Therapy/Service Dog Training
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 prepare your service dogs for the specialized work that they may require. That work may be delivered by organizations specialized in such training. The organizations that provide 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. We can assist you in that specialized training.
There is no general certification for service dogs because of the wide range of services that 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.
To get started, register for our Membership and then the Therapy/Service class on Saturdays at noon. We suggest you also enroll in a Level 1 basic obedience class.
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 specialty 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 a 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. You can also use the contact button below to get more information.
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.