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Irish Dogs for the Disabled is a pioneering charity that trains specially
selected dogs to carry out a range of practical tasks to assist disabled
children and adults in order to achieve greater independence. We are a young
charity and 2008 will see the first of our dogs entering into their
partnerships, with over thirty dogs in training our future looks bright.
An assistance dog acts as a great ice-breaker enabling our clients to break
out of the isolation often experienced through disability. Every dog is
trained to help with simple everyday tasks such as opening doors, picking up
the morning post, emptying the washing machine, even retrieving dropped
items such as a TV remote, keys or a wallet.
Many of our partnerships now feel confident enough to take on new
activities and become active members of their community. For one disabled
adult it may simply mean being able to do a weekly shop, for another the
ability to return to work or to allow a disabled mother to look after her
children. A disabled child can ask his dog to carry a bag home from school.
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 Every assistance dog trained by the charity offers practical help to the
people we support. Our work with physically disabled
adults opening doors to independence, giving a new sense of
confidence and freedom, often long forgotten.
Children too are benefiting from assistance dogs giving a new sense of
purpose and hope for the future. |
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Photo on
left shows 4 month old trainee puppies 'Beatrice and Blossom with
Puppy Socialiser Rose Barry
Photo on left shows trainee assistance puppy, Abbie, along
with the Mangan family from Tralee who attended one of our regular
Training/Information Days in the Nano Nagle Centre in Ballygriffin, Mallow |
