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!

Therapy Dog Training

Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin

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Request Free Assessment


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 Trainer 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 offer programs to help your dog become a certified therapy dog. As a leading therapy dog trainer in Green Bay / Appleton, WI, we focus on developing the right temperament and skills so your dog can confidently provide comfort and support in various settings. With our professional guidance, your dog can become a valuable source of emotional care and connection for individuals in need.

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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

  • Julie Braun
    Feb. 11, 2025
    Marcy was a fabulous trainer. Odie responded to his training so well. He did such a great job and grew so much. So thankful Marcy was patient and helpful. Highly recommend the program. Thank you Dog Training Elite Northeast WI.
  • christopher parker
    Feb. 9, 2025
    We had an amazing experience training our dog Trenton. Ramiro was very informative and knowledgeable throughout the training. They were very flexible and worked around our schedule. Trenton has improved and we will continue to use the skills we were taught. We are looking forward to the group sessions. We will recommend Dog Training Elite to anyone who is looking for dog training!
  • Chad Kane
    Feb. 8, 2025
    We had an excellent experience at Elite. We were referred to them through friends and we are very happy with the training, staff and the results we have seen. Our dog would run away when we called him. He had a hard time staying focused and we definitely had to have them on a leash at all times. Since completing the training, he’s a totally different dog. He comes when called, stays close and no longer runs off. They provided us with education related to our feeding schedule with our dog and other things that we could change to help train our dog and be more consistent. We achieved all of the goals we had set for ourselves and our dog. Chad and Megan
  • Greg Rodriguez
    Feb. 8, 2025
    Our experience with Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin has been nothing short of awesome! We brought our energetic, people loving dog Archie to them for help with basic obedience and some specific behavioral issues ( like excessive barking and jumping when meeting new people and some resource guarding). From the first day we were very impressed. Couldn't believe that he was able to place and stay just after day one, even when toys were thrown in front of him, he wouldn't budge and he LOVES toys. The trainers clearly understand dog behavior and were able to explain things to us in a way that made sense. They don't just tell you what to do but also why it is important, which helped us be more consistent with our dog training. They took the time to get to know Archie's personality and tailored their training methods to his specific needs. We enrolled in the platinum plus program and saw significant improvement in his behavior within just a few lessons. We learned valuable lessons and tequniques, such as heel and quiet, which really comes in handy when meeting new people. We were able to take our dog The Home Depot and walk around and meet new people and he did so good! He didn't bark or pull on the leash, which was the main reason we wanted to get training done. Thanks to the training, we feel like we can confidently take our dog into public places where they allow dogs! Great job Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin!
  • Katie Plamann
    Feb. 1, 2025
    Miss Fern and I are super grateful for DTE! Fern has come so far and she listens much better after completing her training. I could not have gotten her to the point of being off leash without all the help and she’s loving the freedom this allows her! She’s going to be so excited about group classes in the near future.
  • Jimdawg13
    Feb. 4, 2025
    Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin did a great job in the training of our black lab River! Ramiro is very knowledgeable and patient with the dog. Communication was great and he assisted us with any questions we had. Would definitely recommend to anyone!
  • Bennett Temple
    Feb. 2, 2025
    Amazing training program!! Ramiro really knows what he is talking about and helped transform our puppy into a more well-mannered, behaved dog. Highly recommend to all owners struggling with their dog’s behaviors who need more structured support!
  • Laura Gallistel
    Feb. 1, 2025
    Ramiro and Stephanie have been great to work with. They've helped troubleshoot many problems we've encountered and have been very accommodating. Thank you!
  • Nathaniel Glab
    Jan. 29, 2025
    We really enjoyed our experience with Ramiro. He made the training fun for the whole family. Our dog went from being extremely reactive to being able to follow any command. The E Collar has been a life saver. We can let him outside off leash and we can have company over without worrying. We purchased the elite package, so we have a lot of comfort knowing we are covered for life if spud ever needs any more help. Ramiro was kind and answered all of our questions patiently. We will miss our weekly lessons!
  • Mary Mattio
    Jan. 27, 2025
    Marcy was amazing to work with! She answered every question I had and was unbelievably helpful.
  • Kathie Ammerman
    Jan. 15, 2025
    Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Kylo, our 8 year old Golden Retriever earned his Canine Good Citizen award today! It was by chance that I met Ramiro and his team at Dog Training Elite. They were holding a group class at the park and I asked their opinion on help with an older dog. And I’m so glad I asked. Kylo’s unpredictable reactivity to other dogs was just one of his traits that couldn’t be corrected even after attending several different dog classes. Ramiro came to our house to meet us (a free evaluation). It didn’t take long to realize that this training would be different. We chose the Platinum Obedience Package with 8 one-on-one training sessions plus much more. Ramiro came to our house for training sessions. Kylo learned new things. Just as important, Ramiro worked with us and I learned how my behavior made a difference in Kylo’s reactions. I wish I would’ve found Dog Training Elite years ago! Check them out!
  • Angela Koerner
    Jan. 13, 2025
    We just completed the in-home portion of Rico's Platinum Obedience Package. DTE has been 100% the best investment we could have made with our boy, and we couldn't be happier with the results. With Rico being a purebred Rottweiler, his breed stigma, size, and our living situation in a larger condo community, it was important for us as confident owners to have a well-mannered big boy. Our trainer, Marcy, was absolutely fantastic, and I cannot say enough great things about her. She made training fun, tailored each session to Rico's specific goals, and challenged us with things to try between sessions. This really allowed our stubborn boy to excel. I was ecstatic when Rico passed his AKC Canine Good Citizen certification at only 7 months old! The number of compliments we receive out in public with Rico is unbelievable. He walks confidently and proudly right next to me, does not react to the busy world around him, and can enjoy his best life at times off-leash. This team is over the top, flexible, reliable, and super compassionate. You can tell that they really love the work they do! We are so proud that Rico is part of the Elite pack and look forward to attending group classes. Thank you Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin!
  • John Spanbauer
    Jan. 7, 2025
    Ramiro and his team were excellent at training and professional. Thank you.
  • Jessica Tryba
    Jan. 3, 2025
    Ramiro was amazing for Apollo and I. Apollo is young doberman and a service dog in training. With Ramiro's very patient and communicative training style, Apollo passed his Canine Good Citizenship test at under a year old. He has learned multiple important commands. Ramiro and the team at Dog Training Elite are always on hand to help address issues or concerns. Every lesson we walked away feeling supported and encouraged. Any dog I have going forward will be going to Dog Training Elite.
  • Mike Smits
    Jan. 2, 2025
    It was such a great experience, I would highly recommend! The training was amazing. Our pup is well behaved, does tricks and we want to thank dog training elite for working with us, we learned so much!
  • Adam Palazzo
    Dec. 13, 2024
    They were so helpful and adaptive to the individual needs of my Tato. With their training and tools his obedience is night and day better. There were so many other benefits but seeing my dog live his best life with their help has been amazing. The only regret I have is not signing him up sooner.
  • Jaime Schmitt
    Dec. 11, 2024
    We purchased the Platinum Obedience Package after we adopted our Kiki Pancake this past summer. We are experienced husky owners and Kiki was our fifth husky so we thought we could train her like our past huskies. Kiki proved us wrong. She is the epitome of a stubborn husky and too smart for her own good. I reached out to DTE and they responded quickly and we had a consultation set up within a week. Kiki started training in October and graduated her Platinum Obedience Program this week. The change in Kiki is unbelievable! She is a completely different dog. Kiki comes when we call her, she understands and performs basic and secondary commands, she stops unwanted behaviors when we tell her to and she walks like a little lady on a leash instead of dragging her mom through the neighborhood! When we initially had problems with her ecollar, Stephany came out the next day and worked with us to find options and alternatives that would work for her so we didn't lose training time. We are so incredibly grateful for Ramiro, Stephany and team and their hard work and dedication to our Kiki! They are so patient with our stubborn and defiant husky! It's a huge relief to not feel alone and to have support when you have a dog that knows how to push all your buttons! We're looking forward to group classes and continuing Kiki's training with Dog Training Elite!
  • Tyler Bredael
    Nov. 13, 2024
    We adopted our second dog, Kora, a little over a year ago. She had a lot of energy and anxiety, and was a constant source of stress. She barked at visitors for hours, snapped at people, and was a nightmare on walks. She would urinate and chew things up whenever we left a room without her. We tried treat and clicker training on our own, but it seemed like she just was getting more anxious. We didn't feel comfortable bringing her anywhere like we do with our other dog, and were considering rehoming. Ramiro from Dog Training Elite was a game-changer. He patiently explained the root causes of Kora's behaviors and provided us with clear, effective training techniques. With his guidance, we were able to provide structure and help Kora become a more confident and well-behaved dog. Thanks to Ramiro's expertise, our dog is now a joy to be around. She's calmer, more obedient, and much better socialized. Even the behaviors not directly relating to obedience have greatly improved. Now we feel comfortable bringing her to other peoples' houses, to the park, and to the store. It's been a rewarding experience, and now that Kora passed the canine good citizen test, we're excited to join group classes. We're so grateful for the positive transformation and highly recommend Dog Training Elite to anyone struggling with a challenging dog.
  • Emma Tabachnick
    Nov. 12, 2024
    We just completed training (platinum package) of our Boxer Tiki. Tiki needed help with reactivity. We used trainers before, but never achieved any tangible results. We couldn’t have people at our house, the door bell triggered Tiki’s reactivity to the point that we couldn’t open the door. Dog Training Elite was our last resort. With Ramiro’s guidance we achieved great results. Ramiro is very patient, knowledgeable and has very commending presence. With Ramiro’s help we not just improved Tiki’s behavior. The whole experience help us to be better leaders for Tiki. When the door bell rings, now Tiki goes to his place, we can take him to the public places. It wasn’t possible before. It is work in progress, but with Ramiro’s help we are on the right track. We are very impressed with the results. Highly recommend.
  • Rochelle Huss
    Nov. 10, 2024
    Our experience with Dog Training Elite has been fantastic! Allison is extremely knowledgeable, patient, helpful, and overall absolutely wonderful. Our Atlas always looked forward to seeing her and working with her every week. We are thrilled with the transformation of behavior and confidence that Atlas has gained. These humans and pup highly recommend!!
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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Educate, Empower, Elevate, Elite

Victory Begins With Elite Education

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.