It takes close to two years and about $15,000 to prep a service dog for its duties. For the first 18 months, the dog lives with a family who takes the animal to classes weekly to learn basic skills. “We also have an arrangement with the Illinois Department of Corrections where inmates do this for us,” Morris says. Under the Helping Paws Program at Dwight Correctional Center, over 100 dogs have been trained for this program since 2000.
After that, the dog returns to the trainer and spends the next six months learning skills needed by its prospective disabled owner. “The trainer knows the personalities and needs of those on the waiting list, and he tries to match up the dogs based on that information,” Morris says. “For example, we have a dog that carries an oxygen tank for a girl with a permanent lung problem who couldn’t pull her own tank.”
Once it goes through the program, the dog is certified by the trainer as a service dog. “However, currently, there is no national standard,” Morris says.
Dogs fill physical, social needs
“I always thought it was the physical needs that were important,” Morris says. “But people talk more about the socialization. The disabled either look different or they have hardware and people don’t know what to say. But because my son has a coollooking dog, I can’t tell you the number of times people come up to him now. People with cognitive and physical disabilities just rave about the social values the dog can bring.
“Fortunately, you do not have to be wealthy to qualify for a service dog, because every trained dog is placed in a home at no cost to the disabled person or his or her family,” he adds. “Each facility exists on memberships, generous donations, and volunteers.”
By applying to any of the 14 programs around the country, a blind person could probably get a trained dog in three months or so. “On the other hand, I could apply to the 70 programs that train service dogs around the country, and I would have to wait two or three years to get one,” Eames says.
A great program
Every one of these programs relies heavily on volunteers. One of the largest programs in the U.S. is Canine Companions for Independence. Since its inception in 1975, it has placed over 2,500 dogs with people with disabilities. And one of the most rewarding ways to help is to raise a puppy.
“In many cases, people would like a pet, but they’re unwilling to make a 10- to 14-year commitment”, says Jeanine Konopelski, the canine companions’ national public relations manager. A puppy raiser agrees to keep the animal for about 18 months and to attend weekly classes before giving it back.
“It’s really hard for people to give up the dogs; but once they see the dog helping a disabled person, it’s one of the most fulfilling feelings in the world,” Konopelski adds.