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A therapy dog is a dog who visits places like schools, hospitals and nursing homes. Therapy dog training in Orlando 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 in Orlando 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!
Chelsea and Cheyenne have been amazing with my golden retriever, Finn. He took to them immediately. They are patient with him and with me. They worked with my children as well to get them comfortable in helping to train Finn. They have gone above and beyond for us and I recommend them 1000%.— Talia Jager
Posted November 23rd 2023
Cheyenne, Chelsea and Maria are amazing trainers. They helped train my insecure dog into a Service Dog that helps me day to day. I recommend them 100%.— Joseline Ferrer
Posted November 20th 2023
We recently adopted a mixed breed dog from a local shelter who is heart-worm positive. Introducing him to our existing dog without causing him too much stress is proving to be harder than we thought it would be. Craig has been amazing by listening to the background story and offering practical & realistic advise for getting through this tough time. I absolutely recommend him!!— Annette W
Posted November 11th 2023
We love Dog Training Elite. We have a puppy who was a real handful. She was pulling on the leash, jumping on everyone and running around the house like a nut. Maria came to our home and everything changed for the better. Our puppy is now a year old and she is a joy. We cannot thank Maria and Chelsea enough. They were very professional we are all so much happier.—
Posted October 11th 2023
Craig, from Dog Training Elite North is a gentle and caring individual who has a genuine rapport with dogs. He has a loving nature which they can sense. In the beginning my dog and I were not effectively communicating. With Craig's training and guidance both of us have come a long way. My Lucy has learned her boundaries (thanks to Craig) and now we are able to enjoy our time together. Craig has taught me, too ,that the values of patience and consistency are necessary to being a "fur baby Mommy". I highly recommend Dog Training Elite North for "Paws-i-tive" results— Christine Darrow
Posted October 8th 2023
I highly recommend this dog training company! Their expertise and knowledge in training dogs is truly exceptional. From the moment we enrolled our furry friend, we noticed a significant improvement in their behavior and obedience. The trainers are patient, skilled, and genuinely care about the well-being of each dog they work with. The training sessions are well-structured and tailored to address specific needs and challenges. Our dog has become more disciplined, responsive, and happy since attending their classes. We are extremely satisfied with the results and cannot thank this company enough for their outstanding service. Thank you Craig!— Maria Gabriela Sanchez
Posted October 4th 2023
Dog Training Elite has changed my life. There are not enough words to express my gratitude towards Cheyenne, Chelsea, and Maria. They have been committed to me since day one. They never gave up on me and my service dog in training. When times got tough they persevered and pushed me to get through it. They taught me proper guidance, and gave me all of the tools that I need to succeed in having a successful career with my service dog. They truly show their love, commitment, and their passion towards every dog they take under their wings and will go above and beyond the call of duty. They are always there to answer every single question, go through every single different scenario, and make sure both you and your dog are confident and are ready to tackle on the world! I now have made many friends through our group classes and I can truly say Cheyenne, Chelsea, and Maria have become lifelong friends of mine. I will forever be grateful to them. We love Cheyenne, Chelsea, Maria and our many friends at DTE!!!— Jackie Plotkin
Posted October 4th 2023
Chelsea, Cheyenne, & Maria at Dog Training Elite Orlando are absolutely amazing! They truly care about their clients and they have helped my dog Ahsoka and me so much! They have helped to take my dog from a demon to an angel. I felt like I was going crazy with her behavioral struggles, but now she is confident and calm in public settings, listens at home, and is able to go everywhere with me as my service dog. She is also successfully learning scent training, with their assistance. I cannot say enough great things about DTE Orlando! I don't fully trust many people with my dogs, but I trust them implicitly. I HIGHLY recommend them!— Brittany Harper Salisbury
Posted September 29th 2023
Chelsea, Cheyenne and Maria are the best! They have helped us to train our baby Marley. We are very pleased with the choice we made to join the Dog Training Elite Orlando pack.— Michele Munoz
Posted September 22nd 2023
Dog Training Elite Orlando is a must do dog training program. They helped me make a crazy pulling and biting 3 month old, turn into a calm mannered service dog in under a year! She was able to pass her service test at a year old and now continues to learn from DTE’s amazing instagram posts! I highly recommend them for making your fur baby happy and obedient. Both you and your pup will love their programs!— Sticks
Posted September 22nd 2023
I can’t even put adequately into words how amazing Dog Training Elite Orlando is! Chelsea, Cheyenne and Maria are the best trainers around. We did loads of research before deciding on DTE Orlando and we are beyond ecstatic that we did. We got an Australian Shepherd pup named Kida and started with their puppy program, which is great for first time dog owners or handlers! They came to us for a free evaluation and on the very first visit already had our pup eating out of the palm of their hands… literally; Working on everything from potty training to crate training and even some fun little tricks that our kids LOVED! They did such a wonderful job with our puppy training that we continued Kida’s advanced obedience and service training with them as well. Anyone who knows Australian shepherds knows they are a unique breed with lots of energy and quirky traits. DTE Orlando helped us with absolutely everything. Remember your dog isn’t a training vault! You have to be willing to put in the work on a daily basis because your dog is only as good as the work you put in as their handler. Because of the talented trainers at DTE Orlando I have been able to enjoy participating in social events again through Kida’s service training. Amusement parks… no problem! Crowded restaurants… not a big deal anymore. Shopping centers, malls, airports, cruise ships, movies, the list goes on and on. Bring your pups to DTE Orlando and I guarantee you won’t regret it! There is nobody better to trust your dogs with. And we learned they now offer boarding through their personal company Emery Ranch! Going out of town? Have your dog boarded with the best and get a refresher on some of that training at the same time!!— Ryan Geyer
Posted September 21st 2023
Having contacted you guys was the best decision that I could have made for my Belgian Malinois pup. Craig is a great trainer, very friendly, also patient with our dog (mostly at the beginning). He is also very flexible with the in-home training schedules. Now we are in group classes and they are really helpful so that our dog can socialize with strangers and other dogs. We have really seen a big change in our dog thanks to the training. I strongly recommend you to contact them if you are a dog owner, you won't regret it. Thank you for everything!!— Silvia Moreno
Posted September 19th 2023
I met Craig and Miriam last year and worked with them for several months. They were both extremely professional, communicated often and well, were kind and friendly, and were punctual. On the customer service side, they are a definite A+! Now onto the dog/training side of my review! I needed specific help with my Siberian Husky, so I hired them to help me achieve my training goals. I wanted to train her to loose leash walk on a flat collar or slip leash (get off her prong collar). This was a very challenging task for us to tackle as huskies LOVE to pull. I spent most of my time with Miriam doing 1:1 training, and she is fantastic!! Miriam knows a lot about working dogs, what drives them, and is familiar with the dramatic stubborn husky. She truly spent the time to get to know both of us to figure out the best way for me to teach my dog. Typical training methods were not working for us, so we got creative and developed unique games for my husky. Miriam really cares and wanted to help. She spent the time to watch my dogs behaviors, listen to what we were struggling with, and showed us not 1 but several methods! I learned that what worked yesterday, doesn't always work tomorrow. In my few months of working with Miriam and Craig, I was able to build up a large toolset of training tips to help me communicate better with my dog and we ultimately got her to pass all of her ACK-CGC Obedience exams! I definitely recommend Craig and Miriam for individualized 1:1 training! I will say this... no matter how amazing Craig and MIriam are, your dog's training will only be as good as the time YOU put into it! You also have to do the work.— Tonya Noerr
Posted September 11th 2023
Thad a fantastic experience with them. They were incredibly patient and kind, and my dog responded very well to their methods. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for effective and caring dog trainers.— Alissa Hodge
Posted September 9th 2023
The best of the best. Craig and Miriam are very professional. Very knowledgeable. I recommend them 100%.— Ramon Montero
Posted August 30th 2023
In the short that with have been with dog elite, We have noticed a big difference in our dog’s obedience. He is still in the process of learning and we know that Craig can help to achieve success.— Anne Lev
Posted August 29th 2023
We decided to get our dogs trained because we noticed their reactivity toward other dogs was getting worse. We were always embarrassed when taking them places because it would mostly end in them barking and lunging at most dogs while on the leash as well as some people. We recently finished in home training with our dogs and have began group classes (which we have always been afraid to start due to their reactivity). After the in home trainings and a couple of group classes, we are now able to take our dogs out in public with way less reactivity. It’s still a work in progress but they have made so much improvement. We look forward to seeing their continued progress— Alexa Lawrence
Posted August 27th 2023
Craig and Miriam are the best trainers. They listen and are there for any problems that you may have in training your dog's. Craig trained my yellow Labrador puppy one on one and when she came home she knew all the basics! Thank you Craig! Thank you Miriam!— Debbie Knapp
Posted August 22nd 2023
10000000/10 would recommend this company! All three instructors are OUT OF THIS WORLD incredible! It is worth absolutely every penny invested into this training. I now have a fully trained service dog that I can bring with me everywhere and helps me out on a daily thanks to them. If it wasn’t for their incredible training, Everest and I would not be where we are today! We now comfortably take on theme parks, airports, stores, restaurants (even fine dining)- you name it and we’ve done it! Everest was a completely different pup before beginning this program. I will say it takes a lot of hard work and dedication. You will NOT see results if you do not put in the work as an owner/handler. They taught me exactly what to do and how to do it. Any questions I had along the way, they would help, but I was the one working and training her on a daily basis to get where we are today. I often get asked in public how I got her to be such a good doggy, but the answer truly is Dog Training Elite. They teach you all the fundamental skills you need to have an incredibly behaved life-long companion. Whether it’s a service dog or not, this training program IS worth it! These three ladies are almost like a magic wand waves over our lives! If you have the opportunity to, please invest in this program! The absolute best of the best here, so don’t look any further!— Paola Rivera
Posted August 19th 2023
Got a new dog. Shepard mix. I've had dogs all my life. Wasn't worried about training her myself. She became a handful to the point I was thinking of giving her up. With there help I was able to get the unacceptable behaviors under control and now she has a happy home. Me to.— Mike Barber
Posted August 14th 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 in Orlando 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 in Orlando 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 in Orlando’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 Orlando. 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 in Orlando, 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 in Orlando 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 in Orlando?
The Dog Training Elite in Orlando 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 in Orlando 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 in Orlando. Request your free training demo and in-home assessment today.