The research takes 20 guide dogs, normally used by visually-impaired people, and re-trains them to assist people living with the condition, as well as their carers.
It is being undertaken by The University of Melbourne, Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs, and Dementia Australia, and the early results are encouraging.
Edie Mayhew was diagnosed with younger onset dementia in 2010. As part of the study, she's been paired with a white labrador called Melvin.