RAD Assistance Dogs

18/01/2026

RAD Assistance Dogs is sad to announce that we are no longer taking on clients and will shortly close.

We want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported RAD over the years – thanks to you, we’ve been able to help a huge number of people living with a long-term mental health condition and/or autism to train and handle their own life-changing assistance dog.

If you are a former client with a question, a business wanting information, or if you are looking to train or apply for an assistance dog, please see our website homepage for further information: https://www.radassistancedogs.org.uk

04/11/2025

From now until the new year, one of the big challenges for dog owners is managing how our pups feel about fireworks!

Whether you’re looking out for your AD or pet dog, here are some top tips for helping hounds through firework season:

1) Create them a safe space and help them find this before the fireworks begin.

2) Close your windows and curtains to muffle the sound of fireworks.

3) Put on some calming music or the TV to dull the sounds outside.

4) Walk your dog in the daylight to avoid being out when fireworks are set off.

5) Try to desensitise them by playing firework sounds and creating a positive association.

6) Ask your vet for advice if your dog is particularly upset by fireworks.

19/09/2025

Throughout September if you shop with Ebay through Easyfundraising with us as your nominated cause we will be automatically entered into a draw for £500.

Please remember to use EVERY time you shop online. Over 8,000 retailers will donate to RAD Assistance Dogs for FREE when you use to shop with them, so you can support us no matter what you’re buying! If you haven’t signed up yet, it’s easy and completely FREE. Please sign up and help us raise more at:

Help us when you shop with 7,000+ brands. Join now.

06/09/2025

We're hiring for a part-time dog trainer! 💼🐾

If you're a qualified dog trainer keen to use your skills to empower people to train their own life-changing assistance dog, RAD would love to hear from you!

As part of our small but dedicated Dog Training team, you will play a key role in the delivery and ongoing development of our assistance dog training programme.

In this role, you'll work closely with clients living with a long-term mental health condition and/or autism, so we're particularly keen to hear from applicants with an understanding of these conditions, either personally or professionally.

Interested in joining our pack? Visit our Work for us webpage to find out more about the role and apply: https://www.radassistancedogs.org.uk/work-for-us

06/08/2025

By definition, assistance dogs are highly trained to perform tasks or behaviours that mitigate some of the barriers their disabled handler might face - but what does this mean in practice for RAD assistance dogs?

Dogs that join RAD’s training programme are primarily working to support their handler with a long-term mental health condition and/or autism, so many of the behaviours we train focus on supporting emotional regulation and interrupting signs of distress.

Here are just some of the ways RAD dogs can support their handler - both at home and when out and about:

- Interrupt anxious behaviours such as skin picking

- Use scent to alert to possible anxiety attacks or panic attacks

- Interrupt crying or other signs their handler is in distress

- Lead their handler to an exit if they become overwhelmed

- Offer Deep Pressure Therapy to help their handler regulate

If you or someone you know could benefit from the life-changing impact of training their dog to perform assistive tasks such as the above, you can find out more about becoming a client of RAD on our website: https://www.radassistancedogs.org.uk/join-rad

29/07/2025

Wondering what RAD's all about?

Here are 7 things to know about our charity...

1. We empower our clients with the skills to train their own life-changing assistance dog.

2. We support clients living with a long-term mental health condition and/or autism.

3. We're based in Leicester and primarily work with clients living within two hours of us.

4. Dogs on RAD's programme learn a range of assistive and public access skills.

5. We're mainly volunteer-run, with much of the team having lived experience of the conditions we support.

6. We're candidates of Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and ADUK.

7. Our client waiting list is currently open - if you're interested in learning more about training your dog with us, visit: https://www.radassistancedogs.org.uk/join-rad