-companion

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 My Canine Companion