Service dogs are specially trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities. Over 61 million Americans are living with visible and invisible disabilities.
There are an estimated 500,000 service dogs working in the US. The most popular breed used globally today is the Labrador Retriever.
They must undergo extensive training to perform specific activities that benefit their handlers. There are at least eight different types of service dogs, and I will detail them, including their current prices.
#1 Seizure Alert/Response Dogs: $15,000 to $50,000
A seizure dog has been trained to respond to a seizure in someone who has epilepsy. Seizure alert dogs are not pets but are trained to act in a support and service role, including helping their owners walk to a safe place or pressing alarm buttons. Some reports also suggest that some dogs can be trained to anticipate epileptic seizures.
Good seizure alert dogs are German shepherds, golden retrievers, Samoyeds, border collies, and English setters. The cost of a seizure service dog can range up to $50,000, depending on the dog’s breed and the extent of its training.
#2 Psychiatric Service Dogs: $15,000 and $35,000
These dogs are involved in the lives of individuals suffering from mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
I like that psychiatric service dogs are useful for performing deep pressure therapy, fetching medications, warning others to give you space, interrupting self-harming behaviors, or guiding the handler from stressful situations. PSDs can also provide emotional support for those suffering from mental health disorders. These dogs are trained never to leave their handler’s side.
PSDs can travel with you on planes without any additional cost.
Psychiatric service dogs cost between $15,000 and $35,000. Havaneses, Labrador Retrievers, boxers, and Great Danes are good PSDs.
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#3 Mobility Assistance Dogs: $20,000 to $50,000
Mobility assistance dogs are trained to aid anyone with severe mobility issues.
Roles include operating light switches, opening and closing doors, providing stability and support if you have balance issues, pulling wheelchairs, and picking up objects.
These dogs are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
You’ll usually see standard poodles, golden retrievers, and Labrador retrievers performing this service. Mobility Assistance dogs are usually anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000.
#4 Hearing Dogs: $15,000
Hearing dogs help their person avoid stepping off the curb when a car is approaching, if the smoke alarm is going off, or can help their hearing impaired handlers by letting them know when the doorbell has gone. Golden Retrievers and Labradors are popular choices for this type of service dog.
Fully trained hearing dogs typically cost around $15,000. They may be trained professionally in as little as three months, so that’s why the price is a little lower than that of other service dogs.
#5 Guide Dogs: $50,000
Guide dogs are trained to lead people who are visually impaired or blind around obstacles. They help to give you use public transport to gain, find pedestrian crossing buttons, indicate stairs, avoid obstacles, and stop at kerbs.
The Labrador retriever, Cocker Spaniel, German shepherd, and golden retriever are the best guide dogs. A guide dog costs approximately $50,000.
#6 Diabetic Alert Dogs: $10,000 to $20,000
They are trained to alert diabetic handlers in advance of high or low glycemia. High and low sugar levels both release chemicals into the body, so diabetic alert dogs can detect these distinct smells.
People who live with diabetic alert dogs say the animals provide peace of mind. Other reported benefits include fewer episodes of passing out from low blood sugar and less time spent worrying about blood sugar levels.
The Pomeranians, Poodles, Golden Retrievers, German Shepards, and Bernese Mountain Dogs are a great choice to help diabetics. They cost between $10,000 $20,000.
#7 Allergy Detection Dogs: $17,000
These dogs provide a valuable early warning for people at risk of allergic reactions to common allergens. Dogs have around 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses, about 50 times more than us. The majority of allergic reactions are caused by the Big Nine: sesame, soy, wheat, crustacean shellfish, peanuts, fish, tree nuts, eggs, and milk.
An allergy detection dog costs about $17,000.
#8 Autism Service Dogs: $16,000 to $25,000
An autism assistance dog helps an autistic person to live more independently, eases sleeping problems, improves communication skills, and reduces anxiety.
Service dogs are a significant investment, and autism service dogs cost between $16,000 to $25,000.