Discussion: View Thread

Good afternoon,

While I understand the cost of training and instructing a dog is in the range of $40,000 and up, I don't believe I have ever come across any organization that charges more than a nominal fee for a guide dog (for legally blind individuals).  I am wondering what the collective experiences are of this group?  Would you put in the cost of training and instructing a dog or note that they are provided free of charge (with nominal fees for equipment, etc).

I appreciate your assistance.

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Michele J. Albers, MS, CRC, LPC, CLCP
Vocational Consultant/Life Care Planner

Vocational Diagnostics, Inc.
P.O. Box 748
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 846-9530 (P)
(888) 667-9860 (F)
michelea@vocationaldiagnostics.com
mjalbers@charter.net
www.vocationaldiagnostics.com
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Original Message------

Good afternoon,

While I understand the cost of training and instructing a dog is in the range of $40,000 and up, I don't believe I have ever come across any organization that charges more than a nominal fee for a guide dog (for legally blind individuals).  I am wondering what the collective experiences are of this group?  Would you put in the cost of training and instructing a dog or note that they are provided free of charge (with nominal fees for equipment, etc).

I appreciate your assistance.

------------------------------
Michele J. Albers, MS, CRC, LPC, CLCP
Vocational Consultant/Life Care Planner

Vocational Diagnostics, Inc.
P.O. Box 748
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 846-9530 (P)
(888) 667-9860 (F)
michelea@vocationaldiagnostics.com
mjalbers@charter.net
www.vocationaldiagnostics.com
------------------------------

It depends on the purpose/training for the dog.

Sometimes it is free; I did have a client pay $15,000 for a TBI assist dog and 3 weeks of training her to use it.  Replacement dogs have been at no charge.

So if a dog is recommended, it is not universal that it is free for all service dog types.

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Karen Preston, PHN, MS, CRRN, FIALCP
Consultant
RNSconsult@aol.com
Sacramento, CA United States
(916) 929-6506

Original Message:
Sent: 06-06-2016 15:55
From: Brook Feerick
Subject: Guide Dogs

I have never had a charge for the animal,and do not include it in the LCP-  but there are associated expenses, such as feeding and vet bills. Be careful to include these.  Also note, some states, like CA have an offest provided by some agencies (Coalition for the Blind) that provide expense reimbursement for the dog up to $80 per month in CA.  

Another consideration - the service animals are often/usually free because the provider is a charitable/serivce organization.  However, if the potential recipient COULD pay for the animal (as in, the individual might have a milliion dollar trust fund?), might that agency not consider accepting payment?  That might be the fair approach to things, to allow other donations to cover services for those who cannot pay.  I have discussed things in this manner with various providers, & their outlook on what they do "for free" sometiimes changes.  This may be similar to when you ask a PT what a charge is and they tell you the "self pay" rate is $50 for a session.  They have a low self pay rate because they think the person cannot afford the usual charge.

Bottom line, I have included charges for service dog & training, but indicated they may be available at not cost.

PattyC 

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Patricia A. Costantini
PattyC4303@comcast.net
Pittsburgh, PA United States

Original Message:
Sent: 06-06-2016 16:30
From: Karen Preston
Subject: Guide Dogs

It depends on the purpose/training for the dog.

Sometimes it is free; I did have a client pay $15,000 for a TBI assist dog and 3 weeks of training her to use it.  Replacement dogs have been at no charge.

So if a dog is recommended, it is not universal that it is free for all service dog types.

------------------------------
Karen Preston, PHN, MS, CRRN, FIALCP
Consultant
RNSconsult@aol.com
Sacramento, CA United States
(916) 929-6506

Original Message------

Another consideration - the service animals are often/usually free because the provider is a charitable/serivce organization.  However, if the potential recipient COULD pay for the animal (as in, the individual might have a milliion dollar trust fund?), might that agency not consider accepting payment?  That might be the fair approach to things, to allow other donations to cover services for those who cannot pay.  I have discussed things in this manner with various providers, & their outlook on what they do "for free" sometiimes changes.  This may be similar to when you ask a PT what a charge is and they tell you the "self pay" rate is $50 for a session.  They have a low self pay rate because they think the person cannot afford the usual charge.

Bottom line, I have included charges for service dog & training, but indicated they may be available at not cost.

PattyC 

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Patricia A. Costantini
PattyC4303@comcast.net
Pittsburgh, PA United States
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Original Message------

I recently investigated this issue in the Puget Sound area. The fee I was quoted was $100 application and $10,000 for civilians. Average life span 10-13 years. 

Judith Parker, M.Ed., CDMS, ABVE-D, CLCP
OSC Vocational Systems, Inc.
Phone 425 486 4040 X5214
Fax 425 486 8701
judith@osc-voc.com

This has been my experience as well. The service dog provider expects the recipient to obtain $25,000-$30,000 in funds before they release the "free" service dog. My patient was told how much he had to come up with before they would begin training him with the dog and he wasn't to take the dog until the fund raising was complete. This was in the Northwest area.

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Victoria Powell
victoria@vp-medical.com
Benton, AR United States

Original Message:
Sent: 06-07-2016 11:17
From: Susan Wirt
Subject: Guide Dogs

I investigated this option for a client in New England.  I was told there was a $25,000 fee..although not due at the time of "delivery" but the group expected every effort to be made to achieve that figure…and would even help identify ways to do fund-raising. - 

Susan Wirt, MSN, RN, CRRN, CCM, CLCP, CRP, CNLCP

Wirt & Associates, LLC 
PO Box 8 
Catawba, VA  24070 
540-529-3631 - voice 
540-384-5162 - fax 
susan@wirtandassociates.com 
www.wirtandassociates.com