A therapy dog walking in a park with their owner - contact Dog Training Elite to talk to a professional therapy dog trainer in Green Bay / Appleton, WI!
Dog Training Elite

Therapy Dog Training in Green Bay / Appleton, WI

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Our Therapy Dog Training Could Help:
Those managing chronic pain
People looking to increase social interaction
Anyone seeking enhanced motivation and purpose
Individuals in need of emotional comfort
Those experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression
People wanting to boost overall optimism
Anyone feeling lonely or isolated

Therapy Dog Training in Green Bay / Appleton, WI

What is a Therapy Dog?

A therapy dog is trained to provide emotional support and comfort to people in need, often visiting hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. These dogs must be friendly with strangers, able to handle high levels of distraction, and understand personal boundaries like not jumping, licking, or mouthing. With proper training, therapy dogs can bring joy and emotional relief to those they interact with, offering companionship in stressful environments.

At Dog Training Elite, we specialize in therapy dog training in Green Bay / Appleton, WI, helping dogs develop the temperament and skills needed to provide emotional support and comfort in a variety of settings. Our customized programs are designed to guide you and your dog through the certification process with compassion and professionalism. Whether your goal is to visit hospitals, schools, or community centers, we ensure your dog is well-prepared to offer calm, dependable companionship to those in need. With our expert training methods, your dog can become a confident and trusted therapy companion in the Green Bay / Appleton community.

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A therapy dog in training with Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin's expert handlers.

How Does a Dog Become a Therapy Dog?


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While the companionship your dog brings you may inspire you to share that with others, not every dog is suited to be a therapy animal. Beyond a friendly, loving personality, several important qualifications must be met for a dog to be considered for therapy work:

  • Age: Puppies are typically too energetic and lack the focus to be therapy dogs.
  • Obedience: A therapy dog must follow commands reliably. Dogs that have completed obedience training with Dog Training Elite have the solid foundation needed to begin therapy dog training.
  • Social Skills: Therapy dogs need to naturally enjoy meeting new people and must handle being petted and approached by strangers without anxiety. Their ability to remain calm and friendly, even in unfamiliar situations, ensures they can provide emotional support to those they interact with.

Get Your Free Assessment

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!

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Joan
    Feb. 7, 2026
    I had the best experience with Dog Training Elite. I had a very nervous rescue with some aggression issues that I really was skeptical I could fix. Dog Training Elite was fabulous from the start with prompt communication and walked us through every step of the process. My dog is now calm and confident and more importantly, I know how to handle all the situations that had me nervous before I went through this. Larissa is the best dog trainer!! I highly recommend!!!
  • Ralph Solano
    Feb. 7, 2026
    We had an outstanding experience with Dog Training Elite. Ramiro was extremely knowledgeable, professional, and flexible with our schedule. During one session, our puppy had a minor leg injury from earlier in the day, which Ramiro immediately noticed. He paused the training to ensure Oakley wouldn’t put any additional strain on his leg and rescheduled once he was fully healed. That level of care and attention truly stood out and made it clear that Ramiro genuinely cares about the dogs he works with. Highly recommend.
  • Estefania Schultz
    Feb. 5, 2026
    Hannah, our trainer, did an outstanding job with Benito, our one-year-old Goldendoodle, during his Platinum training package. Over the 8 classes, we saw a significant improvement in his behavior. He no longer jumps on people, walks are much calmer, and he has much better manners around others, and he even learned a few great tricks along the way. Hannah traveled from Green Bay to Oshkosh for every class, which truly shows her dedication and professionalism. In the middle of the course, we had a family emergency involving our daughter during one of our scheduled class meetings. She had already made the drive and was incredibly understanding, did not count the class, and rescheduled it without any issue. Benito clearly built a strong bond with her and would even cry when she left after class. We are very grateful for her commitment and highly recommend Hannah and Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin.
  • Amelia McDonald
    Feb. 5, 2026
    If I could give 10 stars I would! Stephany, Ramiro and the team are so great! They took on two of our puppies at once! Both dogs will be service dogs and they worked very hard to understand the needs of our 2 sons so that they could train the dogs for them as individuals! They were VERY patient with the humans too! They are helping us work through all situations with respect and patience. They also do an AMAZING job work with my son who has severe anxiety! They made him feel confident and heard! BRAVO to the team at Dog Training Elite! Excited to see the growth that we will all see in the next steps of our training!
  • Chris Kloehn
    Jan. 23, 2026
    Our trainer Ramiro was great to work with, and the transformation our dog went through from the beginning of her training to the end was spectacular. During the initial meeting our dog Bella was constantly barking and lunging at Ramiro, a behavior we had seen with most house guests. It was to the point we would relocate Bella just to have friends or family over. Ramiro was calm, professional, and confident he could help us. By the third training session Bella was excited for Ramio to come, and showing huge growth. Ultimately Ramiro trained us how to work with Bella and our consistent efforts paid off. During our final in home session Bella was able to walk through a Home Depot relaxed and in a perfect heel. Her reactivity has significantly decreased, and we have the tools to help her through stressful situations now. We look forward to bring her to group classes and continuing her training.
  • Victor Bode
    Jan. 21, 2026
    Outstanding training and trainers. Do this for your dog. You owe it to them to be the best dog they can be.
  • virginia schlies
    Jan. 19, 2026
    My dog was a dog that I love very much it was 6 month old puppy totally out of control. I brought him down here with hopes high hopes. And they were met more than met I have a dog that I am proud of I love and I can control. He's happier and I am happier. His trainer Stephanie and Mitch are the best ever. Answered all questions was there every time I asked for anything. This place will turn your dog into the well-loved behaved animal that you've always wanted thank you Mitch and Stephanie signed Virginia
  • Ethan Tesch
    Jan. 15, 2026
    We had a great experience working with Hannah Randall from Dog Training Elite. She was professional, knowledgeable, and very flexible with scheduling, which made the training process easy to manage. Hannah took the time to understand our dog and adjusted her approach to fit their personality, which made a big difference. She explained things clearly and helped us feel confident continuing the training on our own between sessions. A good dog trainer doesn’t just work with the dog but also teaches the owners how to be consistent and effective, and Hannah did exactly that. We saw real progress and would absolutely recommend her to anyone looking for a skilled and supportive dog trainer.
  • Jorge DelCarmen
    Jan. 14, 2026
    I waited close to a full year to write this review, because I'm the type of person who wants to make sure the quality of a service that they paid for actually is long-lasting. And let me tell you, it is long-lasting. At first, when I saw the pricing on the training through these guys, I thought this better be worth it. And this IS EXTREMELY worth it. My dog had a fence reactivity and also reactive towards other dogs and did not like them. After this training he changed completely and was good around other dogs. I highly recommend these guys. They are the best dog trainers I've ever had the pleasure of working with, and in the future, if and when I would need a dog trainer again, I will definitely be coming back to these guys.
  • K D
    Jan. 11, 2026
    Dog Training Elite changed our lives in so many ways! We brought our two rescue dogs to DTE and the results from their training and expertise exceeded any of our expectations! Marcy and Brianna taught us so much, as well as our dogs! It's hard to put into words the success we've had with Marcy and DTE, we now have two dogs that respond to us, calmly walk with us, and most of all know what we are asking of them and they seem happier! One of our dogs was a demand barker and we never thought we could fix that and now we have had people come to house and ask if she is a different dog...Marcy was so patient with our dogs and teaching us every step of the way and she made it so enjoyable! She made it feel so easy to learn and her positive continual support helped us and our dogs feel more confident about understanding the process. She has such a great way of explaining everything and really understands each dog and their individual personality. We have tried many other training methods that didn't work and can't believe how fortunate we are to have found DTE; my daughter trained her two dogs with them as well and has had immense success! We are so grateful to Marcy and DTE for giving us the training and knowledge to enhance our dogs' confidence, happiness, and quality of life!
  • Mary Kearney
    Jan. 8, 2026
    Great experience working with Hannah and Dog Training Elite! Hannah was always professional, prepared (and flexible to meet Lacy’s needs), positive and enthusiastic as she worked with us! She left us detailed notes on what and how to continue training between her visits. Looking forward to the group training! Thank you!
  • Kasey Kuhn
    Jan. 1, 2026
    I can’t say enough good things about Dog Training Elite. I came to them with a reactive dog who pulled constantly on the leash, and walks were stressful instead of enjoyable. From the very beginning, Ramiro was patient, understanding, and incredibly knowledgeable. He didn’t just train my dog - He taught me how to communicate better and stay calm and consistent. The techniques he used were clear, effective, and humane, and the progress we’ve made is honestly amazing. Walks are now manageable and enjoyable, and my dog is more focused, confident, and responsive than ever before. If you’re struggling with reactivity or leash pulling and feel overwhelmed, I highly recommend Dog Training Elite. They truly care about both the dog and the owner, and the results speak for themselves.
  • John Gloeckler
    Dec. 31, 2025
    One of the worst parts of a dog passing away is realizing that if you want that same companionship you have to go through a learning phase with a new dog. After your heart heals and you decide to bring a new dog into your home, you quickly realize you've forgotten everything you thought you knew about training a pup and the excitement of a new family member quickly turns into tired exhaustion, frustration, and a hopeless feeling that your new dog may never be as good as your old dog. Reaching out to Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin provided instant puppy behavioral improvement, helped train the trainers (us owners), and provided hope for a future with a well behaved dog. The entire team was helpful, responsive, and experts in their respective areas, but Larissa was exceptionally fantastic and great to work with. We are looking forward to continuing our training toward a therapy dog certification and would recommend Elite to anyone wanting some additional help and guidance training your dog.
  • andrew ropson
    Dec. 30, 2025
    We were able to get 2 beagles to laydown and stay while other dogs are around and playing. Not an easy task. This is as much owner training as do training.
  • JohnandSusan Schmitz
    Dec. 19, 2025
    Wow, this training has been great and we are very happy we chose Dog Training Elite to help work with our boy Lambeau. Ramiro was fantastic. Patient, informative and reinforced the concepts positively. I would highly recommend Dog Training Elite as your dog trainer.
  • John Larson
    Dec. 19, 2025
    Six months ago we wouldn't have even considered bringing our dog to a public store, and today Bear passed his final training at Scheels. Ramiro and his team are great to work with. You will be happy with their services.
  • Kris Hougard
    Dec. 6, 2025
    We are very happy we decided to sign up with Elite to train our yellow lab Birch. From the minute my husband met Marcy and team he was impressed with their knowledge of dog behavior and training techniques. After 4 days of camp our puppy knew all commands they taught. They will give you the techniques and follow-up help for you to continue training at home. Thank you Marcy and team for your patience training a high energy pup!! He is a better pet for it.
  • Eric Phillips
    Dec. 5, 2025
    Ramiro was awesome. He customized our training and you can tell he really cares about your dog achieving your goals.
  • Brandon schuyler
    Dec. 4, 2025
    Very glad I went with them for training my service dog. They have answered every question I've had, very accommodating, and very knowledgeable. I have been working with them from the time my pup was 9 weeks old and he's now 7 months. The owners and all the trainers are truly amazing people! Had to add a picture of the traine.
  • Grant Frazer
    Dec. 2, 2025
    Great experience, very professional and spends ample time coaching owners as well as dog for a thorough understanding of their training technique.
An obedient dog in a fran_territory_name} emotional support dog training program.

Benefits of Therapy Dogs

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Therapy dogs have a profound impact on individuals’ emotional and physical well-being. Research demonstrates that therapy dogs can improve a patient's mood, reduce stress, and even lower pain levels during hospital stays or medical treatments. Their calming presence provides comfort and relief in challenging moments.

Children, in particular, often respond well to therapy dogs. The companionship and playful interaction of a therapy dog can motivate children to engage more fully in treatments, helping them overcome fear or reluctance. With a therapy dog by their side, children tend to feel more optimistic and less anxious.

Beyond medical settings, therapy dogs also foster social interaction, especially in autism and mental health communities. These dogs offer non-judgmental companionship and serve as a bridge for individuals who may struggle with social connections. By reducing feelings of loneliness and anxiety, therapy dogs offer their owners comfort and companionship that enhances the overall quality of life.

A therapy dog handler with their dog trained by Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin.

Therapy Dog Handlers

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If you’ve ever wanted to make a meaningful impact in your community, becoming a therapy dog handler offers a unique opportunity to do so alongside your dog. You can choose where to volunteer based on your interests, such as schools, hospitals, or senior living centers.

Once you’ve decided, therapy dog training is the next step. Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin’s expert trainers will help your dog master essential behaviors like loose-leash walking, “leave it,” and not jumping on people. After completing training, you can apply for therapy dog certification, but it’s essential to keep up with ongoing training to ensure your dog remains well-behaved and ready to assist.

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A fully trained service dog from Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin.

Green Bay / Appleton Emotional Support Dog Training

Why Choose DTE for Therapy Dog Training?

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At Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin, our training programs prepare your dog for real-world situations where their presence can provide emotional support and comfort. Beyond just obedience, our training teaches your dog how to handle stressful or highly stimulating environments like hospitals, schools, or nursing homes.

We also place a strong emphasis on socialization and adaptability, making sure your dog can confidently engage with people of all ages and backgrounds. Therapy dog work requires attentiveness and empathy, and our training helps your dog develop these traits. With a foundation of trust, consistency, and patience, your dog will be fully equipped to offer comfort and companionship wherever it’s needed.

A group of dogs being trained by the expert team at Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin.
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ESA vs. Therapy vs. Service Animals

What's the Difference?

Animals that provide assistance and companionship can be classified into three main groups: service animals, emotional support animals (ESAs), and therapy animals. Each has different responsibilities, training requirements, and legal protections. Knowing the differences can help you choose the right type of support for a disability, emotional needs, or therapy purposes.

Here are the defining features of each type:

Service animals are trained to help individuals by performing tasks that meet their specific needs, such as:

  • Redirecting attention when an individual is beginning to feel overstimulated
  • Reminding owners to take medication
  • Waking someone who is having a nightmare

Service dogs are highly valued in the mental health and disability community and are protected under ADA laws, allowing them to accompany their owners anywhere. At DTE, we provide specialized training for service dogs that assist individuals with autism, diabetes, and PTSD.

The key difference between ESAs, therapy dogs, and service dogs is that service animals are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. This means they are allowed to go anywhere their owner goes. ESAs and therapy dogs do not have the same protections as service dogs, and public places can set their own rules about allowing them.

ESAs are prescribed by licensed mental health professionals to help individuals with mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression. These animals provide emotional support simply by being a comforting presence. Unlike service dogs, ESAs are not trained to perform specific tasks related to their owner's condition.

ESAs can be of any breed or age, and while they do not require the same level of training as service dogs, many owners choose to seek additional training. This can help strengthen the bond between the owner and the animal and improve the ESA's ability to provide consistent emotional support in different situations.

Therapy animals provide comfort and emotional support to individuals in need. They are not trained to assist a single person but are instead taught to be well-behaved and sociable around various groups of people. These animals help reduce stress, anxiety, and loneliness for those they visit.

Unlike service animals, therapy animals are not required to perform specific tasks. Their calming presence is what makes them valuable in therapeutic programs.

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