It costs approximately $40,000 over a two-year period to raise, train, and place a successful service dog.

Through the generous support of caring individuals, businesses, and foundations, Service Dogs of Virginia is able to provide service dogs at no cost to those in need.

The only fees are the $100 application fee (due before in-person or virtual interview is scheduled) and $1000 transfer camp fee. The transfer camp fee is due at the beginning of your scheduled transfer camp.

Assistance dog is a generic term for guide, hearing, or service dog specifically trained to do more than one task to mitigate the effects of an individual’s disability. A Guide Dog is a dog that guides individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The presence of a dog for protection, personal defense, or comfort does not qualify that dog as a guide dog. A Hearing Dog is a dog that alerts individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to specific sounds. A Service Dog Service is a dog that works for individuals with disabilities other than blindness or deafness. They are trained to perform a wide variety of tasks including but not limited to; opening doors, bracing, retrieving, alerting to a medical crisis, and providing assistance in a medical crisis. A Facility Dog is a specially trained dog that is working with a volunteer or professional who is trained by a program. The work of a facility dog can include visitations or professional therapy in one or more locations. Public access is permitted only when the dog and handler, who is a trained volunteer or professional, is directly working with a client with a disability. A Therapy Dog is dog trained to provide affection, comfort, and love to many people in many different settings. Therapy dogs are not covered under the American Disability Act (ADA), and therefore do not have the same public access rights as an assistance dog and its handler. An Emotional Support Animals (ESA)an animal that provides only emotional support to an individual with a mental health condition or emotional disorder. An ESA is a companion animal that by the presence provides comfort to an individual with a disability. The ESA does not perform tasks to mitigate a person's disability. ESAs are not covered under the American Disability Act (ADA) and therefore do not have the same public access rights as an assistance dog and its handler. ESAs do qualify for no-pet housing. Housing authorities may request a physician’s letter.

Description text goes hereUnder the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), all businesses that serve the public, such as restaurants, hotels, retail stores, taxicabs, theaters, concert halls and sports facilities, are prohibited from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. The ADA requires these businesses to allow people with disabilities to bring their service dogs onto business premises in whatever areas customers are generally allowed. Additional charges for admitting the service dog to an establishment or fares for transportation cannot be required. Only religious facilities and residential facilities may refuse a service dog entry. A person may be asked to leave a facility if the dog is not behaving properly. Please visit https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-2010-requirements/ for more laws regarding service dogs.

Service animals working in public should not be petted because it could distract from their focus on their partner. It is best to always ask before petting and please, be willing to respect the person if they say no

We primarily use Labrador Retrievers (as do most service dog providers), and sometimes Golden Retrievers or released guide dogs. The most important qualities we look for in a dog, regardless of breed, are excellent health (including orthopedics), a friendly, intelligent personality, a strong work ethic and desire to please.

We participate in a breeding cooperative through our accrediting body, Assistance Dogs International, and have our own breeding program.

No, we find it more successful to work with dogs already in our training program. These dogs have already passed our temperament requirements and our stringent health requirements, and we are able to match each particular dog’s strengths to best fit our clients’ needs.

No, we do not certify dogs trained by other organizations or individuals.

Preference is a home environment in which the dog is the only dog, but exceptions are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The service dog must be able to do its work and to peacefully coexist with any other animals in the home.

A fenced yard is a requirement for receiving a dog from SDV. More information will be provided during the interview process. This expense is the responsibility of the client and would depend on various factors such as materials, labor, and size. Electric fences or invisible fences are not acceptable. People in apartments are considered on a case-by-case basis.

On average, it costs $2,285 per year to care for a Service Dog, including:

Dog food: approximately $60/month or $720/year; we will recommend suitable, premium dog food using human grade ingredients that provide optimal nutrition for a working dog.

Monthly heartworm, tick and flea preventatives: $400/year

Regular veterinary care: Your vet may offer a discount for a Service Dog. We estimate the cost of vet care to be approximately $200/year for well dog maintenance. This will include a well dog check-up, annual heartworm check, immunizations as needed, and other routine care.

Replacement equipment: including, but not limited to vests, leashes, collars, and bowls. SDV can provide these items to you at cost. Budget: $25/year.

Toys and treats: approximately $180/year.

Required Pet Health Insurance –approximately $60/month or $780/year

Please visit Volunteer Opportunities to learn how you can support SDV.

SDV does not often release dogs, but when the time comes, we do refer to the applications we’ve received. Most of our dogs that are released from the program are adopted by their puppy raiser. If the puppy raiser is unable to adopt the dog, we look for a suitable placement. To complete a released dog application click here

Please see our Programs

Yes! All SDV service dogs are spayed or neutered.

Both sexes are equally suited to be service dogs.

No. The service dog skills and companionship he/she will provide is what is important when considering placement.

? Between two and two and a half years of age. However, our trainers are watching and evaluating our dogs throughout each stage of their growth and development.

Service dogs are not trained to protect.

From ADI: A Service Dog’s job is to make an individual with a disability more able, not to protect them. The dog’s presence is a natural deterrent. Because Assistance Dogs are taken into public places and some individuals with disabilities are not able to physically restrain their dogs, the Assistance Dog must be safe for the public. Many dogs, especially working breeds, will sense their owner’s disability and their vulnerability. These dogs can learn on their own to protect at inappropriate times. This can be compounded by an individual who doesn’t recognize that they are unconsciously encouraging this behavior.

Health screenings are an absolute necessity in ensuring each dog we place is mentally and physically able to perform the tasks required. The screenings occasionally remove an otherwise exceptional dog from the service dog program. It can be a heart-breaking decision to remove an animal from the program, but our primary concerns are for the well-being of both our dogs and their future partners.

Please see the application process

Please see applicant criteria. Please note each program has its own requirements. To view these please visit programs.

All inquiring individuals should receive a response within 2-4 weeks. Please note we will email you to set up a time for a phone interview.

Due to a high volume of applications, there is a chance that it may take longer than normally anticipated. We appreciate your patience.

Applicants have 3 months to complete their portion of the application.

It is our goal to match the right dog with the specific needs of each recipient. For that reason, our Client Application Team reviews each recipient application and your wait time will depend on us having a dog that can best suit your specific needs. Another determining factor will be the amount of specialized training required to meet your needs.

Once a team is matched the recipient comes to our facility for a one or a two-week group class. During Transfer Camp, the recipient learns to manage the service dog’s behavior; to direct the dog to respond to cues it has learned; and to assume responsibility for maintaining the health and well-being of the dog.

At the time of placement a contract is drafted between SDV and the client to go over expectations for care and maintenance of the service/facility dog. The client owns the dog but there are a few caveats about proper care that would trigger repossession of the service/facility dog.

Service dogs in good health work until approximately 8 to 10 years of age. A very high-quality food, excellent veterinary care, exercise, grooming, and plenty of love and attention all help to increase the working life of a service dog. We will help you determine if your dog is ready to retire. Previous service dog users who retire their dog are given priority over new service dog applicants when we are making placements.

A recipient is responsible for the daily needs of the service dog and its medical expenses for as long as the service dog is with the recipient.

Retirement is an emotional time for both the human partner and the dog, after having worked so closely together for so many years. Retired service dogs are welcome to live out their retirement with their partner; some people may choose to allow a family member or close friend to adopt the retiree. If the graduate so chooses, SDV can assist them in finding an appropriate retirement home for their friend’s golden years. We will help you determine if your dog is ready to retire.

Service Dogs of Virginia will contact all clients two weeks after a dog is placed to assure the partnership is going well. after 3 months and again after 6 months following Transfer Camp and annually thereafter for the working life of the partnership.Retesting takes place in Charlottesville at the client’s expense.

In addition, SDV will monitor progress through regular recorded follow-up once a month for the first six months following placement by phone, live chat, video conferencing. In addition, the Client agrees to submit monthly reports for the first year after placement, quarterly reports during the second year of placement and yearly reports and Annual Health Report thereafter for entirety of the working life of the service dog. SDV may request any individual retest if deemed necessary.

Yes. Clients are required to speak at SDV’s Graduation. Typically graduation is the Saturday before Thanksgiving in Charlottesville.

There is also a clear, structured follow-up policy in place to ensure the success and well-being of the partnership between you and your service dog.

You will need to pass a public access at least yearly in order to be in good standing. Note that for the public access retest, arrangements must be made to come to Charlottesville during the week. In addition you will need to complete reports for SDV as well as submit health reports for your dog.