Introducing Our New Foundation Programme

The Foundation Programme, otherwise known as our puppy programme, is a unique pathway that allows you to raise your future assistance dog in your own home. Instead of matching you with an assistance dog in training, we match you with a puppy.

With our support and guidance, you look after your puppy, carry out their basic training and play a greater role in supporting their development into an assistance dog. Once your puppy is old enough, they come back to us for specialised training, where we teach them bespoke autism-assistance skills to support your needs.

The Foundation Programme allows you to build an unbreakable bond from the very beginning and take part in your dog’s journey towards becoming ADI qualified.

How is the FoundationProgramme different to the Residential Programme?

Whilst the outcome is the same – a qualified autism assistance dog. The journey is different. On the Residential Programme, dogs are raised and trained at our farm before being matched as adult dogs to handlers. On the Foundation Programme, your dog is delivered to you as a puppy. You play an essential role in training, loving and nurturing your puppy into adulthood, taking care of them in your own home. Once they reach 12/13 months, they return to our farm for advanced training in autism-specific support skills.

‍Programme Costs

The Foundation Programme costs £16,990, payable in 2 instalments.

• ‍£6,000 deposit
  Due when you sign your contract
• ‍£10,990 remaining balance
  Due when your puppy is delivered

Early payment discount

Families who pay the full programme fee within one calendar month of paying the deposit receive a 7% discount this July.

What is covered bythe programme?

• A micro-chipped puppy delivered within 8 weeks of enrolment (though it may take longer depending on procurement times)
• Monthly 1-to-1 home-based training sessions
• Monthly 1-to-1 home-based animal welfare sessions
• Access to psychotherapy and behavioural support for the whole family
• 8–12-week intensive advanced task training in bespoke autism assistance skills at our HQ
• A dedicated Programme Development Manager to guide you, and access to our specialised training and animal welfare teams.
• £25 per month towards a petplan (up until qualification)
• All dog food and essential dogequipment provided (up until qualification)
• Certification and equipment upon your dog’s successful qualification as an Assistance Dog.

How can I fund the programme?

Unfortunately, we do not offerbursaries or free places on our programmes. However, there are a variety of ways to fund your programme including:

• Local council and governmentgrants
• Grant-giving charities
• Crowd fundraising e.g. ‘Just giving’ & ‘Go fund me’

What breed are the puppies?

All puppies on the FoundationProgramme are labradors, or labrador mixes. Their loyalty, good-nature,calmness and confidence make them ideal assistance dogs.

‍Application Timescales

• Prepare Your Application
  To help you get ready, we’ve created a 🔗 downloadable preview of the application form. You can use it to prepare your answers before filling in the online form.
• Complete the Online Application
  Fill in all required fields in details to help us assess your suitability for the programme.
• Interview Stage
  Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a video interview with our team.
• Final Decision
  Successful applicants will be notified after the interview stage.

Led by Lived Experience

Autism Dogs Charity is proudly run by autistic people, for autistic people, ensuring that lived experience isat the heart of every programme we deliver.

• A full member of Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK) and Assistance Dogs International (ADI) recognised for meeting global benchmarks in training, welfare, and client support.
• ‍NAS Accredited - meeting the high standards set by the National Autistic Society.
• ‍Over 100 assistance dogs placed through our residential and foundation programmes, tailored to meet the unique needs of each client.
• Multi-disciplinary support model, combining professional dog training with psychotherapeutic and aftercare services.
• ‍Trusted partnerships with schools, health care professionals, and local authorities to ensure joined-up care and long-term success for every partnership.
• Inclusive community spaces, including our growing community groups and family networks, that offer peer support, shared learning, and ongoing encouragement.

‍Current application areas

We are currently accepting new applications from families based in:

• South West England, including Bristol, Bath, Wiltshire, Somerset and the Cotswolds

Spaces are limited and offered based on the availability of our trainers and welfare team in each area.

We may also be able to consider applications from families in the following areas, although spaces are not currently guaranteed:

• London area, including parts of Berkshire and Kent
• The North of England, including Cheshire and Manchester
• East of England, including Lincolnshire

This helps us ensure families receive the right level of in-person support throughout the programme.

‍Ready to take the next step? Apply now to join our Autism Assistance Dog Programme.