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Questions we are often asked
What would you like to know?
Whether you are looking for support yourself, would like to donate or are simply curious – here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our work with assistance dogs. Can’t find your question? Then write us a message.
People who need support in everyday life - for example due to a chronic illness, a physical or mental disability such as autism, epilepsy or ME/CFS.
The important thing is that there must be a proven need, for example in the form of a medical certificate or a statement from the social environment.
An assistance dog costs a lot of money - even before it moves in with a person with a disability. For example for:
- Purchase, feed and care
- Training and familiarization
- Health check-ups
- Team testing and equipment
- Insurance and support for the family
In total, this amounts to around 28,000 euros per dog. After that, it costs around 400 euros per month for insurance, training and care.
There are differences depending on the type of training:
For self-training with support: around 18,000 to 20,000 euros
For a fully trained assistance dog: around 28,000 to 35,000 euros
These costs are usually not covered by health insurance.
That's why we collect donations - via our website, social media, donation platforms such as Betterplace or through foundations.
All our assistance dogs are covered by pet owner liability insurance.
This insurance covers damage caused by the dog to other people or property.
The insurance is taken out by our organization - you do not have to take care of this yourself.
This depends on the reason why the dog is no longer being used.
Some dogs show during training that they are not suitable for the task of assistance dog - for example due to health problems or because they behave too insecurely in everyday life. In such cases, we look for a loving home that can deal with these particularities. Unfortunately, it is then not possible for the previous assistance dog to be adopted as a family dog.
If a dog retires due to old age, we decide together with you, the vet and our team whether you can keep it as a family dog. In many cases, this is possible - because the bond between humans and dogs is often very strong.
The initial training takes place at our premises in Overath (zip code 51491). There you will get to know your assistance dog and you will grow together as a team.
After the dog has moved to your home, further training will take place at your place of residence - individually and adapted to your everyday life.
Whether with a monthly sponsorship from €1, a one-off donation or as a committed company: Every support counts. Your contribution helps directly - with the training, care and support of our assistance dogs.
As a company, you can get involved with a sponsorship, a CSR project or a joint event, for example.
Only a non-profit organization is allowed to have an official donation account - like us, the Assistenzhunde Helfende Pfoten gGmbH.
You don't have to collect donations to get an assistance dog. But you are welcome to get involved if you wish. Together we can often do more than alone.
Of course, you can also collect donations for "your" assistance dog yourself - for example from family or friends. Important: Get good advice beforehand, for example from a tax consultant. That way you are on the safe side.
You are welcome to pay into the donation account before your dog moves in.
But: We are not allowed to issue a donation receipt for these payments. This is because in this case your contribution does not count as a genuine donation for tax purposes.
Please speak to a tax advisor to clarify exactly what is possible.
No, unfortunately that is not possible.
Our assistance dogs are trained exclusively by specially trained trainers from our team. This is the only way we can ensure that all standards are met - for example, the requirements of the ADI/ADEu (our international certification).
This is how we create the best quality for you and your future dog.
That's perfectly fine. Many people have questions or doubts at the beginning.
We are here for you and will advise you personally - honestly, openly and at your own pace. Together we will find out whether an assistance dog is the right choice for you.
