Assistance Dogs NI - ADNI

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Assistance Dogs NI - ADNI Assistance Dogs Northern Ireland (ADNI) was founded in 2011 by Geraldine McGaughey with the help of Disability Action and Autism NI.

ADNI hopes to meet the need for more Assistance Dogs and training options for disabled people within Northern Ireland. Disability Assistance Dogs

Disability Assistance Dogs are trained to meet the needs of people with wheelchair mobility disability. They will be trained to carry out a number of specialized tasks tailored to meet each individual’s specific needs. Our Disability Assistance Dogs help people with mobility disabilities to live independently and with dignity, increasing quality of life and well-being. Autism Assistance Dogs

Although all Children with Autism will exhibit different behaviours, there are many aspects of their lives that an Autism Assistance Dog can help with as the dog is trained to meet the needs of both the child and the parents. The new companion can be a steadying influence for the child and become a calming presence which can minimise and often eliminate emotional outbursts. They can be trained to become a physical anchor for children with Autism with a tendency to bolt or wander. An Autism Assistance Dog can also help with:
Providing deep pressure to reduce behavioural or emotional outbursts. Reducing stress and anxiety of the child and everyone in the household. Facilitating and/or encouraging communication and eye contact. Helping the child transition through activities. Helping the child sleep through the night. Therapy Dogs

Our therapy dogs provide therapy give therapy within schools and hospitals etc.

19/10/2026
17/10/2026

Great Work Team Teddy ❤️🐾❤️
Assistance Dogs NI - ADNI

Dougal Maguire ADNI's first owner trained Autism Assistance dog was put through his Public Access Certification Test (PA...
15/10/2026

Dougal Maguire ADNI's first owner trained Autism Assistance dog was put through his Public Access Certification Test (PACT) this afternoon in Belfast with his owner Emer Maguire our local Patron.
ADNI are very pleased to share that Dougal and Emer passed the PACT.
Geraldine our CEO presenting Emer with Dougal's Assistance Dog stripes.
Congratulations to Emer and Dougal from everyone at Assistance Dogs NI.
Well done Emer, well done Dougal we knew you both could do it.

15/10/2026
10/10/2026
05/10/2026

Sometimes, the smallest things can make the biggest difference.
Assistance Dogs NI are incredibly proud to share the amazing work carried out by Mia one of our freelance Assistance/Therapy dogs in Ward 16 at Altnagelvin Hospital.
For many children and young people, having bloods taken can be a frightening and overwhelming experience. What should be a relatively quick process can sometimes take up to two and a half hours, with fear, tears and anxiety -and on some occasions, the bloods may not even be successfully taken.
But then there is Mia.
With Mia by their side, children and young people can feel calmer, safer and more reassured. Procedures that could take hours can sometimes be completed within just five minutes. No tears, no tantrums, less anxiety, less stress.
Just a child feeling supported, a parent or guardian feeling less worried, and hospital staff able to carry out their work with a calmer child or young person.
Mia may simply be lying beside them, offering comfort and companionship, but the impact she has is anything but small.
For a child or young person who is frightened Mia can be their little bit of courage. The BBC Newsline NI report aired on Friday 2nd October 2026 demonstrated her impact. Well done, Mia.
Mia is not the only ADNI dog that can undertake this work. When available Assistance Dogs NI has a number of other freelance Assistance/Therapy Dogs who can be booked to provide support for children, young people, and adults attending dental or medical appointments.
We do need to be honest and advise that there is a charge for this service. Assistance Dogs NI is a charity and, unfortunately, we receive no core funding. We rely on the incredible generosity of the public through donations, grants and fundraising, as well as the income generated through our social enterprises-including the work our wonderful assistance dogs carry out in settings such as the hospitals, schools, nursing/residential homes.
Every booking helps us continue the work we do and helps us make sure that assistance dogs like Mia can be there for someone who really needs that extra bit of comfort and support.
ADNI is incredibly proud of Mia and all of our amazing assistance dogs. They remind us every day that sometimes a wagging tail, a gentle presence and a whole lot of love can make an incredibly difficult moment just a little bit easier.

04/10/2026

Address

15 Connell Street Car Park
Limavady
BT490DB

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm

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