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Over the past decade there has been a rise in the number of people with Emotional Support Animals. This has caused some confusion around what it means to have a service, emotional support or therapy animal . Here, we explain briefly the differences between each of these animals, the training required for each different type, and debunk some common myths. Read on to learn the differences between each type of animal, which one might be right for you or your loved one, and how Dog Training Elite Richmond can help.
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite Richmond location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
ESA vs. Therapy vs. Service Animals: What's the Difference?
Service Animals
Service animals are animals that have been trained to assist individuals with tasks specific to their needs.
- 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 valued in the mental health, health care and disability community and are protected under ADA laws which allow owners to take their service dog with them everywhere they go. Dog Training Elite Richmond trains dogs to serve individuals with autism, diabetes and PTSD.
Dog Training Elite Richmond trains autism service dogs to benefit and assist children with autism. Autism service dogs can be trained to track their child in case of wandering and redirect a child’s behavior when they are starting to become overwhelmed.
PTSD service dogs help ground owners to reality, especially in public settings. These service dogs can also be trained to recognize signs of a panic attack and regulate emotional responses through pressure.
Diabetic service dogs can alert their owners to their low blood sugar and provide stability, safety and support.
Visit our individual web pages to understand more about the differences and benefits of autism service dogs, PTSD services dogs and diabetic service dogs.
Emotional Support Animals
Although all dog owners may feel the emotional benefits of owning a dog, the dog needs to be prescribed by a licensed mental health professional to a person with a disabling mental illness such as anxiety or depression to legally be considered an ESA. Emotional Support dogs can be of any age and any breed whereas service dogs usually begin training as puppies.
In addition to being prescribed by a mental health professional, owners may wish for their dog to undergo more specific training. If you are looking for emotional support dog training in your local area, Dog Training Elite Richmond has you covered.
The professional dog trainers of Dog Training Elite Richmond are experienced with training various types of therapy animals. Trainers work with a dog’s natural temperament to ensure a strong, loving bond between dog and owner. Training can be personalized to fit the needs of the owner.
It is important to note that Emotional Support Animals are meant for just that - emotional support. Dogs trained to assist with specific tasks that may be associated with a disability are service animals. Training a dog to be an Emotional Support Animal or a therapy dog is less intensive than training to be a service animal.
Therapy Animals
Therapy Animals are very similar to Emotional Support Animals, except that they are often used to bolster the mental health and wellbeing of a community, as opposed to just an individual. Therapy dogs are often seen serving in hospitals, rehabilitation or care centers with their owners.
Owners who feel their dog may be a good fit for this kind of community service can have them receive top-notch training from Dog Training Elite Richmond.
The most important thing to note as a difference between Emotional Support Animals, Therapy and Service dogs, is service animals are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act which states service animals must be able to accompany their owners wherever they go. Emotional Support and Therapy animals do not have the same protections and public establishments may have their own rules about ESA and therapy dogs.
Whether you’re ready to get a new lease on life with the help of a service dog, or strengthen the existing bond with your dog, Dog Training Elite Richmond has the experience and resources you need.
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.
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).
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.
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!
We love working with Dog Training Elite! Paul is such a phenomenal trainer and is extremely knowledgeable in his trade. Everyone in our family has mentioned how our corgi Gingers training has transformed him into a completely different dog from where we started. He used to bark at everything that moved, jump up on guests, and barely ever listen to a command. It’s a night and day difference from the first training session.— Megan Eik
Posted August 8th 2023
Our experience with Paul from Dog Training Elite Richmond has been nothing short of transformative. One of the standout features of their service is that they come to your home, providing personalized training in an environment familiar to your pet. From the very first session, the shift in behavior of our corgi, Ginger, was clearly evident. Anyone familiar with corgis knows of their characteristically headstrong nature, and Ginger was no exception with his stubborn streak. However, with Paul's guidance, we saw immediate results within a couple days and an awe-inspiring transformation in Ginger within mere weeks. Previously, Ginger's challenges, like bouts of incessant barking, jumping on visitors, and his inherent stubbornness, had us at our wit's end. However, under Paul’s expert training, we were not only able to curb these behaviors but Ginger also swiftly passed his AKC Canine Good Citizen test and subsequently achieved his Service Dog Certification. It's a joy to see him thrive! The freedom we now enjoy with Ginger is incomparable. Being able to take him anywhere without a second thought about his behavior is liberating. Everywhere we venture, we are met with admiring glances and praises for Ginger's discipline and training. Our Saturdays are further enriched by the group classes at Dog Training Elite, where Ginger mingles with other well-trained dogs, continuously expanding his learning in a lively community atmosphere. Paul's personable demeanor, coupled with his expertise, ensures that every training session is both enjoyable and productive. And whenever we encounter a new challenge with Ginger, Paul's readiness to assist, combined with his patience and enthusiasm, shines through. In conclusion, Dog Training Elite Richmond comes with my highest recommendation. For anyone hoping to transform their furry companion's behavior while building a strong bond, this is undoubtedly the place to be!— Sloan Lennon
Posted August 8th 2023
Loved working with Paul! Great guidance and very good with communication. We have now implemented their training techniques to our other 2 dogs as well.— Christi Dorrell
Posted August 7th 2023
We love working with DTE Richmond! Paul has helped our dog so much and his team continue to be a huge support to us as new dog parents!—
Posted August 3rd 2023
Paul and his operation are first class! Highly recommend that you hire them to train your dog. So much to learn and Paul will guide you through all of it.— Mike Greaser
Posted June 27th 2023
Paul has been working with us and is simply fantastic. He is very friendly, patient and very knowledgeable. He is absolutely the best and really cares about your family as his own.— Daniel Hughes
Posted May 1st 2023
Paul and Brooke are amazing to work with, from how attentive they are to my dog's personality and needs, to how accommodating they are to my schedule. They are also incredibly flexible when it comes to financial planning. Definitely a five-star dog training experience.— Gabriella Mireles
Posted April 17th 2023
Our trainer Brooke is awesome. She is working with our 1 year old German Shepherd rescue that knows a few commands, has high anxiety and is very dog reactive. After 6 home visits along with our follow through Bear knows all his commands. His anxiety level is next to none and he can actually go on a walk with little to no reaction to other dogs. I never thought Brooke could manage the walk with other dogs near Bear. But miracles do happen and she did it to my surprise. I can't say enough how pleased we are with Bears training and are looking forward to group training.— Lorri B
Posted April 14th 2023
Paul is great, reliable, trustworthy and very professional. He made both our GSD puppy and our adult Rottweiler feel very at ease and we can’t wait for what’s to come! Thanks!!!— Justin Dingus
Posted February 23rd 2023
Our two-year old schipperke was half-trained, but would frequently test the limits or be defiant and stubborn at times. We have him in public frequently and worried for his safety if he ever got away from us. After his in-home sessions with Paul, he now listens all the time and with time and practice is becoming the well-trained companion we knew he could be.— Stuart Flinn
Posted January 31st 2023
This is truly the last dog trainer you'll ever need. The in home, the site visits and the group classes -- they're fantastic. The best part? They teach YOU how to teach YOUR dog ANYTHING. Once you know the foundation, your dog can learn anything. Why does this work? The correction and praise are so clear that your dog learns quickly-- and without the need for treats. That means that your dog listens when it counts, not just when you have a goodie bag. I recommend them to everyone I can!— Katie Zacherle
Posted December 10th 2022
We are so happy with this group! They were very professional and tailored their training to our dog's personality and needs. Our dog has learned so much and most importantly, how to relax! She is a happier dog because of it. Thank you.— Mareena Clotfelter
Posted December 6th 2022
Fantastic program! Very systematic, sensible and clear. My dog and I found it easy to commit to the 15-20 minutes of practice a day and the results are life changing! THANKS Paul!— Carol Straus
Posted November 29th 2022
Paul is absolutely wonderful! Empowering me as the owner to be an important part of the process. My family and I are very happy with the results! Thank you Paul And DTE!— joesph williams
Posted November 17th 2022
I'm so grateful for Paul and DTE. The progress my dog has done in these last couple of months has been amazing. I'm looking forward to my dog's service dog training after completing her obedience training. She's been great to me so far and has helped me through tough times, but I know Paul with DTE can make sure she's doing the best she can and help me better than she is now.— Natalia Segarra
Posted November 9th 2022
I definitely recommend Dog Training Elite! Paul is very friendly, patient and informative. He sets you and your pup up for success with hands-on instruction as well as giving you a better understanding of how dogs think. I'm looking forward to seeing my pup's progress continue!— Christina Marie
Posted October 25th 2022
Paul has been great with my German Shepherd! He doesn't pull on a leash and is well behaved in public.— Becky Carmean
Posted October 6th 2022
Paul with DTE was absolutely wonderful to work with! We all feel lucky to have found him and incredibly pleased with our investment in our fur babies. You most certainly CAN teach an old dog new tricks! Patience and consistency are virtues you will need through this endeavor, but the satisfaction and pride you'll feel both for your own perseverance, as well as your pups, is so worth all of the time and hard work!! We're looking forward to group sessions and are excited to see what new adventures we'll enjoy as a family. Buster, Mae, and Goose fell "in love" and "in line" when Paul entered our home and we'll be forever grateful for his knowledge and expertise. Many people are quick to judge when discussing e-collars but we truly feel that if they took the time to go through even one training session with Paul, their perception WILL be shifted, especially after witnessing the power of redirection and repetition first hand. Dogs love structure and they love pleasing their humans, so if you're in need of some excellent training with the option to gain a lifetime friend, give Paul with DTE a call! ~M&M— Megan O'Leary
Posted July 9th 2022
Proud Sponsor of The Malinois Foundation
At Dog Training Elite Richmond, 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 Richmond 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.
Proud local partner with Chesterfield Gives Back Charity
Chesterfield Gives Back was established to provide a means for our community to give thanks to those who serve us, our First Responders. Dog Training Elite Richmond partners with Chesterfield Gives Back to accomplished this by taking charitable donations and funding events, such as the First Responder Appreciation Day, that are free to First Responders and their families. In addition, we facilitate many other means of recognition and thanks for those who serve our community and those in need."
