Autism Support Dogs

TheOneWhoOverthinks · 2022-08-14T02:15:55+00:00

Does anyone have any experience of autism support dogs for adults? I know this is a thing and I suspect I’d really benefit from it - I’ve also had it suggested by professionals. Unfortunately I’m panicking at the overwhelm of all of the information available. There seems to only be one charity that can provide dogs for no cost for an adult (willing to consider paying but I’m extremely low income). However, this charity’s waitlist has been closed for a while. I also can’t figure out how to check if the dog provided is a registered assistance dog - as one of my main challenges is going out independently. I’m hoping the wise mumsnetters might be able to give some suggestions?

ofwarren · 15/08/2022 12:49

Just bumping this
I've see that one of the charities has opened their list again. I can't remember which off the top of my head though. Possibly Dogs for Autism.

paddingtonbear1 · 23/08/2022 09:37

Hi, my daughter has an autism support dog - she is 19 and we got him last October. We got him through Autism Dogs, they are based in Congleton. They were a community interest company but have recently changed to charity status.

ofwarren · 23/08/2022 09:38

paddingtonbear1 · 23/08/2022 09:37

Hi, my daughter has an autism support dog - she is 19 and we got him last October. We got him through Autism Dogs, they are based in Congleton. They were a community interest company but have recently changed to charity status.

Wonderful!
Do you mind talking us through the process? Did you have to pay?

paddingtonbear1 · 29/08/2022 17:25

Hi, sorry for the delay in getting back to this!
Yes, we did have to pay. It was £££'s, we used inheritance money but we know other families who did fundraising. They've now changed to a charity so there may well be more help with the costs.
When my daughter applied we had to fill in an initial application (you did need to have an official autism diagnosis to apply). Within a couple of weeks we heard we'd got through to the next stage, which was a phone call. Once we were accepted onto the programme, it was a few months before a suitable dog came available - the 'matching' process. The dog goes through rigorous basic and advanced training (the advanced includes tasks specific to you), before getting delivered - this generally takes around 6 months. For us it took longer as the first dog didn't turn out to be suitable, and covid didn't help!
We are first time dog owners, and it hasn't all been plain sailing! He has helped my daughter get out and about more though - before, she would rarely leave the house, and never without myself or dh. This last Saturday, she got the train to meet a friend and spent the day with her!
You do also get aftercare support for the lifetime of the dog.

Their website is Autism dogs

ribbonola · 29/08/2022 22:13

paddingtonbear1 · 29/08/2022 17:25

Hi, sorry for the delay in getting back to this!
Yes, we did have to pay. It was £££'s, we used inheritance money but we know other families who did fundraising. They've now changed to a charity so there may well be more help with the costs.
When my daughter applied we had to fill in an initial application (you did need to have an official autism diagnosis to apply). Within a couple of weeks we heard we'd got through to the next stage, which was a phone call. Once we were accepted onto the programme, it was a few months before a suitable dog came available - the 'matching' process. The dog goes through rigorous basic and advanced training (the advanced includes tasks specific to you), before getting delivered - this generally takes around 6 months. For us it took longer as the first dog didn't turn out to be suitable, and covid didn't help!
We are first time dog owners, and it hasn't all been plain sailing! He has helped my daughter get out and about more though - before, she would rarely leave the house, and never without myself or dh. This last Saturday, she got the train to meet a friend and spent the day with her!
You do also get aftercare support for the lifetime of the dog.

Their website is Autism dogs

I just looked at that website. They look great but just short of £15000? That's a lot of money 😥