A new assistance dog programme for people with ADHD

After many years of supporting autistic clients who also have ADHD, the Autism Assistance Dogs Charity is opening a special programme for people with a formal ADHD diagnosis.

Applications are curently open in July 2026 for a small and limited number of places. Applicants do not need to have an autism diagnosis.

The programme is intended for people whose ADHD has an ongoing impact on everyday life and whose needs may be supported by specific tasks performed by a trained assistance dog.

Raise your future assistance dog from puppyhood

Successful applicants will be matched with a puppy to raise in their own home, with guidance from our training, animal welfare and therapeutic teams.

Participants will be responsible for their puppy’s daily care, routines, socialisation and early training. They will also attend regular appointments, provide progress updates and follow guidance designed to support the puppy’s development and welfare.

When the dog reaches approximately 12 to 13 months of age and is ready to progress, they will return to the Autism Assistance Dogs Charity for advanced assistance-dog training.

This will include individually selected tasks based on the handler’s assessed needs. Possible tasks may include:

• responding to alarms;
• retrieving essential items;
• interrupting prolonged hyperfocus;
• supporting transitions between activities; or
• providing a trained response during overwhelming situations.

All tasks are assessed individually. No particular outcome or benefit can be guaranteed.

Programme responsibilities

Applicants must be able to:

• provide a safe and stable home environment;
• meet the puppy’s daily care, exercise, rest and welfare needs;
• take part in basic training and appropriate socialisation;
• attend monthly home-based training sessions;
• attend monthly home-based animal-welfare sessions;
• engage with psychotherapy and behavioural support;
• complete agreed updates, reports and training activities;
• report health, welfare or behavioural concerns promptly;
• attend handler training and aftercare appointments; and
• follow decisions made to protect the dog’s welfare.

Receiving a puppy does not guarantee that the dog will qualify as an assistance dog.

Programme cost

The programme costs £16,990, payable in two instalments:

£6,000 deposit
Due when the programme agreement is signed.

£10,990 remaining balance
Due when the puppy is delivered.

Applicants who pay the full programme fee within one calendar month of paying the deposit will receive a 7% early payment discount during July 2026.

The Autism Assistance Dogs Charity does not currently offer bursaries or free programme places.

What is included

The programme includes:

• a microchipped, Kennel Club-registered puppy;
• monthly one-to-one home-based training;
• monthly one-to-one home-based animal-welfare sessions;
• access to psychotherapy and behavioural support;
• advanced assistance-dog training at our headquarters;
• support from our programme, training and welfare teams;
• £25 per month towards a pet plan until qualification;
• dog food and essential equipment until qualification;
• certification and equipment following successful qualification; and
• structured aftercare support.

Application areas

We are accepting applications from selected areas within:

• London and parts of Berkshire and Kent;
• Bristol;
• North West England;
• Lincolnshire; and
• Glasgow.

Places depend on the availability of our trainers and animal-welfare team in each area.

How to apply

Applicants must provide a formal ADHD diagnostic report completed by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a video interview and asked to provide further information about their needs, home environment and support arrangements.

Each application will be assessed carefully. Places will not be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Applications open in July 2026 for a small and limited number of places.