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A therapy dog is a dog who visits places like schools, hospitals and nursing homes. Therapy dog training in Broward / Fort Lauderdale 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 Broward 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!
Dog Training Elite Broward provided a fantastic experience with their personalized training approach. Gus, one of their trainers, was especially helpful during the individual sessions. He was patient, knowledgeable, and made sure to tailor the training to our dog’s specific needs. Thanks to Gus, we saw significant improvements in obedience and behavior after just a few sessions. Highly recommend Dog Training Elite for anyone looking for effective dog training!— Lynn Costo
Posted October 17th 2024
I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for the exceptional training that my dog, Brooklin, has received under Dog Training Elite’s guidance. The transformation in Brooklin's behavior and obedience is nothing short of remarkable, and it is a testament to the high-quality training provided by the esteemed team of Marie, Gus & Matthew. Marie's expertise and patience is pivotal in Brooklin's development. Her ability to connect with the dogs and tailor her approach to their individual needs is truly commendable. It is evident that she cares deeply about the well-being and progress of each canine in her class, and this dedication shines through in the results. After just two sessions, the improvement in Brooklin's obedience is clearly visible, and it brings me immense joy to see such positive changes. Furthermore, the dogs trained under Gus' guidance have shown remarkable improvements in obedience, agility, and task performance. His constant feedback and encouragement have been invaluable, especially during our public area training sessions. Gus's expertise and positive demeanor make the learning process enjoyable and effective, not just for Brooklin, but for me as well. His approach is not only professional but also filled with a genuine passion for helping dogs and their owners achieve their best. The environment at Dog Training Elite is one of support, encouragement, and professionalism. It is a place where dogs are not just trained but nurtured to become well-behaved and happy companions. The skills and techniques that Brooklin has learned are invaluable, and the confidence that both of us have gained from Dog Training Elite is immeasurable. The commitment to excellence in dog training has made a significant difference in our lives, and I am truly grateful for the positive impact Marie & Gus have had on Brooklin and myself— Jackie Gelly
Posted October 16th 2024
Excellent! I have had behavioral problems with my dog and they have helped me with everything in a super simple and super easy way for us. Mathew the best!— Mateo Zamudio
Posted September 28th 2024
I cannot express enough gratitude towards Marie and Gus at Dog Training Elite Broward for the incredible training they provided for my dog. Thanks to their dedication, my dog is now a confident and well-behaved therapy dog who is ready to bring joy to our community.— Stella Marujo
Posted September 18th 2024
I have had many dogs. This is the first time I engaged a trainer. What a great experience. My dog is happier, not anxious and actually listens. The service is great for both owner and dog. Marie is wonderful. Patient and kind. I highly recommend this company!!!— mitch katz
Posted August 29th 2024
It is motivational, admirable and inspiring to truly understand what your dogs are capable of. I highly recommend BTE to anyone who is looking to not only train their dog(s), but also resolve any behavioral issues you may be concerned about. Working with Marie is a treat for not only my two dogs, but also for us as owners. She’s a great coach and her methods will work for the long haul. If you are looking for a great dog training company, this is it.— Sarah Mohammed
Posted August 27th 2024
Matthew is an exceptional dog trainer who is not only highly knowledgeable but also very patient. He has been instrumental in helping Sammy and me build a stronger bond. His clear and understandable explanations of the training steps have made a significant difference in our progress. I highly recommend Matthew to anyone looking for a dedicated and skilled dog trainer. Gus is also great and very consistent with making sure that you are scheduled for classes.— Lynn Candy
Posted August 8th 2024
Matthew is an exceptional dog trainer who is not only highly knowledgeable but also very patient. He has been instrumental in helping Sammy and me build a stronger bond. His clear and understandable explanations of the training steps have made a significant difference in our progress. I highly recommend Matthew to anyone looking for a dedicated and skilled dog trainer.— Jessica Powell
Posted August 8th 2024
Ok, look no further. This is by far the best dog training school in Florida! It's called ELITE because that is how they work! Marie and Gus are extremely professional and knowledgeable, and they truly care for your pets, using the best methods to ensure no harm comes to your furry babies. I can confirm that their methods really work, as one of my dogs went through a lot of trauma. They gave her life back, and she is soon to be on her best behavior. Thank you, Marie, for being such an amazing coach and fun to work with! You are a blessing to our family. Sophye Nolet, Margate, Florida— Sophye Nolet
Posted July 15th 2024
I would rate them 5 Stars Outstanding From the first contact with Marie's team, I found the professional, willing and able to help with our 5 year old Plot Hound rescue. We rescued our Tazzy from a no kill shelter 6 months ago. We are dog lovers and have two wonderful dogs who live to the age of 14. Tazzy is by far the most active. We don't know her history but found her aggressive with anyone coming to the door or gate. From the first lesson, Marie was always helpful in explaining each step she was taking with the training. I soon realized we need to remain calm but in control when Tazzy acted out. We needed training too. With Marie's guidance, patience and authority, Tazzy's behavior with strangers is very much improved. We would recommend Marie's Dog Training Elite to everyone who wants to learn how to adjust their thinking and methods in training their dog. They are remarkable!— Robert Cooper
Posted May 4th 2024
It's been a great experience to work with Marie and Matt. I love the personal service and the attention to my dog. My dog's behavior has changed so much and I've learned so much on how to be consistent and teach him new things. I'm so grateful for Marie's lessons and personal touch.— Reyna Lopez
Posted March 6th 2024
Amazing business they realy know what they do, i had a teainer for one off my dogs that i thought it was amazing untill i meet Dog training Elite cant be happier with them Thx team— Luca Woodworking
Posted March 5th 2024
Working with Maria, Gus and Matt to give Vinnie, our Goldendoodle, some extra training has been amazing. They are warm, friendly and give expert advice. Easy to contact and great with responses. Absolutely recommend them for your training needs.— Pat M Chin
Posted December 6th 2023
Thank you so much guy to helping me out with my dog since he was just fourth month. We have such a good time at classes and is all the result of your dedication and attention to every single dog in there.— Gonzalo Galeano
Posted December 6th 2023
Excellent program with personal service suited to our specific needs. We can see progress on dog behavior from day to day working together with the trainer and our personal commitment. The personal touch from the trainer is highly appreciated making the process fun for us and our dog.— Andres Ottati
Posted October 29th 2023
Thank you for helping me train my puppy! she went from wild to manageable and getting better every day! Matt the trainer was so sweet with her, she loved him!— Helena Poleo
Posted October 27th 2023
Great service. Our dog Buttercup really enjoyed the training sessions and her behavior has improved so much. Thank you to all the staff of Dog Training Elite Broward.— Andre Rodriguez
Posted October 26th 2023
I have been having a great experience this far with my dogs training. Marie has been patient and gentle while working with my reactive/anxious dog. We have had 6 individual classes and 1 group class so far and my dog has shown such great improvement. I am also being conditioned to be more relax when walking him and more confident in my expected action of my dog from my commands.— Angelica Chica
Posted October 23rd 2023
Thanks for all trainers. Our dog is a golden retriever 3.5 years old. We took her to parks, hotels and travel with her. She has a good behavior and love with people. Marie and her staff done very good work— OLGA FIDLIN
Posted October 23rd 2023
Marie’s patience and dedication has been beyond what I ever expected. The Dog training Elites team is exceptional. Their compassion and pride in what they do is evident. I am beyond pleased with how our furry companion has progressed and continues to progress. We look forward to our appointments because they are always so successful. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite. I cannot thank Marie and Gus from Elite Training enough for everything they’ve done and continue to do.— brittney manresa
Posted August 23rd 2023
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 Broward 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 Broward 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 Broward’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 Broward / Fort Lauderdale. 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 Broward?
The Dog Training Elite Broward 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 Broward 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 Broward. Request your free training demo and in-home assessment today.
