The Funding Behind Service Dogs: Understanding How They Are Supported

 

The Funding Behind Service Dogs: Understanding How They Are Supported

 

Service Dogs provide invaluable assistance to those in need. They are trained to help people with various disabilities and disorders, including visual, hearing, mobility, and mental health conditions. But how are these amazing animals found? Who is responsible for paying for their training, care, and upkeep? In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at how Service Dogs are funded, and how you can support them.

Service Dogs are typically funded through a variety of sources. Some organizations that train and place Service Dogs receive government funding and grants. In other cases, these organizations rely on donations from the public, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events. In order to provide the highest quality training and care for Service Dogs, Rocky Mountain Service Dog Project needs to continually raise funds. We also pride ourselves on one important fact…there isn’t a year and a half waiting list, we can go as fast or as slow as the handler wants because it is on them now fast we move forward. Here are some ideas we have and use.

Crowdfunding

In recent years, crowdfunding has made it easier for individuals to raise money for a variety of causes. This includes Service Dogs. With websites like GoFundMe and Kickstarter, you can create a campaign to ask for donations from family, friends, and even strangers. We help the person in need of the Service Dog in sharing their story and how to explain how a Service Dog could make a positive impact on their life.

Grants

There are plenty of organizations that offer grants for Service Dogs. These grants can cover the cost of the dog, as well as training expenses. Some organizations even offer grants specifically for veterans, first responders or children with disabilities. But this is a very hard process.  First someone has to scour the internet to find available grants, then research the grant to see if we qualify, and here is the hardest part…finding an expert/professional Grant Writer and finding the money to pay them.  I know it seems simple sometimes, but it really isn’t.  But a fight worth fighting, and we just have to move forward!

We are looking for a small grant that would pay for one of the board members to learn how to write grants.  This would help with our process. 

Fundraising Events

Organizing a fundraising event is a great way to raise money for a Service Dog while having fun at the same time. We can organize a dog walk, a bake sale or even a charity auction. We have to be strong, be creative and make it an event that people would want to attend. Remember, the goal is to raise money and awareness for our cause.

Corporate Sponsors

This is a big one but a hard one to find.  There are many companies out there that set aside a certain amount of money to donate to charity.  Sometimes these companies just want to find one organization that aligns with their values and core goals.  We must rely on people we know, people our clients know or if luck happens the corporate sponsor will find us. But getting out the message so people know we are here will help.

Conclusion:

Training a Service Dog is a significant investment and can take up to two years to complete. The cost of training can vary depending on the specific needs of the individual receiving the dog. Generally, the cost of training can include everything from breeding and raising the puppies, to specialized training for the dog, to ongoing support and follow-up care.

Service Dogs play an essential role in helping people with disabilities and disorders. Whether they are helping individuals with visual or hearing impairments navigate the world around them, helping those with mobility issues in performing daily tasks, or providing emotional support and comfort to those with mental health conditions, these amazing animals make a huge difference in people’s lives.

To help support these important animals, consider donating to Rocky Mountain Service Dog Project, volunteering your time, or attending fundraising events. Share with your family and friends our mission to get service dogs to veterans and first responders at no or little cost.  Together, we can ensure that Service Dogs continue to make a positive impact on the person in need as well as the world.