Community Dogs

Community Dogs are specially trained dogs that work in facilities where they support children or adults with autism or other individual needs.

They work alongside a trained handler and the professionals in that setting to provide structured, goal-based support.

What does a Community Dog do?

Each Community Dog placement is different. The dog and handler work within a specific setting to support wellbeing, reduce stress and encourage engagement.

This may include helping a person feel calmer, supporting participation in activities, or working towards therapeutic or educational goals.

Important things to know

Community Dogs are trained to work in one specific facility. They are only given access to the setting where they are assigned to work.

They live with their designated handler and are not visiting dogs.

Where Community Dogs can work

Community Dogs may work in a range of settings, depending on the needs of the service and the outcome of assessment.

These can include schools, colleges, therapy rooms, healthcare settings, care settings, psychologists’ offices, hospices, and speech, language or occupational therapy rooms.

Community Dogs in educational settings

In schools and colleges, Community Dogs and their handlers can support students through planned, goal-based activities. They work alongside education staff and therapists as part of the wider learning environment.

This can help reduce stress, support emotional regulation and create more opportunities for learning, both in groups and one-to-one.

Community Dogs supporting adults

Community Dogs can also support adults in healthcare, therapy and support settings. In these environments, the dog and handler work alongside professionals such as therapists, support workers, social care practitioners and healthcare providers.

The dog may provide a calming presence, encourage participation, or help support specific therapeutic goals.

Before you apply

Before applying, the full facility needs to be supportive of the role of a Community Dog and understand what is involved. This includes management, staff and others who use the setting.

The facility must be willing to take part in assessment, training and follow-up support with Irish Guide Dogs.

Things to consider

Before applying, it is important to think about the practical responsibilities of having a Community Dog.

This includes making sure people in the setting are aware of the dog, considering allergies or phobias, planning for the dog's care and costs, having a suitable home environment, and making sure the dog has time to rest, exercise and recover outside working hours.

You will also need a plan for days when the dog is unwell, a quiet space for rest breaks during the working day, and a suitable toileting area within the facility grounds.

Training and ongoing care

Applicants must be available for training at our National Training Centre in Cork, as well as ongoing training at home and within the facility.

The welfare of the dog must always come first. Community Dogs are working dogs, so their suitability, comfort, health and workload must be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

How dogs are matched

We take great care in selecting the right dog for each facility. Matching is based on the dog's temperament, the applicant's home circumstances, the applicant's role in the facility, and the planned role of the dog.

Not every dog will be suited to every environment.