Saving Money on Service Dog-Related Expenses

Service dogs are expensive.  All dogs are, really.  But in addition to things like food, toys, and veterinary care, service dogs require training, vest, other special gear, maybe other things pet dogs don't require.  They are expensive.  And people with disabilities often, though not always, live on rather limited incomes.  So how does someone afford a service dog?

Here are my tips for saving money on service dog-related expenses.  Many of these tips can help you save money even if your dog is not a service dog, though.

• Feed your dog a good quality food.  It doesn't have to be the most expensive food on the market, but don't go for the cheapest food available, either.  Paying a bit more up front for a quality dog food will save you money in the long run because your dog will be healthier.  Shop around for the best price on the food you decide to feed your dog.  
• Use coupons.  If you contact manufacturers of dog food and dog treats, they will often send you coupons if you just ask.  You can also get coupons on many manufacturers' websites (Purina has lots of coupons available on their website for dog and cat food and treats, for instance) and one their facebook pages.
• Check dollar stores like Dollar General and Family Dollar for dog treats.  They carry many brands and they are much cheaper there than at pet stores.
• Invest in quality dog toys, like those by Kong and Nylabone.  They cost more up front but last a long time, saving you  money in the long run.
• Take your dog to the vet yearly for a check up and vaccinations.  You'll save money in the long run by keeping your dog healthy.
• Ask local vets if they offer, or will offer, a discount for service dogs.  If your dog is not a service dog but a service dog in training, an emotional support animal, or a therapy dog, go ahead and ask if local vets will offer a discount for that.  If your dog is simply a pet but you're on disability, ask if they will offer any type of discount.  (Isaac gets free office visits and free "labor" from his vet; I pay for medication, vaccines, medical supplies, stuff like that, but the vet works for free when he sees Isaac).
• Ask vets if they will offer a discount if you have more than one pet or if you pay for more than one thing at once.  For instance, the vet I take my cats to (not Isaac's vet) offers a discount on flea prevention if we buy several months' worth at once.  It costs more up front but saves money in the long run. 
• Groom your dog yourself if you can.  It's much cheaper than paying a groomer.  If you need to take your dog to a groomer, ask local groomers if they will offer a discount for service dogs.  Also ask if they will offer a discount if you pay for several grooming sessions up front; for instance, if your dog needs to be groomed once a month and you pay for six months up front, will they offer a free grooming session after that?  Pay more up front, save in the long run (see a pattern here?).
• Walk your dog yourself if you can.  It's much cheaper than paying a dog walker.  If you need to hire a dog walker, it will probably be cheaper to post an ad on Craig's List or something like that than to hire a pet sitting service, but the person you hire from Craig's List may not be as reliable as a pet sitting service.  In my experience with Isaac, I've found college students to be the most reliable and they are willing to do the job for a reasonable fee (I pay $15 for a 45-minute run).