Coaching1 session per week, teaching you how to train your dog |
Hybrid1 session per week teaching you how to train your dog + 1 session per week working directly with your dog to boost your progress and make training easier for you |
Professionally-Trained3 sessions per week, working directly with your dog to build skills + 1 transfer session per week, teaching you and your dog to use skills together. |
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Therapy dogs provide comfort and emotional support, so their training must prioritize trust, confidence, and a willingness to engage. Positive reinforcement—rewarding desired behaviors with treats, praise, or play—creates a therapy dog that is not only well-trained but also emotionally secure and eager to interact. Research shows that reward-based training leads to better behavioral outcomes and lower stress levels compared to punishment-based methods (Ziv, 2017). Conversely, aversive techniques can increase fear and anxiety, which may negatively impact a dog’s ability to remain calm in unpredictable environments (Vieira de Castro et al., 2020). A therapy dog must feel safe and assured to provide the best support for those in need. By using positive reinforcement, handlers develop therapy dogs that are adaptable, engaged, and happy in their work—qualities that make a real difference to the people they help. Whether visiting hospitals, schools, or care facilities, a well-trained therapy dog fosters connection, reduces stress, and brings comfort to those who need it most. |
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Educated and endorsed by university professors and leading industry experts
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6 years professional therapy dog training experience
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2 years training professional therapy dogs with an Assistance Dogs International (ADI)-accredited organization
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Successfully trained dozens of therapy dog teams, for a wide variety of roles
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Over 10 years of accredited continuing education
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Experienced with all aspects of therapy dog training, from selecting a dog, to puppy raising, to obedience and manners training, specialty therapy behaviors, and resolving behavior issues
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Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) Professional Member
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Insured Therapy Dog Trainer
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Over 1,000 dogs trained with 100% 5-star reviews
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Reach out using the form below
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You'll receive an email with more information about our services and a link to set up a free phone assessment
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If we're a good fit for each other, we'll suggest a consultaion to plan your training program and get started!
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What's the difference between a service dog, skilled companion, therapy dog, and emotional support animal? A service dog is specially trained to perform specific tasks that assist a person with a disability. These tasks are directly related to the handler’s needs, such as guiding individuals who are blind, alerting those with hearing loss, or assisting with mobility. Service dogs are legally protected and allowed in public places under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A skilled companion is a trained assistance dog that may not be suitable to access all public places, but can perform helpful tasks for a person with a disability at home or in dog-friendly settings. A therapy dog provides comfort and emotional support in settings like treatment centers, schools. and other clinical settings. These dogs are trained to be well-mannered and interact positively with various people, but they are not trained to perform specific disability-related tasks. Therapy dogs do not have public access rights under the ADA. An emotional support animal (ESA) offers companionship and emotional relief to individuals with mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression. Unlike service dogs, ESAs do not require specialized training to perform tasks or access the public. They do not have public access rights but may qualify for housing accommodations under the Fair Housing Act. What are the requirements for a therapy dog? There are many types of therapy dogs and different roles require different skills, but generally therapy dogs should have a calm, friendly, and confident temperament. They should be comfortable, well behaved, and free from fear and aggression around a variety of people, other animals, and environments. Therapy dogs require various levels of obedience and manners training, and may also have specifically trained behaviors that support a therapeutic process, e.g. pressure therapy, behavior interruptions, or interactive tricks and games! Can any dog become a therapy dog? While many dogs can become therapy dogs, not all dogs are suited for this role. A therapy dog should enjoy social interaction, remain relaxed in new environments, and have a predictable and stable temperament. Puppies and highly excitable or anxious dogs may need additional training and socialization before they are ready. How do I get my dog certified as a therapy dog? Therapy dog certification typically requires passing a temperament and skills evaluation through a recognized therapy dog organization. These organizations assess obedience, behavior, and how well the dog responds to different situations. For professional clinicians, we encourage you to consider certification through Professional Therapy Dogs of Colorado. For pet owners who want to volunteer in a therapy dog program, we recommend considering Pet Partners. Please beware of organizations selling therapy dog certificates or IDs to the public, without training or testing- such products are not legally recognized and are often scams designed to take advantage of dog owners. |
