How to Get a Free Service Dog for Autism

If you or a loved one is on the autism spectrum, a service dog can provide invaluable support. This article will delve into how to get a free service dog for autism from various charities around the United States.

Organizations that Provide a Free Service Dog for Autism

There are several organizations that offer free service dogs for people who are living with autism. However, most of these organizations focus on pairing service dogs with autistic children.

Guide Dogs of America

Guide Dogs of America provides free service dogs to children with autism and veterans. This organization can train your dog to assist with tethering, interrupting harmful behavior, providing sensory inputs, assisting with daily living skills and more.

In order to qualify, your child must be between the ages of 4 and 12 years old. They must be participating in therapy or intervention services. You will need to designate one adult to help your child handle the dog. That adult must be able to attend a 10-day hands-on training course in Sylmar, California, at their own expense.

If you qualify, you can apply on the Guide Dogs of America website.

Paws with a Cause

PAWS can provide a service dog for free to eligible children with autism. In order to be eligible, your application must be received before your child’s 7th birthday. They must be participating in a therapy program, have excellent family support, and can’t have any other dogs in the home.

Because they can only provide so many dogs each year, PAWS only accepts applications between January and March each year. During that period, you can complete the client application on the PAWS website.

Retrieving Freedom inc.

Retrieving Freedom Inc. provides service dogs for free to children with autism. However, you will have to pay for a $30 background check when you submit your application.

In order to be eligible for assistance from this organization, you must have a child between the ages of 5 and 11 years old who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis. You also have to travel to one of their training sites in either Waverly, Iowa, or Sedalia, Missouri.

To start your application, you will need to select the child with autism application on the Retrieving Freedom website.

Dogs for Better Lives

Dogs for Better Lives provides free service dogs to children and families who are living with autism. These dogs can help your child stay safe and encourage social interactions.

To be eligible, your child must be between the ages of 4 and 12. You must live in one of their available states, which currently includes California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

You can learn more and apply at the Dogs for Better Lives website.

Blue Path Service Dogs (New York Only)

Blue Path Service Dogs provides free, trained service dogs for children with autism. Their dogs are trained to help keep your child safe and secure while providing quality companionship.

The child must be between the ages of 5 and 11 years old, and must live within two hours of Wappingers Falls, New York.

One or both parents must travel to their office for a five-day training session. During this time, you will need to stay in a nearby hotel at your own cost. Families also have to purchase certain equipment and supplies as well. Although you don’t have to pay for the dog, you will be expected to pay about $1,200 for the needed supplies and the training trip.

You can learn more on the Blue Path Service Dogs website.

Can Do Canines (Minnesota Only)

Can Do Canines provides free service dogs for children with autism in Minnesota. Your child must be between the ages of 2 and 7 in order to qualify.

Their specially-trained Autism Assist dogs can help anchor children who are prone to running. They can also interrupt harmful stimming behavior, provide deep pressure therapy, and provide a social bridge to children who need help sparking conversations or social interactions.

You can request a free service dog from Can Do Canines by completing the application on their website.

Other Ways to Get Autism Service Dogs

There are some additional organizations that can provide free service dogs at a reduced cost if you are not eligible for the free options listed above.

• NEADS World Class Service Dogs asks families accepted into their program to support the organization’s mission by raising $8,000. This contribution helps offset the costs of breeding, raising, training, and matching Service Dogs. While clients are encouraged to hit quarterly benchmarks and complete fundraising within two years, NEADS prioritizes matching the right dog with the right child. Therefore, if an appropriate match is available, NEADS will proceed regardless of fundraising progress.
• Highland Canine provides low-cost autism service dogs for just $15,900. However, they allow you to make payments so that you don’t have to pay all of the costs up front. They also deliver the dog to you so that you don’t have to travel to their training site.
• 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.

Relief Recap

There are many organizations hat provide free service dogs for autism, especially for children. If your child is eligible, please do not hesitate to contact one of the providers on this list and get on their wait list. It can take many months, and even in some cases years, to be matched with a trained dog. Don’t delay; reach out and start your applications today!