[nagdu] Cost of a service dog

[Darla Rogers]

	Good thoughts, Tracy.  If GDA charged in the manner TSE does, I'd
not change schools; I wanted a smaller school with more individualized
attention and a quieter environment and where I would have a very heavy
probability to get a lab again.
	My only issue with charging anything in today's world, is I'd hate
to see the guide dog option only available to those with good jobs.
Darla & hardworking Huck


-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 9:49 AM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nagdu] Cost of a service dog

Marion's recent question about the cost of a service dog got me thinking. 
It's my impression that many non-guide service dog training centers charge a
lot to their clients, like thousands of dollars.  When TSE started out, they
charged a fee that was substantial at the time, but now is less than I've
spent taking guests out to a nice dinner.  The norm among guide dog schools
is to charge nothing, or a nominal fee, so much so that I hear people
complain about TSE's fee.
I wonder why other service dog training centers charge so much, while those
for guide dogs charge so little?  My first guess Is it's because the guide
dog schools are well-established charities, with sufficient donations.  Or
is it possible that blind people expect to get things free, and other
disabled people don't?
The cost certainly explains the relative numbers of owner-trainers.  If I
had to raise thousands every time I needed a new dog, it would make
owner-training a very attractive alternative.
Anyway, just wondering, and not complaining.
Tracy



_______________________________________________
nagdu mailing list
nagdu at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/djrogers0628%40gmail.com