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A therapy dog is a dog who visits places like schools, hospitals and nursing homes. Therapy dog training in Fort Wayne teaches dogs to provide comfort, support, and affection to the people they meet, particularly vulnerable people like children, seniors, patients in hospitals, and so on.
Therapy dogs are not service dogs. Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks to help a person who has a disability. This distinction is important because therapy dogs do not have the same access to public places like service dogs do. For example, service dogs can go into restaurants, but therapy dogs cannot. Therapy dogs still provide a valuable service and should receive therapy dog certification.
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Who Do Therapy Dogs Help?
Therapy dogs may be regular visitors to a variety of people and places, with hospitals and rehabilitation centers being among the most common. Children, in particular, respond positively to therapy dogs.
Seniors in assisted living or people with mental disabilities who live in facilities and experience feelings of isolation also see a lot of benefits from visiting with a therapy dog.
Besides providing valuable social opportunities and relieving anxiety, therapy dogs may even help lower blood pressure and heart rate in patients and the other people they visit.
Why Are Therapy Dogs Important?
Therapy dogs offer unconditional love, non-judgmental interaction, reduce stress, anxiety and loneliness, and provide an overall positive distraction to ailments. Research shows therapy dogs can have a positive effect on a patient’s mood, stress and pain levels during facility stays.
Young patients — children — seem to benefit most from working with 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.
For people who may have a hard time socializing due to mental disabilities or their living situation, therapy dogs can promote social interaction within their community and help them to connect.
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!
Clint, Nathan, and Janella were wonderful in training our GSD, Betty. They trained in our home and neighborhood, which was great for observing Betty in her natural environment. We regularly receive compliments on Betty’s manners and impulse control. For our previous dog, we used another local trainer for a 5 day boot camp at their facility. We found Dog Training Elite to be much more effective and have seen better results. We would definitely recommend them.— Kurt Beuchel
Posted April 28th 2024
Dog Training Elite is phenomenal. Clint and Nathan provided in home dog training for our 5 month old pups, Sami & Sofi. They were professional yet genuine in their training and methods. They made it an environment that was fun yet structured. As pet owner’s for years - we learned so much from them (as did our pups). This was one of the best investments we could have ever made, not only for our pups, but for us. The change has been truly amazing!— Jodi & Don Rowlands
Posted April 26th 2024
Clint is awesome. He listens as well as ensures your understanding of the method and why. Follow his training and you will have a dog that is adjusted and able to in public. No embarrassment from your fur buddy. You will not regret the call, unless you don't make it today. It's never to late or early to start training your dog.— *
Posted March 15th 2024
We started training with another trainer and it just wasn't working. Our girl wasn't catching on and she wasn't happy. We met a very happy Dog Training Elite customer and after their glowing review we immediately signed up. In just a few weeks Clint helped us take our girl from 'not so trained' to walking in a heel OFF leash! Her behaviors went from "meh" to 'what a well behaved dog!". She is happier and more confident. We couldn't be more pleased. Clint came and worked with our girl and taught us how to do the same. We put in the work between sessions and now we have a great dog! We highly recommend Dog Training Elite!— Alicia Scott
Posted April 24th 2024
I love Fort Wayne DogTraining Elite! Clint is very thorough and clear when it comes to communication! He gives excellent examples to learn from! We also had Nathan and Janella work with our dog and did an excellent job! I love learning from each of them and happy to be on the team! 😊— Zandra Kemp
Posted April 22nd 2024
BEST TRAINERS EVER!!!! Thank you to Hope and Clint making her an ELITE dog through your program!!— Janella Benitez
Posted April 20th 2024
Clint helped to train our two dogs and wow… they have never behaved so well! We will be going to dog training elite for every dog we own!! More than worth it!— Chase Twibell
Posted April 20th 2024
I highly recommend Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne if you're looking for a well behaved friend. Our dog's change in behavior was very noticeable during the first session. He listened, paid attention, and was responding to instructions very well. Cooper has become more confident and well behaved. We can take him anywhere without worrying about him. Clint is the best!— Gary
Posted April 19th 2024
I cannot begin to say enough good things about Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne. From day one of training, we noticed a huge improvement in our Rottweiler\blue heeler puppy. Our puppy’s trainer, Nathan, is so helpful, knowledgeable, and a fantastic trainer. Our puppy looks forward to seeing Nathan each week. We are so pleased with the results we have had so far and look forward to our puppy’s journey on his way to becoming an Elite Dog. We owe it all to Nathan and Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne. I highly recommend them if you are looking to train your puppy or your dog. Truly amazing!!!— chris rimmel
Posted April 19th 2024
DTE is a wonderful family owned/veteran owned dog training company that exceeded our expectations. The in-home training started when our puppy was 5 1/2 months old. We are so thankful we started her young Clint has a real gift with animals training and customer service. Our puppy went from Jumping on everyone, play biting, face licking and chasing grandkids to being very well behaved. At Seven months old the grandkids can walk/give her commands, she helps round up the chickens without chasing them or barking at them. She goes to work with me and sits in “place” for an hour at a time when told to go to place. We are working so Hope will become a therapy dog and possibly dual purpose service dog for me for a medical condition. We cannot say enough good things about Clint and his company. We highly recommend them for any type of training.— Stacy Lyn Boggs
Posted April 18th 2024
Dog Training Elite Fort Wayne is phenomenal. Nathan is fantastic. Our puppy Beefy looks forward to seeing Nathan each week.— Nicole Freeman Procise
Posted April 18th 2024
Nathan is an excellent trainer. Our dog Dolly is extremely shy and normally hides if someone she doesn't know comes to our home. After 2 visits, Dolly would welcome Nathan. Her training has helped us immensely. She's even starting to trust some strangers. Would highly recommend Dog Training Elite for anyone who wants their dog to be more obedient and easier to handle— Larry Bergman
Posted April 9th 2024
Nathan is absolutely wonderful. He is very calm mannered and informative. My dog Leo looked forward to working with Nathan each week, it showed in Leo's excitement when Nathan arrived at our home. The training was educational and fun for Leo every session.— Stacy phillips
Posted April 5th 2024
Clint and Nathan are amazing! They are so patient. Jake, my dog, learned from them with ease. I would recommend their program to everyone. Thanks guys for all your hard work! You are appreciated.— Tori Franklin
Posted April 3rd 2024
If you are looking for the best experience and training for your dog then look no further. Clint and Nathan are the best around! They provide you with the tools and training to set you and your dog up for success!!!— David Reynolds
Posted March 17th 2024
Clint and Nate are amazing! We have two bully breed puppies that have completed in home classes and graduated to become the best puppies! I highly recommend them for all your training needs. We chose the platinum package, which includes a variety of different options for more than just obedience training and unlimited group classes which we will be attending as often as we can!— Lisa Reynolds
Posted March 16th 2024
Excellent knowledge of dogs. Provides positive reinforcement and guidance. Would highly recommend.— Donna Vanvlerah
Posted March 15th 2024
I worried my dog would be too old (almost 2) but Nathan was great with him and the foundational skills he taught us have made a huge difference in his behavior. As a large dog, having these manners in place has been a game changer for our pet and everyone else in the family, and I appreciated in-home lessons, which felt more applicable to our everyday struggles.— Courtney L
Posted February 29th 2024
I wasn’t sure there was any hope to train my very stubborn German shepherd. Nathan and Clint taught me how to walk my dog and work through his doggie temper tantrums. Now I can enjoy walking my dog and I am so proud of him. He looks so handsome as we walk through the neighborhood. I now have confidence to give my dog the happy life he deserves thanks to Clint and Nathan!— Beth Ann Hargrove
Posted February 27th 2024
We have a feisty Rottweiler ( year and a half old) and have been through several trainers. Dog Training Elite has given us true results. They are the real deal! One thing I really have appreciated is the consistency in training. Part of the time we worked with Clint, the owner— and he is fantastic, but then we also had Nathan, and we didn’t miss a beat. Nathan is every bit as well-versed and it helped having different people working with our dog.They are firm, caring, compassionate and knowledgeable.It is well worth the money. Don’t go cheap. Go Elite.— Gregg Hermance
Posted February 22nd 2024
How Does a Dog Become a Therapy Dog?
If you have felt the benefits of owning a dog, you may feel inspired to help more people feel the unconditional love, joy and support your dog provides. However, having a friendly, loving personality isn’t enough for a dog to qualify as a therapy dog. Some other qualifications to consider are:
- The age of your dog. Puppies do not make good therapy animals.
- How obedient your dog is. It’s important your dog listens to you and obeys basic commands. Dogs that go through obedience training with Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne have the perfect foundation to go onto therapy dog training, as long as they are old enough.
- How social your dog is. Your dog may be affectionate with you — but are they affectionate with strangers? Do they like to receive attention from strangers, particularly petting?
Therapy Dog Handlers
As a dog owner, it’s important to reflect on whether you would like to become a therapy dog handler as well. If you enjoy connecting with people, becoming a therapy dog handler may be a great fit. You can also choose where to volunteer to better suit your interests — if you like kids, volunteer to visit schools or children’s hospitals. If you prefer to work with older people, then sign up to visit senior living centers.
Once you’ve determined that becoming a therapy dog handler and helping your dog become a therapy dog is the right move for the two of you, you’re ready to start therapy dog training. The trainers of Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne are experts in the behaviors needed in a therapy dog and will help you and your dog either brush up on or master behaviors such as “leave it,” “watch me,” loose-leash walking and not jumping on other people.
To help your dog become well socialized, you may consider also signing up for one of Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne’s group obedience classes. A group class environment is also beneficial because it helps your dog learn to be obedient when there are a lot of distractions around, a crucial skill for a therapy dog.
Once you’ve completed initial training, you’re ready to apply for therapy dog certification in Fort Wayne. However, it is important to note that this certification is not the end. It’s important to stay on top of your dog’s training and continue to help them be the best therapy dog they can be.
Proud Sponsor of The Malinois Foundation
At Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne, 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 of Fort Wayne 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.
Why do Therapy Dog Training with Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne?
The Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne training method stands out because of its emphasis on positive reinforcement. Dogs are never punished for bad behavior, instead they are rewarded for good behavior. This kind of training makes a huge difference in your relationship with your dog, and will make a difference in how your dog interacts with other people.
The balanced training method of Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne fosters a dog’s naturally loving and obedient nature. Focusing on positive reinforcement and rewarding good behavior helps build a strong bond between dog and owner built on love and trust. This foundation in turn becomes a great foundation for dog and owner to become a fabulous therapy team providing an invaluable service to the community.
If you feel therapy dog certification is right for you and your dog, get started by contacting Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne. Request your free training demo and in-home assessment today.
