Psychiatric / PTSD

Service Dog Trainer


Psychiatric / PTSD Dog Trainer in Charleston / Summerville, SC

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A Psychiatric/PTSD service animal will be able to go anywhere with their handler and assist them in times of high anxiety and stress. A service dog will provide emotional support, reintegration into society, reduce depression, reduce the frequency and severity of flashbacks, anchor handler to the present, and reduce suicidal ideation.

Individuals with PTSD often feel unsafe and unsure of reality, especially in public settings. Service dogs for PTSD can help ground their handler to reality, prevent people from crowding or rushing up to them and provide the emotional support needed to de-escalate anxieties. They can be trained to recognize the signs of a panic attack, wake individuals experiencing night terrors and regulate emotional responses through pressure.

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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
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Benefits of Psychiatric/PTSD Service Dog Training:

  • 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 sufferers. 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.

Pricing Programs Free Assessment

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Dog Training Elite has expert PTSD dog trainers in Charleston / Summerville that provide service dog training programs for those suffering from PTSD.

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!

We appreciate the instructors from Dog Training Elite Lowcountry.. Both trainers Baeliegh and Colby were very knowledgeable and helpful to us. Each lesson built on previous ones & helped our puppy improve. Even more than thst they provided helpful information on care & ideas to improve our pet’s daily life. Thanks! 🐶
— P HAHN
Posted September 11th 2024
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We’ve had the best experience with training for our puppy. Bayleigh is amazing & we love working with her & this company!
— Megan Sanders
Posted September 9th 2024
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We have had an amazing experience from the trainers to the staff, our goldendoodle has taken to the training and their methodology so well. We love they come to our home and meet out in the community to gove that variety. I cant recommend them enough if you are looking for dog training!!!
— Erika Richardson
Posted September 4th 2024
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We joined the program several months ago with Baliegh and Colby. They have done wonders with our 4 young and wild Staffy/Pitt mixes. We were at our wits end and debating splitting up our 4 litter mates when we made the choice to seek help. Now we have 4 girls that are happy, confident, and on the way to being well behaved pups that I knew they could be. The girls have helped shape and mold our babies lives for the better and we are so grateful.
— Cecilia Houge
Posted August 30th 2024
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There are so many things that need to be said. First off, our family has 4 littermayes who are all being trained together by Bayleigh and Colby. These trainer have hands down made this process significantly less stressful than expected. Top notch communication, and simple to follow instructions make this journey unbelievable. If you need assistance with your pets, and are at a point where you need a helping hand, I recommend you give this company a call. You won't be disappointed, we weren't. They also offer working dog training, for both emotional and service dogs. If you have the need, they'll step right in an create a successful path for you and your animals.
— Tony Houge
Posted August 30th 2024
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Give Colby a raise…the way she handles each lesson and how detailed she is with teaching a new command is amazing. I 100% RECOMMEND her.
— Kato Junior
Posted August 22nd 2024
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Colby is literally the best Highly would recommend her as your trainer.
— Teja
Posted August 22nd 2024
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I’ve been working with Colby and have seen amazing results with my dog. She’s gained so much confidence and over come hurdles of anxiety. She’s taught me how to properly control the dog and manage reactivity. Overall just an awesome experience and a great investment for our fur baby!
— Melissa Moyer
Posted August 3rd 2024
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The DTE team worked with my reactive german shepherd and I. They were extremely patient, helpful, and willing to adapt to our needs. They helped both my dog and myself gain the confidence we needed to continue our training, and they gave us the tools and knowledge I needed to redefine my dog and I's relationship. They also were very accommodating with scheduling. Would definitely recommend!
— Bailey Davidson
Posted July 26th 2024
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We have worked with Dog Training Elite for six lessons so far and one group lesson with our new rescue dog who is now about 11 months old. Their training and recommendations have made a huge difference in his behavior. He is far less reactive ( in fact, little to no reaction now to most triggers) with other dogs, deer, geese, squirrels, etc. Bayleigh has been our primary trainer but we also have worked with Colby for our initial lesson. Both of them are knowledgeable and patient, not only with our dog but also with us. We highly recommend Dog Training Elite!
— Carolyn Viall
Posted July 17th 2024
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Colby is an absolute amazing trainer to work with. I learn so much about what I’m doing wrong and how to improve handling Taco! Great person and company.
— Scott Weinmann
Posted July 16th 2024
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Dog Training Elite made a massive difference for our golden retriever Chance. When we first rescued Chance we were terrified that his poor behavior would last forever. Bailey and the team at Dog Training Elite were extremely helpful and gave us lot of practical feedback. The individual sessions coupled with the group classes gave us things to practice while exposing Chance to real world situations. We can’t recommend Bailey and Dog Training Elite enough, we are extremely pleased with Chance’s progress!
— Brendan Duball
Posted June 29th 2024
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Training with the owner Steve has been great! Second session and we are working on heel. He was able to stay in a Place for the entirety of a surgery so I've been very impressed. Our puppy is being trained as a service dog, and he loves going everywhere. He's always on his best behavior. The trainers are doing an excellent job of training us how to help him be successful long-term. All of us enjoy the training sessions and learning new skills Since adding Colby to his training team, he has been able to practice place and other skills with another dog in public places which has been awesome. Before he would get distracted with others bc we don't have friends or family with dogs for him to interact with. Her caring, loving approach and knowledge makes Colby one of his favorite people in the world.
— Heather C
Posted March 22nd 2024
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We have been very impressed with Dog Training Elite! Colby has worked wonders with our Springer Spaniel puppy!
— Cameron Bongiorno
Posted June 18th 2024
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We have a German Shepherd and we are extremely pleased with the training program and the trainers.You can rely on them to meet the specific needs. We LOVE our trainer Colby. We have seen so much progress and success with Bailey. Also they offer continuous support even after their training is complete. In case of any issues that arise later that you might need help with. They are worth every penny . Thank you guys so much !
— A “Coralline” Blais
Posted June 15th 2024
google
We have been working with Colby and she has been a life changer for Annie’s development and socialization. The company’s training program has helped us learn how to better meet our fur baby’s needs. There was a point before we began working with them that we had considered whether it was best for our family to re-home her which we have never considered doing before. Since we have started training and introducing her to difficult training situations she has become a more patient with loving and socially acceptable behavior. Colby has certainly impacted the dynamics in our home and we couldn’t be more grateful! Oh and Annie absolutely loves it when her buddy Colby comes for training! If you need dog training, please consider Steve, Colby and team at Dog Training Elite Lowcountry! Annie and the Vinson Family
— Teri Vinson
Posted June 14th 2024
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We have had a fantastic experience with our trainer Colby! She has been extremely kind and patient training our family and our pup, Linus. One of the things I appreciate also is her punctuality and keeping us on track so that we use the time we have scheduled efficiently. Linus is responding well to their methodology and we are so excited to see how much more he will learn. We are so looking forward to having the opportunity to take him on more family outings and sharing those life experiences with him.
— Brenton Dameron
Posted June 4th 2024
google
As I sit here crying, I had to come back and edit my review. If I could give Colby 10 stars, I would. Today, for the first time, when I took Roxy for a walk, she didn't drag me down the street. It didn't hurt to walk her because she wasn't pulling. Before Colby's help, I honestly didn't think I would ever be able to walk her myself. I thought I was always going to have to rely on someone else. It wasn't just taking the time to teach Roxy, Colby took the time to teach me too, and that is what made the difference. Thank you SO much, Colby. You have a great gift.
— Miriam Bumgarner
Posted May 21st 2024
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Baeleigh is a fantastic, knowledgeable, and patient trainer. She's owners feel confident during session, and that confidence extends into between the sessions.
— Savannah Frierson
Posted May 18th 2024
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Colby has really some a great job helping me train my service dog. Pyrenees are notoriously independent dogs and with her guidance we have a near flawless recall and obedience. She is very good at making the training concepts clear and is good about reminding you to use the correct tools.
— Amanda
Posted May 16th 2024
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