Tax Reform Impact on Free Assistance Dogs for Disabled
Author: Canine Companions for Independence
Published: 2017/12/29 - Updated: 2026/01/20
Publication Type: Informative
Category Topic: Service and Therapy Animals - Related Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This information addresses how federal tax code changes directly affect access to service animals for people with disabilities. Originally published by Canine Companions for Independence, a nationally recognized assistance dog provider since 1975, the piece details how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 altered charitable deduction incentives. The organization reports that each assistance dog represents a $50,000 investment in training and lifetime support, yet they're provided free to recipients who need them for daily independence. With over 450 individuals on waiting lists and year-end donations historically funding most placements, understanding these tax implications helps disability advocates, potential donors, and families seeking service animals grasp the financial pressures facing assistance dog programs nationwide - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
Big changes are coming for the U.S. 2018 tax year after the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, and it may be impacting those organizations that need charitable gifts most - those charities like Canine Companions for Independence that provide life-changing assistance dogs to children, veterans and adults with disabilities entirely free of charge.
Main Content
"Without Mork, I couldn't go out of the house safely, let alone have a job," says Canine Companions service dog recipient Wallis Brozman. "The independence he has given me is invaluable. Mork helps me help myself."
According to the Council on Foundations, the new tax code's limitations on itemized deductions including charitable giving will result in a decrease of $16-$24 billion in charitable giving each year. However, charitable gifts given to Canine Companions by December 31 still qualify for tax benefits and deductions under current law.
"Charitable giving always comes from the heart," says Canine Companions Chief Development Officer Barbara Barrow. "But the tax reform in 2018 will change the landscape for giving and could discourage crucial gifts to organizations that are changing lives every day. A reduction in giving is concerning for Canine Companions, which relies on private and corporate giving, as we continue to place highly-trained assistance dogs with people with disabilities."
Canine Companions for Independence, founded in 1975, is the first and largest provider of assistance dogs for people with disabilities.
Each dog and a lifetime of ongoing support is an up to $50,000 investment for the organization, but are provided entirely free of charge to recipients. Year-end gifts raise more funds for Canine Companions than any other time of year.
Canine Companions assistance dogs are trained in over 40 advanced commands to enhance independence, from pulling manual wheelchairs, retrieving credit cards and other items, opening doors and alerting to sounds in the environment like a fire alarm.
Canine Companions has placed more than 5,600 assistance dogs since its founding, and more than 450 individuals nationwide are waiting for a life-changing assistance dog.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: The intersection of tax policy and disability services rarely gets the attention it deserves, yet this connection shapes whether thousands of people can access the tools they need for independence. While tax reform debates often focus on economic growth metrics and corporate rates, the ripple effects reach deep into communities where a trained service dog means the difference between isolation and participation in daily life. Organizations like Canine Companions operate in a space where market economics don't apply - recipients can't simply purchase what they need, making charitable support not just helpful but essential. As tax incentives shift and reshape giving patterns, tracking these changes becomes crucial for anyone invested in disability rights and access to assistive resources - Disabled World (DW).Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Canine Companions for Independence and published on 2017/12/29, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.