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A therapy dog is a dog who visits places like schools, hospitals and nursing homes. Therapy dog training in Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee 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!
Both Mary and Paul have been great as we were looking for help training our rescue Nora. She’s already so much better than when we started, especially when walking. I can’t recommend DTE and both Mary and Paul higher. If you are looking for a trainer that uses classical conditioning, this is the one!— Adam Lang
Posted April 29th 2024
Mary and Katie are both very sweet people and so easy to work with. Mary helped my dog and I both gain the confidence we need. My dog has come so far and I'm so thankful for Mary. #TeamDTE— stephanie w
Posted March 15th 2024
Trainers are great and it's nice I can work with my own dog under their supervision— Karen Stardy
Posted March 3rd 2024
Mary the trainer is awesome with my dog. Within 2 training sessions my dog was much better with her behavior. The training is top notch. Mary is working with my dog to be a service dog. The in home sessions worked well for me. I injured myself and can't drive at this time The training cost is worth every penny! I'm very happy to have found Mary and dog training elite— Susan Freund
Posted February 13th 2024
Dog Training Elite has been a great experience for myself and my dog. Mary met with us in home to do an evaluation, Paul completed the one on one course with my dog. Group training as follow up has been fun. Mary and Paul have been great to work with. 10/10— Neil Rossman
Posted January 30th 2024
Paul and Mary were amazing, I felt as if I was being instructed correctly and there was a complete change in behavior of my dog Goku. He was extremely excited puppy who did not understand how to control his excitement by week 3 he learned the basic obedience and continued on. Final week of private training Goku did not rush to the door nor jump on trainer. Without Dog Training Elite I would be feeling very anxious around other people and dogs but now I am completely comfortable with him being off leash around animals and people.— Tony Orlando
Posted December 4th 2023
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Posted November 20th 2023
Dog Training Elite Milwaukee has worked magic with our mini bernidoodle and our Cane Corso. The doodle is being trained as a service animal and has amazing command response even as a young puppy(started training at about 6 months). The cane corso was a very good, well socialized, but highly independent animal. She did what she wanted and thought she was the boss. Since her basic training, she is much better behaved and listens to commands. I no longer have to leash her on walks through the woods, she never leaves my side, and comes on command when I let her run free.— Quinn Armitage
Posted October 30th 2023
Mary is great! Can't wait to do group sessions. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite and Mary.— Roxann Yaeger
Posted September 22nd 2023
I cannot say enough good things about Mary at Elite Dog Training! Our journey with her to train our therapy dog was nothing short of extraordinary. From the very first session, it was clear that Mary possesses an unparalleled expertise and passion for what she does. Mary's approach to dog training is both effective and incredibly enjoyable. She not only understands the intricacies of canine behavior but also knows how to communicate her knowledge in a way that's accessible and easy to grasp. Her deep connection with dogs was evident from the moment she met our sassy puppy, and it was heartwarming to see how quickly our furry friend responded to her guidance. One of the most remarkable aspects of our experience with Mary was the speed at which we progressed through the lessons. It felt like an instant transformation out of the sassy puppy phase! Mary tailored each training session to our specific needs and goals, ensuring that we were always moving forward. Her teaching style is patient, compassionate, and filled with positive reinforcement, making every training session a joy for both our dog and us. Beyond the exceptional training skills, Mary also provided us with valuable insights into dog psychology and behavior. She taught us not only how to train our therapy dog but also how to understand and communicate with her effectively. Her guidance went beyond just the lessons, equipping us with the tools and knowledge to continue nurturing a happy and well-behaved dog at home. Mary's dedication to her craft and genuine love for dogs is truly remarkable. She has not only transformed our sassy puppy into a well-behaved therapy dog but has also enriched our lives with the joy and fulfillment that comes from having a beautifully trained canine companion. If you're looking for an outstanding dog trainer who will work tirelessly to help you and your furry friend achieve your training goals, Mary at Elite Dog Training is the absolute best choice. She exceeded our expectations in every way possible, and we are forever grateful for the incredible experience she provided. Thank you, Mary, for making our journey to a well-behaved therapy dog such a fantastic and unforgettable one!— Jordan Beck
Posted September 11th 2023
Our puppy and we learned so much from Mary. Charlie knows so many commands and we now know how to teach more. Attending the group classes reinforces the private training and enhances his and my skills. Mary is very patient, knows educational psychology and is very knowledgeable about dogs. I would definitely recommend her.— Sheri Levin
Posted August 19th 2023
In the last 6 weeks not only has my pup become more obedient, but my relationship with him has become so much better. I would 10/10 recommended this for anyone with a dog. The cost is more than worth it.— Anthony Shilati
Posted August 18th 2023
Our experience: Professional, kind and understanding. Our 5 1/2 month old puppy is reaching all his goals with Dog Training Elite 💙. This has been a journey for all of us. A great one! THANKS to Mary. Thank you to Paul...— Susan Drews
Posted August 7th 2023
Mary was great. My German Shepard Fiona is now so well behaved. She currently walks off leash right past everything that use to dive her crazy.Walks are now joyful and peaceful.— Nancy Beitzel
Posted June 29th 2023
We are thrilled with the experience we have had with Dog Training Elite! We interviewed a couple of dog trainers on the onset. I am so glad we chose Mary! She has been so helpful and professional throughout the process. She has gone above and beyond to make sure that we are successful in getting Coco to where she needs to be. After the second week Coco was extra stubborn while practicing what we learned. After emailing asking for advice Mary offered to come by for an extra session to work with her. We love that she came to our home each week with a slow build of skill set. We committed to the practice for 10 or so minutes 5/6 days a week and it paid off. I would highly recommend Mary.— Ashley Puglisi
Posted May 3rd 2023
We just finished up our six in home training sessions with Mary and we can’t say enough about how good of an experience it was. We started our black lab puppy at 14 weeks and feel like he has such a great foundation to grow and be the best pup he can be. Mary answered all our questions about the e-collar and made sure we were confident in using it properly. He’s already walking confidently on a leash in a heal position and has great recall off leash, along with all his other basic commands!— Michaela Blackwell
Posted May 3rd 2023
We were introduced to Mary and Milwaukee Dog Training Elite through a Veterans organization to train our German Shepherd puppy to become a service dog. Mary was experienced, informative, and kind. She also produced results. Mary was always available to help guide us through any challenges we were facing. The combination of training in our home combined with group classes at her training facility provided us with the skills, challenges, and scenarios needed to maximize our dogs’ potential. We were so pleased with her services, that we sought therapy dog training for our new Saint Bernard puppy. As you can imagine, the difference in breeds required a variety of training methods for the same results. Mary is definitely not a one size fits all dog trainer. She took the time and effort, and has the experience needed to bring out the best of any breed or age of dog. We have recommended her time and time again when asked how we have such well behaved dogs.— Elisa Alferi
Posted April 4th 2023
We are so very thankful for Mary's assistance preparing our dog Goldie for a life as my Service Dog and Partner in crime. Not only do you need a good Dog you need an even better Trainer!— David Fritzke
Posted February 23rd 2023
Mary is awesome! Not only as a trainer, but friendly and accommodating. My 9 month old high energy pup now walks off leash and comes when called 100% of the time! Thank you Mary! (Love Anne and Dobby)— Anne Tyrrell
Posted February 16th 2023
This was the first time I've owned an XL Breed, and the stronger he got, the more I knew I needed a trainer for help. After extensive research, we found Mary and DTE. She has been absolutely amazing. Our Great Dane stopped pulling and jumping after the first session! It has only gotten better since then. We can now confidentiality take him anywhere with us, and recieve endless compliments on his behavior. We name drop her as much as possible to anyone who will listen!— Taylor Drews
Posted February 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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee’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 Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee 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.
Dog Training Elite Milwaukee Partners
Why do Therapy Dog Training with Dog Training Elite Milwaukee?
The Dog Training Elite Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee. Request your free training demo and in-home assessment today.
