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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 of Northern Michigan can help.
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite of Northern Michigan 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 of Northern Michigan trains dogs to serve individuals with autism, diabetes and PTSD.
Dog Training Elite of Northern Michigan 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 of Northern Michigan has you covered.
The professional dog trainers of Dog Training Elite of Northern Michigan 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 of Northern Michigan.
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 of Northern Michigan 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!
I had a fantastic experience working with Dan. His devotion to his work is readily apparent. I knew from the moment he arrived that my dog was in good hands. I highly recommend working with Dan.— Daniel Nelson
Posted April 15th 2024
I had a fantastic experience working with Dan. His devotion to his work is readily apparent. I knew from the moment he arrived that my dog was in good hands. I highly recommend working with Dan. The training sessions are quick and easy, and I saw results after the first session. I would give 6 stars if I could! Amazing experience and immediate results, from a trainer who cares about his clients!— Daniel Nelson
Posted April 15th 2024
I wish I had video footage to share comparing Dan’s first visit with Miss Large-and-in-charge and the second visit! Matilda is a rescue and is very protective of her new family and home. She growled at, barked fiercely, and tried to push Dan out of her space the first time he met her. I was mortified and very concerned about whether she could be trained by someone with whom she had such difficulty. (Definitely her problem, not his!) Dan brought the E-collar the second time he came over (first training session) and taught us how it works. He proceeded to work with Matilda for the hour and by the time he left she was a new dog! She followed him, looked to him for praise, and rolled on her back for belly scratches! Our walks are no longer stress-filled and I am AMAZED! I am so thankful that Dan was not put-off by her terrifying behavior at her assessment, and that he had the ability to teach this big girl how to behave! Many thanks from Matilda and her mom in Manistee!!!— Ruth Zehnder
Posted April 10th 2024
Absolutely unbelievable! I highly recommend having Dan train anyone's dog! I have had great results after the first session!— William Meade
Posted April 7th 2024
If I could leave 100 stars - I would! I took custody of a fragile foster. The dog would not leave my vehicle when I arrived home. I called Dan after hours - on a Sunday ---- he rushed over to help me. Dan coaxed the dog out of my truck, helped me set up a proper decompression area, and will be returning to help me with the dog. My foster is in an extremely sensitive state after surrender. Dan has already worked a few miracles today. I recommend calling Dan!!!!!! I look forward to our work together by my foster Belgian Malinois.— Donna Allers
Posted March 24th 2024
Dan is a fantastic trainer, I can’t believe how quickly he’s training our families dogs!— Dane Vermeulen
Posted July 2nd 2023
Dan is enthusiastic and professional. He loves what he is doing and it is shows. We have just begun training our 4 month old puppies. He has taught us many things so far and we are very happy with the progress in our sessions and Dan and his dog training talent.— Patricia Racine Barch
Posted May 5th 2023
Highly recommend! Dan has been nothing but patient and understanding with our 1 yr old Rottweiler! We are only a handful of sessions in and we already see a major difference. He’s very helpful even on days we aren’t training. Just a phone call away to help answer any questions or give advice if needed, he’s very accommodating to all our needs/wants. It’s nice not only having my dog being trained but me and my household as well! Happy to say my big headed, stubborn boy loves Dan! (Sometimes even more than me I think). It’s been great working with him and cannot wait to see the end results!— Ashley Leach
Posted April 23rd 2023
Dan is an incredible dog trainer and person. He is very patient and accommodating. He's been working with our French Bulldog for a while now and his reactive behavior and anxieties have diminished significantly. It's such a joy to watch him interact with his own dogs as well. They are incredibly well behaved and a testament to his training abilities!— Mary Elizabeth
Posted April 21st 2023
Want to make life with your dog more enjoyable for you, for him/her and for your family? Have challenges with your dog (excessive barking, fear of bicycles, anxiety)? Call Dan at Dog Training Elite of Northern Michigan. His guidance trained us, to train Milo, and help him through those challenges. Highly recommended!!— Gary Gardner
Posted April 21st 2023
Dan is an amazing dog trainer and human being! His advice and recommendations are very helpful. He is extremely patient with our scheduling. Watch him with his own pups, it's incredible to observe!— Mary Olen
Posted April 21st 2023
Dan was the best! We loved working with him and he made our anxious dog feel safe, calm and helped to get us better boundaries in our house. Highly recommend. His dog Pickles is the best for socializing dogs.— Emily Wilkinson
Posted April 19th 2023
Dan is doing great work with my Certified Therapy Dog in Training. Dan has a passion for dogs and my dog definitely loves him too!— Michelle Loeffler-Rohraff
Posted April 19th 2023
Dog training elite helped me save my relationship with my dog 🐕 ❤. Dan is great its obvious that he really cares about people and dogs.— Samantha Schropp
Posted April 19th 2023
Super convenient, “fixed” my dog literally the first day. I thought he was untrainable. 10/10— Lauren
Posted April 19th 2023
Dan loves this work! Dogs are his passion and helping owners enjoy their much loved pets is why he chose this career. He is great at what he does, and is also a very nice guy. Highly recommend!!— Nancy Craig
Posted April 19th 2023
Highly recommend! Dan is outstanding with our dogs and beyond fabulous to work with. We have a pack of 4 and he has helped us with everything from severe anxiety to major manner issues and everything in between. We can now walk all 4 dogs at one time with zero issues, our whole pack can now go on off-leash adventures with us (and have flawless recall), and they now all have the very best of manners! We love how enthusiastic and positive Dan is with our dogs and we are so thankful for the positive changes he’s helped create in our household! ❤️🐾👏🏽—
Posted December 20th 2022
Dan is awesome, he truly cares about every dog, and it shows in his training! His dog Pickles is a legend!!!— Austin Goble
Posted October 11th 2022
Dan is a great dog trainer! Really cares about what he does!— parker fillmore
Posted September 28th 2022
Dan is an incredible business owner who has a true passion for dog training. I would highly recommend Dog Training Elite.— Michaela Macchia
Posted September 28th 2022
Proud Sponsor of The Malinois Foundation
At Dog Training Elite of Northern Michigan, 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 of Northern Michigan 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.