How Much Does Service Dog Training Cost for Anxiety? Your Questions Answered

Service dogs are some of the most helpful dogs that you can have. While many people know that service dogs can guide the blind, help the deaf, or assist people with other physical disabilities, did you know that they can help with mental health disabilities? In fact, a psychiatric service dog can help with anxiety and other mental health disorders.

That said, service dogs for anxiety and other mental health conditions still require training, and that training needs to be both personalized and specialized, so the costs can be high. So, how much does service dog training cost for anxiety?

Read on to learn more.

What Is a Service Dog?

A service dog is a dog that’s trained to help someone who struggles with a disability. These dogs are specialized, highly trained, and even trained to suit your specific condition. Unlike pets, service dogs are given protection under several federal acts.

These acts include the Fair Housing Act (FHA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). The importance of these acts can’t be overstated because they allow service dogs to fly on planes, live in homes where landlords don’t allow pets, and much more.

For these reasons, service dogs are different from emotional support animals that are only protected under the Fair Housing Act. They’re also only trained and assigned to one person, which separates them from therapy dogs.

Does Anxiety Qualify for a Service Dog?

Yes, anxiety qualifies for a service dog. Any mental health disorder that’s classified as a disability will qualify for a service dog. While this is the case, you’ll find that a licensed mental health professional has to make the diagnosis. Licensed mental health professionals also need to make a recommendation for a service dog.

Therefore, you need to consult with a licensed mental health professional to determine whether or not a service dog can help with your anxiety. You’ll have more success if the anxiety is debilitating and causes other symptoms, like PTSD, panic attacks, or seizures.

Additional Disabilities that Qualify for Service Dogs

Anxiety isn’t the only disability that qualifies for a service dog. You’ll find that many disabilities can qualify because it comes down to whether or not a service dog will help with your condition.

Some other disabilities that qualify for a service dog include:

Seizure disorders
Physical disabilities
Depression
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Panic attack disorders
Social anxiety
Autism

This list is not exhaustive, and you’ll find that there are more disabilities that qualify for service dogs. Always consult with a licensed mental health professional to see if you have a condition that can benefit from service dog assistance.

How Much Does Service Dog Training for Anxiety Cost?

Service dog training for anxiety will cost you around $10,000 on the low end, and upwards of $30,000 on the high end. The cost varies based on several factors. For example, if you have a dog that needs to learn several commands, learn about triggers of panic attacks, and assist you physically, the cost is higher.

On the other hand, if the dog only needs to offer deep pressure therapy (DPT) and emotional support, the cost will be lower. You can also attempt to train your psychiatric service dog online, which can be more affordable. In fact, many online providers will only charge around $5,000 to $10,000 for the courses necessary to complete the program.

The benefit of online training is that it can be done in your home with your dog, and you can go at your own pace. However, it also leaves the most room for error.