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

  • Adam Palazzo
    Dec. 14, 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. 12, 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!!
  • Stephanie Kyles
    Oct. 25, 2024
    I can’t say enough good things about Elite Dog Training! From our first session, it was clear that Ramiro is not only knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about helping dogs and their owners. Ramiro took the time to understand my dogs personality and struggles, and tailored the training approach to fit our needs. Our timid, insecure little Izzy has made remarkable progress. What I appreciate the most, was his patience and encouragement. Our little girl is now a happy dog that is no longer scared of everything and everyone. If you are looking for a dedicated and skilled trainer, I highly recommend the team at Elite Dog Training. Thank you for helping us build a happier home!
  • james williams
    Oct. 23, 2024
    Lizzie came to us as a 27 Lb 3 month old rescue and totally cute. Our intent was to give her our time and attention to be her best self. If all went well she would accompany me at work providing health care to seniors in their homes. We reviewed several trainers and after speaking Dog Training Elite and talking with Alli we made a very easy choice. From the very 1st session with Alli and then with Marcy as well we were totally excited. Having them come to our home and work with us gave us confidence to follow through with the lessons. Lizzie was pretty easy, We had to learn, and we did. Lizzie passed her good citizen test. Today she and I interact with over 30 Seniors and many other staff members at the homes we visit. She gets so much attention and praise as well as thank you's from all. Almost everyone comments how well behaved she is. Alli and Marcy helped give us Our Dream Puppy. Thank Both of You as well as DTE.
  • Marty Klika
    Oct. 22, 2024
    Allison was an awesome trainer. Allison worked with my dog but most importantly me to help me understand you need to work every day to have a good healthy and lovable pet. I am a happier person because of the help. I no longer need to constantly yell at my dog. Thanks Allison
  • Katherine Janssen
    Oct. 14, 2024
    This has been a blast! Training our rescue dog with Ramiro has been so successful, so much fun and something we strongly recommend! Our dog, Jobin, has been a reactive dog with other dogs, getting in fights and biting multiple times. His veterinarian felt Jobin was reactionary from insecurity and anxiousness. I tried so many things to help him but just when I thought I had it figured out, Jobin would flare up again and prove me wrong. Hiring Ramiro was truly the answer and his training helped Jobin and us so much! Now we have an extremely well trained dog who loves to go on long walks, visit dog parks with confidence and is no longer showing insecure behavior.
  • Heather Ann-Marie
    Oct. 14, 2024
    Bronson was enrolled with Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin in the obedience platinum package. His trainer, Alli was amazing to work with. She was very flexible with not only Bronson’s medical issues. He got kennel cough three times from doggy daycare, had a soft tissue injury that took a couple weeks to heal and more recently had food allergies and environmental allergies. Not to mention my very demanding work schedule was hard to accommodate but Alli made it happen! All of the one-on-one sessions were in the comfort of Bronson’s home/yard so it was less stressful for puppy and owner. Alli was very patient and explained all of the training components to help not only me to understand why things are trained in the manner they are and to also explain the tell tale signs of dogs in general that get it but refuse to cooperate at times and then reinforcing the positive feedback as each training session was accomplished on daily routine life. Bronson just graduated his obedience training course and he passed his Canine Good Citizen certification today. A lot of work was done with Bronson but I would highly recommend to anyone that’s looking for a personalized obedience training program for their canine to use Dog Training Elite. The trainers definitely put the extra personal effort to treat your dog as if it was their own. Look forward to continuing onto the group training and hopefully service dog training!
  • Maya Bishop
    Oct. 11, 2024
    I got a working line doberman puppy, Draco, and was feeling lost with training on my own. I had no idea where to start but I ended up deciding to work with Dog Training Elite after reading their great reviews. Let me tell you if they can successfully help me train my crazy, super high energy, stubborn doberman, they can train your dog. We worked with Allison and I couldn’t be happier. We genuinely looked forward to in home lessons with her every week and so did Draco. I couldn’t have done it without her… not only did she teach my dog manners and commands but also taught ME and gave helpful tips and information. I picked the platinum package after looking at all the benefits of it and I have absolutely no complaints. As a bonus - you get to work with actual people who care about you, your family and your pet. There were multiple times that Allison went above and beyond for us. Set up the consultation, I promise you won’t regret it ;)
  • Lindzi Kryger
    Oct. 5, 2024
    We have a 2 year old corgi who was food aggressive and dog reactive and didn’t always listen, he also was in trusting to be left off leash. After training with Romero we can trust him off leash and he listens to all commands. His dog reactivity and resource guarding is getting better and we have the tools and knowledge to work with him. We feel more comfortable bringing him places and he can be trusted off leash now. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite to anyone who is looking for a dog trainer!
  • Leigh Richardson
    Oct. 4, 2024
    When my wife and I had gotten our second dog, Lucy, we knew almost right away that we were going to need some help getting her trained to the level she deserved to be at. She came from a rough upbringing, and we were very unsure as to how to tackle it. One day however, we decided to get in contact with Dog Training Elite and I can say without reservation that it was the best decision that my wife and I have made for Lucy. The first session, while a little rocky at first, as Lucy began to learn the basics of what will make her a well trained dog, completely changed her whole personality. She began to listen to us, look at us when giving commands, and would nearly be able to read our minds depending on the situation, because she was properly trained to know how to respond. Both my wife and I cannot recommend Ramiro and his team enough. From start to finish, they have been so professional, willing to work around very busy schedules, and make the most out of every class we had. I’ve very proud to see how Lucy turned around from a stray off the streets, to a dog that we are so proud to show off to friends and family. Thanks so much for everything you all have done for us! We look forward to letting everyone we can know about this program, and the benefits it can offer!
  • Lindsay Horst
    Oct. 3, 2024
    Can't say enough good things about Romero and the Dog Training Elite team! My dog was reactive, hated going on walks, and had awful recall. I made my consultation after a disasterous visit to the vet and I regret nothing! Within a few lessons he was completely changed and I had such a better understanding on how to encourage or correct behavior. If you want your dog to be a model canine citizen, give them a call!
  • Pamela Meyer
    Oct. 2, 2024
    When we first contacted Elite dog training we had little hope in correcting our dogs behavior problems. We had tried online training and hired a personal trainer all to no avail. While we considered the investment in our dog or just giving up on our dog, I am glad we went with the investment. She has made great strides in not only her behavior but also in her demeanor . While she still needs work, she is well on her way to providing us with the well behaved, enjoyable companion she was meant to be. I recommend to anyone going through similar problems with their dog to not give up. Your dog & you can make the transition needed through training & education to become a cohesive & happy family. Our thanks to Elite training for making this possible & look forward to group sessions to continue our journey. MIKE & Pam Meyer
  • Josh
    Sep. 30, 2024
    My wife and I realized our dog, Max, needed some obedience training, as we were constantly trying to stop him from bolting out the door or getting overly distracted on walks by sniffing everything and approaching other dogs in a way that seemed too aggressive. After searching online for local dog trainers who specialize in these behaviors, we found Dog Training Elite, which had excellent reviews. We're happy to report that after 8 sessions with Ramiro, we've seen significant improvements in Max's behavior and obedience. He even passed the Canine Good Citizen test, thanks to Ramiro's guidance and our practice with Max between sessions. We highly recommend Dog Training Elite if you're looking for a great dog trainer.
  • Kerstin Scott
    Sep. 27, 2024
    We are so grateful to Elite and especially Allison for her diligence and hard work. Our Elsa was a real challenge but we now have a very happy, playful and obedient pup!
  • Daniel Solberg
    Sep. 19, 2024
    Ramiro and Stephanie have been a joy to work with to train our dog, Bacon. They are professional, knowledgeable, patient and fun! We are 100% satisfied with the effectiveness of the training that was above and beyond our expectations.
  • Kristen Gombar
    Sep. 12, 2024
    We couldn't be happier with our trainer Allison and Dog Elite. They completely understood that it wasn't only our dog that needed training, it was us too! Our dog's progress has been a miracle for us. We would 100% recommend this service and company.
  • Nicole Socha
    Sep. 10, 2024
    Had a great experience with Dog Training Elite. I worked with Allison and she was great. Worked well with my and my dog throughout our 8 week training program. Looking forward to thw group classes.
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.

Additional Training Programs

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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.