Charity forced to freeze waiting list for assistance dogs as donations fall

A charity has been forced to freeze a waiting list for life-changing assistance dogs following a major drop in donations.

Cork-based Irish Dogs for the Disabled, which trains assistance dogs for adults and children with special needs, has seen a 40% to 50% drop in donations in many areas since January, as recent controversies surrounding charities such as Rehab are “affecting the trust and goodwill of the public”.

Jennifer Dowler of Irish Dogs for the Disabled with Harry, an assistance dog-in-training. (Photo: Niall O'Sullivan)

This has forced the charity to take the difficult decision to freeze its waiting list for assistance dogs as it cannot guarantee to provide the dogs to any more people.

The charity has committed to provide the dogs to those already on its five-year waiting list.

A statement issued by the charity said: “We receive no government funding and only have a few months reserves unlike many charities.”

Jennifer Dowler, the charity’s CEO, says they simply cannot sustain the charity on such limited funds. “Every collection since January has been down by at least €1,000,” she said. “It costs us €15,000 just to train one dog and we train at least 20 every year so something like this is the worst thing that could happen.”

The nationwide service is run by a staff of two. The dogs are trained by voluntary puppy socialisers around the country before moving on to homes.

Assistance dog Harry (Photo: Niall O'Sullivan)

To date, the charity has provided 165 assistance dogs to physically disabled children and adults.

“Some 85% of our clients are children aged between 6 and 12-years old. The dogs have a life- changing impact on them,” said Ms Dowler.

For more information go to dogsfordisabled.ie