Service dogs are a great resource for people who struggle with anxiety and other mental or physical disabilities. These dogs can assist in various ways, and their training caters to the individual’s specific needs. During this training period, many owners also rely on trusted pet-care providers like DogDayz to help keep their dogs comfortable, supervised, and well cared for.
While having a service dog is beneficial, unfortunately, it’s not always free. Unless you qualify for a specific program, you’ll have to pay out of pocket or hope that your insurance covers the cost.
So, how much does training a service dog for anxiety cost? Please refer to this article to find the answers you are seeking.
What’s a Service Dog for Anxiety?
A service dog for anxiety is a unique type of service animal that helps people who struggle with anxiety and sometimes other mental health disorders that come with it. These service dogs are known as psychiatric service dogs, which are service dogs that are trained to help people with mental health disorders.
Instead of providing physical assistance, these service dogs may offer deep pressure therapy (DPT), help people avoid triggers for panic attacks, and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety by lowering cortisol levels. Service dogs for anxiety are trained based on someone’s specific needs, so you’ll find that they can fetch medications and help in other ways, like escorting people through crowds.
How Do Service Dogs for Anxiety Help?
Service dogs for anxiety provide help in various ways, starting with their presence alone, as simply having a canine companion can make people feel more comfortable. That said, there are other ways that a service dog for anxiety can help.
Some common ways service dogs for anxiety help include:
- Keeping people away from triggers of panic attacks
- Assisting with social anxiety by helping to break the ice
- I assist in breaking the ice for individuals who struggle with social anxiety
- Helping with PTSD and the symptoms of anxiety that come with it
- Fetching medications
- A service dog can also remind someone when it’s time to take their medications
- Offering deep pressure therapy (DPT) by placing their body or paw on the individual during a panic attack
These are only a few examples of how a service dog can help someone who struggles with an anxiety disorder.
How Much Does Service Dog Training Cost for Anxiety?
Service dog training for anxiety can be free, or it can cost you more than $20,000. Ultimately, it depends on the method that you choose and the organization pairing you with a service dog. In fact, the severity of your anxiety can play a role, especially if a service dog needs to learn a more niche task for you.
Learn more about how much service dog training for anxiety costs below.
How Much Does Self-Training a Service Dog for Anxiety Cost?
Self-training a service dog for anxiety is the most cost-effective option. In fact, it can be completely free. That said, you’ll usually need to purchase a leash, crate, treats, and other tools to assist with your training, which will run you at least a few hundred dollars.
Often, you’ll also need to use specialized training programs, so keep that in mind as well. These courses cost around $1,000 to $10,000; it depends on how many courses you need. Overall, self-training is the most affordable option, but you need to make sure you’re up for the challenge.
How Much Does Professional Service Dog Training for Anxiety Cost?
If you want to bring in a professional, the cost will be a lot higher. However, you won’t have to do any of the work. What’s more, you can buy one from a breeder or an organization that has it available. Expect the cost to be around $15,000 to $30,000.
The cost of the training depends on your condition and the organization, so keep that in mind. If you’ve never trained a dog before, this is likely the best option.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the biggest factor is whether or not you train a service dog for anxiety yourself. If you train a service dog yourself, you can end up spending a few hundred dollars to around $10,000. On the other hand, professional training will usually run you $15,000 to $30,000.
While both options are viable, make sure you consider your ability to train a dog, the space you have, and how soon you need a service dog to be ready. These are all factors that determine whether or not you should hire a trainer or self-train.
See Also: Safeguarding Therapy Dogs in Schools