Request a Free Assessment
A Psychiatric/PTSD service animal will be able to go anywhere with their handler and assist them in times of high anxiety and stress. A service dog will provide emotional support, reintegration into society, reduce depression, reduce the frequency and severity of flashbacks, anchor handler to the present, and reduce suicidal ideation.
Individuals with PTSD often feel unsafe and unsure of reality, especially in public settings. Service dogs for PTSD can help ground their handler to reality, prevent people from crowding or rushing up to them and provide the emotional support needed to de-escalate anxieties. They can be trained to recognize the signs of a panic attack, wake individuals experiencing night terrors and regulate emotional responses through pressure.
Se habla español!
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite in Scottsdale location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Psychiatric / PTSD Support Dog
12 One-on-One & 52 Group Sessions
$5,995
A Psychiatric/PTSD service dog will be able to go anywhere with their handler and assist them in times of high stress and provide a sense of security. A service dog will provide emotional support, reintegration into society, reduce depression, help cope with anxiety, reduce the frequency and severity of flashbacks, anchor handler to the present, and reduce suicidal ideation. Psychiatric service dog tasks are customizable, but examples include:
- Grounding
- Deep Pressure Therapy
- Panic Response
- Create a Physical Buffer
- Interrupt Repetitive Behaviors
Benefits of Psychiatric/PTSD Service Dog Training:
- Increase activity and integration into society: Dogs are active and need to be exercised regularly, the responsibility of caring for a service animal will force their handler to get out and exercise. A routine is established and ties to the future are forged again.
- Create a sense of safety: Public settings and crowds are an enormous trigger for most individuals suffering from PTSD. Psychiatric service dogs are trained to create a physical barrier between their handler and crowds of people.
- Ground in reality, redirect hyper-vigilance: Hyper-vigilance is a symptom of PTSD and creates constant tension and paranoia within sufferers. Service dogs are trained to recognize their handler’s warning signs for anxiety, hyper-vigilance, and panic attacks and redirect that energy into positive coping skills and grounding techniques such as petting the dog.
- Reduce nightmares and flashbacks: One of the most emotionally challenging situations for individuals with PTSD to deal with are flashbacks and nightmares. They can transport an individual back to a terrifying time in their life where they have felt unsafe, threatened, and traumatized. A PTSD service animal is trained to bring their handler back to reality quickly and calmly, ground the individual, and help them to feel safe in their environment again.
Se habla español!
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!
Fantastic trainors. They are very patient and encouraging. I love that they come to your home for the initial training sessions, then progress to public spaces and group classes. I would highly recommend this group to anyone! There are no bad dogs, just bad handlers.— Shannon Floersheim
Posted October 26th 2023
We started the training less than two months ago, and the results have been dramatic! We were dealing with a highly energetic English setter who was constantly barking in our fence to any walkers passing by, plus reactive behavior toward other dogs when walking on a leash. I had tried the usual trainers with a reward-based program with no success. This is not my first dog ownership. My previous experiences were with dogs that were much easier to train. The barking was, for me, a significant problem due to its impact on the neighbors. However, after the first visit with Neal, the barking was gone!! The training immediately corrected the jumping on the couch or at the counter. We have completed the home visits and are participating in the group classes with fantastic success. He is still a happy and playful puppy. The difference now is that he obeys our commands and understands the limits. Neal and his team have been professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. Thank Neal, Ashley, Azure, and the rest of the team for all their help.— Debora Gama Lima
Posted April 8th 2023
We have been working with Neil at Dog training Ellite for a few weeks now and have seen so much improvement with our puppy mowgli 😃 would highly recommend using their services!— Taylor Nuessle
Posted January 28th 2019
Dog Training Elite has done a great job of training my service dog. The combination of one-on-one training, group classes and their training techniques have been invaluable! Highly, highly recommend them!— Jeff D
Posted September 27th 2018