The American Disabilities Act allows service dogs access to buildings and transportation.
Whether used for assisting the blind, hearing impaired or as signal dogs and for general assistance, service dogs provide invaluable support to their owners by supporting the disabled in their daily lives. However they are used, there are multiple options available for those wanting to express their gratitude to service dogs and the work they do.
Monetary Donations
As with nearly every nonprofit industry, organizations that coordinate service dogs for the disabled are in constant need of monetary donations to help with the costs associated with service dogs. From puppy raising to training programs, there are often countless areas that can use monetary donations. Depending on a person's financial means, most organizations have options for monthly giving, annual sponsorships or one-time donations.
Dog Walking
For those who want to donate time, a simple option requires only a pair of walking shoes. People can contact a service dog organization and offer their time to walk service dogs in training. This gift is a basic need to help these animals hone the skills they will need to be successful service dogs.
Volunteering
Depending on the organization you work with, volunteering options can vary. For example, Texas Hearing & Service Dogs takes volunteers to be foster trainers for their service dogs. Through this type of volunteering opportunity, people can have the chance to be part of the process of developing and training service dogs.
Fundraising
Raising money to donate to a service dog organization is a way to combine time and monetary resources. For those who may not have the financial means themselves to donate money toward service dogs, donating their time to raise and collect funds is a good option. Fundraising efforts can range from contacting businesses to solicit donations to gathering a group of people and hosting a car wash to raise money for a service dog organization.
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