Service dogs are specifically trained to help individuals living with physical, psychiatric, intellectual or sensory disabilities.
Service dogs© David Osberg/Getty Images
Service dogs can help with physical needs like guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair and alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure. Dogs can also help with mental illness by reminding someone to take medications or calming a person with PTSD during an anxiety attack. Many individuals depend on service dogs to help them live their everyday lives.
Before you or a family member get a service dog, check your local laws about eligibility requirements and plan how you will be able to afford one.
Service dogs vs. emotional support dogs
Service dogs differ from emotional support dogs in that a service dog is trained to perform a job that their owner cannot. Service dogs are protected by the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act, Fair Housing Act and Air Carrier Access (ACA) Act.
An emotional support dog is a comfort animal that provides therapeutic benefits. Support animals do not have to be specifically trained. Emotional support dogs are protected under the Fair Housing Act and ACA Act but are not protected under the ADA Act.
Costs of getting and owning a service dog
The exact cost of purchasing a service dog varies by breed but can be anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000. Some service dogs can cost far more, as much as $50,000.
There are also annual costs associated with caring for your service dog, including food, vet visits and checkups, vaccinations, toys and possibly even training. All of these things can add up. Owners spend anywhere from $500 to as much as $10,000 per year on such expenses.
If you have a dog and simply want to train him to be a service animal, expect to spend from $150 to $250 per hour on a professional dog trainer. The final cost will depend on how much time it takes to fully train your dog. The overall price tag will also be impacted by the tasks your dog must learn. More complex tasks take longer to learn and thus incur more training fees. It can take some dogs up to two years to fully train to perform required tasks.
For many individuals who need a service dog, these costs might be out of budget. However, several organizations provide free or partial financial assistance to veterans, individuals who are visually impaired and individuals with physical disabilities. These organizations may also provide alternative methods of financing a service dog, even if you don't meet the requirements to receive full financial assistance.
How to get a service dog
If you're ready to find your new companion, start with these steps:
Financing options
A service dog's initial costs and subsequent upkeep can be overwhelming, but you may be eligible for financing help.
Grants
Several organizations provide grant assistance for individuals who need a service dog. Organizations that can help include the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which provides service dog benefits and matches vets with accredited organizations. Nonprofit organizations also train and match service dogs with people in need. For a full list of resources, see the list below.
Fundraising
Some organizations provide partial financial assistance for the cost of service dogs and encourage families to fundraise the remaining amount in their community through various channels.
FSA accounts
You can use a flexible spending account (FSA) attached to your insurance policy to buy a service dog if you get a letter of medical necessity (LMN) from your doctor.
Personal loans
If you don't meet specific requirements for financial assistance from an organization and cannot fundraise, personal loans can be another option for financing your service dog. Unlike grants or fundraisers, personal loans must be repaid, but you may be able to find loan amounts high enough to cover the costs of adoption, training and vet visits, even if you have bad credit.
However, taking out a personal loan for a service dog could be financially risky. A dog is a long-term investment and will require food, vet visits and other costs. Taking on an investment like that by putting yourself into debt is not a good idea unless you feel certain you will be able to pay the loan off on time and afford your dog's needs.
Programs that provide complete or partial financial assistance
Finding the best organization for your specific area and needs is important. Below is a list of fully accredited organizations, programs and grants that can help. For a geographical search of all accredited service dog organizations, visit Assistance Dogs International and enter your exact geographical location.
Programs for veterans
The VA provides service dog benefits and refers people to accredited agencies. Many organizations do not charge for the dog or the dog's training:
Programs for people with autism
Service dogs may employ several strategies to work with individuals with autism, including behavior disruption, tethering and search and rescue tracking.
Service dogs© David Osberg/Getty Images
Service dogs can help with physical needs like guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair and alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure. Dogs can also help with mental illness by reminding someone to take medications or calming a person with PTSD during an anxiety attack. Many individuals depend on service dogs to help them live their everyday lives.
Before you or a family member get a service dog, check your local laws about eligibility requirements and plan how you will be able to afford one.
Service dogs vs. emotional support dogs
Service dogs differ from emotional support dogs in that a service dog is trained to perform a job that their owner cannot. Service dogs are protected by the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act, Fair Housing Act and Air Carrier Access (ACA) Act.
An emotional support dog is a comfort animal that provides therapeutic benefits. Support animals do not have to be specifically trained. Emotional support dogs are protected under the Fair Housing Act and ACA Act but are not protected under the ADA Act.
Costs of getting and owning a service dog
The exact cost of purchasing a service dog varies by breed but can be anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000. Some service dogs can cost far more, as much as $50,000.
There are also annual costs associated with caring for your service dog, including food, vet visits and checkups, vaccinations, toys and possibly even training. All of these things can add up. Owners spend anywhere from $500 to as much as $10,000 per year on such expenses.
If you have a dog and simply want to train him to be a service animal, expect to spend from $150 to $250 per hour on a professional dog trainer. The final cost will depend on how much time it takes to fully train your dog. The overall price tag will also be impacted by the tasks your dog must learn. More complex tasks take longer to learn and thus incur more training fees. It can take some dogs up to two years to fully train to perform required tasks.
For many individuals who need a service dog, these costs might be out of budget. However, several organizations provide free or partial financial assistance to veterans, individuals who are visually impaired and individuals with physical disabilities. These organizations may also provide alternative methods of financing a service dog, even if you don't meet the requirements to receive full financial assistance.
How to get a service dog
If you're ready to find your new companion, start with these steps:
- Determine your eligibility. While exceptions exist, typically, you must meet a threshold for certain medical conditions and the severity of those conditions to qualify for a service dog. Your condition may also determine the breed of dog you should look for. If you have questions, speak with your doctor.
- Find a program. Many programs match people with service dogs, and most specialize in certain medical conditions or needs. The programs listed on this page are a good place to start; it's always best to compare a few different providers. You may also choose to put your dog through training, which may be more time-consuming and expensive.
- Gather supplies. Before your service dog comes home, you'll want to prepare your living space with dog food, toys and other pet supplies. You may also wish to get service dog certification. This certificate is optional, but you may carry it publicly and show it to inquirers instead of explaining your condition.
Financing options
A service dog's initial costs and subsequent upkeep can be overwhelming, but you may be eligible for financing help.
Grants
Several organizations provide grant assistance for individuals who need a service dog. Organizations that can help include the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which provides service dog benefits and matches vets with accredited organizations. Nonprofit organizations also train and match service dogs with people in need. For a full list of resources, see the list below.
Fundraising
Some organizations provide partial financial assistance for the cost of service dogs and encourage families to fundraise the remaining amount in their community through various channels.
FSA accounts
You can use a flexible spending account (FSA) attached to your insurance policy to buy a service dog if you get a letter of medical necessity (LMN) from your doctor.
Personal loans
If you don't meet specific requirements for financial assistance from an organization and cannot fundraise, personal loans can be another option for financing your service dog. Unlike grants or fundraisers, personal loans must be repaid, but you may be able to find loan amounts high enough to cover the costs of adoption, training and vet visits, even if you have bad credit.
However, taking out a personal loan for a service dog could be financially risky. A dog is a long-term investment and will require food, vet visits and other costs. Taking on an investment like that by putting yourself into debt is not a good idea unless you feel certain you will be able to pay the loan off on time and afford your dog's needs.
Programs that provide complete or partial financial assistance
Finding the best organization for your specific area and needs is important. Below is a list of fully accredited organizations, programs and grants that can help. For a geographical search of all accredited service dog organizations, visit Assistance Dogs International and enter your exact geographical location.
Programs for veterans
The VA provides service dog benefits and refers people to accredited agencies. Many organizations do not charge for the dog or the dog's training:
- America's VetDogs
- Brigadoon Service Dogs
- K9s For Warriors
- NEADS
- Patriot PAWS
- Retrieving Freedom, Inc.
Programs for people with autism
Service dogs may employ several strategies to work with individuals with autism, including behavior disruption, tethering and search and rescue tracking.