Lack of funds denies autistic children assistance dogs

Hundreds of autistic children are being denied the companionship of a life- transforming assistance dog due to a lack of funds.

Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind has changed the lives of over 250 families with children who have autism through its services since 2005.

However, dwindling donations to the Cork-based charity — which relies on fundraising to meet 80% of its €4.4m annual running costs — have forced the organisation’s chiefs to turn away new applicants.