The Role of Assistance Dogs in Supporting Stroke Survivors

A stroke can change life in an instant. Everyday tasks — getting dressed, walking safely, or making a cup of tea — may suddenly become challenging. Recovery often involves finding new ways to do familiar things, rebuilding confidence, and regaining independence. One source of support that’s making a real difference for stroke survivors is the partnership between people and assistance dogs.

The scale of the challenge

According to the Stroke Association, stroke is one of the leading causes of disability in the UK. Every year, more than 100,000 people experience a stroke — that’s one person every five minutes — and around 1.3 million people are currently living with the long-term effects.

By 2035, this is expected to rise to over 2 million survivors across the UK.

The impact can vary widely, but common effects include:

• Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body

• Reduced balance or coordination

• Difficulty with speech, memory, or concentration

• Fatigue and pain

• Changes in mood, confidence, and social interaction

For many survivors, these changes can make independent living more difficult and lead to feelings of isolation or loss of purpose.

How assistance dogs can help

An assistance dog is trained to provide practical, emotional, and motivational support — helping stroke survivors rebuild daily routines and confidence. They are not just companions; they’re trained partners who can perform specific, tailored tasks to meet individual needs.

Mobility and daily living support

• Retrieve dropped items such as keys, phones, or remotes

• Open and close doors or drawers

• Carry small items or shopping bags

• Press accessible buttons or alarms

• Bring a walking aid or fetch help if needed

Upper-limb and fine-motor assistance

• Pull off socks or sleeves

• Tug open zips or Velcro

• Bring lightweight objects within easy reach

Emotional and cognitive support

• Provide gentle nudges or contact to interrupt anxiety or low mood

• Offer deep-pressure therapy for comfort and grounding

• Encourage daily routines such as taking medication or exercising

• Provide companionship, reducing loneliness and increasing motivation

Public access and social confidence

• Accompany their handler in shops, cafés, and on public transport

• Help create personal space in crowds

• Encourage confidence in social situations and public outings

The result is often a renewed sense of safety, self-reliance, and connection — key ingredients in long-term recovery and wellbeing.

The positive impact

Research and lived experience both highlight that rebuilding independence after stroke can improve not only physical outcomes but also mental health. Survivors often report feeling more motivated, confident, and connected when working alongside an assistance dog.

Family members and carers also benefit from reduced stress and greater peace of mind knowing their loved one has additional support.

Training your own assistance dog

The Adolescent Dogs Assistance Dog Programme empowers individuals to train their own dogs — with full guidance and support from our experienced trainers.

There are no waiting lists, no breed restrictions, and no need to start from scratch; we help tailor training to each person’s physical and emotional needs.

The programme includes:

• Step-by-step training videos covering over 450 skills from puppy basics to public-access behaviour and specialist tasks.

• Live trainer support seven days a week and optional weekly Zoom sessions.

• Awards and progress tracking from Puppy to Gold level.

• Public Access Testing from 18 months of age, mirroring or exceeding international standards.

• Flexible options, including self-training, one-to-one lessons, workshops, or residential training for an intensive boost.

Our goal is to create reliable, happy, and confident assistance dogs who can make a meaningful difference to their handler’s life — restoring independence, safety, and joy to everyday living.

Rebuilding life, together

Life after stroke is a journey of adaptation and rediscovery. With the right training, the right support, and the right dog, stroke survivors can find new ways to live independently, stay active, and rebuild confidence.

If you’d like to explore whether an assistance dog could help you or someone you know, our team is here to guide you through every step — from assessing suitability to developing tailored tasks and training plans.

Together, we can help make life after stroke not just about recovery, but about living fully again.

Find out more here: www.adolescentdogs.com/assistancedogs