Assistance Dogs NI - ADNI

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 he

lp 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.

01/09/2026
To everyone who has reached out enquiring about our assistance dog programme or signed up to the ADNI Newsletter — thank...
29/08/2026

To everyone who has reached out enquiring about our assistance dog programme or signed up to the ADNI Newsletter — thank you so much for your interest and support.

Geraldine, our Chief Executive Officer, is currently managing a very significant volume of enquiries, alongside substantial operational demands across the charity. Geraldine isn’t able to reply immediately, but every message is valued and will be responded to as soon as capacity allows.

Thank you for your patience and your continued support for ADNI.

26/08/2026

🐾 Ruffles' Summer Update! 🐾
Ruffles has had a fantastic summer, making the most of the beautiful weather with lots of long walks and outdoor adventures! ☀️🚶‍♀️
She has also been working hard to keep up with her training, and we're delighted to share that she successfully passed her annual assessment this month. 🎉🐶
Now, Ruffles is very excited to return to school, see all of the staff and pupils again, and get back to her important role in our school community. She is looking forward to another wonderful year of learning, friendship, and support.
We know many of our pupils will be delighted to welcome her back! ❤️🐾

🐶📚✨

26/08/2026

During the Radio Foyle interview aired on 12 August 2026, our CEO highlighted one of ADNI’s newer specialist services. To date, we have supported children and young people in Altnagelvin Hospital and the Children’s Hospital in Belfast, offering calm, regulated canine support during clinical experiences that can often feel overwhelming.

It is important to note that this specialist assistance is not limited to hospital settings. ADNI can provide the same support during dental appointments, medical procedures, and other clinical environments where individuals may experience distress or heightened anxiety. Our priority is always to reduce stress, promote comfort, and ensure each person feels safe and supported throughout their appointment.

Keep an eye online for further coverage of this vital service as ADNI continues to expand and strengthen our specialist support across Northern Ireland.

23/08/2026

Superstar alert ⚠️ 📢 ✨️. Potter the Riverside School Therapy dog 🐕 has been studying for his exams and passed with flying colours today! Round of "a paws" please! He will be waiting patiently for our pupils to put his skills to use.

22/08/2026

ADNI offers more than assistance dogs. We provide a range of specialist canine support services across Northern Ireland, including:

🐾 Home Canine Intervention & Therapy Dog Visits – wellbeing, comfort and emotional regulation at home.
🐾 Support for Medical & Dental Appointments – calm, grounding support during stressful clinical visits.
🐾 Workplace Therapy Dog Visits – boosting staff morale, reducing stress and supporting wellbeing.
🐾 Support for Individuals with a Fear of Dogs – gentle, structured sessions to build confidence safely.

If you’d like to learn more or book a session, we’re here to help. Contact Geraldine on07557960599 or [email protected]

Charlie was really missing his school's assistance/ therapy dog Prince over the summer holidays, so his mum booked him i...
22/08/2026

Charlie was really missing his school's assistance/ therapy dog Prince over the summer holidays, so his mum booked him in to see Lexi with his handler Gary.
Charlie was delighted to have a visit from Lexi, and the visit has helped Charlie look forward to his new school year start again, as it reminded him how much he enjoys his time with his school’s assistance/ therapy dog Prince. Charlie's mum is hoping that as the relationship develops that Lexi may be able to help Charlie attend dental and blood test appointments when necessary".
Fay (Charlie’s Mum)

Potter and Nancy passed their yearly assessment today as did all 36 other ADNI School Assistance dogs over this past few...
21/08/2026

Potter and Nancy passed their yearly assessment today as did all 36 other ADNI School Assistance dogs over this past few weeks. 👏 🐾

14/08/2026

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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