Service Dog Retirement

We know making the decision to retire your dog is tough. We know that you would do anything for your dog and your dog may continue to work through pain because they want to please you. However, you do not want the dog’s inability to work to affect your independence level and limit your activities as this may lead to resentment and frustration. When you begin to think about retiring your dog, we ask that you use our checklist. We suggest starting at your dog’s 8th birthday, to answer the questions on the checklist and do so on every birthday after so you can see if there have been changes that would affect your dog’s ability to work.

When you decide to retire your dog, please let SDV know and review the retirement options listed below. Once you have made a decision, we ask you follow the retirement procedures. SDV is here to support you through the transition of you dog into its next phase of life. Planning for your dog’s retirement and training a successor dog van help you avoid pressure during the emotional time surrounding retirement. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Apply for a successor Dog

If you decide to retire your service dog and want to apply for a successor dog, please email Caroline at office@servicedogsva.org for a Successor Dog Application.

Retirement Options for your service dog

Keeping Your Retired Dog

You may choose to keep your dog after his/her retirement. Retired service dogs can become family pets with a few minor adjustments. Here are some things to consider if you want to keep your dog:

  • Does your housing situation allow for keeping a large pet dog? Many apartment and condos complexes state that pets or pets over a certain size are not allowed. Once your dog retires, he or she is considered a pet and is not covered under ADA.

  • If you choose to work with another dog, is your house or apartment large enough to house two dogs?

  • How will you manage the care of two dogs?
    If you choose to train with a successor dog while your retired dog is still with you, can you care for both dogs?

  • If you live alone, this could be a concern as the older dog may have medical needs that take time and attention. If you live with other people, it is possible that the retired dog becomes theirs as a pet with them taking on responsibility for its care.

  • Can you financially support two dogs? You will need to make sure you can afford food, medicines, toys, vet care, etc. for two dogs. Please note that as a dogs ages changes are likely they will require more vet care, medicines, and/or specialty food. While SDV does not require you to keep pet insurance on your retired dog, we do highly encourage that you do to help with any vet bills as you retire dog ages.

There are solutions for the above mentioned concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions about keeping your dog.

Finding a retirement home for your retired dog

You can retire your dog to a home of your choice with SDV’s approval. Here are some things consider when choosing a retirement home:

  • The dog now belongs to the new family, unless previous arrangements have been made.

  • The new family may choose different solutions for care, food, etc. This can be difficult if the two of you have different ideas on how to handle the dog. All you can do is offer suggestions.

  • Some people are surprised that a retired dog’s behavior out of the vest is not the same as the dog they see in vest. Other things may present problems or plans may change. If your dog’s new home does not work out, we ask the dog be returned to SDV and we will find your dog a new home.

If you choose to find another home for your dog, SDV will require the potential new owner’s yard to be fenced and for the new owner to complete a Released Dog Application found on our website. SDV may ask to perform a home visit or meet potential new owners before approving new home for your dog. You may only place your dog when SDV approves new owners.

Please note, you may not sell your dog to the new owners.

Retiring your dog with SDV

If you are unable to keep your dog or cannot find an appropriate home, SDV is happy to assist finding a retirement home for your dog. Oftentimes, we will ask the dog’s puppy raiser or night and weekends person if they would like to welcome the dog into their home. If this is not an option, we have a list of adopters. All adopter’s applications are reviewed, and adopters screened in order to find the best home for your dog. We may ask families to visit SDV to spend time with your dog and learn the basic handling skills. We will call and let you know when we have found a loving home and will share contact information if it is desired by both you and the adopters.

Retirement Procedures

If you are retiring your dog and are keeping him or her or placing your dog with an approved new home:

  1. Return vest(s) to SDV

  2. Complete Retired Dog Form

  3. Send latest vet report to SDV

  4. Transfer insurance policy and HomeAgain policy to new owner if dog is being rehomed.

  5. Please keep SDV informed of any helath conditions that arise as this information needs to be entered into our databases. Future breeding decisions are influenced by the health condition of related pedigrees.

  6. Inform SDV of dog’s passing

If you are retiring your dog and SDV is rehoming your dog

  1. Bring dog to SDV with vest(s), latest vet report, any food, medication, supplements, and treats.

  2. Complete Retired Dog Form

  3. Contact SDV to find out who you are transferring your dog’s insurance policy and HomeAgain policy and transfer policies to new owner