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PTSD Service Dog

PTSD Service Dog Training in South Bend / Elkhart, IN

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A well-trained PTSD service dog in South Bend / Elkhart, IN  - contact Dog Training Elite today to discuss training options!

PTSD Service Dog Training in South Bend / Elkhart, IN

DTE: Top PTSD Dog Trainers

A psychiatric or PTSD service dog in South Bend / Elkhart, IN provides invaluable support to individuals experiencing high anxiety, stress, or trauma-related symptoms. These service animals accompany their handler everywhere, offering emotional support and helping them reintegrate into society.

Through our specialized PTSD service dog training program at Dog Training Elite, dogs are taught to assist in reducing depression, decreasing the frequency and severity of flashbacks, anchoring their handler to the present, and helping minimize suicidal thoughts.

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A picture of an obedient PTSD service dog in South Bend / Elkhart IN trained at Dog Training Elite.

PTSD Service Dog Training in South Bend / Elkhart, IN

How PTSD Service Dogs Help in Public Settings

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For individuals with PTSD, public settings can feel unsafe and overwhelming. Service dogs for PTSD provide grounding and protection, preventing people from crowding their handler and offering emotional support during moments of heightened anxiety.

Service dogs can also be trained to recognize signs of an impending panic attack, wake individuals from night terrors, and regulate emotional responses by applying pressure, helping their handler regain a sense of calm and control.

Our Service Dog Training Programs

Dog Training Elite Michiana - Psychiatric Service Dog Training in South Bend / Elkhart, IN

Psychiatric Service Dog Training

Dog Training Elite Michiana - Mobility Service Dog Training in South Bend / Elkhart, IN

Mobility Support Service Dog

Dog Training Elite Michiana - Autism Support Dog Training in South Bend / Elkhart, IN

Autism Support Service Dog

Two PTSD service dogs trained by the experts at Dog Training Elite Michiana sitting with their owners.

Benefits of PTSD Service Dog Training


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  • 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 suffers. 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.

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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!

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Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • ashley ouellette
    Feb. 6, 2026
    Dog Training Elite Michiana is absolutely amazing! Chloe and Rich have been working with my 9 month old golden retriever puppy, Callum, and they are beyond great! They have so much knowledge with dogs and training that it just amazes me! I have learned so much in our training sessions already. The way they can read dogs blows my mind. You can see their passion when working with my pup. Everyone I have encountered at this place has been so kind and helping, from the front desk lady to the trainers. Training with them is worth every penny, and I highly recommend this place…and them!!
  • Joe Sailor
    Jan. 28, 2026
    Continue to be pleased with my dogs progress, working through his behavioral issues. Big thanks to Rich, Sara and Chloe. Shout out to Casey for all her efforts. HIGHLY recommend Elite to anyone looking for professional dog trainer. -Joe
  • Julie Lauck
    Sep. 23, 2025
    The best! We love the Elite team!
  • DEBBIE DIBBLE
    Oct. 22, 2025
    This was different training than I was used to. My girl seems to be thriving
  • Candie Books
    Oct. 22, 2025
    Rich did a wonderful job assessing and listening to my goals for my 2 new pups. I’m excited to learn and train as well as be a part of the elite family
  • Mark Ellis
    Nov. 20, 2024
    My dog, Madigan, completed her Basic Obedience a few months ago, and I am very pleased with the results. Today Rich and Crew ran Madigan through more specific mobility commands as my Service Dog. I am very pleased at the reults. I started my milityary career as a K9 Handler, transitioned later to a form of Combat Medic, but always worked with the dogs. I saw beefy scarred up Special Forces Operators refuse to go on a mission with their dogs with them; and, I saw them cry when they lost one of their dogs, and it always happened when the dog saved all their lives by giving up their own life. Noit bragging. But I know dogs. I know them as a handler. I know them working beside them. I know - later as an Officer - what missions and tasks they were best at. I know what they are capable of doing, and not doing. Dogs are amazing, even brilliant, but they are not perfect. They are not born with obedience humans understand is obedience. I know dogs that operate in the highest level of stress. When my inuuries caught up with me and my mobility became limited I researched the best trainers locally. I was a handler and had a great deal of experience with dogs and probably could have trained Madigan up myself, but I am no trainer. That requires a certain skill set and patience. Rich and Crew have those skills and even more so, love the animals. I recommend DTEM without condition or reservation. Obedience or higher level training: my dog has undergone both and she is doing fantastic. Moreover, she loves to go to her training and she is always set up for success. If your dog doesn't want to go to training there there is a problem with you, the dog or the trainer...or all three. Madigan loves the training and even when pushed and not in the mood, never shys away from going back.
  • Brandon Chaffee
    Nov. 7, 2025
    My dog has been thru the formal dog training which was excellent and is now in service dog training. This training is beyond great, I love them like family, they are the best around
  • Amanda Groeneveld
    Oct. 11, 2025
    Absolute best training! I never thought I could get my min pins aggression towards strangers under control. They fixed that issue plus some. I look forward to the group classes and continued training. 💕
  • Carm Kinslow
    Jun. 26, 2025
    Saran deserved 5 stars! She is an excellent trainer. Sarah is knowledgeable and has developed a great rapport with Rosie. She answers all My questions snd makes very clear, good suggestions as to what I can do to help Rosie be successful. We are very happy with our sessions ends and we are sad to see the one in one sessions coming to an end. We look forward to the group sessions.
  • Daviana ._.
    Sep. 22, 2025
    Loved the information provided. Definitely had me hooked and ready to sign up 🙂
  • Greg Miller
    Sep. 18, 2025
    Chloe did an excellent job work with our dogs, she is kind and friendly and very knowledgeable.We highly recommend this team.
  • Brittney Peffley
    Sep. 15, 2025
    We had and amazing experience with rich. He came in our home and met our dog, he gave us awesome tips and tricks to help Jack and we are going to be signing up for the platinum package with all the amazing skills it will teach not only jack but us.
  • Virginia Warsco
    Dec. 20, 2024
    Demon adores Sarah and responds well to her energy. We love her and how much better our relationship is with our boy since starting training with Dog Training Elite. I adore her and enjoy our training sessions. When I met with Rich I was like many people who didn’t understand the way that each training tool works when used properly and under their guidance I became the owner demon needs to be his best self with the help of Sarah and she has to help me at times adjust myself but it makes me eternally grateful we signed up for platinum because now he has a trainer for life! They continue to support me as I run into things that overstimulate him which always makes me appreciate being a platinum customer.
  • Nicci Hurcomb
    May. 27, 2025
    Rich and Sara are awesome! Really recommend for therapy dog training. Meatball passed his therapy dog testing in about 6 months! Best part was that they come to you for training. Great experience.
  • Geralyn Bracey
    Aug. 12, 2025
    Amazing work even only after 2 sessions. We love Sarah 🫶🏾 Great trainer
  • Kevin Lange
    Aug. 4, 2025
    Both trainers that I have dealt with are extremely good and patient. This program is definitely worth it if you are willing to put the time in as an owner. They gave me the tools and insight to dog behavior I wasnt sure of and the transformation of my dog is amazing. I have a large/stubborn dog that I felt I was losing control of as we had a couple bad encounters with other dogs (my dog being attacked). The trainers helped me regain leadership of my dog and I have never in my life had such a well behaved dog and get compliments everytime I take him on a walk or out in public. If you are willing to put the time and effort in, it is 100% a game changer and works.
  • Kristen Canfield
    Jul. 17, 2025
    Very personable. He made us feel like what we are dealing with is completely doable and not abnormal or unable to be fixed. Our dog warmed up to him and gave us home. Then he demonstrated with his dog what things look like. I really appreciated that. We are new dog owners and the visual was very beneficial!
  • gwen kijak
    Jul. 16, 2025
    I am so pleased with Sarah for her experience and patience with my doggo. She explains all the techniques thoroughly making it easy to continue with his training between sessions.
  • Susan Loth
    May. 13, 2025
    Only had 1 session so far but I can see a difference. Looking forward to more!! People have noticed the difference in her. 2nd session and I can't believe she can do a place!!! Rich and Sarah are wonderful!!!! Can't wait until the next one!! I need more training than the dog does!! She is doing great, but I need to make more time to work with her and to remember to use the correct words with her. She is a different dog. Her bad habits are disappearing!!! Can't wait for the next lesson!!! Lesson #5!!! Sarah can get her to do anything!!! We like Sarah very much!! She does everything in a very calm environment for the dog. Never raises her voice or gets frustrated. We are done with our lessons now and we could not be happier with the whole experience and the outcome. Having a trained dog makes everyday so much more enjoyable!! You might at first think it's a little pricey, but the one on one training and doing it at your house where the dog is most comfortable and you also, is the best experience. I can't say enough good things about our experience. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone. Both Rich and Sarah are great!! They don't rush anything, they explain everything as many times as you need it. Today being the last lesson, our dog was giving Sarah kisses. She enjoyed the experience too!!! Thank you Rich and Sarah!!!
  • Christina Boal
    Jul. 16, 2025
    Rich was very kind , and professional he took time to explain stuff to my mom and I and show us his dog tink which I thought was very cool .