7 Questions to Ask When Applying for a Service Dog

Being paired with a service dog is a huge decision that can change your life forever. By reviewing these questions to ask when applying for a service dog, you can be sure that you know the most important things to consider!

1. How much does a service dog cost?

ICAN requires a non-refundable application fee of $75 and a $2,500 placement fee once the service dog is matched with the client. In addition to this, ICAN also recommends pet insurance for service dogs.

Once the service dog is placed with a client, ICAN requires that clients can provide for the dog from that point forward. The average annual cost to own a dog runs from $1,000 to $1,200 and includes medicine, vet visits, healthy food, toys, bedding, and so on.

While ICAN doesn’t currently offer a scholarship program to offset the cost of a service dog, applicants can begin making payments in advance of receiving a dog so they can reduce the final amount due at the time of placement.

2. What are the training standards for your service dogs?

When applying for a service dog through any organization, it is important to ask about the training protocols and standards that are followed to be sure you are getting the best possible service dog for your money and needs.

ICAN is the only ADI-accredited service dog training program in Indiana, which means that we follow strict standards for the health and positive reinforcement training of our dogs. As an ADI-accredited organization, ICAN is also a member of the ABC Breeding Cooperative. This ensures that we work closely with other accredited organizations for a diverse gene pool and breeding of healthy dogs. 

3. Do service dogs require ongoing training?

An ICAN service dog spends approximately two years in the ICAN ADI-accredited service dog training program learning highly specialized skills and house manners in order to be as successful as possible once paired with a client.

However, service dogs are still dogs—not robots. This means that despite all of their training, a service dog may slip up every once in a while! For example, mixing up cues or testing boundaries are common things that even a graduated service dog may need training reminders on.

When applying for a service dog, the client should be aware that service dogs require ongoing training in order to keep their skills and manners fresh and ready to use in all settings. This could mean that the client trains new behaviors or reinforces previously learned behaviors. 

4. Will I be required to carry identification or proof for my service dog?

The idea that service dogs must be licensed or accredited is actually a common misconception. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), businesses are not legally allowed to require proof or documentation that a dog is trained as a service animal in order to grant entry. 

There are many online businesses that promote “service dog” accreditation services such as licenses, vests, or identification cards for people to purchase for their dogs, but this is illegal under the ADA. 

5. How will my life be different in public with a service dog?

Having a service dog in public is definitely a new experience that requires a big adjustment! No matter how much the public is educated on service dog etiquette, bringing a dog into a public establishment may result in people asking questions, staring, or making comments. 

In addition to this, outings in public may take quite a bit longer than normal with a service dog. Rather than preparing only yourself for a quick public outing, life with a service dog will require that the dog is dressed in any necessary gear, had a chance to use the bathroom, and loaded into the car before departing. 

6. How big is the responsibility of owning a service dog?

Being partnered with a service dog is a life changing experience that provides a client with new perspectives and independence, but it is still important to remember that owning a service dog is a big responsibility. 

Like any dog, a service dog must be exercised regularly in order to maintain a healthy weight—and they must also be given proper mental stimulation. This, along with time and the financial responsibilities, requires a serious commitment.

If you’re willing and able to work with your dog every day, provide vet care and healthy food, and unconditionally love your dog—an ICAN service dog may be right for you!

7. Have other dogs from this program been trained to assist with my same disability? 

ICAN service dogs learn specific skills to best assist their individual client during day-to-day activities. While each dog aids their client in different and unique ways, it may still be helpful to ask if previous dogs in the program have been trained for your specific disability.

This question is useful in understanding how a service dog may be able to help you specifically and the ways that other clients have benefited from their service dog.  

Adding a service dog to your life can be a wonderful experience that helps you break barriers and overcome challenges, but it is also a serious commitment. By using these questions to ask when applying for a service dog, you can be sure that you are prepared to embark on your journey toward a life changing partnership!

Community

We are so proud of our wonderful group of volunteers and the community they’ve created. Whether you help with whelping, furloughing, outreach, special events, or one of our other great volunteer options—you know you have a group of dedicated helpers on your side!

Beverly comments on this, “Trained volunteers are ready to help as much as you need. You are never without someone to call on for a question or concern. You will be part of a team.”

Privilege

Our volunteers truly help us change lives every day.

Beverly explains how special it is to be part of the whelping and litter host program, “It is a privilege to be selected as a whelping host. It may be a once- in- a- lifetime opportunity or something you want to experience multiple times. Whelping takes over your home. It is messy, it is exhausting, but it is SO fulfilling.

“Your home doesn’t have to be spacious, elegant, or pristine. All puppies need is enough space, a place for Mama to go outside, and a safe and loving environment. ICAN will provide everything else you need, except for sleep.

ICAN Volunteer Beverly tells of her experience with our whelping and litter host program and her passion toward our life-changing mission.

Accomplishment

By choosing to volunteer with ICAN, you can be part of our life-changing mission that enriches the lives of people living with disabilities and helps incarcerated individuals find a sense of purpose.

Beverly acknowledges how great it is knowing that the dogs you work with will go on to help unleash amazing possibilities, “After 4 weeks, you transfer the care of the dam and puppies to another host’s home or to one of the prisons. You will feel sad and proud and relieved all at the same time to have successfully safeguarded these precious future service dogs.”

Dedicated volunteers make it possible for us to provide independence and hope to more individuals, and we love to hear about Beverly’s passion in being a whelping host and providing ICAN’s newest service dogs in-training with a great start to life.