Community Dogs

Community Dogs support either adults or children with autism or different individual needs.

Applications to our Community Dog Programme are now open. Before applying, please do read the material below and our FAQs.

What does a Community Dog do?

Community Dogs are specially trained to serve within specific facilities, fulfilling unique therapeutic roles that support the well-being of the people they interact with. While all Community Dogs perform some form of therapeutic task, each dog—and each facility—is different. As a result, not every dog is suited to every type of environment.

It is important to know that:

• Community Dogs are granted access only to the facility where they are assigned to work.

• Community Dogs reside with their designated handler.

• Community Dogs are not visiting dogs.

Where can a Community Dog be assigned?

Community Dogs in Educational Settings

The Community Dog, along with their trained handler, becomes part of the essential learning process within educational settings i.e. primary and secondary schools, and third level institutions. The dog and handler work alongside the educational staff and educational therapists to help reduce stress and increase the learning potential of the students by goal directed interventions. Together, the trained dog and handler participate in classroom activities and work with individual students and groups.

Community Dogs for Adults

The specially trained dog and handler work alongside either a therapist, social care practitioner, support worker or healthcare provider. The dog may be used as a supportive, calming influence for a patient in a session. Alternatively, the human services professional may require the dog to help motivate a person to engage more in activities and direct a session towards meeting specific goals to support each person’s needs.

Community Dog in other Facilities

Community Dogs can be trained to work in various facilities as listed below. This list is not exhaustive, and all applicant facilities are subject to assessment and approval before training commences.

• Therapy rooms

• Healthcare facilities

• Care facilities

• Psychologists’ offices

• Care facilities

• Hospices

• Speech, language & occupational therapy rooms

Considerations Before Applying

Before applying to join our Community Dog Programme, a facility in which the dog will be working needs to be fully on board with the concept and practicalities of having a Community Dog onsite. The board of management and all personnel within the facility should have full knowledge of the initial application and follow up assessments.

The facility must also agree to a initial training and suitability assessment by Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. This will take time out from their working role while training is taking place.

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

Things to consider:

• Has everyone (those individuals studying/working/receiving care onsite) been notified about the consideration of a Community Dog? Is anyone allergic to dogs or has a phobia of dogs? Is there a way you can warn and avoid situations with people who have phobias/allergies or have not given consent?

• Who will cover the costs of having a dog? e.g. food, vet bills

• Do you have a safe home environment for a dog? e.g. enclosed garden

• Do you have the time to exercise the dog and provide mental stimulation outside of the dog’s working hours?

• If the dog is sick and needs to have the day off, have you made a backup plan for these days? Is there anyone else who can check up on the dog at home during this time?

• Assessments of the dog’s suitability must be continuous and ongoing. The trained individuals who are responsible for the well-being of the Community Dog must ensure that the dog is healthy, well-rested, comfortable, and cared for during and after the sessions.

• As Community Dogs are working dogs, they need limitations put on the number of hours worked per day. Is there a suitable place for the dog to settle while working and where he/she can have uninterrupted sleep breaks in-between sessions?

• Is there potential on the facility grounds for a designated area where you intend to allow the dog to use for spending (toileting)?

How is a Community Dog selected for a Facility?

Care is taken to select the correct Community Dog for a facility. This will be determined by:

• the dog’s temperament.

• the applicant’s home circumstances.

• the applicant’s role within a facility; and

• the planned role for the Community dog within the facility.

Availability of suitable dogs as part of our Community Dog Programme cannot be guaranteed. Our priority will be for dogs to succeed on our Guide and Assistance Programmes. Our Community Dog Programme is dependent on the availability of suitable dogs. Based on our current supply of pups, we estimate that we will not have more than 15 dogs maximum to place on this programme over the next 2 years. The acceptance of an application does not guarantee the provision of a dog. Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind reserves the right to refuse an application.