Debby Lucken has created the Working with Neurodivergent Kids and Their Dogs programme, which launched in March 2025 to fill a gap in resources for families of neurodivergent children.
Debby, Founder of Kids Around Dogs®, runs a professional community and decided to bring together experts in child psychology, speech therapy, play therapy, and assistance dog training to improve their skills and understanding. She explains, ‘The experts are helping you, the pet professionals, upskilling and understanding children and neurodivergent children.’ Debby explained, ‘There are so many families out there who either can’t wait for a charity to provide an assistance dog or don’t qualify because a child isn’t officially diagnosed.’
‘Dogs can be life-changing for neurodivergent children, helping them feel calm, navigate sensory challenges and improve communication skills. But these families need guidance to build the bond, and that’s where the course comes in.’ Now, KAD Approved Professionals can access this training as part of their membership, and other professionals can access it by purchasing it via our website.
Topics include understanding sensory processing issues, addressing Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria and preparing neurodivergent children for the loss of a pet.
Debby added, ‘As a parent of a neurodivergent child, I know how powerful the connection between a child and a dog can be. My daughter was diagnosed with autism last summer, after years of waiting, and our dog Winnie has been such a source of comfort to her. Sometimes just a gentle weight of Winnie resting her chin on Molly’s leg is enough to help her feel grounded when she’s overwhelmed.’
‘Through the course, I hope other families will be able to discover how special having a dog in their lives can be.’
After completing the course, pet professionals gain certification as neurodivergent kids and dog specialists, along with tools to use in their work. Debby explained that this is the first course that covers everything from the psychology of neurodivergence to practical dog training techniques.
‘We’re giving professionals the knowledge and resources to support families and really make a difference.’
To find out more, visit the website here -> www.kidsarounddogs.co.uk.
