How To Adopt a Retired Service Dog

Did you know that former service dogs can be adopted after they retire? In fact, these retired pooches are incredibly popular. Like people, some dogs retire due to old age and are looking for a relaxing place to spend their golden years. Other dogs sometimes decide they need a career change. These pups often get pretty far into their training before switching fields, meaning they’re highly trained and intelligent dogs. Both make great pets!

What Are the Benefits of Adopting a Retired Service Dog?

Service animals often form a close bond with their handlers. When it’s time for retirement, many handlers prefer to keep their pup and let them live out their golden years at home. Unfortunately, this isn’t an option for everyone. Handlers need a dog that can do its job, and sometimes they can’t support or care for two dogs simultaneously. In these cases, the retirees might place their dog up for adoption in a home that can focus more energy and time on it. 

On the other end of the spectrum, sometimes dogs don’t make it through their initial training. Being a service dog isn’t easy, and it isn’t a good fit for every pup. Sometimes dogs “drop out” of service animal training – not unlike when a person changes careers. This could be for simple reasons, such as the dog-in-training not getting along with other animals or having high energy levels. Regardless, these dogs are often exceptionally intelligent and good-tempered. Many even retain a lot of their training and may be able to perform specific tasks. While these career-change pups may not be suited for the life of a service dog, they do make excellent pets.

If you’re considering adopting a retired service animal, you’re not alone. They’re often in high demand, and many organizations and rescues have waiting lists. Below are a few reasons why these retirees are so pup-u-lar.

Known History

Normally, adopting dogs that are surrendered to rescues comes with some financial risk, as you probably don’t know the dog’s full medical history. You could be signing up for some large vet bills in the future. One of the great things about adopting retired service dogs is that they likely come with a full health and behavior history. 

These dogs have been in training (and under a veterinary’s care) since puppyhood. They’re often in relatively good health and come with medical documents such as vaccination records and information on existing health issues. Since behavior and temperament are very important for service dogs, retirees that are up for adoption usually also come with detailed descriptions of their personality, giving you a better idea of what you’re getting into. 

Well Trained

It goes without saying that retired service dogs are usually very well-trained. This is also true for career-change dogs who didn’t make it through service animal training. They may not have been able to do very specialized tasks to support their handler’s needs, but nine times out of 10, they have the basics down. 

Another bonus: with these dogs, there usually is no need for leash or potty training!

Well-Socialized

One of the biggest worries for pet owners looking to adopt another animal is socialization. Will this new dog get along with existing pets? What about kids? Fortunately, this isn’t a major concern for retirees. 

Service dogs have to be able to do their jobs in any environment, which means they undergo a lot of training to help them function around distractions such as other animals – and people! Most retirees are well-socialized and get along with kids and other pets. The same usually goes for career-change pups unless this is the reason they failed training. 

Ideal Temperament

Temperament is extremely important for service dogs. Retired pups are often gentle and even-keeled. They are calm, attentive, and can focus on tasks, which makes them excellent pets. They do well in busy or noisy environments that might be stressful for other dogs.

Dogs that are too energetic, aggressive, or inattentive aren’t good service candidates. These traits can often be managed with time and an experienced trainer, but more often than not, they are the reason dogs drop out of training. However, that isn’t to say that career-change dogs are bad-tempered. They just don’t fit the very high standards needed to be a service animal. They still make great pets!

The Process Of Adopting a Retired Service Dog

People are often surprised at just how popular these four-legged retirees are. When it’s time to rehome their beloved companion, many handlers choose to work with specific rescues or organizations like Guide Dogs of America. Due to the high demand and the nature of the animals, many of these organizations have waitlists that are several years long and require extensive screening for potential adoptees. Unless you know someone looking to rehome their service dog, be prepared for a long wait. 

Many organizations that help rehome retired and career-change dogs prefer to keep things local, so it’s best to find and work with groups in your area. Because the waitlists are so long, it can help to make your name stand out, such as volunteering with or donating to that organization. 

Finding a Dog for Adoption

Once you’ve found an organization you want to work with, you’ll likely need to complete a detailed application. While the application process is different for every group, many prefer to adopt dogs based on how well they match with potential applicants. So they aren’t necessarily first come, first serve. 

Several organizations are dedicated specifically to rehoming career-change dogs, and this extends beyond just failed service dogs. If you’re interested in a career-change dog, check out groups like Mission K9 Rescue, which works to find homes for retired and failed working dogs, police dogs, drug or cadaver dogs, and military working dogs. 

The Cost of Adopting

The application process can be quite rigorous and may include some unexpected costs. Some organizations require you to show proof that you can financially support the dog, meaning you have the ability to cover vet bills and provide high-quality dog food. It is also common for them to require adoptees to have fenced-in yards with at least six feet tall fences. 

Adoption and application fees can vary dramatically between organizations. They average between $200.00 and $500.00 but can be over $1000.00 depending on the dog and the organization. It’s critical to research the specific organization you want to adopt from. 

Is a Retired Service Dog the Right Choice for You?

Retired service dogs have worked hard and deserve a good fur-ever home. They make wonderful pets and tend to form strong bonds with their families. As such, going to a new home can be difficult for these dogs at first because of the deep attachment they had with their former handler. With time, they open up and bond with their new family. If you can’t commit to keeping the dog for the rest of its life, a retired service dog isn’t a good choice for you. 

When it comes to career-change dogs, just be sure to find out why they had to change careers and if that is an issue you are equipped to work with. These dogs are often young adults and highly intelligent, so you should be prepared to keep them mentally stimulated. If that sounds like a good fit for you, it can be a very rewarding experience. 

Final Thoughts

Retired service dogs can be fantastic additions to almost any family or home. These intelligent, hard-working pups are highly sought after, and rightfully so. For more information about service animals, check out Service Dog Registration of America today.