A therapy dog walking in a park with their owner - contact Dog Training Elite to talk to a professional therapy dog trainer in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM!

Therapy Dog Training

Dog Training Elite New Mexico

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 Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM

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 Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM, 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.

See Training Packages
A therapy dog in training with Dog Training Elite New Mexico'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

  • Elyse Benham
    Apr. 25, 2025
    We worked with Kayla over eight sessions to get our dog Chloe better behaved in public and on a leash. After just a few sessions, we were already seeing the results we wanted. We have been set up with the tools to keep working on Chloe’s manners to make her the best dog she can be! The depth and range of dog training and behavior knowledge we received was wonderful and very helpful to Chloe’s training. I would highly recommend training with Dog Training Elite - you won’t be disappointed!
  • Rachael Eaton
    Apr. 25, 2025
    Kayla is our trainer. She is a very knowledgeable and positive trainer. Our Great Pyrenees male, 2 1/2 yrs old is very reactive and wouldn't listen to commands and wreaking havoc in our home. He now responds to commands like place, come, sit, off, down and we are working on heeling but he does pretty well. He still needs daily training. Kayla let us know what we were doing right and practices we needed to stop doing. We are working on his behaviors with the skill she taught us. She has changed our lives.
  • Matthew Raboin
    Apr. 11, 2025
    John was a fantastic trainer for our shelter rescue. He’s super patient, great at teaching, and genuinely cares. Our dog started out with a lot of aggression issues, and from day 1 we saw immediate results, which really improved our day-to-day quality of life. After the full program, we have amazing control of her and we can easily go to public places without issue.
  • Morgan Childs
    Apr. 8, 2025
    John and Dog Training Elite are incredible! He has an innate understanding and vast knowledge of dogs, and he immediately understood my energetic and slightly anxious Husky/Shepherd mix. The tools we gained through training enabled us re-direct our boy's energy and happily coexist. We started early at 13 weeks, and John went at a pace that felt happy and sustainable for our young boy. There is an overwhelming amount of contradictory information about dog training on the internet, and it has been invaluable to have a professional trainer to ask questions (without judgment!) and guide me through the process of first-time dog ownership. If we ever get another dog, we know who we are calling!
  • Tammi Lambert
    Apr. 5, 2025
    I had such a wonderful experience. Stephanie was our trainer, and we cannot say enough about how perfect she was for our family and our puppies. Everywhere I go with my service dogs, people ask who trained them. I am so glad to say, "Dog Training Elite!!!" I could not have made a better choice.
  • Robyn Rohr
    Mar. 8, 2025
    Wow! Kayla worked wonders with our very large golden retriever puppy. He loves the training! Kayla patiently explained every aspect of the training and guided us through the process and progress of our sweet pup. Thank you, Kayla!!!
  • Philip Hunteman
    Mar. 7, 2025
    Love this company! And Stephanie was the BEST! We got our Winnie three months ago from a small rescue that had to place her with three different fosters. A one-year-old border collie cross with massive separation anxiety and tons of energy. Smart, yes, but too smart for her own good. She would tear through the house when left alone. She would try to destroy her crate, even breaking a tooth in doing so. We needed help FAST! Elite gave us that help with practical, realistic training and advice. We saw improvements within days of the first session. It only got better after that. Is Winnie perfect? No. Does she jump over the fence every time she goes outside? Also no. No to getting up on kitchen counters or diving into the trash. The best part is the closeness we now have with Winnie. She’s a happy and exuberant dog who loves us as mush as we love her. I bought the platinum plan and it was WITHOUT A DOUBT the best money I’ve spent. I can’t recommend these people enough! Forget all the weird folksy advice you might get from others. Hire these people!
  • Cheryle Bakewell
    Feb. 21, 2025
    Stephanie was the best trainer, was very patient very knowledgeable and sweet with the dogs. Very professional in Getting our dog service trained. Thank you. from Henry
  • Kelli Hajek
    Feb. 20, 2025
    Elite Dog Training, was fantastic for my pitbull mixed collie Keto. Kayla worked very hard, she was very patient with me and my puppy dog. She arrived on time, very supportive, definitely would recommend this service. She even took the time to work with my other two dogs
  • Emily and Dean Mitchell
    Feb. 15, 2025
    Training was extremely effective in helping us deal with unwanted puppy behavior, as well as teaching some basic obedience and manners to our puppy. Dog Training Elite uses a balanced approach to dog training, which includes corrections in addition to positive reinforcement. Or instructor, Stephanie, was an excellent teacher (for people as well as for the dog). She was a joy to work with. She also made accommodations to the training based on our personal needs.
  • Mariah Lucero
    Feb. 11, 2025
    Kayla was absolutely amazing! She was patient, took her time with our pup! It truly made a difference from the first class to our last! She’s the right one for the job! Wouldn’t pick anyone else, will always recommend this dog training/ trainer! Thanks for being so awesome and helpful through out the whole process!
  • Alejandra Holguin
    Feb. 6, 2025
    I recently had the pleasure of working with New Mexico Dog Training Elite, and I couldn’t be more impressed. From the moment we started, the team was incredibly friendly and welcoming.The trainers were not only professional but also highly knowledgeable, providing clear, effective training methods that were easy to understand and implement. They took the time to customize the training to fit my dog’s specific needs, which made all the difference. Overall, the experience was fantastic, and I highly recommend New Mexico Dog Training Elite to anyone looking for quality training in a supportive and expert environment!
  • Molly Sechrest
    Jan. 30, 2025
    I purchased a package from Dog Training Elite New Mexico, which included an Elite trainer coming to my house for an individual session once per week. We started with the basic training course, where my dog mastered commands, such as come, sit, down, heel, off, place, and free. We then progressed to the second part of the course, which consisted of three sessions in a public area. The goal was for my dog to take commands in a setting with distractions like crowds, traffic, and random noise. The third part included two sessions for service dog training, where we returned to my home to learn a special task for a specific disability. The total package for dog service training consisted of ten individual training sessions with the same trainer, John, in Santa Fe, NM. It also included no-charge options like group classes at local parks and malls, and optional group visits to the Albuquerque International Airport, where we took our dogs through TSA to get accustomed to airport procedures. Each session with John was outstanding. He came equipped with both formal and intuitive knowledge of how to get a dog to follow commands. John clearly loves dogs and paid individual attention to my four-year-old male miniature poodle, Ruben. A large part of the training involved teaching me how to train my dog, so I was learning alongside Ruben. John entrusted me with the task of working with Ruben for 20-30 minutes every day between weekly sessions, which I mostly did. The most challenging task was training Ruben to consistently heel on command. After ten weeks, Ruben now heels and adjusts his position if he starts to get ahead or behind when I click his e-collar as a reminder. He heels both off-leash and on-leash. Another challenge was getting him to drop everything and come when I say “come!” Ruben is 99% compliant, sometimes hesitating for 10 or 15 seconds but never more. He sits like a soldier at attention on the “sit” command and is compliant with “down” (lie down) 90% of the time, and 100% after a little encouragement. The other commands have been relatively easy. Elite provided me with a text number and an email address and have always been responsive to my questions and comments, usually replying within minutes or at most a few hours. The optional, free group classes have been immensely beneficial. Ruben was initially frightened of large dogs but has progressed extremely well and now takes their presence without fuss. One issue remains: Ruben’s fear of large interiors like malls, big box stores, and airports. However, Ruben recently took his maiden flight from Santa Fe, NM to Tampa, FL and handled it with aplomb 85% of the time. We are still working on it, but he has improved. John assures me that Ruben and I can participate in Elite’s monthly group classes for life. With that and visits to our local mall, I am confident Ruben will overcome this last challenge. John was an excellent trainer, always sensitive and adaptable to the needs of Ruben and me. We went to coffee shops where Ruben learned the command “under” to go under my chair or the table for proper etiquette at restaurants. Because I was worried about Ruben’s upcoming airplane trip, John made a special excursion to meet downtown and board a local public bus. John gave me lots of pointers as we rode around town. The bus was a much rougher ride than the airplane turned out to be, so the experience was especially helpful. After that, Ruben took the airplane ride with amazing equanimity. All in all, I hold Elite in deep respect and would recommend them to anyone wanting to take on the challenge of getting their dog to obey basic commands, and if needed, to become a reliable service dog.
  • adam juvinall
    Sep. 30, 2024
    My service dog Leo and I were able to attend the Airport group training and it was an excellent experience. I have been diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression and felt extremely anxious before we started the class and before each stage in the training session. As usual, when working with Dog Training Elite and their fantastic staff, they were able to help me have an amazing time training, staying patient with me and moving forward at my pace. They never stop offering additional knowledge, encouragement, understanding and guidance for me and my service animal. Thank you for another wonderful experience!
  • Robyn Reede
    Jan. 17, 2025
    OMG - John is so fantastic!!! I have a 1 year old poodle who was super hyperactive. John was always so sweet and loving and had so many tips. He has trained us how to get him not jump on people, place, sit, lie down, stay and how to come ( that was a hard one) but, now I don’t have to chase him when and or if he gets out. So pleased! Highly recommend!
  • Matt Holguin
    Jan. 13, 2025
    When I first started looking to adopt a dog, I was watching way too many videos on instagram of dog trainers. I was overwhelmed. Then the big day came when I adopted Zoey. She was scared, not confident, needed direction and huge seperation anxiety from being in the shelter. I knew training would help her become more confident and obedient. I also as a first time dog owner needed the confidence and guidance to have a well rounded dog. That's when I came across Dog Training Elite New Mexico. Justin came by and did an at home evaluation and saw first hand how Zoey was and ensured me that the training would help. We got paired up with Kayla as our trainer and Zoey instantly feel in love with her and her patience to teach us the commands. Going through the training program gave myself and Zoey the confidence we needed. There is still work to do but we are in the right direction.
  • Cory Hirsch
    Jan. 11, 2025
    John was insightful, supportive and great to work with. He adroitly answered all our questions, gave good homework between sessions and provided encouragement as the lessons evolved.
  • Martha Arnett
    Jan. 11, 2025
    Dog Training Elite trainer John was the kindest, most skilled, patient, supportive trainer we could have ever hoped for! With his guidance and consistent positive support, our puppy is now firmly on his way to being a well rounded, well behaved pup we can bring anywhere. I would highly recommend John for any dog, with any issue. He is the best!
  • Georgene Inks
    Jan. 2, 2025
    Dog Training Elite New Mexico has provided my husband and me with the skills and confidence to safely manage our 12 month old 60 pound pup, Myrhh, and her little 9 week old bother, Frank, who has been following along! I also am the one who has been most involved in the training sessions while my husband, like Frank, watches and listens. ☺️ We live surrounded by wildlife, coyotes and wild horses. Only a 1/2 acre of our property is fenced; 6 ft. horse fence. The rest of our area is wide open. Also, residents in this neighborhood do not have perimeter fencing so we live virtually in a huge park like setting, albeit a wild park, which we walk and hike throughout everyday. So, for Myrrh’s roaming freedom, knowing heel, and knowing to come when called, is essential for her safety as well as ours. These skills, after only 5 one hour sessions, are in place! John is the insightful trainer who was sent to us from Elite Dog Training this past November. John has been coming to our home, once a week, for one hour training, five weeks in a row. In each, he taught us how to ensure that Myrrh comes to us on command, heels, stays in place, and sits. All this, yes, WITHOUT A LEASH! It is spectacular to have this kind of freedom with our dog and fun! We now have confidence with Myrrh’s ability to stay close and on command plus an irreplaceable peace of mind! Additionally, indoors, we are learning and practicing the proper way for Myrhh to sit near us. We are also working on “orbit.” As the lessons progress, all skills will transfer to Dog Training Elite group sessions, settings with other people and their dogs in unfamiliar locations for the next six months. Lots of practice ahead! Last, as a former educator, I am familiar with folks who can and cannot teach. John is one of those who CAN. My husband and I, along with Myrrh and even baby Frank, have all been very lucky to be John’s students! Of course, I highly, highly recommend Dog Training Elite and their trainer, John. We have found the sessions to be worth every dollar because of his professional, friendly, upbeat, skilled instruction. Communication is also tops from emails to reminders. John also arrives on time, if not early, to each session in a Dog Training Elite, clearly marked company car, and always professionally attired. You will discover that Dog Training Elite is not the cheapest option. Fortunately, in this case, we have gotten what we paid for - Excellence and truly amazing, transformative results!
  • Gloria Garcia
    Dec. 30, 2024
    Dog Training Elite - Santa Fe Where we started and where we ended was a huge difference! John our trainer was an outstanding trainer. He worked with our dog Blue who is an American Bully XL - 14 months old. We had many concerns at the start and each concern was dealt with until we felt comfortable with the result. John is extremely knowledgeable and carefully listened to our issues. He was patient with us and put our insecurities to rest!! We are so happy with the results and we are enjoying our dog in a more relaxed way.
  • Elyse Benham
    Apr. 25, 2025
    We worked with Kayla over eight sessions to get our dog Chloe better behaved in public and on a leash. After just a few sessions, we were already seeing the results we wanted. We have been set up with the tools to keep working on Chloe’s manners to make her the best dog she can be! The depth and range of dog training and behavior knowledge we received was wonderful and very helpful to Chloe’s training. I would highly recommend training with Dog Training Elite - you won’t be disappointed!
  • Rachael Eaton
    Apr. 25, 2025
    Kayla is our trainer. She is a very knowledgeable and positive trainer. Our Great Pyrenees male, 2 1/2 yrs old is very reactive and wouldn't listen to commands and wreaking havoc in our home. He now responds to commands like place, come, sit, off, down and we are working on heeling but he does pretty well. He still needs daily training. Kayla let us know what we were doing right and practices we needed to stop doing. We are working on his behaviors with the skill she taught us. She has changed our lives.
  • Matthew Raboin
    Apr. 11, 2025
    John was a fantastic trainer for our shelter rescue. He’s super patient, great at teaching, and genuinely cares. Our dog started out with a lot of aggression issues, and from day 1 we saw immediate results, which really improved our day-to-day quality of life. After the full program, we have amazing control of her and we can easily go to public places without issue.
  • Morgan Childs
    Apr. 8, 2025
    John and Dog Training Elite are incredible! He has an innate understanding and vast knowledge of dogs, and he immediately understood my energetic and slightly anxious Husky/Shepherd mix. The tools we gained through training enabled us re-direct our boy's energy and happily coexist. We started early at 13 weeks, and John went at a pace that felt happy and sustainable for our young boy. There is an overwhelming amount of contradictory information about dog training on the internet, and it has been invaluable to have a professional trainer to ask questions (without judgment!) and guide me through the process of first-time dog ownership. If we ever get another dog, we know who we are calling!
  • Tammi Lambert
    Apr. 5, 2025
    I had such a wonderful experience. Stephanie was our trainer, and we cannot say enough about how perfect she was for our family and our puppies. Everywhere I go with my service dogs, people ask who trained them. I am so glad to say, "Dog Training Elite!!!" I could not have made a better choice.
  • Robyn Rohr
    Mar. 8, 2025
    Wow! Kayla worked wonders with our very large golden retriever puppy. He loves the training! Kayla patiently explained every aspect of the training and guided us through the process and progress of our sweet pup. Thank you, Kayla!!!
  • Philip Hunteman
    Mar. 7, 2025
    Love this company! And Stephanie was the BEST! We got our Winnie three months ago from a small rescue that had to place her with three different fosters. A one-year-old border collie cross with massive separation anxiety and tons of energy. Smart, yes, but too smart for her own good. She would tear through the house when left alone. She would try to destroy her crate, even breaking a tooth in doing so. We needed help FAST! Elite gave us that help with practical, realistic training and advice. We saw improvements within days of the first session. It only got better after that. Is Winnie perfect? No. Does she jump over the fence every time she goes outside? Also no. No to getting up on kitchen counters or diving into the trash. The best part is the closeness we now have with Winnie. She’s a happy and exuberant dog who loves us as mush as we love her. I bought the platinum plan and it was WITHOUT A DOUBT the best money I’ve spent. I can’t recommend these people enough! Forget all the weird folksy advice you might get from others. Hire these people!
  • Cheryle Bakewell
    Feb. 21, 2025
    Stephanie was the best trainer, was very patient very knowledgeable and sweet with the dogs. Very professional in Getting our dog service trained. Thank you. from Henry
  • Kelli Hajek
    Feb. 20, 2025
    Elite Dog Training, was fantastic for my pitbull mixed collie Keto. Kayla worked very hard, she was very patient with me and my puppy dog. She arrived on time, very supportive, definitely would recommend this service. She even took the time to work with my other two dogs
  • Emily and Dean Mitchell
    Feb. 15, 2025
    Training was extremely effective in helping us deal with unwanted puppy behavior, as well as teaching some basic obedience and manners to our puppy. Dog Training Elite uses a balanced approach to dog training, which includes corrections in addition to positive reinforcement. Or instructor, Stephanie, was an excellent teacher (for people as well as for the dog). She was a joy to work with. She also made accommodations to the training based on our personal needs.
  • Mariah Lucero
    Feb. 11, 2025
    Kayla was absolutely amazing! She was patient, took her time with our pup! It truly made a difference from the first class to our last! She’s the right one for the job! Wouldn’t pick anyone else, will always recommend this dog training/ trainer! Thanks for being so awesome and helpful through out the whole process!
  • Alejandra Holguin
    Feb. 6, 2025
    I recently had the pleasure of working with New Mexico Dog Training Elite, and I couldn’t be more impressed. From the moment we started, the team was incredibly friendly and welcoming.The trainers were not only professional but also highly knowledgeable, providing clear, effective training methods that were easy to understand and implement. They took the time to customize the training to fit my dog’s specific needs, which made all the difference. Overall, the experience was fantastic, and I highly recommend New Mexico Dog Training Elite to anyone looking for quality training in a supportive and expert environment!
  • Molly Sechrest
    Jan. 30, 2025
    I purchased a package from Dog Training Elite New Mexico, which included an Elite trainer coming to my house for an individual session once per week. We started with the basic training course, where my dog mastered commands, such as come, sit, down, heel, off, place, and free. We then progressed to the second part of the course, which consisted of three sessions in a public area. The goal was for my dog to take commands in a setting with distractions like crowds, traffic, and random noise. The third part included two sessions for service dog training, where we returned to my home to learn a special task for a specific disability. The total package for dog service training consisted of ten individual training sessions with the same trainer, John, in Santa Fe, NM. It also included no-charge options like group classes at local parks and malls, and optional group visits to the Albuquerque International Airport, where we took our dogs through TSA to get accustomed to airport procedures. Each session with John was outstanding. He came equipped with both formal and intuitive knowledge of how to get a dog to follow commands. John clearly loves dogs and paid individual attention to my four-year-old male miniature poodle, Ruben. A large part of the training involved teaching me how to train my dog, so I was learning alongside Ruben. John entrusted me with the task of working with Ruben for 20-30 minutes every day between weekly sessions, which I mostly did. The most challenging task was training Ruben to consistently heel on command. After ten weeks, Ruben now heels and adjusts his position if he starts to get ahead or behind when I click his e-collar as a reminder. He heels both off-leash and on-leash. Another challenge was getting him to drop everything and come when I say “come!” Ruben is 99% compliant, sometimes hesitating for 10 or 15 seconds but never more. He sits like a soldier at attention on the “sit” command and is compliant with “down” (lie down) 90% of the time, and 100% after a little encouragement. The other commands have been relatively easy. Elite provided me with a text number and an email address and have always been responsive to my questions and comments, usually replying within minutes or at most a few hours. The optional, free group classes have been immensely beneficial. Ruben was initially frightened of large dogs but has progressed extremely well and now takes their presence without fuss. One issue remains: Ruben’s fear of large interiors like malls, big box stores, and airports. However, Ruben recently took his maiden flight from Santa Fe, NM to Tampa, FL and handled it with aplomb 85% of the time. We are still working on it, but he has improved. John assures me that Ruben and I can participate in Elite’s monthly group classes for life. With that and visits to our local mall, I am confident Ruben will overcome this last challenge. John was an excellent trainer, always sensitive and adaptable to the needs of Ruben and me. We went to coffee shops where Ruben learned the command “under” to go under my chair or the table for proper etiquette at restaurants. Because I was worried about Ruben’s upcoming airplane trip, John made a special excursion to meet downtown and board a local public bus. John gave me lots of pointers as we rode around town. The bus was a much rougher ride than the airplane turned out to be, so the experience was especially helpful. After that, Ruben took the airplane ride with amazing equanimity. All in all, I hold Elite in deep respect and would recommend them to anyone wanting to take on the challenge of getting their dog to obey basic commands, and if needed, to become a reliable service dog.
  • adam juvinall
    Sep. 30, 2024
    My service dog Leo and I were able to attend the Airport group training and it was an excellent experience. I have been diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression and felt extremely anxious before we started the class and before each stage in the training session. As usual, when working with Dog Training Elite and their fantastic staff, they were able to help me have an amazing time training, staying patient with me and moving forward at my pace. They never stop offering additional knowledge, encouragement, understanding and guidance for me and my service animal. Thank you for another wonderful experience!
  • Robyn Reede
    Jan. 17, 2025
    OMG - John is so fantastic!!! I have a 1 year old poodle who was super hyperactive. John was always so sweet and loving and had so many tips. He has trained us how to get him not jump on people, place, sit, lie down, stay and how to come ( that was a hard one) but, now I don’t have to chase him when and or if he gets out. So pleased! Highly recommend!
  • Matt Holguin
    Jan. 13, 2025
    When I first started looking to adopt a dog, I was watching way too many videos on instagram of dog trainers. I was overwhelmed. Then the big day came when I adopted Zoey. She was scared, not confident, needed direction and huge seperation anxiety from being in the shelter. I knew training would help her become more confident and obedient. I also as a first time dog owner needed the confidence and guidance to have a well rounded dog. That's when I came across Dog Training Elite New Mexico. Justin came by and did an at home evaluation and saw first hand how Zoey was and ensured me that the training would help. We got paired up with Kayla as our trainer and Zoey instantly feel in love with her and her patience to teach us the commands. Going through the training program gave myself and Zoey the confidence we needed. There is still work to do but we are in the right direction.
  • Cory Hirsch
    Jan. 11, 2025
    John was insightful, supportive and great to work with. He adroitly answered all our questions, gave good homework between sessions and provided encouragement as the lessons evolved.
  • Martha Arnett
    Jan. 11, 2025
    Dog Training Elite trainer John was the kindest, most skilled, patient, supportive trainer we could have ever hoped for! With his guidance and consistent positive support, our puppy is now firmly on his way to being a well rounded, well behaved pup we can bring anywhere. I would highly recommend John for any dog, with any issue. He is the best!
  • Georgene Inks
    Jan. 2, 2025
    Dog Training Elite New Mexico has provided my husband and me with the skills and confidence to safely manage our 12 month old 60 pound pup, Myrhh, and her little 9 week old bother, Frank, who has been following along! I also am the one who has been most involved in the training sessions while my husband, like Frank, watches and listens. ☺️ We live surrounded by wildlife, coyotes and wild horses. Only a 1/2 acre of our property is fenced; 6 ft. horse fence. The rest of our area is wide open. Also, residents in this neighborhood do not have perimeter fencing so we live virtually in a huge park like setting, albeit a wild park, which we walk and hike throughout everyday. So, for Myrrh’s roaming freedom, knowing heel, and knowing to come when called, is essential for her safety as well as ours. These skills, after only 5 one hour sessions, are in place! John is the insightful trainer who was sent to us from Elite Dog Training this past November. John has been coming to our home, once a week, for one hour training, five weeks in a row. In each, he taught us how to ensure that Myrrh comes to us on command, heels, stays in place, and sits. All this, yes, WITHOUT A LEASH! It is spectacular to have this kind of freedom with our dog and fun! We now have confidence with Myrrh’s ability to stay close and on command plus an irreplaceable peace of mind! Additionally, indoors, we are learning and practicing the proper way for Myrhh to sit near us. We are also working on “orbit.” As the lessons progress, all skills will transfer to Dog Training Elite group sessions, settings with other people and their dogs in unfamiliar locations for the next six months. Lots of practice ahead! Last, as a former educator, I am familiar with folks who can and cannot teach. John is one of those who CAN. My husband and I, along with Myrrh and even baby Frank, have all been very lucky to be John’s students! Of course, I highly, highly recommend Dog Training Elite and their trainer, John. We have found the sessions to be worth every dollar because of his professional, friendly, upbeat, skilled instruction. Communication is also tops from emails to reminders. John also arrives on time, if not early, to each session in a Dog Training Elite, clearly marked company car, and always professionally attired. You will discover that Dog Training Elite is not the cheapest option. Fortunately, in this case, we have gotten what we paid for - Excellence and truly amazing, transformative results!
  • Gloria Garcia
    Dec. 30, 2024
    Dog Training Elite - Santa Fe Where we started and where we ended was a huge difference! John our trainer was an outstanding trainer. He worked with our dog Blue who is an American Bully XL - 14 months old. We had many concerns at the start and each concern was dealt with until we felt comfortable with the result. John is extremely knowledgeable and carefully listened to our issues. He was patient with us and put our insecurities to rest!! We are so happy with the results and we are enjoying our dog in a more relaxed way.
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 New Mexico.

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 New Mexico’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.

Additional Training Programs

Dog Training Elite New Mexico - Dog Obedience Training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM. Dog Training Elite
Obedience Training
Dog Training Elite New Mexico - Puppy Training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM. Dog Training Elite
Puppy Training
Dog Training Elite New Mexico - Service Dog Training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM. Dog Training Elite
Service Dog Training
Dog Training Elite New Mexico - Anxiety & Aggression Dog Trainer in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM
Anxiety & Aggression
Dog Training Elite New Mexico - Group Class Dog Training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM. DTE
Group Training
A fully trained service dog from Dog Training Elite New Mexico.

Albuquerque / Santa Fe Emotional Support Dog Training

Why Choose DTE for Therapy Dog Training?

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At Dog Training Elite New Mexico, 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.

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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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