Psychiatric / PTSD

Service Dog Trainer


Psychiatric / PTSD Dog Trainer in Knoxville, TN

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865-500-6087


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865-500-6087


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A Psychiatric/PTSD service animal will be able to go anywhere with their handler and assist them in times of high anxiety and stress. A service dog will provide emotional support, reintegration into society, reduce depression, reduce the frequency and severity of flashbacks, anchor handler to the present, and reduce suicidal ideation.

Individuals with PTSD often feel unsafe and unsure of reality, especially in public settings. Service dogs for PTSD can help ground their handler to reality, prevent people from crowding or rushing up to them and provide the emotional support needed to de-escalate anxieties. They can be trained to recognize the signs of a panic attack, wake individuals experiencing night terrors and regulate emotional responses through pressure.

Pricing Programs Free Assessment

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Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite Knoxville location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.


Psychiatric / PTSD Support Dog

12 One-on-One & 12 Months Group Sessions

$4,595

A Psychiatric/PTSD service dog will be able to go anywhere with their handler and assist them in times of high stress and provide a sense of security. A service dog will provide emotional support, reintegration into society, reduce depression, help cope with anxiety, reduce the frequency and severity of flashbacks, anchor handler to the present, and reduce suicidal ideation. Psychiatric service dogs will learn basic obedience and advanced tasks that are customizable, such as:

  • Grounding
  • Deep Pressure Therapy
  • Panic Response
  • Create a Physical Buffer
  • Interrupt Repetitive Behaviors
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Benefits of Psychiatric/PTSD Service Dog Training:

  • Increase activity and integration into society: Dogs are active and need to be exercised regularly, the responsibility of caring for a service animal will force their handler to get out and exercise. A routine is established and ties to the future are forged again.
  • Create a sense of safety: Public settings and crowds are an enormous trigger for most individuals suffering from PTSD. Psychiatric service dogs are trained to create a physical barrier between their handler and crowds of people.
  • Ground in reality, redirect hyper-vigilance: Hyper-vigilance is a symptom of PTSD and creates constant tension and paranoia within sufferers. Service dogs are trained to recognize their handler’s warning signs for anxiety, hyper-vigilance, and panic attacks and redirect that energy into positive coping skills and grounding techniques such as petting the dog.
  • Reduce nightmares and flashbacks: One of the most emotionally challenging situations for individuals with PTSD to deal with are flashbacks and nightmares. They can transport an individual back to a terrifying time in their life where they have felt unsafe, threatened, and traumatized. A PTSD service animal is trained to bring their handler back to reality quickly and calmly, ground the individual, and help them to feel safe in their environment again.

Pricing Programs Free Assessment

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Dog Training Elite has expert PTSD dog trainers in Knoxville that provide service dog training programs for those suffering from PTSD.

Our Balanced Theory

We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model (a.k.a. "Pavlovian" or "respondent conditioning"). This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Our unique techniques ensure our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter.


  • Empowering Owners
    We empower Owners to train so their dog knows who to obey at all times.
  • Personalized
    We deal with problem behaviors on a personal basis.
  • Environment Specific
    We train wherever issues tend to arise (i.e. jogging, park, home).
  • Supportive
    We support Owners in the off-hours (when training is "not in session").
  • Involved
    We work with all members of the household.
  • Simplified & Customized
    We plan training around the owner's schedule and require only 20 min/day follow-up practice.
  • Continued Training
    Additional programs / group sessions offered after in-home training.
  • Lifetime Investment
    We follow up & are invested in the owner's success long-term.
  • Satisfaction Ratings
    Our high client satisfaction rating sets us apart from competitors.

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!

Loved working with jen she did an amazing job
— Jessica Sherbourne
Posted October 18th 2024
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Jen is really great and helpful
— Jessica A.M. Sherbourne
Posted October 18th 2024
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The experience was amazing, my dog Preston had a great time. Thank you Parker for the the experience.
— two long
Posted October 9th 2024
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Best customer service by far, Buster loved it. Would definitely recommend to anyone living in Knoxville. Parker is by far the best dog trainer.
— William Wicks
Posted October 9th 2024
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Great experience with knowledgeable people
— Malinda Manchester
Posted October 4th 2024
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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
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Our two Great Pyrenees mix pups were getting too difficult to train on our own. When our trainer arrived (Reina) 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
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Reina did great with Max! He absolutely loved his time with her ❤️
— Rachel Baudendistel
Posted September 19th 2024
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Reina has been an excellent dog trainer for my pup, Ghost. She is consistently punctual and patient in her work with Ghost.
— Jessica Coleman
Posted September 17th 2024
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Dog Training Elite has been awesome to work with! My dog had a few issues like jumping on people, and pulled me on a leash! Now I can have guests over and not be embarrassed!
— Natalee Wells
Posted September 13th 2024
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I can not thank Dog Training Elite enough for sending us Nikki, she from the very beginning of our training helped and improved our Shiloh Shepherd. Nikki listened to our concerns and answered all our questions as they came along. She was instrumental in achieving our Service Dog goals! Thank you for everything you do! I highly recommend her for all your dog training needs! ❤️🐾
— April Dustin
Posted August 5th 2024
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I can't recommend Dog Training Elite highly enough! From start to finish, my experience with them has been exceptional. Andi in the office is an absolute gem - always friendly, polite, and incredibly efficient. She made scheduling around my hectic timetable an absolute breeze, whether it was answering the phone or swiftly returning missed calls. And when it come to Parker, our trainer, I couldn't be more impressed. Parker was punctual and well-prepared for every lesson. His expertise and patience with me and my dog was evident, and I saw significant progress with each lesson. Thank you, Dog Training Elite, for providing the service that you do!
— Alisa Kellington-Welsh
Posted April 19th 2024
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Best trained dog I’ve ever had. Friendly service. Our trainer Nikki is great!
— Daniel Stout
Posted April 19th 2024
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I had a great experience with Nikki! She worked great with Zurii and I during our training sessions. We learned a lot.
— Janet Koontz
Posted April 18th 2024
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What a great experience! We are so happy we chose Training Elite and Nikki was our trainer. Money well spent.
— Sherry Sapp
Posted April 11th 2024
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I’ve had nothing but a great experience with Dog Training Elite! Parker was our trainer and helped my crazy Labrador. My dog is now a better listener and is eager and engaged when it come to training. Thank you so much Parker and DTE! :)
— Lindsay Robison
Posted April 9th 2024
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Parker was very kind and detail-oriented when training my dog. Saw great results, would recommend to anyone!
— Taylor Underwood
Posted April 6th 2024
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Nikki was great to work with. Very skilled in dog training and really helped us with our stubborn dog
— Spencer Hall
Posted April 6th 2024
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AMAZING! Highly recommend Parker. He did wonders with my Golden Doodle during training sessions. His expertise and patience were truly awesome.
— Maddie Lambert
Posted April 5th 2024
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I cannot overstate how amazing our experience was with Parker and DTE! Their training schedule was so smooth and easy. Leaving with me and my dog, Birdie, commands to work on and practice in between each session. Birdie’s growth by the end was crazy! Highly recommend to anyone looking for dog training!
— Tate Weichers
Posted April 5th 2024
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