How to Get a Free Psychiatric Service Dog for Anxiety

Did you know that there are service dogs that are specially rained to perform tasks that help alleviate anxiety and other mental health symptoms? These are called psychiatric service dogs. They can be completely life-changing for those who are struggling with these challenges. While they can be very expensive to train, there are many charitable organizations that can help you get a psychiatric service dog for free or reduced cost.

What is a Psychiatric Service Dog?

A psychiatric service dog is a service dog trained to perform tasks directly related to a person’s mental health condition. For individuals with anxiety, these tasks may include:

• Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT): The dog applies firm, gentle pressure to the handler’s body, which can help to calm and ground them during moments of anxiety.
• Interrupting Repetitive Behaviors: The dog may nudge or paw at the handler to break them out of a cycle of repetitive behaviors associated with anxiety.
• Retrieving Medication or Objects: The dog can fetch medication, water, or other items that can help alleviate anxiety symptoms.
• Providing Tactile Stimulation: The dog’s presence and touch can offer comfort and distraction during anxious episodes.

It is important to realize that trained psychiatric service dogs are very different than emotional support animals. While they can both provide comfort and support for people with anxiety, psychiatric service dogs are specifically trained to perform tasks that mitigate symptoms and help regulate behavior. Emotional support animals, on the other hand, do not require any specific training and are not considered service animals.

Organizations that Provide Free Psychiatric Service Dogs

There are several organizations that can help you get a free psychiatric service dog. However, it’s important to remember that they will usually require you to attend some on-site training before you pick up your new dog. Even if they give the dog to you for free, they usually will not cover the cost of your travel or lodging. They also require you to able to afford the ongoing care of your new dog as well.

Canines 4 Comfort (Illinois Only)

Canines 4 Comfort trains psychiatric service dogs for people with anxiety, depression, PTSD and other mental health diagnoses. They provide most of their dogs for children or veterans, although sometimes they place them in other places like schools, first responder teams and others.

The services they provide are free. However, they only serve people located within a 60 mile radius of Round Lake, Illinois.

Canine Companions (Veterans Only)

Canine Companions trains service dogs to assist with psychiatric disorders like PTSD. Their FAQ clearly states that they can train dogs for tasks performed for anxiety, hypervigilance and generalized fear. These tasks may include things like creating barriers and distance, turning lights on and retrieving items.

However, this program is limited to US Armed Forces veterans at this time. If you are interested, you can learn more on the Canine Companions website.

Pups 4 Patriots (Veterans & First Responders Only)

Veterans and first responders who are experience psychiatric struggles due to post-traumatic stress or traumatic brain injuries may be able to receive a free service dog from Pups 4 Patriots. This program is offered by American Humane.

In order to be eligible, you must be a veteran or first responder who has an eligible service-related mental health diagnosis. You also need to be participating in regular mental health treatment for that condition.

You can apply online or learn more on the Pups 4 Patriots website.

Other Ways to Get Psychiatric Service Dogs

If you do not qualify for the free options above, there may still be a way for you to get a free or reduced cost psychiatric service dog. Please consider these options:

• Little Angels Service Dogs helps approved clients find funding from various sources. You will have to pay a $50 application fee and a $500 waitlist fee. After that, they will work with you to coordinate fundraisers and find other assistance to meet your $18,000 contribution requirement.
• Merlin’s Kids asks families to contribute $17,000 toward the cost of their child’s psychiatric service dog. According to their website, most serious families are able to successfully fundraise that amount within a year.
• Paws & Affection charges a $5,000 placement fee for their service dogs, which are trained to help children with anxiety. However, they only serve children who live within one hour of the greater Philadelphia area.
• Service Dogs of America helps approved clients find funding through grants, fundraising applications, payment plans and scholarships. You’ll have to pay the $50 nonrefundable application fee before they will help you find financing for the rest of the $20,000 cost though.

Relief Recap

If you’re looking for a free service dog for anxiety or other psychiatric challenges, the providers on this list may be able to help you. We have covered all of the free and low-cost service dog options we’ve found. Check back often because we regularly update our lists with new resources as we find them!