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A therapy dog is a dog who visits places like schools, hospitals and nursing homes. Therapy dog training in Metro Detroit 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 Southeast Michigan 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!
Hailey makes dog training so fun. Our puppy loves to see her drive in. Hailey is very professional yet caring and kind. Always on time. Austin did our home assessment. He explained everything in detail and answered all questions.— Teresa Roy
Posted April 27th 2024
Hailey is an exceptional trainer! Emily is a much different/better companion because of her. We're very glad we contacted Elite.— Linda Eaves
Posted April 27th 2024
Hailey has been working with us and our puppy Maple for 7 lessons. She is so patient and knowledgeable. We are making amazing progress. We have been to other places for training in the past with other dogs but the advantages of in home training are so much better. Hailey is always on time and asks if there is anything specific we want to work on as well as scheduled lesson. Austin came out for the initial assessment and explained the program thoroughly. It is everything he said it would be.— Teresa Roy
Posted April 25th 2024
Ryann Reese is the best! She is always patient with me and very helpful! My dog is so much better now since I was taught how to be boss mom! Thank you Ryann!— Dianne Wright
Posted April 19th 2024
We could not have been happier with the training that we got from Dog Training Elite. Austin and Hailey both did an excellent job and worked hand in hand with us through the training. We were able to incorporate our kids and have them involved in the process, with an 85 pound German Shepard we felt like this was important for our dog to listen to the kids as well. The knowledge that DTE was able to give us has allowed us to continue training on our own and have the confidence to take him out in public without concern. I would highly recommend their service, definitely worth the investment. Thanks Austin and Hailey!— Brian Bott
Posted April 17th 2024
Hailey was great!! We learned the tools needed to help train our golden retriever puppy in a fun but effective way. We would highly recommend Hailey!— Robyn Leineke
Posted March 27th 2024
Hailey did a great job training our very active GSP, Diesel!! Looking forward to the group sessions.— Judith Westerberg
Posted March 23rd 2024
Worth every penny! We are first time dog owners and have found this training SO helpful. It has given us the tools to feel like we understand our dog’s behavior and have control over it too. This training has given our family a lot of confidence with our new pet and has made dog ownership more enjoyable as we’ve navigated the behavior of a rescue puppy. Hailey and Austin are awesome! Hailey is communicative, kind and flexible. She put me at ease whenever we had trainings because of her knowledge, patience and kindness. She helped get our whole family involved in the trainings, including our kids. She’s easy to talk with and I looked forward to our trainings each time. She’s super encouraging and always available if something comes up between training sessions. You can tell she really loves dogs! I feel so appreciative of what Dog Training Elite has given our family - Highly recommend!— Krista Mast
Posted March 21st 2024
Austin and Haley have not only been a pleasure to work with—they have helped us transform our dog into a sociable, well-behaved companion. He was already sweet, but was overly protective, barking way too much, pulling on his leash, lunging at strangers. Now we can take him anywhere. Friends and family encourage us to bring him along! We can walk quietly past bikers, strollers, joggers, other dogs. He’s friendly with other dogs and people. Good thing, since he has now been certified as a therapy dog! He’s clearly happier too and more confident. He also LOVES Austin and Haley and is always so happy to see them even though they put him through his paces! I highly recommend Dog Training Elite.— Mary Jo Larson
Posted March 9th 2024
I recommend dog training elite to everyone who needs help with their dog or is interested in having a service dog. From the very beginning they have been wonderful and supportive of my journey to have a trained service dog for myself. They even helped me pick out the perfect puppy and they came out to the dog breeder’s house with me to interview the dogs and help me find the right dog. They have been supportive for every step throughout my dog’s early puppy months and beyond. My dog has passed obedience training and now we are onto the service dog portion. Raising my own service dog has been very therapeutic for me and I feel confident that with my dog at my side I can now get out in the world again. None of this would have been possible without the team at dog training elite. Ryen and Austin are the best. Thank you for everything you have done for me and for my dog Billy.— Kimberly McMurray
Posted February 26th 2024
DTE has provided excellent training for both my dog Louie and me! From the initial in-home assessment throughout the entire training program Austen has been consistent in approach and extraordinarily effective with my dog. Hailey has added to that, reinforcing what we have been taught in an effective and compassionate manner. Louie has become a wonderful therapy dog and we look forward to serving our community. We are truly grateful for DTE!— Diana DiRita
Posted February 16th 2024
I have nothing but great things to say about DTE. Austin and his team were professional and knowledgeable. They were patient with the questions I had and were thorough with responses. Hailey was also great when she ran DTE's group classes on Saturdays. She displayed knowledge and confidence in her ability to communicate and educate the dog owners. Now if only they could get a group class on the Eastside...— Stephanie Falotico
Posted February 15th 2024
Austin and his team are great. Very professional and provides great service. Highly recommend.— James Griffith Dewling
Posted February 2nd 2024
Ryan and Austin both were amazing from start to finish. I started with puppy classes and just finished our 1-on-1’s from advanced obedience. My Doberman responded amazingly and they always were there to answer my many (many lol) questions. I highly suggest starting them with puppy classes because it really built the foundation for the obedience classes to move much smoother.— Alexiss Marie
Posted January 28th 2024
We are so happy with our training from Elite. We have a 5 year old rescue and they proved you CAN teach an old dog new tricks. Very professional, positive and patient. We had a great experience with Holleigh!— Allison Siriani
Posted October 31st 2023
We have 2 Newfoundlands weighing in at 120 pounds each, a six year old and an 18 month pup. The pup is very high energy and was very aggressively friendly towards other dogs and people and has pulled my wife and I down several times resulting in broken bones. In just 6 weeks, the aggressiveness and energy are under control and we can walk both dogs together safely. We even walked through Home Depot without incident. I never thought that would be possible. I can't say enough good things about Austin and his team. Friendly, professional, understanding, flexible, courteous...and unbelievable results. All I can really say is thank you so much!!— David Fitnich
Posted September 13th 2023
Austin and his team are absolutely incredible. Our 3 1/2 yo goldendoodle had 0 training and Austin took her (and us!) all the way through to Service Dog certification. We are thrilled with Sosha's success. Austin's calm demeanor and training approach made the learning curve easy!— MK Merrigan
Posted August 31st 2023
The gratitude and appreciation I have for Austin, both as a professional trainer and as a person, cannot be overstated. His kindness and patience, coupled with detailed knowledge of dog behavior and training best practices have made the puppy months incredibly enjoyable and rewarding (and my pup, Charlie agrees!) I am a first-time owner, so raising a confident, yet obedient and well-mannered dog, has been my primary goal. Notably, I have seen the level of engagement in helping me meet my goal be extended to each owner he works with - a consummate trainer and consultant.— L B S
Posted July 25th 2023
My family and I wanted to thank Austin for an amazing dog training experience. This was our first dog and we got him as a newborn, completely untrained. Austin was soooo very knowledgeable about every aspect of our puppy. On our first session, he predicted all the outcomes and reactions from our puppy before they happened, and he was 100% spot on. Austin had a very gentle way with our puppy and was able to command respect with a soft and loving touch. Austin gave us all the tools we need to continue training our furbaby at our own pace. We use and depend on his techniques everyday. We are so blessed that we found him.— Alka Jain
Posted June 26th 2023
Austin's expertise, experience and patient demeanor have made training easy to follow and fun. My dog is so much calmer now that he knows what I am asking of him. I'm still working the program, but I have so much more confidence in going out in public and testing his new skills. If you want a calm and confident dog that you can take anywhere they are welcome, definitely call Austin and DTE right away. It has changed our lives.— Michelle Hutter
Posted March 11th 2023
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 Southeast Michigan 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 Southeast Michigan 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 Southeast Michigan’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 Metro Detroit. 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 Southeast Michigan, 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 Southeast Michigan 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 Southeast Michigan?
The Dog Training Elite Southeast Michigan 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 Southeast Michigan 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 Southeast Michigan. Request your free training demo and in-home assessment today.
