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Military / Retired Vet Programs

Dog Training Elite Midlands SC

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A military veteran and service dog - Dog Training Elite offers elite veteran service dog training in Columbia, SC.

Dog Training Elite

Military Veteran Service Dog Training in Columbia, SC

At Dog Training Elite Midlands SC, we strongly believe in the healing power of service dogs for military veterans. That’s why we dedicate our time and passion to providing veteran service dog training in Columbia, SC.

Service dogs can greatly assist with both the mental and physical challenges veterans may face after serving our country. Many veterans experience PTSD, physical disabilities, or other impairments, and our service dogs have been proven to help reduce symptoms and support veterans in returning to their daily routines.

Learn more about our programs designed for veterans and discover why Dog Training Elite is committed to making a difference in the community.

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A service puppy in training - Dog Training Elite offers veteran service dog training in Columbia, SC for those who have served our country.

Dog Training Elite Midlands SC

Why We Offer Service Dog Training for Military Veterans

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At Dog Training Elite Midlands SC, we are passionate about helping military veterans through the support of service dogs. We offer specialized service dog training options in Columbia, backed by scientific research and proven by our own success stories.

In a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans paired with service dogs experienced a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms and fewer self-harm ideations. The mental health and medical communities increasingly recognize service dogs’ positive impact on emotional well-being and independence, making them one of the most effective tools for veteran recovery.

At Dog Training Elite, we are dedicated to providing exceptional dog training services that provide the tools and support needed for our veterans and their dogs to thrive, offering a path toward healing and better quality of life.

A beautiful golden retriever service dog - Dog Training Elite Midlands SC.

Popular Service Dog Breeds


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Finding a service dog that fits your individual needs is important, especially for military veteran support. While most dogs can be trained to become service dogs, a few breeds stand out due to their personalities and inherent traits.

Here are a few of the most popular service dog breeds:

  1. Labrador Retrievers: Labradors are intelligent, versatile, and eager to please, making them ideal for PTSD service dogs. Their trainability allows them to excel in roles like guide dogs, mobility support, and emotional support, making them highly adaptable for veterans.
  2. Golden Retrievers: Golden Retrievers are known for their calm, gentle nature and strong work ethic. They are excellent at providing mobility assistance and emotional support, especially for veterans with PTSD, due to their patient and loving temperament.
  3. German Shepherds: German Shepherds are strong, loyal, and highly intelligent, making them excellent service dogs. Their protective instincts and trainability allow them to assist with mobility, search and rescue, and provide emotional support for veterans.
  4. Malinois: Belgian Malinois are known for their deep loyalty and intelligence. Malinois are not for everyone due to their energy and drive, but for retired veterans who appreciate discipline, structure, and a deep connection, they can be life-changing companions.

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!

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See An Elite Dog in Action

A service dog and his veteran owner - Dog Training Elite Midlands SC.

Our Veteran Service Dog Training in Columbia, SC

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Service dogs undergo extensive specialized training to perform their tasks and assist their owners. Our training process involves a combination of obedience training, task training, and public access training.

  • Obedience Training: This training focuses on teaching a dog basic commands, such as sit, down, heel, come, as well as proper leash manners and socialization skills.
  • Task Training: Task training is tailored to fit the needs of each individual. It involves teaching the dog to perform tasks that mitigate the person’s disability, such as retrieving items, opening doors, or providing deep pressure therapy.
  • Public Access Training: This type of training is crucial to ensure the dog remains calm, well-behaved, and non-disruptive in various public settings. This training includes exposure to different environments, distractions, and social interactions to provide a dog that can confidently navigate public spaces.
A beautiful service dog standing outside - Dog Training Elite Midlands SC.

Service Dogs for Veterans & PTSD

Get Specialized Training with DTE Today

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Training with Dog Training Elite is tailored specifically for military veterans dealing with PTSD and other service-related challenges. Our programs focus on helping veterans regain independence, emotional stability, and confidence through the support of a well-trained service dog.

At Dog Training Elite, we are dedicated to providing service dog training that strengthens the bond between veterans and their dogs, guiding them toward a brighter future and supporting their healing journey.

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Matthew Wilson
    Jan. 19, 2026
    Justin was through in his demonstration of expected dog behaviors, and of the different programs available.
  • michael varallo Sr.
    Nov. 12, 2025
    Super program Super Trainer Great start for our Charlie
  • Stephen Lynch
    Dec. 19, 2025
    Justin dealt with our dog at the craziest he'd been yet and took it in stride. Really impressed with their methods and how they walk owners through what to do!
  • Gail Marcum
    Dec. 12, 2025
    This session was really needed. We worked on "place" with our wild puppy. Instructions were great and puppy is learning with us
  • Natasha Stamps
    Jan. 8, 2026
    Justin and his team are amazing trainers. 10/10 recommend!
  • Lu
    Jan. 5, 2026
    We had our assessment today with Justin and he was awesome! He was professional, knowledgeable, and down to earth. We can’t forget about his fur co-assessor Louie!! So adorable!
  • Sharon
    Dec. 31, 2025
    Today was first day of training our 16 week old black labrador. Her name is Pupp. Super energetic. Justin totally patient. Provides us as a family confidence. Our dog loves him!
  • Melissa
    Dec. 23, 2025
    I was hesitant to use a trainer but my Luna got to be too much to handle on my own. Still a ways to go, but After 5 sessions I can take her on a walk and not have to worry about her chasing cars, people, or trying to pull me with the leash. I am thankful for our trainer in giving us the tools we need to be able to enjoy having Luna with us enjoying more than just our home.
  • Ted Smith
    Nov. 14, 2025
    Awesome first session with Bear! Thanks Justin!
  • Tina Boutte
    Dec. 4, 2025
    Justin was very professional and pleasant to talk with. He explained the process very well and provided a on-site demonstration with his dog Louie. Awesome experience.
  • Mary BACO
    Dec. 3, 2025
    My first training session with Logan, it was great. We made a lot of progress with Daisy that I will work on over this week. All of my training received with Elite/Midlands has been great. THANKS!
  • Ben Ott
    Nov. 20, 2025
    Highly recommended!! Great experience and great trainers
  • Marvin Carraway
    Aug. 21, 2025
    Can't say enough positive things about Justin. Justin is truly an elite trainer who is very modest and well grounded.
  • Loghin Livingston
    Nov. 11, 2025
    The team has been outstanding from start to finish. Their professionalism and dedication made the process seamless, from helping me find the right dog to guiding us through training from 10 weeks to 15 months. My Service Dog now performs with near-perfect accuracy, and thanks to their expertise, I’ve been able to move away from the medication I once relied on. I’m incredibly grateful for this team and all they’ve done to help my dog and me reach this level of success.
  • Ashley Roberts
    Nov. 5, 2025
    We have a 10 month old English Setter. We have had 5 sessions with Justin so far and it has been an amazing experience. We have learned so much and our dog Penny has too! We did our first lesson out in public yesterday and I was so nervous but Justin met me at the store and took control of her because he knew I was nervous and she did great! I feel much more confident in my own ability to handle her in public now which will open up so many possibilities for us to travel with her and experience new things. I HIGHLY recommend Justin and his crew! We did another week long board and train program and it just wasn’t effective but having Justin come and train us all in our environment has been a game changer for us. Justin also brings his dogs to help socialize and train and offers group classes on weekends too!
  • Darren Bean
    Oct. 27, 2025
    Intro meeting. Straight forward and thorough
  • Bryce Harrington
    Oct. 22, 2025
    Justin has been great at instructing and demonstrating the commands to teach our dog the behaviors we’re looking for. We have seen dramatic improvements in our dog’s behavior in just two lessons. We would recommend Dog Training Elite Midlands to anyone.
  • Evija7
    Oct. 17, 2025
    We were very pleased with our trainer Laird and Justin! Very professional and they know how to make training effective. They trained us how to train our dog. We highly recommend them and looking forward to get our dog qualified as service dog.
  • LG BENAUER
    Aug. 22, 2025
    Laird is an amazing trainer. Lotty and I are learning so much! She seems to know how my puppy is going to respond and instructs me how to handle her response. Laird is very professional and kind a rare combination.
  • Melissa Spring
    Oct. 14, 2025
    First session in and she’s great, very knowledgeable, understanding and helpful as we start to train our sweet puppy!