They are helpful too, though. Final Words: Can Golden Retrievers be Service Dogs? Here's EVERYTHING you must know on how to get a service dog for anxiety or depression, whether a psychiatric service dog or emotional support dog (ESA). Unlike emotional support animals, who need little to no training, service dogs are extensively trained to help people with a wide range of disabilities. There are several organizations, including Assistance Dogs International and Service Dogs for America, that help people with disabilities find service dogs for little or no cost. However, you will need to consider the costs of owning and caring for a service dog before proceeding. To do so, it is required that the veteran register for VA healthcare benefits, since service dogs are considered a medical service. ... All dogs, regardless of their starting age or training level will cost a minimum of $960 for the mandatory introductory seminar, an initial evaluation and planning session with a senior level trainer, an application, the working dog Canine Good Citizen class, and the public access test. However, it’s difficult to put a specific price on training a service dog. Training a service dog can be a costly venture, but for those that need the help of a specialized canine, it’s priceless. These dogs are naturally sensitive to people that are in pain or hurting and they need only a little training to be of service. When you’re ready to buy a service dog, here are five financing options to consider: Nonprofit grants. The disabilities can vary greatly, and so do the tasks that the service dogs perform. Yes, golden retrievers can be excellent service dogs. Information from Autism Service Dogs of America indicates that they can cost $10,000+. A dog that has already served as a pet usually can’t be trained later as service dog. The ADA defines a Service Animal as a dog that is trained to perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability. Golden Retrievers are intelligent, easy to train, trustworthy, and loyal dogs that are a perfect fit for service. First any dog can not be a service dog. How to Get a Service Dog. You can buy a professionally-trained adult, a specially-bred puppy, or adopt one to train yourself! ADA SERVICE DOG TRAINING Superdog offers Public Access Service Dog Training for psychiatric service dogs, emotional support dogs and mobility service dogs. This unique breed of service dog is trained to alert owners to sounds they can’t hear themselves – such as a ringing telephone, doorbell or alarm clock – by teaching them to recognize special tones associated with these daily activities. A service dog has to perform certain functions directly related to your disability. Have you ever seen a dog in a hotel or other place where dogs are not usually permitted? Service dogs are valued working partners and companions to over 80 million Americans. Properly training your dog to be a service dog takes about six months to a year, but a full-time professional trainer can usually do it in less time. The VA can help veterans get in contact with these organizations. To be a service dog it has to be task trained to mitigate a disability. Let us get you a service dog to help enrich your life. A disability can be a physical disability, but also includes disabilities in the form of a mental illness that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as depression, severe anxiety or PTSD.