How to cover the costs of a service dog

A service dog can make life with a disability much more manageable. But between finding the right dog and training it, the costs can quickly add up. Fortunately, there are quite a few grants and financing options that may be able to help.

How much does a service dog cost?

Buying and training a dog to suit your needs typically costs between $15,000 and $30,000, according to the nonprofit Service Dog Certifications. The exact amount depends on the training it receives and the breed of dog you’ve selected. Because of this, a service dog can be as expensive as $50,000.

When looking into buying a service dog, you should also consider the normal cost of owning an animal. Owners often spend between $500 and $10,000 on their service dog per year. These prices shouldn’t deter you from pursuing a service dog — since there are programs that can help — but you should be aware of the potential expense before investing in your companion.

Why do service dogs cost so much?

Service dogs require extensive training during the first few months of their lives. And while every dog is different, the final price is generally a combination of adoption fees, specialized training and general pet care.

Adoption

Adoption costs depend largely on the breed of your dog, but according to Pet MD, may cost $500 to $1,500 or more. It depends largely on the breed you select, the adoption fees and licenses required by your state, microchipping fees and medical services like spaying/neutering and vaccinations.

Training

You can expect to pay anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 to train your dog according to Puppy In Training, a guide to the ins and outs of raising a service dog. To cut down on the immediate expense, you can train the dog yourself or with the help of a certified trainer. It can significantly reduce the cost in the short term, but it may take longer to fully equip your dog with the skills it needs to help you.

General care

Although adoption and training costs can be steep, you also need to consider the ongoing costs of dog ownership. According to the ASPCA, you may spend between $1,500 to $2,000 over the first year, including the initial medical costs listed above. This cost also includes necessities like bedding and toys as well as food, grooming items and tags. However, this doesn’t cover a post-adoption wellness visit or your dog’s yearly exam — you’ll need to add these to your adoption budget as well.

• Service dogs costs — Visual
• Service dogs costs — Chart

5 ways to pay for a service dog

When you’re ready to buy a service dog, here are five financing options to consider:

1. Nonprofit grants. There are several organizations, including Assistance Dogs International and Service Dogs for America, that help people with disabilities find service dogs for little or no cost.
2. Flexible spending account. 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. An FSA allows you to use your salary before taxes, making it less expensive than paying out of pocket.
3. Crowdfunding. Reach out to your social networks to raise money for your service dog by creating a fundraising campaign on sites like Kickstarter or GoFundMe.
4. Build up your savings. Though not the always easiest method — especially if you have a limited cash flow — having extra savings can make purchasing and caring for a service dog easier.
5. Take out a personal loan. Once you’ve exhausted your other options, you may want to consider a personal loan up to $50,000.

Which programs offer service dogs?

Many of these programs offer service dogs at no charge to the recipient. But to be eligible, you may need to meet specific criteria or live close to the organization for continued training and support.

How do I know if a program is accredited?

Assistance Dogs International (ADI) sets the industry standards for organizations and individuals who train dogs to help people with disabilities. It offers accreditation for certain programs — so ask the organization or individual you’re working with if it’s accredited when doing your research. Its standards cover the proper selection, training and care of service dogs as well as standards for administration and the selection of staff and volunteers.

Where can I find financial assistance for service dogs?

Many organizations that raise and train service dogs offer financial assistance for those who aren’t able to pay the full price. However, these are typically geared toward individuals with specific disabilities and backgrounds. For instance, both Smoky Mountain Service Dogs and Mutts with a Mission offer service dogs — and financial assistance — for veterans.

To find a program that offers financial assistance, you may want to speak with your local disability advocates, the VA or other organizations. They may be able to guide you to local resources that help reduce the cost of training your dog.

Once you have a service dog, there are other ways to receive financial assistance to help pay for everyday costs of ownership. Veterinarians may offer discounts for service dogs, and you may be able to claim the cost of purchasing, training and caring for your dog on your taxes. While this isn’t direct financial assistance, it can go a long way in reducing the overall price of a service dog.

Does health insurance cover service dogs?

Not usually. Major insurance providers typically don’t cover the price of a service dog or its training, but some smaller providers may offer partial coverage. Still, this means getting a service animal is usually a pricey out-of-pocket expense — which is why finding a nonprofit can go a long way in helping you stay out of debt.

Will Medicaid or Medicare pay for a service dog?

Unfortunately, neither Medicaid nor Medicare cover the costs of obtaining or caring for a service dog. However, you can use your SSI or SSDI income to pay for your animal. And if you’ve recently received disability payments, you may also be able to use your back benefits to purchase a service dog or pay for its training. You can learn more about your options by reaching out to a disability attorney or advocate.

Will the VA pay for a service dog?

Not fully, but some of the costs that come with owning a service dog may be covered by your Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. To take advantage of this opportunity, schedule a meeting with a mental health provider to begin the application process. If approved, the VA provides comprehensive coverage for your dog’s health and wellness as well as any prescription medication or veterinary care your dog may require.

How to plan for ongoing expenses

In addition to the cost of adopting and training a dog, you will need to plan for its maintenance. Fortunately, unless your dog is prone to health issues or is injured, caring for a service dog won’t cost more than any other dog.

To plan for these expenses, make an annual budget for the most common costs. These include:

• Food: $240 to $900
• Vet visits: $700 to $1,500
• Medication: $100 to $500
• Grooming: $30 to $500
• Toys, treats and other supplies: $50 to $300

Over the course of your dog’s lifetime, you can expect to spend between $14,000 to $16,000 according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). It breaks the cost down to between $700 to $1,000 a year for vet visits and between around $200 to $2,500 a year for grooming, food, toys and treats. CNBC places the lifetime cost much higher at $27,000 to $42,000 per year, but this largely depends on the breed of your animal.

• Ongoing expenses — Visual
• Ongoing expenses — Chart

How can I pay for pet care if my service dog gets sick or injured?

Beyond the normal costs of maintaining a dog, there are times when your companion will need additional medical care. While your personal insurance might not cover it, there are a few ways you can get assistance.

• Health savings accounts. Because your assistance dog is performing a medically-required service, its medical bills can be covered by your health savings account (HSA). If you spend over 7.5% of your income before taxes on medical expenses for your service animal, you can file to have that money deducted on your taxes. But you’ll also need an LMN from your doctor.
• Pet insurance. There are pet insurance policies available for your dog in case of illness or injury. Many plans cover service dogs, and there are multiple insurers with premiums that fit various budgets.
• Nonprofit funding. Some nonprofits can also help if you find yourself unable to pay for vet bills. Contact one of the options listed above to see if there are any programs you may qualify for.
• VA benefits. You can apply to have your service dog’s veterinary care and prescription medication subsidized by the VA. You can reach out to a mental health provider to learn more.

Which breeds are best for service dogs?

The best breed for your service dog depends on your needs. The three most common types of assistance dog are:

• Labrador retriever
• Golden retriever
• German shepherd

However, many types of dog are suitable for service work and certain breeds are better for certain jobs. When searching for the right dog breed, it’s important to contact trainers and disability advocates. These resources will be able to lead you to the appropriate dog for your needs.

When to go for a big dog

For people who need stability for a physical limitation, a Labrador retriever or German shepherd is considered helpful in providing support when you are struggling to maneuver in certain spaces.

When to go for a medium or small dog

Medium-sized breeds like poodles and collies are often used for people whose disabilities who don’t require the strength and size of these larger breeds. If you need a Hearing Dog or one that scents conditions like epilepsy or low blood sugar, a smaller dog might be more suitable. They can easily fit in public spaces where a large dog may seem inappropriate, like at a restaurant or on a bus.

Compare loans to finance a service dog

Bottom line

A service dog may be a necessity, but the cost can make them inaccessible. Assistance Dogs International has a respected certification program and list of trainers that can help make your dog more affordable. While it doesn’t provide service dogs to those in need, it can direct people with disabilities to a program that can. Other resources may also be appropriate when you need to handle such a large cost.

If you do choose to take out a personal loan, compare your options to make sure you’re getting a good deal that suits your budget.

Frequently asked questions

• Are there any alternatives to service dogs?

  According the the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), only dogs are considered eligible service animals. There are some cases where miniature horses may be trained to perform similar duties and may be eligible as an alternative, but in general, only find dogs are able to legally fill this role.

• What's the difference between a service dog and an emotional support animal?

  The main difference between a service dog and an emotional support animal is the type of assistance the animal provides. A service dog has to provide specific services to its owner in order to qualify under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). This can include navigating for someone who is blind, reacting to environmental stimuli for someone who is deaf or sniffing for low blood sugar for someone with diabetes. These specific jobs set service dogs apart from emotional support animals, which can be any type of animal that provides therapeutic help for its owner.

  Although emotional support animals don’t qualify under the ADA, they are covered by the Fair Housing Authority Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. If you have a note from a mental health professional stating you need your emotional support animal with you, then you can’t be denied access to these spaces or charged extra to use the service being provided.

• Can I qualify for a loan if I'm unemployed but receive disability benefits?

  Yes, some lenders consider disability benefits a form of income when evaluating your ability to repay a loan. But to be approved, you typically need to have good to excellent credit as well as a low debt-to-income ratio. You can learn more about your options with our guide to loans for people on disability.

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