A therapy dog walking in a park with their owner - contact Dog Training Elite to talk to a professional therapy dog trainer in Salt Lake City, UT!

Therapy Dog Training

Dog Training Elite Salt Lake City

Request Free Assessment


Request Free Assessment


Our Therapy Dog Training Could Help:

Those managing chronic pain
People looking to increase social interaction
Anyone seeking enhanced motivation and purpose
Individuals in need of emotional comfort
Those experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression
People wanting to boost overall optimism
Anyone feeling lonely or isolated

Therapy Dog Trainer in Salt Lake City, UT

What is a Therapy Dog?

A therapy dog is trained to provide emotional support and comfort to people in need, often visiting hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. These dogs must be friendly with strangers, able to handle high levels of distraction, and understand personal boundaries like not jumping, licking, or mouthing. With proper training, therapy dogs can bring joy and emotional relief to those they interact with, offering companionship in stressful environments.

At Dog Training Elite, we offer programs to help your dog become a certified therapy dog. As a leading therapy dog trainer in Salt Lake City, UT, we focus on developing the right temperament and skills so your dog can confidently provide comfort and support in various settings. With our professional guidance, your dog can become a valuable source of emotional care and connection for individuals in need.

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A therapy dog in training with Dog Training Elite Salt Lake City's expert handlers.

How Does a Dog Become a Therapy Dog?


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While the companionship your dog brings you may inspire you to share that with others, not every dog is suited to be a therapy animal. Beyond a friendly, loving personality, several important qualifications must be met for a dog to be considered for therapy work:

  • Age: Puppies are typically too energetic and lack the focus to be therapy dogs.
  • Obedience: A therapy dog must follow commands reliably. Dogs that have completed obedience training with Dog Training Elite have the solid foundation needed to begin therapy dog training.
  • Social Skills: Therapy dogs need to naturally enjoy meeting new people and must handle being petted and approached by strangers without anxiety. Their ability to remain calm and friendly, even in unfamiliar situations, ensures they can provide emotional support to those they interact with.

Get Your Free Assessment

You and your canine companion really can have it all. See how easy it can be to become a member of the elite pup society by requesting a free consultation today!

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Todd Greene
    Jun. 10, 2025
    Love. 6 stars. Every single trainer has been on it. Jeff, McCall, & Dallin, A+.
  • Nikki Wyman
    Apr. 28, 2025
    I have a smart, sneaky dog who has responded so well to training with DTE and private sessions with Dallin. My dog and I have better boundaries, behavior, and understanding now. It gives me priceless peace of mind.
  • Stephanie Edsall
    May. 23, 2025
    Another great experience with DTE. Bailey was his buddy pretty quickly. She seemed to understand the deal :D Excited to keep going.
  • Ned jensen
    May. 5, 2025
    She did a great job with heel and getting our dogs to loose leash walk. Had a great experience l.
  • Lindsay Shawcroft
    Feb. 4, 2025
    Dallin came to our home for a training session, and I’m amazed with the amount of training that we could cover in the time he was here! Luna is so smart and does a great job when she has a focus, but she is our most anxious dog by far! Just seeing her reactions to noises in our home, he was able to suggest and practice some things to help build confidence. He gave us so many suggestions on how to help her through firework season, I’m really excited to help her feel calmer during those really big stresses! Dallin took us on a walk, and was not only able to help with Luna’s confidence while walking, but mine too! In just a short walk down the street and some practice, there was a significant difference in how Luna reacted to other dogs! We’ve been struggling to keep Luna’s muzzle on, but Dallin helped us work through the big issues! Thank you so much DTE, and Dallin for all you’ve done for us! We are so excited to see her continual growth!!
  • TERRY LEBER
    May. 1, 2025
    Excellent presentation. We look forward to the training program. Jeff was great at explaining the program and demonstrating with his dog. We are excited to get started.Dallin did a great job training our Duke. He was exhausted after his first session 😊 Second session with Meggie. Duke loved Meggie. She taught him how to place. Now no more barking and charging the door. She was patient with Duke but he caught on pretty quick. She is a great trainer. Thank you! Third lesson with Meggie. She is so patient with our boy Duke. He did so good with his sits and door manners. He was great walking and sitting with Happy!!! Thanks so much Duke is learning so much!
  • Margie Tilley
    May. 29, 2025
    We have loved Dog Training Elite!!! They have been great to answer any questions and their group training sessions are incredible. We love Dallin who comes to our home for training. He is exceptional at making us feel like we are doing a good job and gives us incredible insight on training techniques. We love that he tells us why they are effective.
  • Mike Zundel
    Mar. 5, 2025
    Dallin is great. Very knowledgeable and very personable. He works equally well with both dogs and their owners. Recommended without reservation.
  • Ruby
    Jan. 16, 2025
    SO KIND!! and very helpful!!!
  • Diane Bradford
    Apr. 30, 2025
    McCall taught taught my pup and me with amazing patience and professional skills. We are so grateful to everyone there. I strongly recommend everyone at this business to any dog owner.
  • Jake Hague
    Apr. 15, 2025
    Great experience with Dog Training Elite! McCall was the handler with our American Akita for two weeks. She is incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and clearly passionate about dogs. From day one, she took the time to understand our dog’s unique personality and tailored the training to fit his needs. American Akitas can be very stubborn and that was definitely the case with our dog. We saw a huge improvement in behavior, focus, and confidence after just a few sessions. What really stood out was her ability to teach us how to better communicate with our dog — it made all the difference. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a trustworthy, skilled, and genuinely caring dog trainer.
  • Tj Franks
    Jan. 28, 2025
    Dexter went through his 2 week discipline training (Bootcamp) McCall was his trainer and did a fantastic job. If 10 is the best she is a solid 10. You can see quite a difference in him. Thank you McCall and thank you Dog Training Elite!!! 100% recommendation!!!
  • Jennifer Coyle
    Apr. 18, 2025
    McCall was terrific with my pup and patient with me. She has a wonderful way with dogs, and Molly really enjoyed her and learned from her. I wholeheartedly recommend this training for you and your dog.
  • Shelley Mark Wright (Shell)
    May. 1, 2025
    Dog Training Elite were wonderful trainers and I would recommend them to anyone who loves their dog. Our little one year old miniature Shih Tzu weighs 4.2 pounds and we were scared that he might not get the help he needed. And, it seemed very expensive to us. BUT, not only did he get the best help but the price now seems very reasonable for what we have gained. I highly recommend this training to anyone who wants their dog trained. These people LOVE dogs and it shows!!
  • Meghan Allen
    Apr. 10, 2025
    Dallin is above and beyond! You can tell he is a true dog lover, and someone who will ACTUALLY make a difference in a dogs life. Within 30 minutes, I knew that this was the company to train my little dog and hopefully get him on the way to service training. When they say “the last dog trainer you’ll ever need” they mean it. Every single person I’ve worked with at the studio has been WONDERFUL and truly have outdone the training expectations. I feel so confident in their program I would recommend it to anyone no matter what dog they have. I’m so grateful to have found such incredible people!!! Thank you DTE!!!
  • Brie Breivik
    May. 14, 2025
    We loved Dallin - he gave us so many training techniques we had never thought of in addition to helping us understand our puppy better. Excited to work with him in the future.
  • Jen Waterfield
    Feb. 17, 2025
    Dallin has worked wonders for pup! Dwayne has come so far and continues to improve every session and every group class! I was skeptical of the group class at first because our dog had some reactivity issues, but after 4 classes with Dallin, Meggie and Jeff- we have seen a world of difference! Dallin listens to what is important to us (like taking our dog on trails, etc) and he brought Matilda tonight and we were able to have the best little hike with them both while working on skills!
  • Brikelle Thacker
    May. 9, 2025
    They gave so much information and so very well wroded. The positivity and up going. They are amazing.
  • Derek Montilla
    May. 7, 2025
    she is so sweet and help me understood my dog feelings. I'm looking forward to work with her.
  • Judy Mahoskey
    May. 6, 2025
    Jeff gave us confidence that the training program will work for our lab! His attitude was very positive, and, after he demonstrated some behaviors with his own dog and showed us the collar used, we felt sure this was the right place for Ruby! We like the combination of at-home and in class training and the option for spot checks and help down the road.
An obedient dog in a fran_territory_name} emotional support dog training program.

Benefits of Therapy Dogs

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Therapy dogs have a profound impact on individuals’ emotional and physical well-being. Research demonstrates that therapy dogs can improve a patient's mood, reduce stress, and even lower pain levels during hospital stays or medical treatments. Their calming presence provides comfort and relief in challenging moments.

Children, in particular, often respond well to therapy dogs. The companionship and playful interaction of a therapy dog can motivate children to engage more fully in treatments, helping them overcome fear or reluctance. With a therapy dog by their side, children tend to feel more optimistic and less anxious.

Beyond medical settings, therapy dogs also foster social interaction, especially in autism and mental health communities. These dogs offer non-judgmental companionship and serve as a bridge for individuals who may struggle with social connections. By reducing feelings of loneliness and anxiety, therapy dogs offer their owners comfort and companionship that enhances the overall quality of life.

A therapy dog handler with their dog trained by Dog Training Elite Salt Lake City.

Therapy Dog Handlers

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If you’ve ever wanted to make a meaningful impact in your community, becoming a therapy dog handler offers a unique opportunity to do so alongside your dog. You can choose where to volunteer based on your interests, such as schools, hospitals, or senior living centers.

Once you’ve decided, therapy dog training is the next step. Dog Training Elite Salt Lake City’s expert trainers will help your dog master essential behaviors like loose-leash walking, “leave it,” and not jumping on people. After completing training, you can apply for therapy dog certification, but it’s essential to keep up with ongoing training to ensure your dog remains well-behaved and ready to assist.

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A fully trained service dog from Dog Training Elite Salt Lake City.

Salt Lake City Emotional Support Dog Training

Why Choose DTE for Therapy Dog Training?

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At Dog Training Elite Salt Lake City, our training programs prepare your dog for real-world situations where their presence can provide emotional support and comfort. Beyond just obedience, our training teaches your dog how to handle stressful or highly stimulating environments like hospitals, schools, or nursing homes.

We also place a strong emphasis on socialization and adaptability, making sure your dog can confidently engage with people of all ages and backgrounds. Therapy dog work requires attentiveness and empathy, and our training helps your dog develop these traits. With a foundation of trust, consistency, and patience, your dog will be fully equipped to offer comfort and companionship wherever it’s needed.

A group of dogs being trained by the expert team at Dog Training Elite Salt Lake City.
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ESA vs. Therapy vs. Service Animals

What's the Difference?

Animals that provide assistance and companionship can be classified into three main groups: service animals, emotional support animals (ESAs), and therapy animals. Each has different responsibilities, training requirements, and legal protections. Knowing the differences can help you choose the right type of support for a disability, emotional needs, or therapy purposes.

Here are the defining features of each type:

Service animals are trained to help individuals by performing tasks that meet their specific needs, such as:

  • 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 highly valued in the mental health and disability community and are protected under ADA laws, allowing them to accompany their owners anywhere. At DTE, we provide specialized training for service dogs that assist individuals with autism, diabetes, and PTSD.

The key difference between ESAs, therapy dogs, and service dogs is that service animals are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. This means they are allowed to go anywhere their owner goes. ESAs and therapy dogs do not have the same protections as service dogs, and public places can set their own rules about allowing them.

ESAs are prescribed by licensed mental health professionals to help individuals with mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression. These animals provide emotional support simply by being a comforting presence. Unlike service dogs, ESAs are not trained to perform specific tasks related to their owner's condition.

ESAs can be of any breed or age, and while they do not require the same level of training as service dogs, many owners choose to seek additional training. This can help strengthen the bond between the owner and the animal and improve the ESA's ability to provide consistent emotional support in different situations.

Therapy animals provide comfort and emotional support to individuals in need. They are not trained to assist a single person but are instead taught to be well-behaved and sociable around various groups of people. These animals help reduce stress, anxiety, and loneliness for those they visit.

Unlike service animals, therapy animals are not required to perform specific tasks. Their calming presence is what makes them valuable in therapeutic programs.

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