Psychiatric

Service Dog Training


Psychiatric Service Dog Trainers in Charleston / Summerville

Call to Schedule FREE In-Home Assessment

843-934-2823


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Request a Free Assessment

Contact Dog Training Elite Lowcountry

Or Call to Schedule FREE In-Home Assessment

843-934-2823


Se habla español!

At Dog Training Elite Lowcountry, we offer a large assortment of service dog training packages. Combine that with our highly personalized approach and our in-home trainers we ensure that you as the owner and your dog create a strong bond along with sustained obedience. Service dogs are highly valued in the mental health, health care and disability community and are protected under the ADA laws which allow owners to take their service dog with them everywhere they go.

Psychiatric service dog training in Charleston / Summerville is one of these training packages we provide at Dog Training Elite. These dogs are trained to assist their owners with a wide variety of psychiatric or mental disabilities including PTSD, high anxiety, stress, depression and can help to reduce suicidal ideation. A fully trained service dog will be able to go anywhere you go, assisting you in any venue, allowing you to regain your independence.

Pricing Programs Free Assessment

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


Psychiatric / PTSD Support Dog

12 One-on-One Sessions & Unlimited Group Sessions

$3,975

LIFETIME SUPPORT

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 dog tasks are customizable, but examples include:

  • Grounding
  • Deep Pressure Therapy
  • Panic Response
  • Create a Physical Buffer
  • Interrupt Repetitive Behaviors

About Psychiatric Service Dog Training


At Dog Training Elite Lowcountry, we provide full psychiatric service dog training for residents in the Charleston / Summerville area. We will ensure that, along with the specialized service training, we will provide advanced obedience, socialization, potty training, crate training and community training. Our process allows us to easily complete our psychiatric service dog training at your home or within the environment where behaviors manifest whether that be in a park or around other dogs. We also work closely with foundations, mental health and medical communities to create the most successful psychiatric service dog training program.

Dog Training Elite provides full psychiatric service dog training programs near you in Charleston / Summerville.

Dog Training Elite Lowcountry Offers Free Assessments


Dog Training Elite offers free in-home assessments to assess if a current family dog can be trained to become a psychiatric service dog or can help you select a service puppy or dog for training. We offer a unique in-home dog training method that involves owners in the training process, ensuring that training is never undone and both owners and their dogs are bonding and empowered.

Pricing Programs Free Assessment

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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!

Steve was awesome and I really liked the approach. I am convinced that my dogs will be so much easier to control after training. The dogs are great and love people but their level of love and excitement made some people uncomfortable. The are responding in a very positive way to the trading.
— Karen Eaton
Posted October 7th 2023
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Dog Training Elite Lowcountry helped us train our Bernedoodle as a service dog. They worked with our busy schedule and truly met the needs of our family. Our dog had her CGC, AKC Urban, AKC community, and service dog public access tests passed before she turned 1 thanks to their guidance. I now have all the tools necessary to maintain her training.
— Lindsey Rebecca
Posted June 30th 2023
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Steve was the trainer for Lana, our golden doodle 2 year old dog. Lana was trained from a very energetic dog that lunged towards strangers to say hello and pulled on walks to a service dog for PTSD. I recently took her on an international flight and she behaved perfectly and sat under my seat the whole flight. The crew said that she was the most well behaved service dog they have ever seen. Lana has become a new dog and now we take her everywhere. Steve was so helpful and went above and beyond to help train our dog. We recommend him to everyone and cannot say enough about the training Lana received! He drove out to our house for every lesson and worked with our schedule to make it work. Thank you!
— Rachel Banu
Posted November 6th 2022
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Steve was the trainer for Lana, our golden doodle 2 year old dog. Lana was trained from a very energetic dog that lunged towards strangers to say hello and pulled on walks to a service dog for PTSD. I recently took her on an international flight and she behaved perfectly and sat under my seat the whole flight. The crew said that she was the most well behaved service dog they have ever seen. Lana has become a new dog and now we take her everywhere. Steve was so helpful and went above and beyond to help train our dog. We recommend him to everyone and cannot say enough about the training Lana received! He drove out to our house for every lesson and worked with our schedule to make it work. Thank you!
— Rachel Banu
Posted November 6th 2022
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Had a great time working with Steven. Steven worked with Winnie and Marley amazingly. Thank you for all the help!
— Duey Carstensen
Posted August 24th 2022
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Our almost 3 year old was super hyper and would not listen at all! after just our first session with Dog Training Elite Low country, he was a totally different dog! We cannot believe what a difference this training has made. Thank you Valerie and Steve!
— Amanda MB
Posted August 12th 2022
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This is the best investment we have ever made with our dog. Steven Thompson is professional, prompt, kind, and extremely competent with canines. Our Goldendoodle is excited to see him for a lesson and she learns very quickly with his handling. He is also very patient with Lana’s human friends who he teaches alongside her. We are excited to be able to take a well-behaved dog with us to explore new places, confident that she is under control.
— Linda Dotson Perkins
Posted August 12th 2022
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Valerie and Steve area AMAZING PEOPLE and Charleston is very lucky to have them to help improve the lives of both dogs and their owners. You can tell they truly care about driving quality results and are very compassionate about improving your relationship with your beloved furry family member. I know that they are also very passionate about giving back to the community through their charity organization, the Malinois Foundation. They are extremely professional yet personal and if you are looking for a Dog Trainer in Charleston, look no further! Wish I could give more than 5 stars!
— Kyle Christie
Posted July 8th 2022
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Valerie an Steve are very knowledgeable an knows exactly what they are doing in training an the steps that need to be taken. Very detailed with explanations an process. I would definitely recommend their services! Thanks for all you do for our fur babies!
— Joyce Carpenter
Posted July 1st 2022
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Val and Steve are fantastic trainers. They are dedicated and truly passionate about improving the bond between dogs and their owners. I highly recommend them for all training needs!
— craig fizer
Posted June 14th 2022
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I would like congratulate Steve and Valerie on the opening of their Dog Training Elite business. I have seen the effectiveness of their training methods and the positive transformation in the behavior of the dogs they train. They genuinely want each owner to have the best possible relationship with their dog so that both can experience the all fun activities and joy that dogs bring to our lives. If you would like to make your dog a bigger part of your lifestyle, I encourage you to have Steve and Valerie demonstrate the level of confidence and obedience that their training can provide for your dog.
— Vince Conrad
Posted June 6th 2022
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My puppy, Tails, is currently in the training program and it has been great so far. Valerie and Steve are kind, professional, attentive, and always willing to answer any questions I have.
— Abi C
Posted June 4th 2022
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Valerie and Steve are tremendous and caring dog trainers, they are patient and want to help with every situation. After seeing their amazing dogs Hank and Rusty, I can't believe how lucky the Charleston area is to have such caring people in their area.
— George Rehbein
Posted June 1st 2022
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Steve is a great guy whose love of dogs is inspiring!
— Jessica Ciupak
Posted May 24th 2022
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Valerie and Steve are so passionate about the work that they do!
— Kelley Rosequist
Posted May 18th 2022
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Valerie and her dog, Hank, were amazing! So excited for her to train my dog and to work with her!
— Sunny de Armas
Posted May 18th 2022
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Proud Sponsor of The Malinois Foundation

At Dog Training Elite Lowcountry, 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 Lowcountry 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.

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