Eight families from across Australia are about to go home with an autism assistance dog trained by Righteous Pups.

This will be the first lot of dogs to be placed with families by the Bendigo-based organisation.

The families, including one from Western Australia and one from Queensland, are in Bendigo for 10 days of intensive training with their dogs.

The dogs will assist a child in each family with autism spectrum disorder.

The labradors have undergone 18 months of training prior to meeting their new families.

Righteous Pups managing director Joanne Baker said during that time the pups had been fostered by Bendigo families.

“These are the first ones we’ve ever trained,’’ Ms Baker said.Ms Baker said meeting the children the dogs will assist made all the work worth while.

“I think for the past 18 months it has been a lot of blood, sweat and tears.

“We are eternally grateful to all the families in Bendigo that have fostered these dogs for the past 18 months.’’

Ms Baker said each of the families receiving an assistance dog would be based in Bendigo for at least the next nine days.

“They are learning how to integrate a dog into their child’s world.

“On Friday November 28 the dogs will graduate before going home with their new families.’’

Anybody interested in assisting Righteous Pups Australia through sponsorship or finding out about fostering a puppy can visit www.righteouspups.org.au or phone 5445 6036.