For a dog to become a service dog it must undergo “scholastic” training. Most puppies received for this work are raised at the training site, so the obedient behaviors of past breeds will continue. The puppies are then sent to live with experienced volunteers or families until they learn basic commands and social interactions. After they master the basics, they are taken back to the site where each puppy will be spayed or neutered. Only then does rigorous education begin. Teaching each dog how to walk, see, hear and even speak for people with mental or physical disabilities is so challenging that only about half of the dogs graduate. The other half may have been overly hyperactive or too eager to play. These dogs are adopted as well-behaved pets. The training fee for these types of dogs varies depending on the program and trainers. While one dog may cost nothing, the price of another could be a few thousand dollars. Anyone who has owned a dog knows that between vaccinations, food and toys, the costs are not cheap. With guide dogs it's much more. They constantly need different supplies, depending on what they will help, and trainers must be compensated for taking them to different public areas to work regularly for up to two years. When a service dog has fully learned how to assist an owner, it is paired based on skill and personality needs. An owner must pass a screening and interview to demonstrate that they are in good health and have an acceptable home. After they are paired, the owner must remain at the training site for several weeks, learning how to groom and control them properly. Managing these dogs appropriately is essential for the collaboration between owner and companion...... middle of paper......s, towing wheelchairs, carrying baskets/bags, opening doors, turning lights on and off, and even balance the owner. They restore independence to a person who, for a certain period, never thought he would be able to carry out daily activities. For an emotionally disabled person, they provide affection and comfort in the hospital, in a nursing home and even in stressful situations. They are trained to awaken the handler from nightmares or panic/anxiety attacks, to bring the person back to "reality". These dogs help owners overcome everyday obstacles, whether it's an overhead branch or an overly crowded public area. The meaning of a service dog may vary from person to person, but the satisfaction and appreciation of having that security by your side every day is undoubtedly the same. For some they are just a pet or best friend, but for many others they represent the sole purpose of life.