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What is a Therapy Dog?
A therapy dog is a dog that performs a service for other people. Typical therapy dog tasks are going to nursing homes or hospitals to cheer people up. For your dog to qualify, he/she must be friendly with strangers, and with training, be able to work around a high level of distraction and to understand personal boundaries, such as not jumping up, licking, mouthing, etc.
Research shows that therapy dogs can have a positive effect on a patient’s mood, stress, and pain levels during facility stays. Children, in particular, respond positively to 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.
Therapy dogs can promote social interaction between individuals within communities that may not otherwise experience socialization typically. Therapy dogs offer unconditional love, non-judgmental interaction, reduce stress, anxiety, and loneliness and provide an overall positive distraction to ailments.
Goals for Your Therapy Companion
- Socialization
- Lower Pain Levels
- Motivation
- Provide Comfort
- Decrease in Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
- Promote Healing
- Increase Overall Optimism
- Ease Loneliness
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Therapy Dog
Therapy dog training is based on your dog's abilities.
$2,795
A therapy dog volunteers alongside you, where permitted, and provides comfort to others. Examples include cheering people up at nursing homes or hospitals.
A good therapy dog is naturally friendly with strangers, able to work around a high level of distraction (with training), and able to understand personal boundaries, such as not jumping up, licking, mouthing, etc (with training).
Training Equipment Included: E-Collar
- Puppy Selection advice
- Private, one-on-one training sessions in your home and the community 9 Sessions
- Group Training Classes Unlimited sessions
- AKC Training
- Therapy bandana, ID Card, and Certificate of Training
- An exclusive directory of therapy events and locations for you to donate your time
- Come
- Sit, Down
- Place
- Heel
- Quiet
- Off, Wait
- Leash Manners
- People Manners
- Load up in the car / kennel
- Make a friend
- Choose one personalized greeting (high five, shake, hug, etc.)
- Top-notch off leash obedience
- Distraction Training
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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
clas·si·cal con·di·tion·ing
PSYCHOLOGY
noun
A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus and is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.
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!
Tina has been training my dog to be a service animal and has done phenomenal. I took my husky in and he was walking me and just had very bad behavior. It caused me so much stress and anxiety. I now have been able to take him places with no stress or worry! It has grown not only his confidence, but mine as well! I full heartedly recommend this place if you’re looking for training. I’d say they can train anything you are looking for and will do a very excellent job. Also, Tina drives an hour away just to ensure my dog is ready to pass his test. She shows up and goes out of her way to make sure that he is well equipped for his test! Her heart is pure and she’s given me great advice and knowledge!!!— Lexi Hart
Posted September 11th 2024
Wow, Tina is an amazing dog trainer!!! From the very first session, my one-year-old pug, Pixie, began following commands. Tina made all of the sessions simple, comfortable, non-intimidating and relaxing to both my dog and me! Of course, as Tina calls it, there is homework, and it must be practiced before the next follow-up session (one week apart). This is all done at one's home which is very convenient. There are group sessions also but due to medical issues, Tina worked out a specific home program for me. If you need any behavior worked on for your dog, I strongly urge you to contact Dog Training Elite. You and your dog will forever be thankful! Thank you so much, Tina! Evelyn— Evelyn Perillo
Posted November 3rd 2023