German shepherd dogs were the first breed to be trained as Seeing Eye dogs.
The idea to press man's best friend into service as an assistance dog came to a woman named Dorothy Harrison Eustis in 1918 after World War I. She was impressed by the work of German shepherd dogs helping blind soldiers, and an industry was born when she founded The Seeing Eye in 1929. Sixty-four years later, a woman named Bonnie Bergin pioneered a movement to train dogs for other services, mobility issues included.
The training of a service dog is expensive, and not everyone who needs one can afford it. Several of the service dog organizations, recognizing this, award scholarships.
Assistance Dog United Campaign
The Assistance Dog United Campaign was developed in 1993 by Dr. Bonnie Bergin, the founder of Canine Companions for Independence, a top service-dog organization. One of its goals is to provide service dogs for people who need them but cannot afford the high cost of training and owning a service dog. Applications for service dogs can run from $5,000 to $6,000. The cost of ongoing care is also taken into consideration. The Assistance Dog United Campaign awards grants not only for the dog, but also for training, research and educational scholarships for students in the field.
Assistance Dog United Campaign
1221 Sebastopol Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
707-545-0800
assistancedogunitedcampaign.org
Veterans Services
In 2001, Congress passed legislation allowing the government to provide service and guide dogs to soldiers blinded or otherwise disabled in the line of duty. Beyond that, the Veterans Administration provides expenses for all travel and training related to the soldier becoming acclimated to having a service dog. In some cases, it takes several weeks living in accommodations on or near the service dog headquarters in order for recipients of service dogs to be trained. This represents a large expenditure, but because of Title 38, those costs, as well as equipment for the dog, are covered.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20420
800-827-1000
va.gov
Guide Dog Foundation
The Guide Dog Foundation does not award scholarships for service dogs. It goes one step better, providing dogs for free. The Guide Dog Foundation trains and places fully trained service dogs to any individual who meets the application guidelines. These people will attend a training program for 25 days while they stay on the property and learn all the commands needed to work with their dog.
The Guide Dog Foundation Residence Hall offers single rooms with private baths, climate control and Wi-Fi. Also included are a dining room, recreation room, fitness center and a computer lab that has been fitted with adaptive technology for disabled users.
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc.
371 E. Jericho Turnpike
Smithtown, NY 11787-2976
800-548-4337
guidedog.org
Other Important Information
Since service dogs are needed for health and well-being, some insurance plans cover a percentage of the costs of a service dog. Additionally, individual service dog organizations have their own financial assistance programs set up so the recipient does not bear the entire cost of receiving a service dog. Finally, many veterinarians around the country offer free or low-cost services for their clients with service dogs. Animal control agencies also frequently waive the fee for required rabies tags of service dogs.
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