[nagdu] Cost of owning a guide dog
Tracy Carcione
carcione at access.net
Tue Feb 22 14:38:12 UTC 2011
I'd say guide dogs usually retire sometime between 9 and 12 years old.
Some people think a dog should be retired when he's 10, regardless. Me,
I'd like Ben to work until he's 11, but he's kinda lazy and may opt to
retire earlier.
HTH
Tracy
> Hi Jessica, Julie and all,
> Could you elaborate on what you meant by "a dog can find things
> whereas a cane cannot"? What kinds of things are you referring to?
> Certainly it depends on a dog's health, but around what age do guide
> dogs usually retire?
> Thanks a lot for your help!
> Phil
>
>
> On 2/21/11, Jessica Pitzer <rolosgirl at gmail.com> wrote:
>> I used a cane for about 17 years or so. A dog can find things where as
>> a cane can not, but a cane can give you more tacticle info. I prefer
>> the dog obviously.
>>
>> On 2/21/11, Julie J <julielj at neb.rr.com> wrote:
>>> Phil,
>>>
>>> I have my current guide and my retired guide here.
>>>
>>> Some people do get pet insurance, but I'd caution reading the fine
>>> print
>>> before signing on the dotted line. I've heard a lot of people say they
>>> aren't worth the cost, that it's better to just put the money in a
>>> savings
>>> account. I haven't spend that much time looking into insurance, so I
>>> have
>>> no idea which plans are better than others. If this is a concern, I'd
>>> ask
>>> the program you are considering what sort of support they offer in
>>> cases
>>> of
>>> unforeseen medical expenses.
>>>
>>> Julie
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Philip S" <philso1003 at gmail.com>
>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Monday, February 21, 2011 4:44 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Cost of owning a guide dog
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hi Julie,
>>>> Thanks for your detailed answers. You mentioned "both of your dogs".
>>>> Do you have 2 guide dogs? Yes, vet visits and unforeseen medical
>>>> expenses can be costly. Is it a common practice for people to buy
>>>> health insurance for their guide dogs such as from PetPlan?
>>>> Thanks.
>>>> Phil
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 2/20/11, Julie J <julielj at neb.rr.com> wrote:
>>>>> Phil,
>>>>>
>>>>> My best answer is...it depends. It's hard to pin down an exact
>>>>> amount I
>>>>> spend monthly or yearly because there are so many variables. Here's
>>>>> my
>>>>> best
>>>>> guess at your individual questions.
>>>>>
>>>>>> About how much can I expect the cost to increase as a dog gets
>>>>>> bigger >
>>>>>> (eat more?) and older (more vet visits?)
>>>>> *> The cost you incur on food won't really change over the lifetime
>>>>> of
>>>>> the
>>>>> dog since all the programs will be matching you with an adult dog.
>>>>> Whether
>>>>> or not you spend a lot on vet visits totally depends on the
>>>>> individual
>>>>> health of the dog. I wish I knew of some way to predict health and
>>>>> longevity, but I don't.*
>>>>>
>>>>>> In particular, how much do you spend each month (or each year on the
>>>>>> following)?
>>>>>> Food *approx. $600 per year I have a very large dog who cannot
>>>>>> tolerate
>>>>>> corn, wheat or soy*
>>>>>> Treats *I only buy treats every now and then, maybe $20 per year.
>>>>>> Typically I use regular dog food or find something appropriate from
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> refridgerator.*
>>>>>> Snacks *I don't really do snacks*
>>>>>> regular Vet visit*approx. $30 per year, but I live in a very rural
>>>>>> environment. My vet is super cheap compared to what you'd
>>>>>> experience
>>>>>> in
>>>>>>
>>>>>> a
>>>>>>
>>>>>> large city.*
>>>>>> Major medical expense*Absolutely no way to know in advance.*
>>>>>> supplies*I've had dogs for all of my life. Many of the supplies I
>>>>>> have
>>>>>> like brushes etc. I've had for ages. None of them were very
>>>>>> expensive,
>>>>>> except for the Furminator. You could buy all the brushes and combs
>>>>>> you'd
>>>>>> need for under $20. I think the dishes I have cost something like
>>>>>> $7
>>>>>> or
>>>>>> so.*
>>>>>> Kennel*Again I have a very large dog, 27 inches tall. There aren't
>>>>>> a
>>>>>> lot
>>>>>> to choose from when you get to that size. I have a VariKennel which
>>>>>> was
>>>>>> about $100.*
>>>>>> license*Spayed or neutered dogs are $5 here, which I do pay.
>>>>>> Technically
>>>>>> speaking a fee cannot be charged to you because of your choice of
>>>>>> mobility
>>>>>>
>>>>>> tool. Your experience in getting local authorities to understand
>>>>>> this
>>>>>> may
>>>>>>
>>>>>> vary.*
>>>>>> Toy*my dogs are spoiled in the toy department. They have an entire
>>>>>> bin
>>>>>> full of them. I try to pick super durable toys that will last a
>>>>>> long
>>>>>> while though. I'd say the current toy selection probably cost me
>>>>>> around
>>>>>> $100, but they weren't purchased all at once and they obviously
>>>>>> don't
>>>>>> need
>>>>>>
>>>>>> all of those toys. I like King Wholesale for toys. They are about
>>>>>> half
>>>>>> the price of Petsmart or Petco.*
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Do you visit any dog/pet website?
>>>>> *Yes, many. I like King Wholesale for toys, supplies, grooming needs
>>>>> etc.*
>>>>>
>>>>> Do you get your dog food/supplies
>>>>>> online or at a store?
>>>>>> *Generally online. Again I live in a very, very small town. There
>>>>>> is
>>>>>> no
>>>>>> pet store here. I feed Flint River Ranch dog food to both of my
>>>>>> dogs.
>>>>>> it's only available on line and delivered to your front door.*
>>>>>> Thanks very much for your help!
>>>>> *No problem. I did want to mention that most/all of the guide dog
>>>>> programs
>>>>> will provide you with a couple of toys, a mat or crate, leash,
>>>>> collar,
>>>>> harness, food bowl, brush and probably other stuff I'm forgetting at
>>>>> the
>>>>> moment. the two major expenses are food and vet bills. Some of the
>>>>> programs will provide a yearly stipend or assistance with unforseen
>>>>> vet
>>>>> costs. If you live close enough to the school I think most of them
>>>>> will
>>>>> allow you to take your dog there for vet visits free of charge.*
>>>>>
>>>>> Julie
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
>>>>
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