Therapy/Service Dog Training
“Treat Therapy Dog Work like the Job it is. – Train for It.”
About Our Therapy & Service Dog Training
- Recognition by the American Kennel Club with the Canine Good Citizen Title is a good initial goal for both specialties.
- Preparation for therapy dog certification and the specialized work of service dogs begins with solid, basic obedience where the dog learns:
- To work with you,
- To pay attention to you, and
- To do as you say, regardless of what else is going on around them.
- Both therapy and service dogs need that foundation.
- AKC evaluators conduct the CGC test for us several times a year.
- We welcome those who need PTSD service dog training, assistance dog training, and comfort dog training.
Two Specialties
- In therapy work, you and your dog are certified as a team to work with other people.
- In service work, your dog is trained to provide important services to you.
- While basic obedience training is the foundation for both specialties, both require special training beyond that for effective work with and for you.
- While the basic training is similar for both specialties, one’s dog may need complex additional training to serve their person effectively.
- Once you’ve earned your Therapy Dog certification or have completed specialty training for your Service Dog, we invite you to continue learning with our weekly Therapy/Service Dog sessions.
What It Costs
The fee is $285. The fee covers the dog’s participation in the Level 1 dog training class and the graduation class, Level 1+, for as long as it takes for the dog to learn the material. It also includes one-on-one coaching sessions, class handouts and other materials, and no-cost telephone and e-mail consultations on handling and training problems during enrollment. Payment is by credit/debit card.
How To Enroll:
Contact us to send us a note or call to ask about classes or activities. You and your dog(s) may begin training after a session has started. It is not necessary to wait for the start of a new eight-week session. If you are starting after the first week of a session, we will meet online for a one-on-one ‘getting started’ session with some homework, and you can join the class after that. You should plan to continue your attendance in the class in the subsequent session to pick up the lessons you may have missed.