How old is your child? Most reputable service dog organizations will not place a service dog with a child under the age of 12-14 years of age. What is your child's disability? Is it mobility, sight, hearing, combination? Someone already suggested looking into Assistance Dogs International for information about various service dog organizations.
A service dog is not a magical mythical creature. Be aware that by getting one you are setting your child (and yourself) up for the responsibility to this dog lasting 10-12 years. You will be obligated as well to the service dog organization; many require the dogs to be on special diets which costs upwards of $ 100 a month, committments to further training and continued testing to maintain the skill taught to the dog. Then add in the veterinary expenses - including annual physicals, vaccines, eye testing, and teeth cleaning. That expense alone can run $ 1500 - $ 2000 a year.
Then you have to add in the expense of the service dog gear - harness, tags, etc. Another $ 300 a year on average.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
If you have gotten past all of that, then there is the constant harassment, gawking, access denials and general ignorance on the part of the public regarding service dogs. It's not for the faint of heart, nor is it for a child that breaks easily from emotional distress.
If you get past all of that - well, then check out ADI for a listing of assistance dog/service dog organizations for the disability your child is dealing with.
You can't really get one for her. She must apply for herself. A service dog isn't the sort of thing one can purchase off the shelf. A person applies and provides medical documentation of the need as well as evidence they are capable of using and properly caring for the dog. There's no point placing a $ 20,000 dog with someone who won't be able to care for it properly or maintain its training.
Where she applies depends on her disability. Different programs specialize in different types of service dogs. Here's an article that explains how to go about finding programs to apply to:
http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content ...
go to this page:
http://www.assistancedogsinternational.o ... pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
they have a list of service dog agencies all over north america and in some european countries, as well. each organization has a different criteria but pretty much all of them will require you to have medical diagnosis that fits the dogs they train.
some agencies do require a hefty chunk out of your pocket (several thousand dollars or more) but some are partially subsidized so your out-of-pocket expense is less (under a grand). you'll have to go for training at their facility , too - it's not like the dog shows up in a box with a user manual on DVD. your training with the dog can take several weeks up to a couple months, depending on the type of dog and the services required.
edit: Lady G - most autistic dog agencies prefer children between the ages of 3 and 7. contact the ones on the list above if you don't believe me.
Speak with her doctor about the possibility of her being classified as " ; disabled "under the ADA.
If she is, you can either speak with reputable service dog "companies" about getting a pup that is already trained, or train a dog you already have
Well what does she need it for? There are different agencies for different reasons : blind, deaf, disabled, autistic, and more. There are different agencies for different reasons. But, you have to have medical proof that your daughter could really use the help of a dog, plus you have to pay a good amount of money for one.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
http://www.4pawsforability.org/
You shouldn't. The choice to use a service dog is an intensely personal one which needs to be made by the disabled person, not anyone else.
Start by talking to her Doctor. What is wrong with her that she needs a service dog. A lot of people thing a service dog will answer their medical problems but the just ad a bigger burden to to person
Here is a wonderful site, video included, that shows you what they do, and how to get one depending upon what you need it for;
http://www.neads.org/services_new/servic ...
I don 't know where you or what her needs are but I am sure these people could give you some direction
http://www.greatplainsdogs.com/
