If you're interested in contributing material for a blog post or a full blog post, please fill out our form. Please be aware that all blog posts must be educational in nature and no fundraising or promotional posts will be allowed. Members of the public may submit the initial interest form, but blog posts from ADI and ADI members are prioritized over publicly generated posts.
Inspirational and inclusive: celebrating the women behind our success
Published Friday, March 8, 2024 | by Chris Diefenthaler, Executive Director, Assistance Dogs International
As we mark International Women’s Day, I am particularly struck by this year’s theme: Inspire Inclusion. For me, that two-word phrase sums up what Assistance Dogs International (ADI) is all about. The inspirational work of our global network of members is only possible because we embrace inclusivity.
The Failte Programme 2024: Advancing Autism-Friendly Spaces with AADI
Published Thursday, February 15, 2024 | by David McCarthy, Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland
In 2023 Niall O'Halloran, a volunteer with us at Autism Assistance Dog Ireland (AADI), approached us with a problem. Niall, a lifelong professional in the hospitality sector, saw a need to support his colleagues in gaining a better understanding of autism and the needs of families working with service dogs. To help him engage his sector to better understand the needs of families living with autism, we developed our Failte Programme. At the core of the Failte Programme is the strategic use of autism assistance dogs in places we all frequent, such as restaurants, stores, and leisure spots.
The Power of Involving Incarcerated Individuals in Assistance Dog Training Programs: Experiences from Inside
Published Thursday, January 18, 2024 | by Samantha Jagt
Part 3 of our blog series on prison dog programs. Raising assistance dogs in prisons isn’t just about the dogs and the recipients who will one day receive a fully trained assistance dog. Involving incarcerated individuals in assistance dog training programs has significant impacts on the inmate trainers as well.
Empowering Independence: A Young Innovator's Journey with Assistance Dog Technology
Published Monday, December 4, 2023 | by Sydney Bolak
Navigating the world in partnership with an assistance dog has always demanded creative solutions to meet the diverse needs of handlers. Today, we present the incredible story of 9-year-old Kassidy and her service dog, Tibbs, from Paws Giving Independence.
Keeping us safe in the concrete jungle, one street at a time.
Published Tuesday, October 31, 2023 | by Chris Diefenthaler, Executive Director, Assistance Dogs International
It’s bad enough trying to navigate our increasingly challenging urban environments if you’re able-bodied or mentally robust. But for people with visual or hearing impairments, mobility issues or sensory challenges, the concrete jungle can be a nightmare.
The Power of Involving Incarcerated Individuals in Assistance Dog Training Programs: Looking at ADI Programs Across the Globe
Published Monday, October 2, 2023 | by Samantha Jagt
The practice of involving incarcerated individuals in the training of assistance dogs is a dynamic phenomenon that extends across the globe. From the United States to Ireland and Australia, these initiatives are making a significant impact on inmates, communities, and the lives of those in need.
The Power of Involving Incarcerated Individuals in Assistance Dog Training Programs
Published Tuesday, September 5, 2023 | by Samantha Jagt
The practice of engaging incarcerated individuals in the care and training of animals is not a new trend. Involving incarcerated individuals in the training of assistance dogs yields multifaceted benefits that extend to inmate handlers, prison staff, non-participating inmates, and the broader community. Numerous correctional facilities now collaborate with programs that breed, raise, and train assistance dogs, fostering benefits that reach far beyond individual participants.
Paths to Positive Partnerships: looking forward to the 2023 ADI conference
Published Monday, July 31, 2023 | by ADI
With the 2023 conference less than two months away, excitement is building here at Assistance Dogs International! It’s been seven long years since we last met in Europe, so this year’s event in Zagreb, Croatia, promises to be extra special.