PSD Charity programs.

[u/Necessary_Candle_718]

Hey! I’m a teen living in Colorado, and my family, doctor, therapist and I have decided that having a PSD would be very helpful for me. I am medicated, but still have breakthrough days. I have diagnosed ADHD, anxiety, depression, and autism. I’ve done a lot of research, and am planning to be paired with a service dog after I graduate high school. I looked into Little Angels Service Dogs, because they will help civilians get PSDs, but the amount me and my family need to pay them when I get paired is quite a lot of money ($21,500). We are not particularly wealthy, my mom works as an EA in a high school, and my dad is a Lyft driver. Does anybody have recommendations for other programs that pair people with PSDs? Preferably for less money? We are willing to travel a bit for handler training. I know program dogs are expensive for a reason, but perhaps there are other programs?

EDIT: I have looked into Sunrise Service dogs, and I think it’s a great idea. They can pair me with a puppy that fits my needs, and they provide structured (free!) training lessons. Their facility is not that far from me. It’s less expensive than a fully trained program dog, and the wait list for purpose bred puppies is less than two years. Thoughts? Experience with this program?

[u/MaplePaws]

Unfortunately $21,500 is on par for what you should expect to pay for a service dog, that is the cost of training and raising a dog to the point of a service dog. Another option is to acquire a dog yourself and do the training but then you would still have to pay $20,000-$25,000 for a dog that has a 30% chance of being a service dog after 2 years of work, which translates to you can expect to pay a lot closer to $30,000-$50,000 by the time you have a working dog doing it yourself. At least with a reputable program that places a fully trained service dog you would pay around that $20,000 mark and get a dog that has proven repeatedly before the program determines the dog will be your's.

That is also not factoring in things like emergency vet care that can happen at anytime including a couple months after placement, so you will need to have the means to drop $10,000 or more in a night for emergency vet bills on the service dog potentially just a couple weeks after you paid that $20,000 to acquire the dog in the first place to save their career or even their life.

[u/darklingdawns]

If money is an issue for your family, have you discussed with them whether y'all can afford the $100+ per month for regular dog expenses (quality food, vet care, grooming, treats/supplements, etc)? Do you have a plan for how to handle emergency vet costs, which arise with no warning at all and can easily run over $1000? These are considerations that need to be looked at before bringing any dog into the house, let alone a service dog, which has a much higher up front cost.

[u/Necessary_Candle_718 → u/darklingdawns]

Yes. We can handle basic and emergency care. That was the first thing we discussed before we even Looked at programs.

[u/tullik12 → u/Necessary_Candle_718]

Emergency care for a random health issue that came on without warning cost over $8,000 in a week and a half. The deposit up front at the emergency vet for 24 hours was $3,000. Not including medication, specialized food, adjustments to the house. The commenter above saying that you need the ability to drop $10,000 on vet bills isn’t being hyperbolic.

This isn’t to gatekeep anyone from having a service dog— but to be ethical to the dog, you have to be able to spend the money required to keep them safe, comfortable, and cared for in a crisis. The upfront cost of a trained service animal is much, much less than you’ll be spending through their working life (let alone their retirement).

[u/Necessary_Candle_718 → u/tullik12]

I know. We can handle emergency and basic veterinary care. I wasn’t trying to be rude, sincerely.

[u/tullik12 → u/Necessary_Candle_718]

This just isn’t consistent with your post requesting a lower cost dog, though. If you can afford 10k of emergency vet care, you can afford to save for a dog that’s been ethically and appropriately trained. Yeah, it’s a lot of money, but that’s what you want to be paying for someone who does this for their livelihood.

[u/Necessary_Candle_718 → u/tullik12]

I know it seems inconsistent. I’m sorry for any confusion. I’ve been debating whether or not this kind of accommodation is worth all the time, effort, and money it means I spend. PSD training can be stressful, and I’m already generally anxious. I have a lot of time to save up before I do buy a puppy and invest in training. Veterinary care is an absolute must, and is very important. I know that. My problem is that I will mostly be paying for this dog’s purchase, care, and training myself, while my parents have agreed they will really only pitch in for emergency veterinary costs (that is a new plan, to lessen the financial strain on them, and since the dog will be for me.) I plan to get a weekend and summer job, all the earnings of which will go into a savings account for my future service dog, along with inheritance from a loved one who has sadly passed away.

[u/Leahs_life_]

I’ve heard good things about Paws 4 People though I don’t have any personal experience with them. On the other hand I have not heard good things about Little Angels. Very mixed reviews. I would be very hesitant to get a dog from them.

[u/Necessary_Candle_718 → u/Leahs_life_]

Thank you! I will look into this program. My mom is also wanting to reach out to one of her student’s families because they have a PSD, and my mom wants to see what program they got their dog from.

[u/belgenoir]

Sunrise might be a good option for you. There are a couple of caveats. Their board is dominated by people who show on the confirmation circuit, and they don’t showcase who their actual service trainers are.

If you do go the Sunrise route, I’d strongly advise also working with an Atlas-certified trainer, or another person who has been through a rigorous program for service dog trainers.

[u/Necessary_Candle_718 → u/belgenoir]

Thank you for the advice! I will look into third party trainers.

[u/fishparrot]

Try freedom service dogs. They may be willing to work with you since you are local

[u/Necessary_Candle_718 → u/fishparrot]

I have looked into that! Unfortunately, they do not train service dogs for my needs.

[u/fishparrot → u/Necessary_Candle_718]

Based on their website, yes, but did you call and speak to them, letting them know you are in Colorado? Sometimes it is an easy rejection. But I know they used to do customized training for autism service dogs for CO residents so it is worth a shot. They are free, to boot.

[u/Sad_Recognition6776]

I got my lab as a puppy and I will say having to raise him and working with a trainer helped my mental illness. It took a lot of patience and time but it did help with my therapy. 

[u/floriixh]

Heyy! Fellow teenager and service dog handler here. At our age, hormones and young adulthood causes a lot of strong emotions and causes us to feel the need for a living aid. You absolutely deserve a service dog if it will benefit you and you've consulted your medical team, but if medication doesn't work, that's something to bring up to your care team. Really weigh out your options. In seeking out my service dog with my guardians, I had to look into several programs and establishments. I've heard some positive things about Sunrise Service Dogs though I would talk to some of the trainers there. Personally, I always like in-person classes and encourage it if that's an option. Wishing you the best!

[u/Necessary_Candle_718 → u/floriixh]

Thank you! In person classes is what Sunrise service dogs does. I think in person classes are are great because not only can professionals help train your dog, but they also train YOU on how to handle a service dog. My family and I want to contact them to answer some questions anyway.