Service dogs are some of the most valuable and helpful animal companions around, aiding people with an array of psychiatric disabilities, including epilepsy, in many ways. Obtaining a service dog for epilepsy can drastically change someone’s comfort, confidence, and quality of life.
However, service dogs are expensive, so it’s no wonder that you may be thinking of obtaining a free service dog for epilepsy. Our guide gives you an overview of service dogs for epilepsy and how to get one of these helpful companions for free.
What Do Service Dogs Do for Epilepsy?
Service dogs for epilepsy are also known as seizure alert dogs, and these pups help their human deal with the symptoms of epilepsy, including providing alerts to oncoming seizures, giving their human a safe space to place their head if they must lie down, providing mobility support, and retrieving medication for their owners.
Many service dogs for epilepsy are also trained to find help if needed, guide their humans who may be confused, and provide comfort and support to those dealing with the symptoms of epilepsy.
Which Dogs are the Best for Epilepsy Service Dog Work?
The best dogs for epilepsy service dog work are those that are intelligent, trainable, and gentle, in addition to being medium or large in size. Larger dog breeds provide better mobility support, deep pressure therapy, and support when a human needs to lie their head down on the dog.
They are also stronger, allowing them to open doors and support most sizes of humans. Golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, standard poodles, and German shepherds all make great service dogs for epilepsy.
Does Insurance Cover Service Dogs for Epilepsy?
Insurance does not generally cover service dogs for epilepsy, as service dogs are not typically included in most health care plans. Some insurance plans may designate a service dog as necessary medical equipment, but this is quite rare.
Most people will need to pay for their service dog for epilepsy out of pocket, something that can cost between $15,000 and $50,000, depending on the dog, their training, and the person’s specific needs.
How To Get a Free Service Dog for Epilepsy
Service dogs for epilepsy can be expensive, but there are ways to get your service dog for low cost or no cost. Typically, you will need to work with a service dog organization, charity, or foundation to receive an epilepsy service dog for free. Use directories of service dog organizations that provide free service dogs to find an organization that fits your needs.
Keep in mind you will need to meet basic requirements when applying for a free service dog for epilepsy, such as age requirements, and you might need to participate in the dog’s training in addition to providing your diagnosis information as part of the application process. Each foundation or organization can give you more detailed information on what it takes to qualify.
What If I Don’t Qualify for a Free Service Dog for Epilepsy?
If you do not qualify for a free service dog for epilepsy, you do still have options for obtaining a low-cost or no-cost service dog. The main option for obtaining a lower-cost service dog for epilepsy is to simply train your own service dog.
This can be done with consistency, plenty of dedication to training, and online courses. If you need help with more advanced service dog skills, you can reach out to a professional dog trainer in your area.
It’s important to note that there is no requirement for service dogs in terms of specific courses to complete; your dog will simply need to be trained to perform tasks that help with your epilepsy to be recognized as an official service dog.
Getting the Service Dog Help You Need
Service dogs for epilepsy can be life-changing, and if you need help from a service dog to deal with the symptoms of your epilepsy, you may be wondering where to start. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the cost of service dogs, which can often be tens of thousands of dollars.
Fortunately, there are plenty of organizations and foundations around today that can help subsidize your service dog’s cost or help you obtain a service dog for epilepsy for free.
Take your time researching what you might be eligible for and carefully follow all application processes to get a free service dog for epilepsy in no time.
