Credible Takeaways
- Service dogs can be expensive, but there are grants and loans available to procure one if you have a disability.
- Some health plan benefits, like your HSA and FSA, may also help you pay the fees required to purchase a trained service dog.
- You can also use a personal loan to purchase a service dog.
Unlike emotional support animals (ESAs) that simply provide comfort, service dogs must go through advanced training to both provide assistance to and perform tasks for their owners.
The Americans With Disabilities (ADA) Act states that you can train a service dog on your own, but many people opt to get one through a professional training organization.
If you’re considering buying or training a service dog, service dog loans or other financial options might help you cover the cost.
1. Check out grants for service dogs
A trained service dog can cost up to $60,000, which could be prohibitive for people with disabilities. However, some organizations offer grants and scholarships to help individuals cover the cost.
Here are a few of the organizations that offer financial assistance programs:
- Assistance Dog United provides vouchers to people with disabilities to help them pay for service dogs from partnering programs. Depending on the type of assistance the dog provides, the vouchers can be worth up to $5,000.
- Canine Companions for Independence is geared toward helping people with physical disabilities and veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Unlike other nonprofits, it doesn’t charge any fees for its service dogs. Instead, you’ll only have to pay for transportation and accommodations during the two-week matching and training period.
- Canines for Disabled Kids is a nonprofit organization for children with physical or psychological disabilities. It offers scholarships ranging from $250 to $5,000 to help eligible children get a service dog.
- Doggie Does Good is a nonprofit organization that connects individuals to trained service dogs. If you complete its financial assistance application, you might be able to have a portion of a service dog’s cost covered by Doggie Does Good’s fundraising efforts.
- The Seeing Eye trains seeing-eye dogs for people with vision impairment. Thanks to donations from the public, The Seeing Eye provides guide dogs at a low cost: $150 for an individual’s first dog, then $50 for each dog afterward. Military veterans pay only $1 for a seeing-eye dog.
Learn More: How to Get a $20,000 Personal Loan Fast
2. Investigate your health plan benefits
There are two types of health plans that you might be able to use to pay a portion of your service dog costs:
- Health Savings Account (HSA): If you have a high-deductible health plan, you can use an HSA to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified medical expenses. Unspent HSA funds roll over from year to year. For 2021, the maximum you can contribute to an HSA per year is $3,600 for individuals or $7,200 for families.
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA): An FSA is another tax-free savings option that’s available through some employer-sponsored health plans. You can contribute up to $2,750 per year — though unlike HSAs, you typically have to use all of your FSA funds by the end of the year.
Guide dogs or service dogs are generally considered qualified medical expenses under both HSAs and FSAs.
Tip
If your HSA or FSA funds don’t fully cover the cost of a service dog, a personal loan could help you bridge the financial gap. However, be sure to consider how much the loan will cost you over time so you can prepare for any added expense.
Check Out: How to Get a $50,000 Personal Loan Fast
3. Use a personal loan to fill in the gaps
While grants, donations, or health savings could help pay for a service dog, you might still need to borrow money to fully cover the cost.
If this is the case, a personal loan could be a good option to fill any financial gaps so you can get your dog right away.
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You can get a personal loan from a few types of lenders, including online lenders, banks, and credit unions. With a personal loan, you might be able to borrow up to $100,000 or more.
Repayment terms generally range from one to seven years, depending on the lender — meaning you can spread the cost out over several years.
Tip
You’ll typically need good to excellent credit to qualify for a personal loan.
While some lenders provide personal loans for bad credit, these generally come with higher rates compared to the rates offered to borrowers with good credit.
If you’re struggling to get approved for a loan, another option is applying with a cosigner. Not all lenders allow cosigners on personal loans, but some do.
Even if you don’t need a cosigner to qualify, having one could get you a lower rate than you’d get on your own.
If you decide to use a personal loan to pay for a service dog, be sure to consider as many lenders as possible to find the right loan for you.
Advertiser DisclosureOverview
Lightstream is one of three Credible partner lenders to offer loan amounts up to $100,000, which makes it ideal for financing large expenses like home improvements or weddings. Funds are available as soon as the same day you apply, and you'll have up to 12 years to repay certain types of loans, including home improvement loans, RV loans, and boat loans. There are no origination fees, and rates are low — Lightstream's lowest APR beats SoFi's advertised lowest APR by 1 percentage point. But you'll need good credit to qualify.
Unlike most lenders, Lightstream does not let you prequalify on its site. Nor does it provide a contact phone number next to its customer service hours on its website.
Repayment terms
2 - 12 years, depending on loan purpose
Eligibility
Available in all states except RI and VT
Time to get funds
As soon as the next business day
Loan uses
Credit card refinancing, debt consolidation, home improvement, and other purposes
Read full reviewOverview
Upstart has one of the lowest available APRs of Credible partner lenders and of all non-partners we reviewed, making it a good choice for well-qualified applicants. However, it's also is one of few lenders that doesn't have a minimum credit score requirement (if you apply on the lender's website), which makes it an option if you have bad credit or no credit history. Upstart may charge an origination fee as high as 12%, but good-credit borrowers may not be charged one at all.
Trustpilot gives Upstart 4.9 stars, which is the highest of all lenders we reviewed.
Time to get funds
As soon as 1 to 3 business days
Loan uses
Pay off credit cards, consolidate debt, relocate, make a large purchase, and other purposes
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Discover Personal Loans offers low APRs, repayment terms up to seven years, no origination fees, nationwide availability, and doesn't require your Social Security number to prequalify on its site. You'll need to have an annual income of at least $40,000, and a FICO score 660 or higher, to be eligible. If your credit score is fair or poor, you'll need to go elsewhere, as Discover doesn't allow cosigners.
Funds are available as soon as the next business day after loan approval.
Eligibility
Available in all 50 states
Time to get funds
Funds can be sent as soon as the next business day after acceptance
Loan uses
Auto repair, credit card refinancing, debt consolidation, home remodel or repair, major purchase, medical expenses, taxes, vacation, and wedding
Read full reviewOverview
Upgrade has a suite of features that make it a very attractive lender: competitive interest rates, discounts for direct pay and autopay, as soon as same-day funding, up to seven-year repayment terms, and nationwide availability. Plus, loans are available to fair-credit borrowers, and you don't need to input your Social Security number to prequalify on the website. Upgrade even offers secured personal loans, which is not common among lenders.
However, Upgrade does charge an origination fee of 1.85% to 9.99%. You must have a FICO score of at least 600 and a minimum income of $25,000 annually to qualify.
Loan amount
$1,000 to $50,000 ($3,005 minimum in GA; $6,600 minimum in MA)
Loan uses
Credit card refinancing, debt consolidation, home improvement, major purchase, other
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LendingClub is a solid lender for good credit borrowers and some fair credit borrowers that apply directly on its website. It's easy to prequalify with LendingClub, especially if you're uncomfortable providing your Social Security number, as the company doesn't require it at the prequalification stage. (You will need to provide it if you move forward with a full application.)
While prequalification is not a guarantee that you'll be approved for a loan, LendingClub does a better job than most other Credible partner lenders at approving applicants that have successfully prequalified. In other words, you're less likely to have your application declined once you apply (if you've already prequalified). LendingClub may charge an origination fee between 3% and 8%.
Eligibility
Available in all 50 states
Loan uses
Debt consolidation, paying off credit cards
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SoFi stands out for offering no-fee personal loans with competitive rates, high loan amounts, long loan terms, discounts for autopay and direct pay, and funding as soon as the same day. Plus, SoFi prioritizes convenience for existing and potential customers with features like live chat and an easy prequalification process that doesn't require your Social Security number. Once you have a loan with SoFi, you may be eligible for unemployment protection and unemployment assistance.
The main catch is that you need to qualify for a loan with SoFi, which can be hard to do if you don't have good credit. You also won't be able to apply with a cosigner, since SoFi doesn't accept cosigners; nor does it offer secured personal loans.
Fees
Option to pay an origination fee (up to 6%) in exchange for a lower rate
Time to get funds
Typically within a few days, given approval and bank account verification, but sometimes within the same day
Loan uses
Solely for personal, family, or household uses
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Best Egg is a solid lender for a wide range of borrowers and, notably, scored second for personal loan satisfaction in J.D. Power's Consumer Lending Study. It offers competitive rates, reasonable loan terms and amounts, and personal loans for fair credit. You'll need a FICO score of at least 600 to qualify, but the lower your score, the higher your APR may be. The APR includes the interest rate and origination fees, which range from 0.99% to 8.99% with Best Egg.
Note that if you successfully prequalify with Best Egg, you may be more likely to be approved for the loan relative to other lenders you prequalify with. Based on Credible data, borrowers who chose to apply for a loan with Best Egg were more than twice as likely to be approved (relative to most other Credible partners).
Fees
Origination fee, late fee, unsuccessful payment fee, check processing fee
Eligibility
Available in all states except DC, IA, VT, and WV
Time to get funds
As soon as 1 to 3 business days after successful verification
Loan uses
Credit card refinancing, debt consolidation, home improvement, and other purposes
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Avant personal loans are a good choice for borrowers with bad credit looking for small- to moderate-sized personal loans. Loans are available up to $35,000 and you could get the money as soon as the next business day after approval. Plus, Avant is more likely than some lenders to approve the applications of borrowers who've prequalified with Avant. However, the lender charges an origination fee up to 9.99%, and its top-range interest rates are among the highest of the lenders we reviewed.
Fees
Origination fee, late fee, dishonored payment fee
Eligibility
Available in all states except HI, IA, MA, ME, NY, VT, and WV
Time to get funds
As soon as the next business day (if approved by 4:30 p.m. CT on a weekday)
Loan uses
Debt consolidation, emergency expense, life event, home improvement, and other purposes
Repayment terms
1 to 5 years (2 to 5 years through Credible)
Read full reviewOverview
It’s worth considering a personal loan through Splash if you have good credit (ideally, a FICO score above 700). The platform offers loans from a wide range of lenders, and next-day funding is available. Plus, Splash has a live chat feature so you can get real-time answers without having to wait on hold or for an email. Loans are available up to $100,000 if you apply via Splash’s website.
Rates are competitive, but borrowers with excellent credit may find lower APRs elsewhere. If you need a repayment term longer than five years, you’ll need to look elsewhere as well.
Loan amount
$5,000 - $100,000 (up to $35,000 on Credible)
Eligibility
Available in all states except VT. OH and NM net disbursed amount must be greater than $5,000. MA must be greater than $6,000
Time to get funds
Same day available, typically 1-3 days
Loan uses
Debt consolidation, home improvement, medical expenses, major purchases
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Universal Credit is one of a handful of lenders that offers personal loans for bad credit. If your FICO credit score is at least 560, you may be eligible for a Universal Credit personal loan. It offers loan amounts up to $50,000, repayment terms up to seven years, and discounts for direct pay and autopay. Funds are available as soon as the next business day after loan approval.
Note that rates and fees can be relatively high — you may pay an origination fee from 5.25% to 9.99%, and APRs start at 11.69%. If you get a loan with a high interest rate, consider refinancing your personal loan at a lower rate once you've improved your credit score.
Eligibility
A U.S. citizen or permanent resident; not available in DC, IA, SC, WV
Time to get funds
As soon as 1 business day after acceptance
Loan uses
Debt consolidation, pay off credit cards, home improvements, unexpected expenses, home and auto repairs, weddings, and other major purchases
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Happy Money has been in operation since 2009 (formerly known as Payoff). It's an option for fair-credit borrowers (plus those with better credit), and notably has a relatively low top-end APR. In other words, you could qualify for a lower rate with Happy Money with fair credit, relative to other lenders that offer fair-credit loans. The company does charge an origination fee on some loans, up to 5%, but that's not as high as some other lenders' origination fees.
You should be prepared to wait a few days to get your money, as funding can take three to five days once approved. And loans aren't available in Massachusetts or Nevada. Happy Money has an A+ rating with the BBB and is ideal for debt consolidation and credit card consolidation loans.
Eligibility
Available in all states except MA, MS, NV, and OH
Time to get funds
As soon as 2 - 5 business days after verification
Loan uses
Debt consolidation and credit card consolidation only
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BHG Money stands out for offering the largest loan amounts — up to $200,000 — of any Credible partner lenders. Simply put, if you need an unsecured personal loan over $100,000, there are very few places to look, but BHG is one. You'll have up to 10 years to repay the loan, but you'll need an annual income of at least $100,000 to qualify and a FICO score that's 660 or higher. However, if you have a cosigner that meets these requirements, BHG will consider your application.
Loan amounts start at $20,000, so look elsewhere for small loans. And BHG charges a modest origination fee between 2% and 4%, depending on your financial profile. Loan funds are available within three to 14 days of loan approval. Note that you can't prequalify with BHG.
Fees
Origination fees, late fees
Eligibility
Available in all states except Maryland and Illinois
Loan uses
Debt consolidation, baby (adoption), engagement ring financing, moving (relocation), business, home improvement, special occasion, cosmetic procedures, major purchase, taxes, credit card refinancing, medical expenses, vacation, wedding, other
Read full reviewFees
Origination Fee, $15 Late Fee, $25 NSF Fee
Eligibility
Available in all states except CO, CT, ME, NV, NH, TN, VT, WV, WY, and all U.S. Territories
Time to get funds
Funds typically deposited into your account in 1 business day13
Loan uses
Debt consolidation, credit card refinancing
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OneMain Financial has multiple options for bad-credit personal loans. There is no minimum credit score required (if you apply directly with OneMain), which means you could get a loan with bad credit (FICO below 580). Plus, cosigners are allowed — a cosigner is someone (ideally, with good credit) who promises to repay the loan if you can't, which can make it easier to qualify or lower your rate. And, secured personal loans are available. You secure a loan with collateral, which may also help you qualify or lower your rate.
Rates are higher than competitors and OneMain charges origination fees as either a flat fee up to $500, or a percentage from 1% to 10% (depending on your state of residence). Note that even if you prequalify for a personal loan with OneMain, getting approved isn't a given.
Fees
Origination fee, unsuccessful payment fee, late fee
Eligibility
Must have photo I.D. issued by U.S. federal, state or local government
Time to get funds
As soon as 1 to 2 days after acceptance
Loan use
All except business, and education
Read full reviewService dog loans FAQ
Here are some answers to a few commonly asked questions about service dog loans:
How much does a service dog cost?
The cost to get a service dog — either through an agency or training one yourself — can be quite high. It takes about two years to train a service dog and typically costs between $10,000 and $60,000, depending on the type of tasks the dog is trained to perform.
However, keep in mind that getting the dog is only the first expense. Typically, owners spend about $2,100 per year to care for their service dogs. These costs can include veterinary care, dog food, heartworm and flea preventatives, pet insurance, and more.
Are service dogs and ESAs the same?
No. Service dogs and emotional support animals (ESAs) are very different.
A service dog has undergone extensive training to do work and perform tasks for an individual with a disability. For example, a service dog might:
- Alert someone with diabetes that their blood sugar is low
- Detect an oncoming seizure in a person with epilepsy
- Help a blind person navigate around obstacles
- Remind someone to take their medications
ESAs, on the other hand, aren’t trained to perform tasks. Instead, they provide comfort by being with their owner. ESAs aren’t eligible for most forms of financial assistance, and you can’t use HSA or FSA funds for their care.
If you’re interested in an ESA, you could use a personal loan to cover the cost of adopting and caring for the animal.
If you decide to get a personal loan for an ESA, remember to compare as many lenders as you can to find a loan that fits your needs. Credible makes this easy — you can see your prequalified rates from multiple lenders in two minutes.
Check Out: How to Get Approved for a Personal Loan
What other financial help is available for service dogs?
As a service dog owner, you might qualify for additional discounts and benefits. Here are a few accommodations that you could be eligible for:
Discounts
If you have a service dog, some organizations, professionals, and retailers offer discounts on necessary services, such as:
- Accessories: Some retailers offer discounts to service dogs on equipment, such as leashes, harnesses, collars, and dog boots. For example, you could get discounts through Ruffwear if you apply and are approved for the company’s Ruffwear Pro Purchase program.
- Food: Some dog food manufacturers, such as Darwin’s Natural Pet Products, offer discounts to service dog owners on food and treats.
- Recovery program: If you join the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP), you can register your service dog for free in the Animal Recovery Program run by the American Kennel Club. This program can help you reunite with your service animal if the dog is ever lost or separated from you in an accident.
- Veterinary care: The IAADP has partnered with the Veterinary Centers of America (VCA) to offer members discounts on veterinary care. If you’re an IAADP member and visit a VAC facility, you could get 10% off veterinary services.
Housing
Owners of service dogs or ESAs are eligible for some protections through the Fair Housing Act (FHA). Under the FHA, housing providers must provide reasonable accommodations, such as:
- Allowing you to rent properties that have no-pet policies
- Potentially waiving pet fees or deposits
Tax deductions
If you itemize your deductions, you can deduct eligible medical expenses on your tax return. According to the IRS, you can deduct the following service dog expenses:
- The cost of purchasing and training a service dog
- Food
- Grooming
- Veterinary care
Keep in mind that this deduction only applies to service animals. ESAs aren’t eligible for tax deductions.
Travel
If you’re traveling with a service dog, the following protections could help you save money:
- Hotels: If you stay at a hotel, you’re not restricted to pet-friendly rooms. You also won’t have to pay a cleaning fee for your service dog, as hotels aren’t permitted by the ADA to charge fees for hair or dander shed by a service animal.
- Flights: Under the Air Carrier Access Act, people with documented physical or psychiatric disabilities who have a trained service dog can bring their dog in the cabin with them without paying an additional fee. As of December 2020, ESAs no longer qualify for these benefits.
Keep Reading: Best Personal Loans for Good or Excellent Credit
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Meet the expert:
Kat Tretina
Kat Tretina is a freelance writer specializing in personal finance. Her work has been published in The Wall Street Journal's Buy Side, U.S. News, and Money.com.