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People have asked us, “Do you know how we can go about getting a service dog?” or “Do you know where families can find funding for a medical service dog?” We know this can feel overwhelming, especially for families looking for help for autistic children, people with diabetes, seizure disorders, mobility needs, PTSD, and other disabilities. We have done our best to gather reliable starting points, state by state, so you have the details you need in one place.
A service dog is not the same as an emotional support animal. Under the ADA, a service animal is a dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability, and the task must be directly related to that disability. Assistance Dogs International is one of the most important places to start because it lists accredited and candidate nonprofit programs and tracks programs serving autism, diabetic alert, seizure, mobility, PTSD, psychiatric, and medical-alert needs.
Before You Apply: Quick Steps That Help
1. Ask the doctor or specialist for a written diagnosis and functional-needs letter. Most programs will want documentation explaining the disability and what tasks a dog may need to perform.
2. Use reputable directories first. Start with Assistance Dogs International and, for guide dogs, the International Guide Dog Federation.
3. Apply to more than one program. Waitlists can be long, eligibility rules vary, and some programs only serve certain ages, disabilities, veterans, or geographic areas.
4. Ask each organization directly about cost, grants, fundraising, and payment plans. Some place dogs free of charge, such as Canine Companions, which states that its service dogs and follow-up support are provided free to clients. Others require family fundraising or a placement fee.
5. Be careful with “instant certification” websites. The ADA does not require online registration or purchased certificates for a dog to be a real service dog. What matters is disability-related task training.
6. Check tax and disability savings options. The IRS has historically allowed certain costs for buying, training, and maintaining a guide dog or other trained service animal as medical expenses. Families may also ask a tax professional about ABLE accounts, special-needs trusts, medical deductions, and employer or community fundraising.
National Organizations and Funding Leads
These organizations may serve multiple states or provide helpful national starting points:
Assistance Dogs International Member Search — best first stop for accredited nonprofit programs.
Canine Companions — national nonprofit; service dogs and follow-up services are free to clients.
4 Paws for Ability — places service dogs for children and veterans, including autism, seizure alert, mobility, and other needs.
Little Angels Service Dogs — ADI-accredited; trains for autism, diabetic alert, seizure alert, mobility, psychiatric, hearing, and other disabilities.
Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs — trains medical service dogs for veterans, first responders, and civilians.
Chive Charities — has funded disability-related needs including service dog training in some cases.
Chelsea Hutchison Foundation — seizure-response dog and epilepsy monitor grant resource.
State-by-State Service Dog and Funding Resource List
Use the state link first to search current ADI-accredited or candidate programs serving your area, then contact the listed organizations directly.
State Where to Start
Alabama ADI Alabama search and Service Dogs Alabama, which lists autism, seizure, mobility, PTSD, and other medical service dog programs.
Alaska ADI Alaska search, Paws for Purple Hearts Alaska, and Alaska Assistance Dogs for referral/education.
Arizona ADI Arizona search, Soldier’s Best Friend, Power Paws Assistance Dogs.
Arkansas ADI Arkansas search, plus national providers such as Canine Companions and 4 Paws for Ability.
California ADI California search, Canine Companions, Good Dog! Service Canines, Little Angels Service Dogs.
Colorado ADI Colorado search, Freedom Service Dogs, Canine Partners of the Rockies, Paragon Service Dogs.
Connecticut ADI Connecticut search, ECAD, Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation.
Delaware ADI Delaware search, Canine Partners for Life in nearby Pennsylvania, and national programs.
Florida ADI Florida search, Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Dogs Inc, K9s For Warriors for veterans.
Georgia ADI Georgia search, Canine Assistants, Canine Companions.
Hawaii ADI Hawaii search, Hawaii Fi-Do Service Dogs, which describes itself as a nonprofit service-dog organization in Hawaii.
Idaho ADI Idaho search, Paws for Purple Hearts, Atlas Assistance Dogs.
Illinois ADI Illinois search, Paws Giving Independence, Sit Service Dogs.
Indiana ADI Indiana search, ICAN, Medical Mutts.
Iowa ADI Iowa search, Retrieving Freedom.
Kansas ADI Kansas search, KSDS Assistance Dogs.
Kentucky ADI Kentucky search, Pawsibilities Unleashed, national providers.
Louisiana ADI Louisiana search, national providers such as Canine Companions and 4 Paws for Ability.
Maine ADI Maine search, Mission Working Dogs, Maine Paws for Veterans.
Maryland ADI Maryland search, Fidos For Freedom, Hero Dogs, Warrior Canine Connection.
Massachusetts ADI Massachusetts search, NEADS World Class Service Dogs, Canine Companions.
Michigan ADI Michigan search, Paws With A Cause, Leader Dogs for the Blind.
Minnesota ADI Minnesota search, Can Do Canines, Helping Paws.
Mississippi ADI Mississippi search, national providers and regional programs in Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Florida.
Missouri ADI Missouri search, Duo Dogs, CHAMP Assistance Dogs, Retrieving Freedom.
Montana ADI Montana search, Paws for Purple Hearts, Dog Tag Buddies for veterans.
Nebraska ADI Nebraska search, Domesti-PUPS, national providers.
Nevada ADI Nevada search, Michael’s Angel Paws, national programs.
New Hampshire ADI New Hampshire search, Hero Pups, NEADS.
New Jersey ADI New Jersey search, The Seeing Eye, Canine Companions.
New Mexico ADI New Mexico search, Assistance Dogs of the West.
New York ADI New York search, Guide Dog Foundation, America’s VetDogs, BluePath Service Dogs, ECAD.
North Carolina ADI North Carolina search, paws4people, Eyes Ears Nose and Paws.
North Dakota ADI North Dakota search, national and regional providers in Minnesota and South Dakota.
Ohio ADI Ohio search, 4 Paws for Ability, Circle Tail.
Oklahoma ADI Oklahoma search, Honoring America’s Warriors, national providers.
Oregon ADI Oregon search, Autism Service Dogs of America, Paws for Purple Hearts.
Pennsylvania ADI Pennsylvania search, Canine Partners for Life, UDS Service Dogs, Susquehanna Service Dogs.
Rhode Island ADI Rhode Island search, NEADS, national providers.
South Carolina ADI South Carolina search, Service Dogs for Veterans, national providers.
South Dakota ADI South Dakota search, Can Do Canines, national providers.
Tennessee ADI Tennessee search, Retrieving Independence, Wilderwood Service Dogs.
Texas ADI Texas search, Service Dogs, Inc., Patriot Paws, K9s For Warriors for veterans.
Utah ADI Utah search, Canines With A Cause, Intermountain Therapy Animals for therapy-animal resources.
Vermont ADI Vermont search, NEADS, national providers.
Virginia ADI Virginia search, Saint Francis Service Dogs, Canine Companions.
Washington ADI Washington search, Summit Assistance Dogs, Atlas Assistance Dogs.
West Virginia ADI West Virginia search, Hearts of Gold Service Dogs, regional providers in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Virginia.
Wisconsin ADI Wisconsin search, Custom Canines Service Dog Academy, Occupaws Guide Dog Association.
Wyoming ADI Wyoming search, Paws for Purple Hearts, Colorado and Montana regional providers.
When contacting any organization, ask these exact questions:
Do you train for my child’s or loved one’s specific disability?
Do you serve my state?
What ages do you accept?
Is there a waitlist?
What is the total cost to the family?
Do you provide grants, scholarships, payment plans, or fundraising help?
Are you ADI-accredited, an ADI candidate, or otherwise independently evaluated?
What follow-up support is included after placement?
A service dog can be life-changing, but the process takes patience. Start with the most reputable directories, gather medical documentation, apply broadly, and ask each program directly about funding.
There are real organizations and foundations that can help fund or fully cover the cost of a service dog. But here’s the key truth most people don’t tell you upfront:
👉 Most funding does NOT go directly to individuals — it goes through nonprofit programs that train and place the dogs. �
👉 That means your best path is applying through the right organizations, not just looking for a check.
1 FUR 1 Foundation
Below is a clear, professional breakdown of real, verified options you can actually pursue.
🐕 Organizations That Help Fund or Provide Service Dogs
💰 Organizations That Help Pay / Fund Service Dogs
These groups may offer grants, scholarships, or financial help:
Assistance Dog United Campaign
Helps people find funding sources to pay for a service dog through partner programs. �
The Pet Fund
Doggie Does Good
Offers financial assistance applications and fundraising support for individuals needing service dogs. �
Doggie Does Good
Canines for Disabled Kids
Provides scholarships (about $250–$5,000) to help children get service dogs. �
Credible
The Pet Fund
Helps connect individuals with funding resources for service dogs and related needs. �
The Pet Fund
Chelsea Hutchison Foundation
Helps fund seizure-response dogs and medical devices for epilepsy.
Patterson Foundation
Funds service dog programs (not individuals directly), which ultimately helps expand access.
🐾 Organizations That Provide Service Dogs (Often FREE)
These are often your BEST option because they remove the cost entirely:
Canine Companions
✔ Provides highly trained service dogs completely free of charge. �
Canine Companions
4 Paws for Ability
✔ Helps children and veterans (autism, seizures, diabetes, PTSD)
⚠️ Usually requires fundraising by the family
Little Angels Service Dogs
✔ Helps with multiple disabilities
⚠️ Families often fundraise toward cost (~$18K+) �
The Dog Alliance
Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs
✔ Serves civilians, veterans, and first responders
NEADS World Class Service Dogs
✔ Long-established nonprofit placing service dogs
Can Do Canines
✔ Provides assistance dogs at no cost to people with disabilities
🇺🇸 Special Funding Programs (Veterans & First Responders)
American Humane Pups4Patriots
✔ Provides service dogs at no cost for PTSD/TBI. �
American Humane Society
Wounded Warrior Service Dog Program
✔ Government-supported program helping veterans receive service dogs.
🧭 The Smart Way to Get Funding (Step-by-Step)
If you want the highest chance of success, follow this exact approach:
1. Start with a provider, not a grant
Apply to organizations like Canine Companions or 4 Paws first.
2. Ask them THIS:
“Do you offer funding or fundraising help?”
“What grants do your clients qualify for?”
👉 Most programs will guide you to specific funding sources you can use
3. Apply for financial aid simultaneously
Use:
Assistance Dog United Campaign
Doggie Does Good
Disability-specific foundations
4. Be ready to fundraise
Many families:
Run GoFundMe campaigns
Partner with local churches/businesses
Use nonprofit sponsorships
🔗 MAIN SERVICE DOG APPLICATION & ORGANIZATION LINKS
⭐ Start Here (MOST IMPORTANT)
https://assistancedogsinternational.org/member-search/�
👉 Find accredited programs by your state
🐾 Major Service Dog Providers
https://canine.org/�
👉 Canine Companions (FREE service dogs) �
Canine Companions
https://canine.org/submit-basic-service-dog-request/�
👉 Apply to Canine Companions
https://www.4pawsforability.org/�
👉 4 Paws for Ability
https://www.4pawsforability.org/apply/�
👉 Start application �
4 Paws for Ability -
https://www.4pawsforability.org/apply/child/�
👉 Child-specific application �
4 Paws for Ability -
https://littleangelsservicedogs.org/�
👉 Little Angels Service Dogs
https://littleangelsservicedogs.org/apply-for-a-dog/�
👉 Apply for a dog �
Little Angels Service Dogs
https://neads.org/�
👉 NEADS World Class Service Dogs �
NEADS Service Dogs
https://pawswithacause.org/�
👉 Paws With A Cause �
Paws With A Cause
https://candocanines.org/�
👉 Can Do Canines (free dogs) �
Can Do Canines
🏁 Bottom Line
Yes — you absolutely can get a service dog funded or even free, but:
✔ The best path is through nonprofit service dog programs
✔ Grants exist, but usually support programs, not direct cash to individuals
✔ Combining applications + fundraising + grants gives the best results
Part 2 link
https://pawsinthegreen.com/blogs/paws-in-the-green-blog/state-specific-service-dog-funding-application-strategy-part-2
