Dogs for the disabled benefit confidence and independence

DOGS such as golden retrievers are helping disabled children with a range of difficulties, from walking to sleeping. Irish Dogs for the Disabled was set up in 2007 to meet a previously unmet need and has 80 dogs in placement with families.

While there are guide dogs for the blind and dogs to help children with autism, Irish Dogs for the Disabled is the only charity supplying assistance dogs for physically disabled clients. About 85% of clients are children, mostly aged six to 12, with conditions including cerebral palsy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and brain injury.

Irish Dogs for the Disabled has a three- to five-year waiting list. Dogs are “sensible, mature and ready for what will be thrown at them” when they’re about two years old, by which time they will have had six months training, says Jennifer Dowler, who co-founded the organisation.