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A therapy dog is a dog who visits places like schools, hospitals and nursing homes. Therapy dog training in Clarksville teaches dogs to provide comfort, support, and affection to the people they meet, particularly vulnerable people like children, seniors, patients in hospitals, and so on.
Therapy dogs are not service dogs. Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks to help a person who has a disability. This distinction is important because therapy dogs do not have the same access to public places like service dogs do. For example, service dogs can go into restaurants, but therapy dogs cannot. Therapy dogs still provide a valuable service and should receive therapy dog certification.
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite Central Nashville location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Who Do Therapy Dogs Help?
Therapy dogs may be regular visitors to a variety of people and places, with hospitals and rehabilitation centers being among the most common. Children, in particular, respond positively to therapy dogs.
Seniors in assisted living or people with mental disabilities who live in facilities and experience feelings of isolation also see a lot of benefits from visiting with a therapy dog.
Besides providing valuable social opportunities and relieving anxiety, therapy dogs may even help lower blood pressure and heart rate in patients and the other people they visit.
Why Are Therapy Dogs Important?
Therapy dogs offer unconditional love, non-judgmental interaction, reduce stress, anxiety and loneliness, and provide an overall positive distraction to ailments. Research shows therapy dogs can have a positive effect on a patient’s mood, stress and pain levels during facility stays.
Young patients — children — seem to benefit most from working with therapy dogs. They are more motivated to participate in treatments, feel optimistic about the future, and experience an overall sense of calm when a certified therapy dog is present.
For people who may have a hard time socializing due to mental disabilities or their living situation, therapy dogs can promote social interaction within their community and help them to connect.
We help your dog become a valued companion and beloved member of the family. Read what our customers have to say and then give us a call!
Love the work my pup had a great time jen was amazing and will recommend to everyone— Jessica Sherbourne
Posted October 18th 2024
Jen dose an amazing job shes easy to understand and i love her energy— Jessica A.M. Sherbourne
Posted October 18th 2024
Dog Training Elite has been amazing! My dog, Lola, and I have made great strides as we have worked with the group, and Reina has been great! She trains ME how to train and work consistently with my pup. We are working towards therapy certification, and I’m so glad we found Dog Training Elite. Highly recommend!— Holly Horncastle
Posted September 30th 2024
Our two Great Pyrenees mix pups were getting too difficult to train on our own. When Reina arrived for the assessment she knew what we needed- and we have learned so much! She loves dogs, is easy to work with, and responds quickly when there are any questions, issues, or schedule changes. Highly recommend!— Mollie Woltmann
Posted September 25th 2024
I am so glad that I called Dog Training Elite! They have provided me so much peace of mind! I can now take my dog to dog friendly places and feel confident that my dog will act appropriately!— Natalee Wells
Posted September 13th 2024
Reina is a pro. My dog was super stubborn, and she stayed firm, waiting her out until she listened to the command. I couldn't be happier with my experience.— Melvin Alvares
Posted July 17th 2024
Reina did great with Max! He absolutely loved his time with her ❤️— Rachel Baudendistel
Posted July 20th 2024
Riena did an amazing job training my dog! Highly recommend she is a very patient person :)— Karol Olvera
Posted July 18th 2024
I trust Reina with any dog of mine, she is the absolute best!! 🥰 This little guy really needed some training and now he is thriving! I cannot recommend her enough! 🙌🏻— Estrella Mendoza
Posted July 16th 2024
Reina did a great job on our dog! We’d definitely use her again!— Elaine Armstrong
Posted July 13th 2024
I would highly recommend Reina of Dog Training Elite to anyone! Sending my dog Quincy through the obedience program at home was truly life changing for my wife and I, and has allowed Quincy and us to enjoy much better and less stressful lives. With Dog Traing Elite, Reina provided us with the proper tools and knowledge to keep up with our dog's training regimen long term. This has been incredibly helpful as we are now able to work with Quincy at home on our own. I am so thankful for Reina's professional attitude and dedication, and truly cannot say enough good things about her and Dog Training Elite.— Mark Brittelli
Posted July 11th 2024
Reina Wasmund did great job training my dog she loves her a lot and always looking forward to seeing her.— Sanel Husnic
Posted July 11th 2024
Best training that’s out there! Make sure to ask for Reina!! She worked wonders for my pup (3 year old Shepherd lol) turns out you still teach an old dog new tricks. He was a trouble pup but now with he’s an angel.— Bob Marley
Posted July 10th 2024
10/10, Would recommend! Reina trained my dog and she is an absolute gem when it comes to dog training! I brought my energetic pup to her hoping for some improvement in basic obedience, and I was beyond satisfied with the results. Her approach is not only effective but also compassionate towards the dogs she works with. She formed an amazing bond with my dog and within just a few sessions, my dog showed remarkable progress. She took the time to understand my dog's personality and worked hard to fit her needs perfectly. I couldn't recommend her enough to anyone looking for professional and caring dog training services.— Jayleen Rogel
Posted July 10th 2024
Reina was amazing and so friendly. She really put me at ease and gave me confidence I choose the right place to help with training Kitt.— Michelene English
Posted July 10th 2024
Highly recommend Dog Training Elite. Our trainer Reina was amazing!— Selena Sanchez
Posted July 9th 2024
Reina is an excellent trainer! We couldn’t be happier with the results. Brady’s behavior and social skills have improved so much. We can take him anywhere now!— Lindsey Kloes
Posted July 9th 2024
How Does a Dog Become a Therapy Dog?
If you have felt the benefits of owning a dog, you may feel inspired to help more people feel the unconditional love, joy and support your dog provides. However, having a friendly, loving personality isn’t enough for a dog to qualify as a therapy dog. Some other qualifications to consider are:
- The age of your dog. Puppies do not make good therapy animals.
- How obedient your dog is. It’s important your dog listens to you and obeys basic commands. Dogs that go through obedience training with Dog Training Elite Central Nashville have the perfect foundation to go onto therapy dog training, as long as they are old enough.
- How social your dog is. Your dog may be affectionate with you — but are they affectionate with strangers? Do they like to receive attention from strangers, particularly petting?
Therapy Dog Handlers
As a dog owner, it’s important to reflect on whether you would like to become a therapy dog handler as well. If you enjoy connecting with people, becoming a therapy dog handler may be a great fit. You can also choose where to volunteer to better suit your interests — if you like kids, volunteer to visit schools or children’s hospitals. If you prefer to work with older people, then sign up to visit senior living centers.
Once you’ve determined that becoming a therapy dog handler and helping your dog become a therapy dog is the right move for the two of you, you’re ready to start therapy dog training. The trainers of Dog Training Elite Central Nashville are experts in the behaviors needed in a therapy dog and will help you and your dog either brush up on or master behaviors such as “leave it,” “watch me,” loose-leash walking and not jumping on other people.
To help your dog become well socialized, you may consider also signing up for one of Dog Training Elite Central Nashville’s group obedience classes. A group class environment is also beneficial because it helps your dog learn to be obedient when there are a lot of distractions around, a crucial skill for a therapy dog.
Once you’ve completed initial training, you’re ready to apply for therapy dog certification in Clarksville. However, it is important to note that this certification is not the end. It’s important to stay on top of your dog’s training and continue to help them be the best therapy dog they can be.
Why do Therapy Dog Training with Dog Training Elite Central Nashville?
The Dog Training Elite Central Nashville training method stands out because of its emphasis on positive reinforcement. Dogs are never punished for bad behavior, instead they are rewarded for good behavior. This kind of training makes a huge difference in your relationship with your dog, and will make a difference in how your dog interacts with other people.
The balanced training method of Dog Training Elite Central Nashville fosters a dog’s naturally loving and obedient nature. Focusing on positive reinforcement and rewarding good behavior helps build a strong bond between dog and owner built on love and trust. This foundation in turn becomes a great foundation for dog and owner to become a fabulous therapy team providing an invaluable service to the community.
If you feel therapy dog certification is right for you and your dog, get started by contacting Dog Training Elite Central Nashville. Request your free training demo and in-home assessment today.
