How do I get my child a service dog?

First, make sure your child is eligible for a service dog. Their disability should fall under the ADA definition of a mental or physical disability. When working with an organization that provides service dogs, you’ll need a doctor’s note that explains the disability and why the individual’s life would be improved by a service dog. You’ll also usually need two letters of recommendation from people outside of your family.

Next, consider what tasks you would need the service dog to perform, such as assisting with mobility, hearing, eloping, medical alerts, etc. Canines for Disabled Kids maintains a database of more than 200 service dog programs, so they can easily help you determine what tasks a program’s dogs can and cannot do.

The application and training process varies among organizations, but on average, it takes at least two years from time of acceptance to receiving the dog, primarily because it takes nearly two years to fully train a dog. Wait times fluctuate, so check with the organization to get an estimate. Costs also vary by organization; some will ask the recipient's family to assist with fundraising, and other organizations provide the dog at no cost to the family.

For more information on this topic, see our full article The Amazing, Incredible Service Dog.