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Therapy Dog & Service Dog Training
To get started, register for our Membership and then the Therapy/Service class Saturday’s at 1 pm. We suggest you also enroll for a Level 1 basic obedience class. If you have other questions use the Contact Us button below or call (573 443 0716)
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, pay attention to you and do as you say regardless of what else is going on around them. Both therapy and service dogs need that foundation.
We help you prepare for therapy dog certification and for the specialized work that your service dog may require. That work may be delivered by organizations specialized in such training. The organizations that provide therapy dog testing and specialized service dog training set their own testing recognition requirements. In some cases, you may be able to provide that training for your own dog.
There is no general certification for service dogs because of the wide range of services dogs are trained to provide. Certification of service dogs is not required by the federal government. It is the training to do specific things for you that is essential.
Here is a link to short videos produced by the State of Missouri regarding service animal regulations: https://disability.mo.gov/serviceanimals.htm
Two Specialties
In therapy work, you and your dog are certified as a team to work for other people.
In service work, your dog is trained to provide important services to you. While the basic training is similar for both specialties, one’s dog may need complex additional training to serve their person effectively – think of guide dogs that serve as their person’s eyes.
We welcome those who need PTSD service dog training, assistance dog training and comfort dog training.
Once you’ve earned the title – Certified Therapy Dog or have completed speciality training for your Service Dog, we invite you to continue the training with weekly lessons based on encounters members have had with the public – as in ‘Leave it – It’s Not for you.’
Our members also build bundles of tricks they can demonstrate on therapy visit. Children, especially, will ask ‘Does your dog know any tricks?’ and we want to be prepared with an affirmative answer.
We invite you to join our group as a Member or use the contact button below to get more information.