Donations made to the Service Dog Training / Placement Program help us with the expenses incurred while training and fostering a Service Dog..
Donations are used specifically to support the program in the following ways. To pay for:
(Before the dog goes into training:) (This period may last up to 6 months).
  • general expenses such as feeding and any medical care the dog may need,
  • a thorough medical physical exam performed by our veterinarian (to determine the dog's physical ability to perform as a Service Dog / $45),
  • the spaying / neutering of these dogs, (males = $45, females = $60),
  • vaccinations that by law, we cannot give at the shelter (rabies must be administered by a licensed veterinarian in the state of Arkansas to be considered "legal" / $15),
    (Once the dog goes into training:) (This period normally lasts 3 months).
  • general expenses such as feeding and any medical care the dog may need,
  • microchipping (performed by our staff / $30),
  • special training equipment such as leashes and collars, (averages $125),
  • printing and laminating supplies needed for making the various ID's the dog will need (averages $15).
    (Once the dog is placed with a disabled individual:)
  • VPI Pet Health Insurance (we provide the first two months of coverage / averages $25 per month),
  • Membership into the IAADP (International Association of Assistance Dog Partners) (membership in this organization provides many freebies such as flea and tick preventatives, special discounts on a variety of useful products, etc) (we provide the first year's membership / $35),
  • beginning equipment the dog will need such as a vest or backpack and "Service Dog Working" patches, (averages $75), and

    Also, once a dog is placed into a foster home to await final placement with a disabled person, we assist the fostering family with any expenses the dog may incur until it is placed.

    Average total cost for a dog in this program: $300. This does not include the general expenses for the dog while it is waiting to be trained, in training, or in foster care, or any payment to our trainers for their time and efforts.

    Also, many of the disabled people needing a Service Dog do not have the ability to pay for one. The SPCA assists at these times with fundraising to help the individual get the funds they need to buy their dog, by going to churches, special events that they themselves must set up, etc. We explain what Service Dogs are, what they do, and how this person can benefit from owning one themselves. Although these fundraisers help considerably, they are not always 100% successful in getting all the money the person needs. If you wish, you may designate your donation to this purpose and know that your contribution has gone towards a very good thing indeed.

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