How much do service dogs cost?

For many people with disabilities, service dogs are absolutely essential. These animals make everyday life more manageable and enjoyable. Nevertheless, getting a service dog can be a challenging and stressful task due to their high costs. Getting and maintaining a service animal can be extremely expensive, what with adoption fees, training expenses, veterinarian visits, and other expenses. Learn about the costs of owning a service dog in this guide, and find out how to pay for your own.

Although the precise price will depend on the breed of dog and the kind of training it receives, you can anticipate spending between $15,000 and $30,000 up front to purchase a service dog. Some service dogs can cost as much as $50,000. Many pet owners spend between $500 and $10,000 annually on their dog’s upkeep in addition to these initial costs. These annual costs include things like food, vet visits, shots, toys, and additional training.

Who Can Benefit from a Service Dog?

The first thing that usually comes to mind when thinking of a service animal is a guide dog for the visually impaired. But service dogs can be of assistance to people with all sorts of disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a service animal as “a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.” The definition goes on to add that, “The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability.”

Conventional roles that service dogs fill include:

Guide dogs, also known as Seeing Eye dogs, can assist the visually impaired in travel and a range of other tasks.

Signal dogs for the hearing impaired are used to alert owners to sounds such as knocks on the door.

Seizure response dogs learn to assist those with seizure disorders. Some are even carefully trained to detect seizures before they happen, allowing the individual to get to a safe place.

Sensory signal dogs are utilized by those with conditions like autism. They can alert owners when they are engaging in repetitive movements like hand flapping, helping them control the urges.

Psychiatric service dogs help those with disabilities such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They can detect the onset of episodes, keep their handler calm and safe, and perform a wide array of other tasks.

What services do service dogs provide?

From the more physically demanding (like a guide or seeing-eye dog) to the more subtle (like those that warn their handlers of an impending seizure), service dogs provide a wide range of services. There are common categories that many service animals fall under because of the diverse range of services that can be offered. The most common include:

Guide or Seeing-eye Dogs, who provide support to the blind and visually impaired

Hearing or Signal Dogs, who alert hearing impaired handlers to important sounds

Seizure Response Dogs, who provide support for handlers with epilepsy

Psychiatric Service Dogs, who have been trained to provide support to those with extreme mental illnesses, such as PTSD or schizophrenia

Sensory Signal Dogs or Autism Assistance Dogs, who have been trained to assist individuals with Autism-related behaviors, such as wandering or difficulty sleeping

Each of these categories needs specialized training, which frequently benefits the handler greatly. However, this training isn’t free. This brings us back to our original query: what is the price of getting a service dog?

Should You Buy a Trained Dog or Train One You Already Own?

You have two options for getting a service dog: you can train your current dog or adopt one that has already been trained.

Buying a dog that has already been trained has the advantage that you can use their services right away. If you decide to train your dog, it could take months or even years to complete. A dog you already own might not even qualify as a service dog in some circumstances.

It takes a lot of training for a service dog to be skilled enough to aid a person with a disability. Trainers put hours of work into each animal, so buying a service dog is not cheap. According to the National Service Animal Registry, the average cost of a service dog is around $15,000-$30,000 upfront. Some can even cost upwards of $50,000 depending on their specific tasks and responsibilities.

The ADA does not require service or support animals to receive professional training. This means that an owner could theoretically train their dog if they desired to do so. There are training programs and service dog certifications available online that can assist in this, including the Canine Good Citizen program sponsored by the American Kennel Club.

However, most experts agree that it is a task that is usually best left to the professionals. According to the experts at Service Dog Certifications, professional dog trainers might charge anywhere between $150 and $250 an hour. They also state that it can take up to two years for a dog to be trained for the full range of support services a person may need. The amount of training may vary depending on the tasks you need your service dog to perform, making it difficult to come up with a single estimate, but this can quickly add up.

FAQ

What is the cheapest price for a service dog?

Although a handler may find the services a service dog offers to be invaluable, the associated costs can be prohibitive. According to the National Service Animal Registry, a service dog should cost no less than $17,000.

Why do service dogs cost so much?

Service dogs require much more training than other dogs do, which is why the initial costs are so high. Typically, during the first few months of their lives, they receive this intensive training and additional care. Your donation will go toward the price of the adoption, puppy shots, spaying or neutering, and trainer fees.

How do I get a service dog for anxiety in NY?

1. Determine your need for an ESA. Only people with a disability can qualify for an ESA.
2. Seek help from a mental health professional. …
3. Get an ESA letter. …
4. Submit your ESA letter for housing/rental units.

Are service dogs worth it?

It takes time, effort, and money to train a dog to help a person overcome difficult physical or health challenges. In the end, it’s well worth it because these dogs can provide years of service.