How to get a free emotional support dog

Sharing Comfort and Companionship

Our skilled emotional support dogs benefit veterans, offering therapeutic companionship and helping to restore a more active lifestyle. These affectionate dogs improve veterans’ physical, social, and emotional wellbeing and are provided at the recommendation of a medical professional.

Please understand that an emotional support dog has limited access rights but does not have the same public access rights as service dogs under the ADA laws.

Important things to know:

• A mental health professional must prescribe an emotional support animal (ESA).
• Emotional support dogs were formerly allowed on planes, however, airlines are no longer required to accommodate ESAs.

The main difference between an emotional support dog and a service dog is that a service dog is trained to perform tasks related to a disability. Our ESAs are well-behaved and trained in basic skills, while our service dogs are trained in advanced cues and skills.

Apply for an Emotional Support Dog

What do I need to qualify for an emotional support dog?

Southeastern Guide Dogs is committed to providing you with exceptional customer service as you navigate our application process. The information below will provide you with a clear understanding of our application process and provide you with a checklist of the items that we will need to expedite your acceptance into our program.

ELIGIBILITY

In order to qualify for our Emotional Support Dog program, an applicant must:

• Be retired or inactive military, or approaching retirement within the next 3 months
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Reside in one of the 48 contiguous United States
• Have an official, written/typed letter from your current physician or mental health professional, specifically stating your need for an “Emotional Support Animal” (a sample letter from us can be provided directly to the physician if necessary)
• Have no felony convictions, history of violence, or protection orders
• Have no more than two dogs at the residence

APPLICATION

The applicant must complete the Emotional Support Dog Application. This application includes:

• Personal information about the applicant
• Three (3) personal references
• Physician’s name and contact information
• Consent form
• HireRight consent form (criminal background authorization)
• Documentation of Military Service (DD-214 for retired or separated military or a memo from the Commanding Officer on letterhead for active-duty military)

PRE-ADMISSION SCREENING

In addition to the completion of the application, additional applicant screening will include a pre-admission phone interview and in-home evaluation with a Southeastern Guide Dogs staff member.

ADMISSION

Upon receipt of the fully completed application, all supporting documentation, phone screening, and the in-home interview, our Admissions Department will evaluate your candidacy. Once accepted, you will be contacted by our staff to discuss the next steps. If your acceptance is denied, you will receive written notice of the decision within 2 weeks.

TRAINING

Once Southeastern Guide Dogs has identified a dog that may be a good match, we will contact you to schedule your training. Our training program will require three days of specialized instruction, which takes place in your community. During this time, you will work with our instructors to learn your dog’s basic cues and skills, and how to properly care for your dog. Upon completion of the training program, we will execute an adoption agreement that will transfer ownership of the dog from Southeastern Guide Dogs to you.

COSTS

Southeastern Guide Dogs provides our dogs, training, and equipment to qualifying recipients free of charge. Once adopted, the maintenance and care of the dog and all associated medical expenses become the responsibility of the handler. We estimate this cost to be between $900 and $1,200 annually.

QUESTIONS

If you have any questions or concerns, send an email to our Admissions and Graduate Service department at

“Raven has brought me harmony and calmness, and I feel safe for the first time in a long time. She’s already improved my quality of life and I have hope for a better future.”

— Marine Veteran Patrick Whitley with service dog Raven | Lakeland, Florida

Veterans Q&A

How much does a service dog cost for the recipient?

Southeastern Guide Dogs provides its dogs and training to students free of charge. The school will provide the dog, equipment, training, housing and most meals during your training. Southeastern Guide Dogs will offer your service dog high-quality food, monthly preventatives, vaccinations, and the annual veterinary wellness visit – free of charge. However, you must have the ability to financially cover your service dog’s other veterinary expenses and general expenses such as treats, toys, crate, dog bed, etc.

How can a service dog help a veteran living with PTSD?

Our service dogs restore independence, combat loneliness and anxiety, and bring light to the darkness of PTSD. They can interrupt nightmares and flashbacks, turn on a light in a darkened room, and indicate when someone approaches from behind. Their physical touch and presence create positive emotional responses. With unconditional love and loyalty, they become battle buddies for the veterans who need them and can help restore stability and wellbeing. With a dog by their side, veterans share powerful stories of renewed connections with loved ones and society once again.

How do I know if I qualify for a service dog?

Eligibility: To qualify for our service dog program, the applicant must:

• Be retired or inactive military, or approaching retirement within the next 3 months
• MUST have an honorable discharge
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Reside in the United States
• Have NO felony convictions, NO history/charges of violent crime, domestic violence, sexual offenses, animal mistreatment/abuse/neglect/cruelty, or protection orders against you
• If an applicant has a history of substance abuse (drugs and/or alcohol), a health professional must provide documentation of sobriety *Please note: a minimum of one (1) year sustained sobriety required
• Have no more than two other dogs at the residence
• Have the cognitive ability to learn training concepts and apply them consistently
• Have the financial ability to cover the expenses associated with the proper maintenance and care for the life of a service dog
• Be able to demonstrate the physical and mental ability to consistently handle, work, and exercise a 50-80 lb service dog
• Be able to demonstrate a need for assistance for one or more of the following challenges: PTSD*, mobility assistance, or seizures. *PLEASE NOTE: If applying for PTSD assistance, it MUST be military service-connected and the applicant MUST be in current treatment with a mental health professional
• Be able to provide a safe, loving, healthy, and stable home for a service dog
• Have an appropriate family/friends support system
• Pass a phone interview with a certified service dog trainer
• Pass an in-home interview with a certified service dog trainer
• Be able to complete a rigorous training course and reside in our campus dorm in Palmetto, FL for 12 days
• Be able to maintain a relationship and communication with Southeastern Guide Dogs for the duration of the dog/handler partnership

Please be aware that an applicant with any of the following conditions is NOT eligible for our programs:

• Any applicant who has had attempts or thoughts of self-harm within the past year
• Any applicant currently receiving dialysis treatment

How long will I have to wait for a service dog?

The waiting period varies depending on how long it takes for paperwork to be submitted and any unique requirements an individual may need from a dog. On average, the waiting period is six months to a year.

Applying for Programs Q&A

How long is your guide dog training program?

Our guide dog students join us for 20 days at our Palmetto, FL campus. We offer private, single occupancy rooms, with a private bathroom, single bed, walk-in showers, closets, small refrigerators in each room, flat-screen televisions with cable, a desk for working, wireless access, and much, much more. We have two chefs on staff that provide healthy and delicious meals for our students. They’re happy to accommodate any special dietary requests.

We also provide guide dog training in pre-approved applicants’ home communities, depending on the circumstances, and the length of training time varies, depending on the person’s previous guide dog experience and skill level. This training takes place in neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and communities.

Do I have to be totally blind to qualify for a guide dog?

No, however, you must be legally blind to qualify for a guide dog. The clinical diagnosis refers to a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the best possible correction, and/or a visual field of 20 degrees or less.

“I thought I wasn’t blind enough.” We’ve heard that from many people with low vision who thought that guide dogs were for people who are totally blind. After they learn that legal blindness is the requirement and they experience the freedom and confidence a guide dog can bring, they tell us, “I wish I hadn’t waited so long!”

How long will I have to wait for a guide dog?

We do our best to match our guide dogs with qualified applicants as quickly as possible. After your paperwork has been turned in and your application approved, the waiting period ranges from about two months to one year, with an average of six months.

The timing of approval of your initial application depends on how quickly we receive your paperwork, including information we must receive from the providers named on your application.

After approval, factors that affect your waiting period include identifying just the right dog to fit your needs, with your unique lifestyle, activity level, and pace taken into consideration. If you are particular about requesting a specific breed, gender, or coat color, then your waiting period may be extended.

How do I know if I qualify for a service dog?

Eligibility: To qualify for our service dog program, the applicant must:

• Be retired or inactive military, or approaching retirement within the next 3 months
• MUST have an honorable discharge
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Reside in the United States
• Have NO felony convictions, NO history/charges of violent crime, domestic violence, sexual offenses, animal mistreatment/abuse/neglect/cruelty, or protection orders against you
• If an applicant has a history of substance abuse (drugs and/or alcohol), a health professional must provide documentation of sobriety *Please note: a minimum of one (1) year sustained sobriety required
• Have no more than two other dogs at the residence
• Have the cognitive ability to learn training concepts and apply them consistently
• Have the financial ability to cover the expenses associated with the proper maintenance and care for the life of a service dog
• Be able to demonstrate the physical and mental ability to consistently handle, work, and exercise a 50-80 lb service dog
• Be able to demonstrate a need for assistance for one or more of the following challenges: PTSD*, mobility assistance, or seizures. *PLEASE NOTE: If applying for PTSD assistance, it MUST be military service-connected and the applicant MUST be in current treatment with a mental health professional
• Be able to provide a safe, loving, healthy, and stable home for a service dog
• Have an appropriate family/friends support system
• Pass a phone interview with a certified service dog trainer
• Pass an in-home interview with a certified service dog trainer
• Be able to complete a rigorous training course and reside in our campus dorm in Palmetto, FL for 12 days
• Be able to maintain a relationship and communication with Southeastern Guide Dogs for the duration of the dog/handler partnership

Please be aware that an applicant with any of the following conditions is NOT eligible for our programs:

• Any applicant who has had attempts or thoughts of self-harm within the past year
• Any applicant currently receiving dialysis treatment

If I have more questions about getting a service dog, who can I call or email?

For additional questions or concerns about the admissions process, please contact or call our main number at 941-729-5665. For general questions about the organization, contact .

I still have questions about getting a guide dog. Who can I contact at Southeastern Guide Dogs?

For additional questions or concerns about the admissions process, please contact or call our main number at 941-729-5665. For general questions about the organization, contact .

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