Therapy & Service Training
Training you and your dog as a working Therapy Dog Team for facility visits.
Therapy Dog, Service Dog, and Emotional Service Animal:
What’s the difference?
In today’s day and age, you probably hear these terms thrown around a lot and, often, people use them interchangeably. However, these roles vary greatly. It’s important that we understand the differences between these three very important canine roles in order to prepare our dogs correctly for their new job.
Service Dog
A service dog, regardless of breed or type, is individually trained to do work or perform at least 3 tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. A service dog is an extension of the handler and is given complete & total public access by way of the ADA (Americans with Disability Act of 1990).
The dog needs to pass the Public Access Test.
Therapy Dog
Therapy dogs are dogs who go with their “Therapy Dog Handler” to volunteer in settings such as schools, hospitals, and nursing homes to comfort humans.
The dog needs to be certified through a therapy dog organization.
Emotional Support Animal (ESA)
An emotional support animal is an animal that provides relief through companionship.
This animal does not need to be trained and does not have any public access or any rights.
What does the journey to having a Service or Therapy dog looks like?
Before you and your dog can take the Service Dog Class, they must first complete the following series of classes. Remember, progression varies dog to dog.
Please note that prices subject to change without notice. Customer allowed one make up per 6 week session. You must take classes with Jackie or Rebecca to continue to Service. You must be take classes with Rebecca or Lynn to continue to Therapy Classes.
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While this is optional, it is heavily encourage that you and your dog participate in one of our evaluations. This is for us to properly analyze your dog in order for us to help determine whether or not they are ready for therapy or service dog training.
The cost for this evaluation is $150.
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For Puppy Basics & Beyond, puppies must be aged 10 weeks to one year old.
Puppy Basics and Beyond is the advanced foundational course for puppies and is the first step to a well-trained family pet. Class goals are for your puppy to become familiar with the basic commands, learn how to properly walk on a leash, and understand “puppy manners'' in different situations. The class also includes obstacles to build your puppy’s confidence, body awareness, and focus.
Depending on your input and trainer’s recommendation, your next class will be Novice Intermediate, Intermediate, or Beginner Agility 101/Obedience.
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Beginner Life Skills is the foundational class for dogs and is the first step towards therapy dog, service dog, and competition obedience training tracts or just a well-trained family pet. Class goals are for your dog to become familiar with the basic commands, learn how to properly walk on a leash, and understand “manners” in different situations. The class also includes obstacles to build your dog’s confidence, body awareness, and focus.
Depending on your input and trainer’s recommendation, your next class will be Novice Intermediate, Intermediate, or Agility 101/Obedience.
The cost for either of these classes is $185.
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Dogs must have completed either Puppy Basics or Beginner Life Skills to register.
Novice Intermediate is an obedience course for dogs who have an understanding of basic commands. In addition to learning new and more complex commands, class goals are for your dog to become comfortable with the basic commands and to prepare them for increased distractions, duration, and distance from you. The class also includes obstacles to build confidence, body awareness, and focus.
Depending on your input and trainer’s recommendation, your next class will be Intermediate, Advanced, or Beginner Agility 101/Obedience.
The cost for this class is $185.
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Dogs must have completed either Puppy Basics, Novice Intermediate, or Beginner Life Skills to register.
Intermediate is an obedience course that is the beginning of dogs working off leash and continuing to add complexity to the commands, duration, distractions, and distance. Dogs will be trained to be focused and engaged on and off leash. This course will prepare dogs to be well mannered and attentive in public.
Depending on your input and trainer’s recommendation, your next class will be Advanced, Beginner Agility 101/Obedience.
The cost for this class is $185.
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Dogs must have completed Intermediate or have a trainer’s recommendation after completing Novice Intermediate to register.
Advanced is an obedience course open to dogs who have mastered basic commands and want to test for the AKC Canine Good-Citizen (CGC) certification. Dogs will be working off leash. The class goals are to become comfortable with more complex commands, to learn more advanced activities, and to pass the 10-step AKC CGC test. The class also includes obstacles to build confidence, body awareness, and focus. This course will condition the handler and the dog to work as a team on leash, off leash, from distance, and different environments.
Depending on your trainer’s recommendation, your next class will be Therapy Dog Training, Service Dog, or Beginner Agility 101/Obedience.
The cost for this class is $185.
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Dogs must have completed prerequisites and be recommended by their trainer.
Service dog class is a group class which works on obedience and focus in environments similar to real life situations. Each service dog will be learning, problem solving, and completing the specific tasks for their handler. Dogs will be regularly tested on their ability to perform their tasks with different obstacles in their way. The goal is for the dog and handler to be a fluid “team” in any situation.
Certification is not guaranteed.
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Dogs must have completed prerequisites and be recommended by their trainer.
Therapy dog class is a group class where the handler and dog work on obedience, desensitization, and socialization. The dog will be regularly tested on their ability to be well mannered around other dogs, new people, and while being pet. The goal is for the dog and handler to be a fluid “team” in any situation.
Certification is not guaranteed.
The cost for either of these certifications is $275.
Therapy Dog or Service Dog Form.
Please note that we require a letter stating you need a Service Dog from a licensed medical doctor, psychiatrist, or a licensed mental health doctor. And the 3 tasks the dog will need to perform for you.
Please answer all questions so we can be as informed as possible. Once you have filled out our form, one of our team members will reach out to you in order to help with next steps.