Last Updated on January 24, 2024 by Lori Pace
Many people find the cost of a service pet too expensive, particularly since there are more than twice as many disabled people in the workforce, and many of the poor live with someone with a disability. Don’t Worry! There are many non-profit foundations, businesses, and organizations that offer disabled people grants for service dogs. There are many types of grants depending on your disability. To be eligible for these grants, you will need to apply and provide proof of disability.
Benefits To Individuals With Disabilities
Service dogs are trained to assist people with mental, physical, and intellectual disabilities. After completing the Assistance Dogs International Public Assessment, the service animals receive rigorous training. This can take as long as two years. Then they match animals with clients.
Many people consider a service dog the answer to many of the tasks that a disabled person might not be able to perform on their own. They can alert them to sounds and retrieve dropped objects, or warn them of seizures or blood sugar problems.
Service dogs help compensate for physical limitations by pulling wheelchairs and turning on lights, as well as picking up lost or damaged items. Guide dogs can be trained to help visually impaired people navigate around obstacles and cross streets. The hearing impaired is alerted by hearing dogs to unusual sounds.
Assistance dogs of all types provide emotional support to those in greatest need. Assistance dogs can help people feel less isolated and socially accepted.
Why It’s Expensive To Get Service Animals
High-quality training is a requirement for service animals, which can prove costly. Service animals also take their job seriously. A service animal costs around $25,000 annually, and $2,500 to $3,000 each year to care for.
Grants For Service Dogs
Assistance Dog United Campaign
The Assistance Dog United Campaign is a human and health welfare organization located in Penngrove, California. The ADUC Board of Directors is dedicated to helping people with disabilities. It raises funds to place assistance dogs, grants for industry research and development and develops specific programs.
Ways They Support Assistance Dog Industry
- Individuals with disabilities who are looking for financial assistance to purchase an assistance dog through a program that is viable can receive vouchers.
- Assistance dog programs can be improved by program development and grant funding.
PETCO Foundation
PETCO can donate approximately $15 million annually to service animals in the United States through donations and annual fundraisers.
The Seeing Eye
The Seeing Eye is one of the oldest grant programs for service animals in America. It provides guide dogs to the visually impaired at a very low cost. Usually, donations cover the costs.
Planet Dog Foundation
Planet Dog Foundation is a reputable company that provides funding for service dogs. They donate to several companies to train service animals and match them with clients.
The Americans With Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), protects disabled persons’ rights in many ways. This includes service animals. The ADA mandates that all governing bodies, businesses, and non-profit organizations make modifications to accommodate people with disabilities. The ADA says that anyone with a disability may provide a service in any public place. There should be no charge for it.
Other Financial Aid (Grants) Available For Service Dogs
IRS
The IRS allows people with mental or physical disabilities to claim medical expenses for service animals, including food, training, maintenance, and vet care.
Veterinarians
Many veterinarians offer discounts of up to 30% for service animals. Ask your veterinarian if they offer a discount.
Airlines
Most airlines waive pet travel fees when passengers are traveling with service animals. Many airlines will waive additional animals or oversized animals. Every airline has its own rules and regulations. Make sure you read each policy.
Landlords
Denying tenants housing because of their disability or need to have a service dog is not possible. Landlords must waive pet fees.
