A Shortage with Long Waits
Service dogs provide life-changing support to individuals with a wide range of disabilities, enhancing independence, safety, and overall well-being. These highly trained animals assist people with disabilities to perform tasks they’re not able to do for themselves — such as mobility, alertness to medical conditions, and helping veterans manage PTSD. And of course, they’re great emotional support for their person as well. As awareness of their benefits grows, so does the demand—yet the supply remains limited due to the extensive training required. Not every dog is capable of being a service dog, and, the cost of producing a service dog is high. Long waitlists, high costs, and an unregulated market make access challenging, underscoring the need for reputable service dog organizations to bridge the gap.Â
To help meet the need for service dogs in our community, Putnam Service Dogs (PSD) is dedicated to transforming rescue puppies into skilled service dogs that enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities. Through expert training and compassionate care, these dogs become invaluable companions, fostering greater independence and improving overall well-being for those they serve. Our mission is to change lives by championing our dogs and their people — lifting up their lives.Â
Understanding the Critical Role and Demand for Service Dogs
Trained service dogs are essential companions for many individuals with disabilities and veterans. Sadly, the number of service dogs in the U.S. is simply not enough to satisfy the growing demand.Â
Why Do People Get Service Dogs
The demand for service dogs is growing among many individuals with a variety of disabilities. Many trained service dogs help their recipients with mobility issues, keeping them safe in public places. Others are specifically trained to help veterans with disabilities or PTSD, to alert their recipients to impending medical issues, or to help elderly or disabled individuals retrieve dropped items.Â
The Effect of Trained Service Dogs in the Community
Trained service dogs help individuals and veterans with disabilities overcome many of the challenges they face each day. These animals are specially trained to give their recipients not only critical help, but also companionship, freedom, and independence. With time, many recipients see fewer injuries and medical incidents, lowering their health care costs and freeing up valuable resources for communities. These dogs also assist their recipients psychologically and socioeconomically, transforming their lives. Happier people are healthier people.
Shortage of Service Dogs, Volunteers, and Funding
Putnam Service Dogs relies on volunteers and donors to make an impact on the community. We encourage anyone who is interested in fulfilling, charitable work to look into the various ways to get involved with PSD. From volunteering as a puppy raiser, for vacation relief or as a weekend foster, volunteering at our events, or making a one-time or monthly donation, there are many different ways to get involved.Â
Service Dog Waiting List
According to an NBC News article published in 2022, the demand for service dogs continues to skyrocket. Because no real regulations for training exist, some individuals and service dog schools exploit the demand promising well-trained service dogs with very little actual training, virtually no specific training in their recipients’ unique needs, or in regard to their working together as a team. As of late 2024, an estimated 500,000 service dogs were actively working in the United States. Per the CDC, more than 61 million Americans live with a disability that could be improved by a service dog. Admittedly not every one wants a dog or is capable of caring for a dog, but still, that’s a significant discrepancy, which requires funding and volunteers to resolve.Â
The Cost of Training a Service Dog
Without charitable organizations like Putnam Service Dogs providing free service dogs, or insurance coverage (for some veterans), service dog recipients could expect to pay somewhere between $15,000 and $50,000 for their service animals. This includes more than the cost of training – it also covers food, a basic salary for those working full time in the organization, veterinary bills, toys, and the copious accessories required to safely prepare a dog for life as a service animal. Putnam Service Dogs spends close to $60,000 by the time it has trained their free service dog, and trained the recipient how to work well with the dog as an effective team.
Shortages of Volunteers and Puppy Raisers
Surprisingly, money isn’t the only problem charitable organizations like PSD face. With more than 200 applications for service dogs last year alone, donations of time are equally important to our mission. From puppy raisers to people who volunteer at our fundraising events or administration, organizations like ours face the same shortages — and you can help.Â
PSD’s Mission to Support the Demand for Service Dogs & The Role Our Volunteers Play
We make a big impact on the lives of our pups, their recipients, and those who work with us in our mission to provide free service dogs to people with disabilities other than blindness and veterans with PTSD. We have earned third-party certification from Charity Navigator, which means those who donate their time or money to this amazing, fulfilling cause can feel confident in their decision. Being a BBB Accredited nonprofit also means PSD is transparent about our methods and our financials and are exceptionally well run.Â
Service dogs certainly do change lives, and not just the lives of their recipients. Our volunteer fosters and puppy raisers also are touched by the great dogs they meet. Some go on to raise multiple pups because the experience is so rewarding. Lift up lives by becoming a volunteer, and your life may just be transformed, too!Â
Nancy Teague, the founder of Putnam Service Dogs, is a dedicated advocate who embodies the mission of the organization every single day. Alongside the passionate individuals who have joined the cause, she works tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of both people and dogs. With an unwavering commitment to championing service dogs, Nancy understands the transformative power that occurs when a service dog is matched with its recipient, forging a remarkable team.