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Over the past decade there has been a rise in the number of people with Emotional Support Animals. This has caused some confusion around what it means to have a service, emotional support or therapy animal . Here, we explain briefly the differences between each of these animals, the training required for each different type, and debunk some common myths. Read on to learn the differences between each type of animal, which one might be right for you or your loved one, and how Dog Training Elite in Atlanta can help.
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite in Atlanta location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
ESA vs. Therapy vs. Service Animals: What's the Difference?
Service Animals
Service animals are animals that have been trained to assist individuals with tasks specific to their needs.
- Redirecting attention when an individual is beginning to feel overstimulated
- Reminding owners to take medication
- Waking someone who is having a nightmare
Service dogs are valued in the mental health, health care and disability community and are protected under ADA laws which allow owners to take their service dog with them everywhere they go. Dog Training Elite in Atlanta trains dogs to serve individuals with autism, diabetes and PTSD.
Dog Training Elite in Atlanta trains autism service dogs to benefit and assist children with autism. Autism service dogs can be trained to track their child in case of wandering and redirect a child’s behavior when they are starting to become overwhelmed.
PTSD service dogs help ground owners to reality, especially in public settings. These service dogs can also be trained to recognize signs of a panic attack and regulate emotional responses through pressure.
Diabetic service dogs can alert their owners to their low blood sugar and provide stability, safety and support.
Visit our individual web pages to understand more about the differences and benefits of autism service dogs, PTSD services dogs and diabetic service dogs.
Emotional Support Animals
Although all dog owners may feel the emotional benefits of owning a dog, the dog needs to be prescribed by a licensed mental health professional to a person with a disabling mental illness such as anxiety or depression to legally be considered an ESA. Emotional Support dogs can be of any age and any breed whereas service dogs usually begin training as puppies.
In addition to being prescribed by a mental health professional, owners may wish for their dog to undergo more specific training. If you are looking for emotional support dog training in your local area, Dog Training Elite in Atlanta has you covered.
The professional dog trainers of Dog Training Elite in Atlanta are experienced with training various types of therapy animals. Trainers work with a dog’s natural temperament to ensure a strong, loving bond between dog and owner. Training can be personalized to fit the needs of the owner.
It is important to note that Emotional Support Animals are meant for just that - emotional support. Dogs trained to assist with specific tasks that may be associated with a disability are service animals. Training a dog to be an Emotional Support Animal or a therapy dog is less intensive than training to be a service animal.
Therapy Animals
Therapy Animals are very similar to Emotional Support Animals, except that they are often used to bolster the mental health and wellbeing of a community, as opposed to just an individual. Therapy dogs are often seen serving in hospitals, rehabilitation or care centers with their owners.
Owners who feel their dog may be a good fit for this kind of community service can have them receive top-notch training from Dog Training Elite in Atlanta.
The most important thing to note as a difference between Emotional Support Animals, Therapy and Service dogs, is service animals are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act which states service animals must be able to accompany their owners wherever they go. Emotional Support and Therapy animals do not have the same protections and public establishments may have their own rules about ESA and therapy dogs.
Whether you’re ready to get a new lease on life with the help of a service dog, or strengthen the existing bond with your dog, Dog Training Elite in Atlanta has the experience and resources you need.
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.
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!
Walking my Great Pyrenees could be difficult because he would constantly pull as he wanted to explore all of the different smells. Furthermore, Great Pyrenees are known for their stubborn behavior, doing want they want, not always obeying their owners. With the training that Dog Training Elite offered us, our dog is more mellow, he listens, and he doesn’t pull when we go for walks. I wish I would have discovered their training sooner! I can’t believe the change in my dog’s behavior. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite!— LaTease Drawdy
Posted April 29th 2024
We did the alpha den puppy program for our rescue puppy and we couldn't be happier with our little guy's progress - highly recommend!— Abigail Foster
Posted April 27th 2024
We were looking for in home training as that is where our girl has the most troubles and they gave us the tools to be able to help her get through the scary stuff (doorbells, knocking, other dogs, school busses to name a few) So happy to have found them and that we are more confident and so is our dog. Big thank you to Mike for being our trainer. Very easy and accommodating to work around busy life schedules as well.— Malynnda Witkauskis
Posted April 3rd 2024
Klaus has been the most headstrong German Shepherd I've ever owned. Mike helped me develop Klaus into an obedient and confident dog. Using the skills Mike taught, I was able to spend a half hour a day to work on what Klaus learned during the weekly training sessions. The results were amazing. In addition to being obedient, he is less reactive to other dogs and very well behaved in busy public places. So here we are, a German Shepherd who was literally expelled from dog daycare, to a well mannered four legged friend. What a difference! I look forward to continuing with group training! If you have a crazy dog, you should give Dog Training Elite NE Atlanta a call. You will love the results!— Aric Ellis
Posted March 28th 2024
My husband and I and Zeus, our 9-month-old working line German Shepherd, have made strides with Dog Training Elite and Michael! Zeus's tenacity and strong will were initially a challenge, but Michael expertly harnessed his energy. And guess what? Zeus has even won over some fans, despite initially facing unfair judgment from some people due to breed stereotypes! Michael has always seen beyond the breed and recognized Zeus's unique personality. He can become overstimulated and reactive in the presence of other dogs, especially with dogs that challenge him, but Michael's expert guidance and patience have helped us make progress. With continued training and socialization in group sessions, led by Michael and his wife Gosia, we're confident that Zeus will learn to navigate these situations with ease. We're eager to explore new horizons and continue growing our bond. If you want a training team who can bring out the best in your dog, look no further than Dog Training Elite.— Tina Cherry
Posted March 26th 2024
We had Mike. He was awesome! Super patient with our crazy girl. He was always willing to answer any questions that we had even if it wasn’t a training question but just a general dog parent question!— Sam Luftig
Posted March 15th 2024
Wow, I feel so lucky that of all the dog trainers in my area I hit the jackpot with DOG TRAINING ELITE! I admit I was a bit out of my league trying to train my Pug puppy on my own. The trainers at Dog Training Elite come to YOUR home, it makes so much sense because issues can be addressed related to your needs and schedule. Gosia was my trainer for the Puppy Prep Classes, but they offer several options . They cover socializing, manners, leash walking and well you name it! Gosia was very encouraging, patient , sweet and so knowledgeable. I highly recommend DOG TRAINING ELITE, success beyond my expectations— Rachelle Son
Posted March 14th 2024
Wow, I feel so lucky that of all the dog trainers in my area I hit the jackpot with DOG TRAINING ELITE! I admit I was a bit out of my league trying to train my Pug puppy on my own. The trainers at Dog Training Elite come to YOUR home, it makes so much sense because issues can be addressed related to your needs and schedule. Gosia was my trainer for the Puppy Prep Classes, but they offer several options . They cover socializing, manners, leash walking and well you name it! Gosia was very encouraging, patient , sweet and so knowledgeable. I highly recommend DOG TRAINING ELITE, success beyond my expectations— Rachelle Son
Posted March 7th 2024
They were so knowledgable and helpful with training our puppy! Definitely recommend!— Brittany Fagan
Posted March 4th 2024
We highly recommend Dog Training Elite to anyone with a puppy or any age dog. They work amazingly beside you teaching both parent & dog/pup to become the best we can be. We have a beautiful & stubborn sweet Rottie we got as a puppy & have gone through the puppy classes & the platinum program. Goshia, our trainer is trustworthy, kind & has given us skills to help Piper be an obedient growing part of our family & society. Goshia has become part of our family and we continue training in their group classes. We are so thankful we found them. They’re the best! 💙🐶— Sandy Wilson
Posted February 1st 2024
Great experience and great training for our Boxer Kobe! Gosia was great and extremely patient during the process and we very much enjoyed it!— Johnathan Johnson
Posted January 18th 2024
My trainer, Mike, was great with Elliott. I would recommend this training.— C Downs
Posted January 11th 2024
We had just adopted our dog and were looking to make her a psychiatric service dog. She was really sweet but we didn’t know much about her past. When Gosia met her she was able to quickly see her potential and gave us a lot of confidence in knowing that she’d be a great dog. It’s been a long hard road going through training, but they’ve been very understanding and accommodating of our needs. They treated our dog very well.Pretty grateful to have met them. We’re excited to have our service dog! She enjoyed all the training, all the praises, and is a very good girl!— Sixel Legan
Posted December 18th 2023
I truly cannot thank Dog Training Elite enough, it truly was a wonderful experience for both my family and my dog, Sapphic. Mike was so supportive and patient, making the training time really easy and comfortable. Thank you again!— Ngam Nguyen
Posted December 14th 2023
DTE NE Atlanta is great! Mike really helped us get better control of our wild guy! Murphy is a stubborn little dude so we do have some more practice/training to do, but I am so thankful for the trick and tips I learned from Mike. Thanks!— Katie Deriso
Posted November 16th 2023
Absolutely thrilled with the incredible work of Mike and Dog Training Elite NE Atlanta! My dog underwent a remarkable transformation, thanks to Mike’s expertise and dedication. Mike not only provided effective training but also instilled a newfound sense of confidence and comfort in my dog. I am genuinely impressed with the results and grateful for the positive impact on my sweet girl. We started to see a difference in her behavior after just a few lessons. Family members who haven't seen her since her training began are shocked at the difference in her behavior - we have gotten several comments about how she acts like a brand new dog! We are now approaching our final in home lesson and we couldn’t be happier with her progress. She is 6 years old and a rescue, so we chose to go with the Platinum package. I can 100% say that it was worth every penny! The entire team is so kind. I am a student in grad school and they have always been so helpful and gracious when it comes to working with my ever changing schedule. I highly recommend Mike’s program for anyone seeking a skilled professional who truly understands and connects with dogs. Thank you Mike for making such a positive difference in our lives!!!— Mirali P
Posted November 14th 2023
Dog Training Elite was such a pleasure to work with. Always on time, super accommodating. They have so much patience with my puppy who is so stubborn. I can t recommend them more.— Orit Plotkin-Evans
Posted November 8th 2023
We absolutely loved working with Mike and Gocia! They are both so knowledgeable, kind and understanding. After our initial evaluation, we decided it was best for us to do the platinum package, mostly due to our dogs reactivity and behavioral issues and we are so glad we did. In addition to the basic obedience commands we worked on throughout the nine sessions, we were able to share any other things that came up throughout the week and work on them as needed. After a few weeks, they were able to bring their dog as a neutral dog and although ours has not been comfortable around other dogs, I was SO surprised to see her able to walk side by side in a heel! We frequently talked about the research behind training methods and other ways we can work on connection with our pup. Mike was so attentive and helpful with our situation, and I’m so grateful we chose to train with them. We haven’t found perfection yet, but we will continue to work on her reactivity in group classes. After trying to do training on our own for so long, having a program to follow has been so beneficial.— Kori Silva
Posted October 10th 2023
I’ve been training my dog Luka with them for maybe a little over 3 months now and it has been the best experience I could’ve asked for. Mike who I did my training with was extremely flexible with scheduling but more importantly they are great with training dogs. I couldn’t recommend them enough.— Dallas Cowboys
Posted October 4th 2023
We are very pleased with Dog Elite Training. Gosia is amazing and was very thorough about training our baby Leia. We seriously recommended their services. Training goes a long way when it comes to everyday circumstances and we are glad that we decided to get Leia on board with their Gold program. Can’t wait to try their Therapy Dog program. We are so grateful about having all the support from Dog Elite to get Leia where she is now. Jessica was also very quick to communicate throughout the whole program and to accommodate schedule changes when needed. Kudos to their excellent customer service!— Karen S
Posted September 7th 2023
Proud Sponsor of The Malinois Foundation
At Dog Training Elite in Atlanta, we believe that Service Dogs save lives. It is our mission to make these life-saving companions available to our Veterans, First Responders, Women Survivors, and Children with Medical Needs. Whether it be for PTSD, Mobility Support, or Special Needs, Dog Training Elite in Atlanta works with the Malinois Foundation to heal and empower these individuals with a specialized service animal, a partner in life, and a new best friend.