Retrieving Freedom, Inc.: Providing Service Dogs to Children with Autism at No Cost

Retrieving Freedom, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides service dogs to children with autism and veterans. They offer a variety of services, including training and placement of service dogs, at no cost to the recipient ¹. In this blog post, we will discuss how families can get a free Autism Service Dog through Retrieving Freedom, Inc., the benefits of having a service dog for children with autism, and the struggles families face when trying to get a service dog.

How to get a free Autism Service Dog through Retrieving Freedom, Inc.

Retrieving Freedom, Inc. provides service dogs to children with autism and veterans at no cost to the recipient. To apply for a service dog, you can download and complete an application from their website ². The application process includes a detailed questionnaire, a phone interview, and an in-person interview. Once the application is approved, Retrieving Freedom, Inc. will begin the process of matching the child with a service dog. The training process takes approximately 12-18 months, and the family will be required to attend training sessions with the dog ¹.

Benefits of having a service dog for children with autism

Service dogs can provide a variety of benefits for children with autism. They can help improve social interactions and relationships, expand verbal and nonverbal communication, teach life skills, increase interest in activities, and decrease stress within the family ³⁴. Service dogs can also provide comfort by calming children who may experience overstimulation or become quickly overwhelmed ⁵. Retrieving Freedom, Inc. trains service dogs who are matched to meet the needs of a specific child ⁶.

Struggles families face when trying to get a service dog

Families who are interested in getting a service dog for their child with autism may face several challenges. One of the most significant challenges is the cost of obtaining a service dog. Service dogs can cost up to $40,000, and insurance does not cover the cost ⁷. Families may also face long waitlists or difficulty finding service dogs in their local area ⁸. The demand for service dogs has exploded in recent years, and nonprofit service dog trainers have been overwhelmed ⁷. The lack of regulations for training has led to a for-profit service dog industry with hefty price tags ⁷. Families may also face difficulty finding trainers who will place dogs with young children ⁷.

Retrieving Freedom, Inc. provides a solution to these challenges by offering service dogs at no cost to the recipient. Families who are interested in obtaining a service dog for their child with autism can apply through their website ². Retrieving Freedom, Inc. trains service dogs who are matched to meet the needs of a specific child ⁶. The training process takes approximately 12-18 months, and the family will be required to attend training sessions with the dog ¹.

In conclusion, Retrieving Freedom, Inc. provides a valuable service to families who have children with autism. They offer service dogs at no cost to the recipient and train the dogs to meet the specific needs of each child. Service dogs can provide a variety of benefits for children with autism, including improving social interactions and relationships, teaching life skills, and decreasing stress within the family. Families who are interested in obtaining a service dog for their child with autism can apply through Retrieving Freedom, Inc.'s website ².

References:

1. Retrieving Freedom, Inc. website: https://www.retrievingfreedom.org/¹²³⁴
2. Benefits of having a service dog for children with autism: https://www.integrityinc.org/childs-best-friend-benefits-of-a-service-dog-for-children-on-the-spectrum/⁵⁶⁷
3. Struggles families face when trying to get a service dog: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/service-dog-training-unregulated-market-demand-grows-rapidly-rcna16184⁸