Aug 31, 2026
For Grace, the biggest challenge wasn’t the coursework. It was everything around it, the travel, the crowds, the being away from home without her mum by her side.
Before Makka, Grace had made it through her first year of college relying on a local-authority-funded taxi, door to door, and couldn’t go out anywhere without her mum. Grace said, “I struggled every day, I was on end, trying to get through my course with very little support.”
Her mum, Toni, remembers the uncertainty as Grace prepared to move up to Level 2.
“I don’t feel that she’d have been able to cope with all the stresses and strains of travelling. We weren’t sure how she’d cope with Level 2, or indeed whether she’d actually finish a year.”
Makka joined the family three weeks before term started, exactly when Grace needed him most. As Grace was studying Animal Management and working closely with small animals, he first had to prove he could stay calm and unpredatory around them. “We couldn’t have wished for Makka to be a better match to Grace,” Toni said. “He’s very gentle, very laid back, quite dopey, bless him. But also quite on the ball, and knows just when to interact with Grace.”
At college, Makka became Grace’s constant, giving her deep pressure therapy when overwhelmed, guiding her to a trusted staff member to re-regulate, and interrupting self-injurious behaviours like picking or nail-biting. He learned her boundaries too.
“I don’t like people in my space or touching me. Makka will block behind me to stop people coming too close, or will ‘orbit’ circle round me to keep people away.”
For the first year of their partnership, Grace still relied on the taxi. Then, bit by bit, Makka gave her back her independence. Eighteen months in, she began travelling home from college alone; within another year, she was making the outward journey too, most days on two buses each way.
“There is no way I could’ve done this without the support of my dog. We have come so far.”
That independence has only grown. Grace now travels to appointments, runs errands, and visits friends who’ve moved away, often navigating long or unfamiliar routes with Makka at her side. Once, when her mainline station in London was closed, she rerouted across the city with Makka, a sat-nav, and her mum on the phone. “This would never have been possible without Makka,” Toni said.
Grace went on to complete six years of college, gaining two Level 3 qualifications. She now works with horses, and is self-employed.
“Mac has radically transformed our life as a family, because he enables Grace to have the independence that any 20-something wants. She goes to work now, she has her own business, and she is her own person, rather than being somebody accompanied by a family member.”
Grace puts it simply:
“He’s my constant, my soul mate, my best friend.”
This September, help us begin more partnerships that can open the door to greater independence.
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Grace tells us what her life is like with Makka
Aug 31, 2026
For Thomas, school used to be a place where everything happened at once, and nothing stayed still long enough to make sense.
Before Megan, walking into school meant entering a building full of noise, movement and unpredictability, with no way to filter it all out. Thomas would come home overwhelmed, unable to regulate, and the meltdowns that followed were as hard on his family as they were on him.
Thomas describes it simply: before Megan, school “just wasn’t as comfortable.” He got nervous. He couldn’t tell what deserved his attention and what didn’t, as everything was happening all at once, everywhere. That changed when Megan arrived.
“Megan’s just been a lifesaver. She’s been brilliant. I just have this lovely ball of fluff which I can stroke. It’s really calming, stroking Megan in lessons, and there’s something to do with my arms when I’m listening in lessons.”
It’s Megan’s quiet, constant presence that makes the difference. When Thomas’s attention starts to drift to either a noise down the corridor, or a conversation two rooms away, anything but the lesson in front of him, Megan pulls him back.
“Megan brings my thoughts back into the lesson instead of them drifting away to wherever it is. The Megan magnet just draws my attention back into the moment. It’s been really helpful in lessons.”
Thomas’s Teaching Assistant has watched the change happen first-hand both in his grades and in him.
“He has breaks during the exam, and he’ll take a break and then he’ll go on the floor and Megan will come over to him and he’ll just lie with Megan. He regulates himself. Then he’ll have a few minutes and he gets back up again.”
Thomas has moved from an average set in Maths to the top of the top set. He is also heading into the top set for GCSE English, which is a significant achievement for a student who is both autistic and dyslexic. For his Teaching Assistant, witnessing just how much difference one dog can make has been quite extraordinary.
“It’s just absolutely magical to see. It’s just so emotional. He’s just really changed. Megan has just really changed his life.”
Thomas’s story is proof that the right support at the right moment can turn a school day from something to survive into something a young person can actually thrive in.
This September, help us give more autistic individuals a Megan of their own.
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Thomas explains what school life is like now he has Megan
Jul 21, 2026
National Lottery Communities Fund Grant
We are so pleased to announce that we have been awarded £17,160 from The National Lottery Community Fund to support the creation of life-changing partnerships between the autistic people on our waiting list and our fully trained autism assistance dogs specially selected for them.
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Clover has made an enormous difference to Holly’s life, both in terms of leaving the house and her emotional wellbeing. Before Clover was placed with Holly, she would rarely leave her room or interact with others which has significantly improved since she has had Clover. She has gained independence and the confidence to do new things.
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Holly’s Mum
Our mission is to empower autistic people to achieve their goals, improve access to their chosen communities and to enhance their emotional and physical wellbeing. We are so grateful for grants like this because they help us to continue to carry out the vital work we do. Thank you so much to everyone who plays the Lottery and to the National Lottery Community Fund for supporting our cause.
Jul 14, 2026
June’s Charity Skydive in Support of DFA
We are so grateful to June, who has recently completed her third major fundraising challenge with a charity skydive in support of Dogs for Autism and Dementia-Friendly Alton. June, now 92, has previously taken part in a microlight flight over Anglesey to celebrate her 90th birthday and an abseil down the Spinnaker Tower, both supporting local causes. Her remarkable fundraising journey has even been featured in the national press. Read her full, adrenaline-filled story from the weekly magazine Best here.
June’s most recent fundraiser was a Skydive from 10,000 feet, which is 30 seconds of freefall at 25 mph. Through this, she has already raised more than £1,500, which will be shared between Dogs for Autism and Dementia-Friendly Alton. June’s fundraising page is still live until Friday 31st July 2026, so if you wish to show your support for June’s bravery, you are able to do so here.
“Both charities do outstanding work, providing invaluable support to individuals and families in our community, and I would love to raise even more to help them continue making a difference.”- June
We are delighted to have been selected as one of June’s chosen charities for her skydive and our honoured to be a charity that June considers close to her heart.
On behalf of everyone at Dogs for Autism and the families whose lives are changed by our dogs, we would like to say a massive thank you to June for her courage and kindness. As a charity, we rely on the support of individuals like June, businesses and community partners. Their generosity helps us provide life-changing autism assistance dogs to autistic individuals across the UK, free of charge.
If you have been inspired by June’s story and want to start fundraising yourself, please check out our 100 Heroes page; every pound raised helps us change lives.
Video and images courtesy of GoSkydive.
Jun 15, 2026
Thank you to everyone who supported our Philip Jackson Open Gardens event.
Thanks to your generosity, the day was a tremendous success and raised valuable funds to help us continue providing autism assistance dogs to autistic people across the UK.
Thank you once again to everyone who attended and supported Dogs for Autism.
Video courtesy of J P Morley-Smith.
Jun 11, 2026
Dogs for Autism Wins Bluebird Care’s £1,000 Community Grant
We are absolutely delighted to receive a £1,000 Community Grant from Bluebird Care Alton, Petersfield & Havant.
As a charity, we rely on the generosity of individuals, businesses and community partners. Their support helps us provide life-changing autism assistance dogs to autistic children and adults across the UK, free of charge.
This funding will strengthen our aftercare programme and help us provide ongoing guidance, training and welfare support to every autism assistance dog partnership.
During the grant presentation, the Bluebird Care team met Jon and his autism assistance dog, Casper. They saw first-hand how an autism assistance dog can transform the life of an autistic child and their family.
Jon and Casper became partners in 2024 and have built an incredible bond. Casper offers reassurance, emotional support and stability, helping Jon face everyday life with greater confidence and calm. He has also made a significant difference to Jon’s sleep and overall wellbeing.
You can read more about their inspiring story here: The Magic of a Furry Friend.
We support every partnership long after placement. Our team carries out regular visits, provides refresher training and monitors each dog’s welfare. This ongoing support helps every partnership continue to thrive.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone at Bluebird Care Alton, Petersfield & Havant for their generosity and commitment to supporting local charities and communities.
On behalf of everyone at Dogs for Autism, and the families whose lives are changed by our dogs, thank you for helping us continue this important work.
Mar 25, 2026
Raffle House
We are absolutely delighted and honoured to once again be working alongside Raffle House as one of their chosen charity partners in their latest house draw.
Through this partnership, supporters who enter a Raffle House draw are able to select us as their nominated charity, directly helping to fund the training and placement of our dogs across the UK.
This partnership is already having a remarkable impact. Previous media coverage, including features in the Basingstoke Gazette, has showcased the thousands of pounds raised to support our work. Every ticket bought by someone choosing Dogs for Autism brings us one step closer to matching another autistic individual with a life‑changing assistance dog.
We are incredibly grateful to Raffle House for their ongoing commitment and for helping to raise vital awareness of our mission.
If you’d like the chance to win an extraordinary home while supporting our work, click the button below.
Enter the draw here
Aug 22, 2025
Phil and Felicity – A Life-Changing Partnership
Felicity and Phil are a shining example of how the partnership between an assistance dog and their person can transform lives.
Phil and Felicity are a testament to what having an assistance dog can achieve—their Medical Detection Dog and Dogs for Autism dual trained partnership embodies resilience, trust and mutual empowerment, every single day.
Felicity, an autistic young adult, lives with severe vestibular dysautonomia – a rare condition that causes her to collapse without warning. This combination made everyday life unpredictable and frightening, not only for her but for her whole family.
When overwhelming demand meant Felicity could not receive a dog through Dogs for Autism, the family rescued a 16-week-old Labrador puppy in January 2021 and named him Phil. Determined to give Felicity the support she needed, they undertook owner-training through Pawsable Assistance Dogs CIC.
Phil quickly showed his remarkable ability to alert Felicity ahead of collapses, giving her precious moments to seek safety and preventing countless injuries. He also performs a wide range of autism-related tasks, including deep pressure therapy, crowd control, locating safe exits, and recognising when a meltdown is imminent.
Phil’s outstanding progress led to the opportunity to join the Medical Detection Dogs Owner-Trainer programme, where his skills were further developed by world leaders in canine medical detection. With the support of Dogs for Autism and Medical Detection Dogs, Felicity and Phil became a unique dual-trained partnership, recognised by ADUK earlier this year.
The impact has been extraordinary. Felicity describes her journey with Phil as moving from “surviving to thriving.” She is back on the netball court, studying at college, volunteering at major league netball events, and enjoying public spaces and festivals with a confidence that once felt out of reach.
Phil is more than an assistance dog. He is Felicity’s lifeline, giving her independence, safety, and the freedom to embrace life to the full. In Felicity’s words ‘I have gone from surving to thriving’.
Jul 1, 2025
When Leo Long was partnered with a tiny 12 week old Cavapoo puppy named Cashel, a remarkable story of partnership and purpose began. Since then, Leo has emerged as a powerful and authentic voice in film, theatre, and music—always with Cashel quietly supporting him behind the scenes.
From Debut to Breakthrough: I Used to Be Famous
Leo made his on-screen debut in the 2022 Netflix film I Used to Be Famous, playing Stevie, an autistic drummer whose life is transformed through an unlikely friendship. The film reached number two in the UK and trended in over 60 countries. Leo’s nuanced performance was widely praised and led to a nomination for Breakthrough Performance at the British Independent Film Awards.
A Talent Beyond the Screen
Leo’s creativity and talent extend well beyond the world of film. His accomplishments include:
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Performing in Much Ado About Nothing with Ramps on the Moon, an inclusive theatre company championing disabled talent.
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Appearing in ITV’s Professor T.
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Contributing as a musician with both the National Open Youth Orchestra and the London Youth Folk Ensemble.
Latest Role: Teardrops from a Clown
Leo’s most recent role in Teardrops from a Clown continues to build on this momentum. The award-winning short film explores themes of connection and understanding through the story of a retiring clown and a neurodivergent teenager. Leo’s performance brings honesty and heart to a film that is already being recognised internationally for its impact.
Cashel: A Constant Support
Cashel plays an essential role in Leo’s life and has been by Leo’s side both on and off camera, offering calm, focus, and a reassuring presence, supporting Leo through the demands of acting and public life.
Leo and Cashel are living proof of what’s possible when the right support is in place. Their partnership shows how an assistance dog can open the door to greater independence, confidence, and opportunity—both in everyday life and in pursuing extraordinary goals. We’re proud to call them part of the Dogs for Autism family.
In Leo’s Words
“Cashel helps me stay calm when things get busy. He’s my best friend and my partner. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together.”
Watch this amazing award-winning short film about connection, understanding, and unexpected friendship here
Teardrops from A Clown
![Teardrops from A Clown](https://dogsforautism.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-01-142218.png")
Jun 2, 2025
Louis was born on 17th November 2024 and his training is coming along nicely.
He has been living with his wonderful puppy parents in Hampshire since January. During those important early weeks, he focused on settling into his new environment and learning to be a calm, confident, and well-behaved pup. Louis began his training journey with the basics—responding to his name, sitting, staying, and settling down—and he’s taken to it all brilliantly.
Louis favourite place of all is the beach, especially on a windy day!
He is a relaxed, happy little soul and a fantastic member of our puppy cohort. He’s already mastered early skills like sit and flat, and both his loose lead walking and recall are progressing really well.
Louis adores his daily walks and has made lots of doggy friends along the way. He’s also showing real promise with public access work, handling trips to shops and cafés like a pro. He’s an absolute delight
We’re so proud of this clever, calm boy and can’t wait to see what he’ll achieve next.
Thank you for leading the way with your support and bringing us a step closer to transforming the lives of families affected by autism.
Apr 2, 2025
In a touching interview with The Mirror, This Morning host Cat Deeley opens up about how our very own This Morning Star Buddy brought unexpected comfort during a time of personal loss. Her words highlight just how powerful the bond between humans and dogs can be — especially one as special as Buddy.
🔗 Read the full article here
Jan 22, 2025
The Duchess of Edinburgh’s Visit to Our Training Centre
On 21 January 2025, we were honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Edinburgh, to our Training Centre in Alton. This visit provided a unique opportunity to showcase the profound impact our assistance dogs have on the lives of autistic people.
Upon arrival, The Duchess was introduced to some of our incredible volunteers, fundraisers, Ambassadors and Board of Trustees. She also met some of our partnerships, who were able to share with her the positive impact our dogs have had on their daily lives.
She was then introduced to Louis, a nine-week-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the latest addition to our training programme. Affectionately nicknamed “Lord Louis of Spudringham” by our team – a tribute to Prince Louis and a nod to Charles’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk – Louis was bred by Rachel James, a specialist cardiac vet dedicated to addressing health challenges in Cavaliers. Louis completely charmed The Duchess, who joked about taking him home. Louis is poised to follow in the successful footsteps of his older sibling, Lexi, who is already in our training programme.
The Duchess also enjoyed demonstrations from three of our trainee assistance dogs – Jack, Finn, and Buddy (our resident ITV This Morning Pup) – who showcased their developing skills as future autism assistance dogs. Buddy delighted everyone by presenting The Duchess with a thoughtful birthday gift: her very own Louis soft toy that she could take home!
Finally, to mark this special visit, our Chair of Trustees, Zoe Lattimer, expressed gratitude to The Duchess for her support and invited her to unveil a commemorative plaque at our Training Centre.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to The Duchess of Edinburgh for her genuine interest and support. Her visit not only highlights the importance of our mission but also brings awareness to the vital role assistance dogs play in enhancing the lives of autistic individuals.
