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What is a Therapy Dog?
A therapy dog is a dog that performs a service for other people. Typical therapy dog tasks are going to nursing homes or hospitals to cheer people up. For your dog to qualify, he/she must be friendly with strangers, and with training, be able to work around a high level of distraction and to understand personal boundaries, such as not jumping up, licking, mouthing, etc.
Research shows that therapy dogs can have a positive effect on a patient’s mood, stress, and pain levels during facility stays. Children, in particular, respond positively to 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.
Therapy dogs can promote social interaction between individuals within communities that may not otherwise experience socialization typically. Therapy dogs offer unconditional love, non-judgmental interaction, reduce stress, anxiety, and loneliness and provide an overall positive distraction to ailments.
Goals for Your Therapy Companion
- Socialization
- Lower Pain Levels
- Motivation
- Provide Comfort
- Decrease in Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
- Promote Healing
- Increase Overall Optimism
- Ease Loneliness
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite Central Kentucky location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Therapy Dog
Therapy dog training is based on your dog's abilities.
$2,895
A therapy dog volunteers alongside you, where permitted, and provides comfort to others. Examples include cheering people up at nursing homes or hospitals.
A good therapy dog is naturally friendly with strangers, able to work around a high level of distraction (with training), and able to understand personal boundaries, such as not jumping up, licking, mouthing, etc (with training).
LIFETIME SUPPORT
Our therapy package offers you training sessions throughout your dog's lifetime!
*Follow-up sessions to be scheduled once per month as needed, after initial program is completed.
- Private, one-on-one training sessions 10 Sessions + Unlimited *see above description
- Group dog training in the community Unlimited *see above description
- Therapy bandana, certification and ID Cards
- An exclusive directory of therapy events and locations for you to donate your time
- Certification/Testing
- Come
- Walk with you (no more pulling)
- Sit (next to you)
- Sit (off leash, at a distance)
- Down (next to you)
- Down (off leash, at a distance)
- Wait
- Quiet (stop barking and whining)
- Load up in the car or kennel
- Place
- Heel
- No Jumping up (on people)
- Make a friend
- One personalized greeting (high five, shake, hug, etc.)
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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
clas·si·cal con·di·tion·ing
PSYCHOLOGY
noun
A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus and is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.
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!
He s extremely patient and knowledgeable. Yes they use E collars but he takes the time to teach you how to use it properly without hurting your dog. I have never felt so welcomed by a dog trainer.— Rachel Stanger
Posted April 8th 2023
Tom has been a wealth of knowledge and incredibly patient with our Cane Corso puppy. We were about at our wits end until we found him, and so thankful we did!— Kristen Lonberger
Posted March 31st 2023
Tom was an amazing trainer to me and my wild Australian Shepard puppy 8 months old. Tom taught me how to be more patient and confident, which in turn helped my dog Baxter become confident as well. I’m looking forward to the group sessions. I can’t express my gratitude enough. Thank you again Tom!— Leslee Parrish
Posted February 11th 2023
Tom did a really good job with my dog in the individual sessions. Friendly and professional service. My dog learned more than I expected. Would recommend to any one looking to train their dog.— Andrew Case
Posted October 25th 2022
Can.t say enough good things about my trainer Tom. He is very professional and great with my dog. Very knowledgable about my breed and what we needed to do to get Willow so we know how to handle her in every situation. Having a pitbull mix rescue is not easy , but we feel very comfortable around other people and other dogs. If you need your dog trained you won't regret using Dog Elite of Central Ky. Thanks Tom— Gary White
Posted October 23rd 2022
We have had a wonderful experience with training our dog, Moose - he has done so incredibly well, and is ready for training as a service dog! We will be continuing our training with Dog Training Elite and can’t wait until Moose is a fully trained service dog!— Stephanie Delk
Posted October 12th 2022
Rusty was people aggressive and dog aggressive but with the consistency and care from Dog Training Elite we are able to walk him and not have our own anxiety. He is much more calm and obedient.— Samantha Pierce
Posted October 7th 2022
I would highly recommend dog training elite to anyone needing help with their pup or dog! Tom worked with my 16 month old, 100 lb chocolate lab, Kole, and after just ONE one-on-one session he stopped jumping on people. We just finished our 5th and final one-on-one session and he’s a completely different dog! Tom was super patient and gentle with him and Kole was always excited to see him. I’m eager to continue with group classes and see how much more Kole learns.— Allie Roberts
Posted May 14th 2022
I’ve been around dogs all my life , but let me tell you these guys are the real deal. My wife and I have a yellow Lab after losing our silver one to old age . And this pup is 11 months old and 101lbs !! I needed help with training!! Called these guys and they came to our house and did a demo and met our Duke . We were really impressed by their professionalism and love for dogs . Along with the understanding of we wanted out the training. Tom who works with Duke and us as well is top notch . I highly recommend this company and the meet and greet along with the demo is free. But our Duke is a completely different dog now thanks to Dog Training Elite.. Thank you so much!— Jeffery Smith
Posted April 18th 2022
Tom is an amazing trainer. He comes to your house which is so convenient. Just 4 sessions so far and our puppy has learned to come, sit, place, and heel on command. He looks forward to working with Tom and he is very calm and patient with us and our puppy. Anyone who is looking for some training for their dog will not be disappointed.— Kathleen Burress
Posted March 16th 2022
Tom is so amazing to work with! He is incredibly patient and is amazing with the dogs we trains.— Kelley Rosequist
Posted March 8th 2022
Proud Sponsor of The Malinois Foundation
At Dog Training Elite Central Kentucky, 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 Central Kentucky work's with the Malinois Foundation to heal and empower these individuals with a specialized service animal, a partner in life, and a new best friend.
