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PTSD Service Dog

PTSD Service Dog Training in Austin, TX

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A well-trained PTSD service dog in Austin, TX  - contact Dog Training Elite today to discuss training options!

PTSD Service Dog Training in Austin, TX

DTE: Top PTSD Dog Trainers

A psychiatric or PTSD service dog in Austin, TX provides invaluable support to individuals experiencing high anxiety, stress, or trauma-related symptoms. These service animals accompany their handler everywhere, offering emotional support and helping them reintegrate into society.

Through our specialized PTSD service dog training program at Dog Training Elite, dogs are taught to assist in reducing depression, decreasing the frequency and severity of flashbacks, anchoring their handler to the present, and helping minimize suicidal thoughts.

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A picture of an obedient PTSD service dog in Austin TX trained at Dog Training Elite.

PTSD Service Dog Training in Austin, TX

How PTSD Service Dogs Help in Public Settings

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For individuals with PTSD, public settings can feel unsafe and overwhelming. Service dogs for PTSD provide grounding and protection, preventing people from crowding their handler and offering emotional support during moments of heightened anxiety.

Service dogs can also be trained to recognize signs of an impending panic attack, wake individuals from night terrors, and regulate emotional responses by applying pressure, helping their handler regain a sense of calm and control.

Our Service Dog Training Programs

Dog Training Elite in Austin Metro - Psychiatric Service Dog Training in Austin, TX

Psychiatric Service Dog Training

Dog Training Elite in Austin Metro - Mobility Service Dog Training in Austin, TX

Mobility Support Service Dog

Dog Training Elite in Austin Metro - Autism Support Dog Training in Austin, TX

Autism Support Service Dog

Two PTSD service dogs trained by the experts at Dog Training Elite in Austin Metro sitting with their owners.

Benefits of PTSD Service Dog Training


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  • 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 suffers. 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.

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You and your canine companion really can have it all. See how easy it can be to become a member of the elite pup society by requesting a free consultation today!

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Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Alba Nieves
    Aug. 26, 2026
    This team is willing to work with you on your dog training needs. Adjust the training approaches and pivot when needed. Very virtuous and personable and willing to address any issues as they arise. They really care for their customers. Money well invested for your self and your K9 companion.
  • Nathan Culver
    Aug. 25, 2026
    Not to start too depressing. I lost my service partner of years and my lifestyle was drastically affected. Being somewhat lost in the woods I contacted Dog Training Elite. Talk about literal life savers. Jenny listened to my situation and service animal needs. She assisted me through this whole journey from recommended breed, acquiring my new partner, and training program. Michael, the trainer assigned for us was absolutely a rock star. He had no issue at all working with my disability and getting Sailor and me trained, up to speed, and back to living in a much shorter amount of time than I expected. His understanding of, and interaction with my dog was beyond impressive. Whatever training needs you may have this is by and far the best service to use. Definitely a 5 star operation.
  • Sel Unite
    Aug. 21, 2026
    We’ve had experience with dog trainers before, but Michael at Dog Training Elite is truly the best. Experienced and patient (with us parents, not just our pup!), he knew exactly how to teach us how to get our 18-month old girl to respond. She absolutely loves him too! If/when we have new pups join our household, Michael will be one of the first people they’ll meet.
  • Chloe Leeson
    Jul. 28, 2026
    I'd highly recommend Mike as a trainer. My dog instantly loved and quickly listened to him. As a first time dog parent, each session was very helpful and he kept it fun. It's clear he really cares about what he does, and wants both dogs and their humans to do well.
  • Christopher Robison
    Jul. 21, 2026
    We've been training with Mike K for the past two months, and the progress has been incredible. Our rescue dog came to us extremely timid and unsure of the world because of his difficult past. Mike has patiently worked at our dog's own pace, helping him build confidence and showing him that the world can be a safe and enjoyable place. When we first started, we were worried about introducing new commands and activities, but Mike knew exactly how to approach each step in a way that encouraged learning without overwhelming our dog. His positive training methods have made a remarkable difference, and we're so grateful for the care, patience, and expertise he's shown throughout the process. Thank you Mike for helping and teaching us every step of this journey so far!
  • Emily Bodish
    Jul. 20, 2026
    Michael was the BEST!!! He was so encouraging for our dog and us along the way! We are more confident in our ability to guide our dog through reactions and unwanted behaviors - huge improvements!! Can't wait to start group training now!
  • Jovany Navas
    Jul. 20, 2026
    I was hesitant at first since I’ve never used this service before but they were kind and explained what they can offer. Mike my trainer has been so great. Wishing two weeks i saw a difference in my dog’s obedience l and leash training. Each week my dog just gets better and
  • Maria Montelongo
    Jun. 20, 2026
    We cannot say enough good things about Michael and the incredible work he has done with our reactive dog, Tito. From day one, Michael was patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in helping both Tito and us succeed. What we appreciated most was that he didn’t just train our dog—he trained us as owners as well. He took the time to explain every step of the process, answered every question we had (and we had many!), and was always available when we needed guidance or reassurance. Working with a reactive dog can be overwhelming and emotional at times, but Michael never made us feel rushed or discouraged. He showed tremendous patience with both Tito and us throughout the entire journey. His support, encouragement, and expertise gave us the confidence to stay consistent and trust the process. The results we have seen so far have been truly amazing. Tito has made significant progress, and the positive changes in his behavior have exceeded our expectations. Seeing him become calmer, more confident, and easier to manage has made a huge difference in our daily lives. We are genuinely happier because of the progress we’ve achieved together. We are incredibly grateful that we found this company and had the opportunity to work with Michael. His dedication, professionalism, and genuine care for both dogs and their owners make him exceptional at what he does. Thank you, Michael, for everything you’ve done for Tito and for us. We highly recommend him to anyone looking for a trainer who truly cares and delivers real results.
  • Lee Hagler
    Jun. 20, 2026
    We have two 2yo male bullies (100 & 125lbs) that were having some hierarchy/reactivity issues together. We knew they were both amazing dogs and wanted to invest in their training so that, through discipline, we could help them learn our expectations, earn our trust, and earn additional freedoms as they progress. Our trainer (Payton) has been amazing. She took the time to understand our dogs’ challenges and we saw a significant improvement immediately. This service has been exactly what we needed, and my wife and I are very glad we made the decision to move forward as our peace of mind is worth infinitely more than the price paid for some outside assistance.
  • Kelly Pastori
    Jun. 18, 2026
    Michael has changed my relationship with my dog! I have so much more compassion and understanding on my dogs communication and behaviors after working with Michael-I’m shocked how my dog has responded in such a short amount of time and I feel super empowered to keep moving our relationship forward with what I’ve learned.
  • Jessica Caprio
    Jun. 16, 2026
    Payton has been amazing to work with! We’ve completed 11 of our 12 one-on-one training sessions, and within just two months, our 5.5-month-old Goldendoodle, Cooper, became service dog certified. What I appreciated most was how much confidence she built in both Cooper and me throughout the process. From training in busy downtown environments to feeling comfortable dropping his leash in high-traffic public areas, Payton was there every step of the way with guidance, encouragement, and expertise. She doesn’t just train your dog…she teaches you how to be a confident handler too! I love that she gave me the tools and knowledge to continue reinforcing Cooper’s training at home, even when she wasn’t there. Thank you so much Payton!
  • jacob mamantov
    Jun. 4, 2026
    Michael Kwan and the team at Dog Training Elite in Austin are fantastic, and I would recommend them to anyone. It started with a free in-home consultation, where Michael explained the process, our options, and what we could expect from training. He did it in an approachable way that made clear he has a deep understanding of dogs. We had some questions about our shelter pup, and he was very honest and direct about her breed and how that might impact the way she learns. I could ramble for days about how great it was, but I will keep it quick! In home sessions were amazing, and we could see our sweet girl learning in real time. He also equipped us really well to do our “homework” to reinforce the skills he taught our dog. 10/10, 5 stars, whatever the highest marks are is what DTE and Michael deserve.
  • Parin Kashyap
    May. 22, 2026
    I had a great experience having my dog trained by Michael. He was extremely friendly and my dog Jax loved every single second with him. Michael was able to take all of my concerns with Jax and create a curated plan to help Jax with those concerns. His leash manners are significantly better, he has gotten much better at recall, and he finally faced his fear of the elevator in my building. Michael really understands dog behavior and taught me so much about how to communicate with Jax. I would highly recommend Dog Training Elite and Michael for anyone looking for their dog to be trained.
  • Ian Cunningham
    May. 21, 2026
    We did a lot of research regarding dog trainers in our area and from our first meeting with our DTE trainer, we knew we were in good hands. Our trainer has been nothing short of fantastic. She is incredibly knowledgeable, prompt, thorough, friendly, aware, confident, tough, flexible, and helpful. The cost of our training package is high but worth every penny. You get a lot for your money in terms of one-on-one training sessions, but also with the followup and open group sessions. A+ from us.
  • Michelle Pierce
    May. 19, 2026
    Payton is the best! Our little guy, Monty, was a handful. He was treating us like a litter mate. She helped us gain confidence and control. We are all happier and Monty is able to have a lot more fun with us!! Would highly recommend!!
  • Jess Radke
    May. 12, 2026
    Training with Payton has been such a transformative experience for both Laney and me. Laney is a senior rescue who was picked up as a stray, so there were some basic things she needed to learn and some behaviors I didn't understand or know how to change. Payton has taken time to understand our situation and what our goals are, and takes our sessions at the right pace so we're learning rapidly but not doing too much at once. Training has strengthened my bond with Laney and we communicate so much better now. I'm blown away by her progress and all that she has accomplished! We're so grateful for Payton and DTE!
  • Michelle Madej
    May. 3, 2026
    Michael has been awesome to work with! My dog Loki is training to be a service animal, and since working with him, he has gained so much confidence. Michael is very knowledgeable about dog behavior and truly understands how to build both skills and trust. He’s also very communicative, kind, and easy to work with. If you follow his guidance and consistently put in the practice to strengthen the bond and communication with your dog, you’ll see real progress quickly.
  • Scott Bryant
    Apr. 25, 2026
    Michael is an outstanding trainer. He has provided great insight and guidance on training my service dog and I attribute my Vizla's progress directly to Michael's calm demeanor and excellent communication skills with dogs. I can't say enough good things how effective the training has been!
  • Sean Forbes
    Apr. 17, 2026
    Michael Kwan is a fantastic trainer. He made educating an English Bulldog look easy (which it isn’t!). Super personable guy. Would work well with anyone. Highest recommendation from me and from Moose.
  • Stefanie Serrano
    Apr. 1, 2026
    Our trainer Payton has been amazing with our German Shepherd Bella. She has been patient with Bella and strict when needed. Our Bella has shown so much progress since starting her program all thanks to Payton. Payton is aslo very knowledgeable and was able to answer questions and concerns. While also helping us be better when it comes to Bella's training. Thank you so much!!!!