Portland resident Pam O?Reilly, who experiences mobility issues associated with reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, is eagerly awaiting the arrival of a canine companion that will make her life a little easier.
O?Reilly, a 17-year breast cancer survivor on a fixed income, says the dog will keep her stable and make it easier for her to get out and walk.
What she?s not looking forward to are the additional bills that will come with her new partner.
People like O?Reilly, who depend on their animal for day-to-day tasks, often have limited income but must still find room in their budget to cover the costs of food, veterinary care and sometimes the animal itself.
?The everyday expenses are what I worry about the most,? O?Reilly says. ?It?s going to be hard to do.?
Paying for the animal
Some large organizations, such as Guide Dogs for the Blind and Canine Companions for Independence, are able to provide the dogs and some services free of charge. Others, such as those that train dogs to assist children with autism or detect diabetes, can cost $13,000 to $20,000.
The service dog O?Reilly will receive, trained at Keizer-based The Joys of Living Assistance Dogs, costs $7,000.
She did some research and discovered the Assistance Dog United Campaign, a nonprofit that provides financial support for people who need assistance dogs.
She successfully applied for a $5,500 voucher the organization provides for service, hearing and guide dogs. Vouchers valued at $2,500 are available for social and therapy dogs.
?Vouchers are for individuals that have disabilities but don?t have the money,? says ADUC administrator Kathy Daly. ?If we can help them get the dog, then perhaps it will be easier for them to afford the vet bills and everything else that goes along with owning a dog.?
The service animal recipient can choose from a list of more than 75 programs ranging from hearing dogs to canines that sniff out skin cancer.
Individuals apply for the vouchers, but the money goes directly to the organization providing the service animal.
As a nonprofit, the volunteer-run group?s funds are limited, however; it was only able to grant five vouchers this year.
The Gift of Sunshine, a Pennsylvania-based organization, also offers some financial assistance for service dogs and owners.
The group?s Hope Chest program donates up to $2,000 toward a trained assistance dog from participating programs, but the request has to come from the service dog organization.
Another option is Oregon?s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, which may be able to help finance a dog if it would help a disabled person to return to work, says director Stephanie Parrish Taylor.
The office has funded two dogs from The Joys of Living Assistance Dogs, says executive director Joy St. Peter.
St. Peter does have clients like O?Reilly who are already struggling and for whom the cost of a dog is difficult.
?In a way it?s a sticky spot for both the organizations and the people who receive the dog,? says St. Peter, who notes that training the dogs is expensive and time consuming.
Still, her group does whatever it can to help.
?We work with them outside the box if we need to,? she says.
She suggests her clients ask their church or community organization to help with fundraising efforts. Sometimes she?ll conduct demonstrations to illustrate to potential donors why a person needs an assistance dog.
Finding money for food
Struggling people with service animals can access high-quality pet food at The Pongo Fund?s twice-monthly Pet Food Bank in Southeast Portland.
The nonprofit organization frequently provides food for low-income people with service animals, says Larry Chusid, director of The Pongo Fund.
It?s especially important to make sure they keep their animals, he says.
?These are clients that are already fragile for a variety of reasons,? he says. ?If they lose their animal because they can?t afford to care for them, the consequences are devastating.?
Certain seniors and people with physical disabilities are eligible for a $50 per month allowance for certified service animals, says Mike McCormick, deputy director for Aging and People with Disabilities.
?We understand and value the importance of service animals,? he says. ?This is a way to give a little bit of help.?
To qualify, people must qualify for Medicaid at a local Aging and Disability Services Office. An eligibility worker or case manager can help them with the process.
Veterinary care
Some veterinary clinics offer discounts for service animals. The VCA Rock Creek Animal Hospital in Aloha offers a 25 percent discount on veterinary services, as long as the owner provides proof the dog is a working service dog.
Other VCA hospitals offer a 15 percent service animal discount toward veterinary care.
Some foundations such as the Banfield Charitable Trust provide grants for organizations that provide service animals.
Banfield does provide limited financial assistance for individuals, but they must meet very specific criteria to qualify, says executive director Dianne McGill.
The International Association of Assistance Dog Partners can also help with veterinary expenses for service dogs, but only the veterinarian can initiate the grant request.
The Gift of Sunshine?s Gandalf Fund provides up to $2,500 for assistance dogs with a serious illness or injury.
If you need a service animal, chances are there is an organization that may be able to offer some assistance. You just might need to do a little homework first.
Here are some resources to try:
Assistance Dog United Campaign: 707-545-3647
International Association of Assistance Dog Partners: 586-826-3938
The Joys of Living Assistance Dogs: 503-551-4572
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services: 503-945-5880
Oregon Aging and People with Disabilities Office: 503-945-5811
The Pongo Fund: 503-939-7555
VCA Rock Creek: 503-645-4458
Banfield Charitable Trust: 503-922-5801
DoveLewis Velvet Assistance Fund: 503-228-7281
The Gift of Sunshine: 610-554-8725
Hand to Paw Fund: 503-246- 7297
--Monique Balas
Source: http://www.oregonlive.com/pets/index.ssf/2013/02/pet_talk_struggling_service_an.html
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