Elite

Therapy Dog Training


Top Therapy Dog Trainers in Boulder, CO

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720-986-4364


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Contact Dog Training Elite Boulder

Or Call to Schedule FREE In-Home Assessment

720-986-4364


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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 Boulder location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.


Therapy Dog

Starting at

$3,195

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: Biothane, E-collar, Medium Cot, Bag, Lanyard, Bandanna, Flexi, Magnet, Pen, Collar Tips
PLUS: Testing, ID & Additional Bandanna

  • One-on-One & In-Home Training Sessions 8 Sessions
  • Group Park Training Sessions 12 Months
  • Therapy bandana, certification and ID Cards
  • An exclusive directory of therapy events and locations for you to donate your time
  • Certification/Testing
  • Come
  • Walk with you (no more pulling)
  • Sit (next to you)
  • Sit (off leash, at a distance)
  • Down (next to you)
  • Down (off leash, at a distance)
  • Wait
  • Quiet (stop barking and whining)
  • Load up in the car or kennel
  • Place
  • Heel
  • No Jumping up (on people)
  • Make a friend
  • One personalized greeting (high five, shake, hug, etc.)

In-Facility - $4,195
Includes 7 day in-facility camp and 3 follow up sessions.

ESA Dog

Starting at

$3,395

An Emotional support dog provides comfort and companionship to its handler at home. ESA's have housing rights with medical endorsement (but not public access rights).

A good emotional support dog promotes improved mood through positive interactions, touch therapy, and maintaining a routine.

Training Equipment Included: Biothane, E-collar, Medium Cot, Bag, Lanyard, Bandanna, Flexi, Magnet, Pen, Collar Tips

  • One-on-One & In-Home Training Sessions 8 Sessions
  • Group Park Training Sessions 12 Months
  • Puppy Selection Advice
  • One Personalized Skill
  • Come
  • Heel
  • Sit
  • Place
  • Off
  • Quiet (stop barking and whining)
  • Lay Down
  • Leash Manners
  • People Manners
  • Load-up (in Car or Kennel)
  • No Jumping up (on people)
  • *Specialized task for in-home comfort and support

In-Facility - $4,595
Includes 8 day in-facility camp and 3 follow up sessions.

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!

Dallin, was awesome!!! Very knowledgeable and helpful!!!💜
— Karee Marinos
Posted October 2nd 2024
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Our boys love Jeff and the entire team at dog training elite! We started the boys with their puppy program and obedience classes. Our 2 year old malinois is currently in the personal protection program and our 2 year old English bulldog is working on completing the therapy dog certification. We highly recommend them.
— Morgan rowley
Posted October 2nd 2024
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I have been very happy with their training! I feel capable and able to help my dog be successful and confident in what I’m asking her to do. Great people to work with. Highly recommend them.
— Mindy Holman
Posted October 2nd 2024
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Dallin is amazing! Has an emergency amount of knowledge and answered all the questions I and my family had to ask with a great response.
— Ronald Taylor
Posted October 1st 2024
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These guys are wonderful and I am so grateful to have them training my sweet girl right now. I've had a lot of extra requests and they've taken care of my needs above and beyond thus far. I expect to continue to work with them on an ongoing basis and other our other dog soon!! Thumbs up for Jake, McCall, and Oakley as well as Jeff, who did some home training with us earlier this year!! Laura Uhle
— Laura Uhle
Posted October 1st 2024
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If you’re willing to do your part, this team is amazing! We’re working with Dallin, and our dog adores him! Every lesson is life-changing for our dog and the whole family!
— Laura Lyle
Posted September 30th 2024
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McCall is so amazing! She really listens to what I’m saying and works so well with making sure not only my Service Animal Henry is understanding but that I as the handler is understanding as well. Love you McCall!
— Aubrey Slack
Posted September 28th 2024
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Dallin was professional in explaining the available programs -- without any pressure to "buy-up." I recently brought a 4y and 4m old Berner into my home. They exhibited their full range to him -- vocalization, jumpy, calm, puppy biting, and their need for attention. My animals quickly showed they were comfortable with him -- and he with them. We are looking forward to engaging in the 2w camp program!! Our vet is also delighted we have decided on this company/this program as a great fit!
— Rachel Parent
Posted September 27th 2024
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Very very impressed with Jeff he's an excellent trainer
— Cherry Lee
Posted September 26th 2024
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We love our home sessions with Dallin. We learn so much each visit.
— Rosanne Gerrard
Posted September 25th 2024
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They take the time to develop a plan for you and your dog, i would highly recommend them for service dog training
— Joseph Lombard (Rebel dog paws)
Posted September 24th 2024
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Great direction for me and a fun and structured atmosphere during training for my dog Phoenix!
— tracy brickner
Posted September 24th 2024
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These trainers are masters at their craft! With their techniques and training our dog enjoys more freedom and the ability to go camping, hiking or whatever adventure comes our way.
— Ryan Roudebush
Posted September 23rd 2024
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Deidre is fantastic and has brought out a whole new side of our dog. Instructions are clear and tailored to us and how we learn. She has amazing insight into how to clean up our commands and how to fix anything we are struggling with. I'm so grateful that we chose to do this.
— Erica Gravity
Posted September 19th 2024
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My dog loves her. She is so excted to be here. She knows het job well.
— Cherie Zeeman
Posted September 19th 2024
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Today was our fourth training session with Elite, I couldn’t be happier. Bailey has trained with both Meaghan and Deidre both trainers have been AWESOME! Every single training session has helped me to be the best leader I can be. Bailey is my first from scratch puppy, I was so concerned that I would do things with her that would lead to bad behaviors that she would have to unlearn and it would be my fault, as soon as we started our training with Elite those fears went away immediately!! With Elites help I am confident we will achieve our goals!! I am so grateful! Bailey is doing so well, I can’t wait until we complete our training and we can go everywhere together! I am really look forward to being able to go through the doors that were closed on me 17 years ago when I suffered a traumatic brain injury. I know with Elites help Bailey and I will be ready to explore a whole new world together and that will change my life! Conclusion… If you are looking for assistance training your puppy or dog, without a shred of hesitation I would recommend that you give ELITE the opportunity to help you in the ways they are helping us!! It is an investment with limitless rewards for you and your puppy!!
— Kimberly Gagon
Posted September 18th 2024
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Kind, experienced, and effective trainers made this a wonderful experience. I noticed an improvement after our first session. Highly recommend!
— Chris Davis
Posted September 18th 2024
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Where do I begin, this training experience was amazing. I am throughly impressed with the knowledge passed along from the one, the only… Deidre Wilson. Deidre’s energy is amazing and makes learning for my dog and I so much more positive and enjoyable. I will forever recommend Dog Training Elite of Utah County to anyone with a K9 young or old.
— HawaiianPrepper
Posted September 18th 2024
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This has been the absolute best experience. Deidre was incredible. She made me and my dog feel do comfortable.
— Samantha Rasmussen
Posted September 18th 2024
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Dog Training Elite Charlotte is undoubtedly a God-sent help with our puppy. We started noticing that our rather calm puppy was growing too fast and in part, developing bad habits he picked up at other day boarding places. We noticed rough playing behavior, jumping, barking to demand attention, counter surfing among other things. I started looking around for at-home training and DTE was the first contact I made. I submitted an online inquiry and Sharon called back within the hour. After feeling good about our conversation I called others to see what else was out there. Some didn't return my calls and/or voicemails, others had very much a one-size-fits-all approach so overall my wife and I decided to call back DTE and ask Sharon and her team to help us. Shawn was at our home the following week. We can talk all day long about our amazing experience with Dog Training Elite but here are the basic points that I hope drives home our overall experience: -Instantly calmer dog after 1st lesson -No more rough housing -Morning/afternoon walks are much better now -No more counter surfing -Peace around the house while doing daily chores -Calm puppy It's important to note that Shawn loves to educate on the behavioral aspect and psychology of why dogs are the way they are and act. This alone is very helpful because it helps dog owners understand and come up with solutions on how we can best help our dogs. We are still continuing to work with our puppy in all the areas that Shawn, Sharon and Angela have helped us during the 1-1 at home sessions and we understand this isn't a one time thing but rather a lifelong continuation of enforcing the basic rules that these pack animals abide by. This only *truly* works if you (dog owner) work at it continually for the sake of your dog if all else fails.
— Byron Penados
Posted September 17th 2024
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