A therapy dog walking in a park with their owner - contact Dog Training Elite to talk to a professional therapy dog trainer in Corpus Christi, TX!

Therapy Dog Training

Dog Training Elite Coastal Bend

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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 Corpus Christi, TX

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 Corpus Christi, TX, 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.

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A therapy dog in training with Dog Training Elite Coastal Bend'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.

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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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FAQs

One of our trainers will visit your home to meet you and your dog and discuss any issues you're facing. We will then demonstrate one of our model dogs so you can see what you can expect after hiring our trainers. From there, we will discuss the various packages we offer and which we feel best suit your (and your dog's) needs.
We provide full obedience training that covers all basic commands, both on and off-leash. Our in-home visits target specific issues like counter-surfing, digging, and more. Unlike some trainers, we work with all breeds, including those often considered challenging.
Yes. You (and anyone in your family who wants to be involved) are integral to your dog getting trained. We need you to practice 5-6 days a week, about 15-20 minutes a day for optimal results.
Once a week. We come to you (with the silver, gold and platinum packages) once a week to start your dog off, then you come to park sessions which are held once a week in Corpus Christi.
We train dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments. Whether your dog is a tiny Chihuahua or a large Mastiff, we have the experience and expertise to work with them.

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Bud Kittle
    Oct. 30, 2024
    Very thorough and informative. Looking forward to continuing the training.
  • jorge de la chapa
    Sep. 28, 2024
    I cannot say better things about my experience with dog training elite. He is awesome!!
  • Keith Fricker
    Sep. 13, 2024
    Very professional and easy to work with. My dog has made great gains after even the first session. Very knowledgeable and helpful.
  • Barbara Aguilar
    Sep. 5, 2024
    We had the pleasure of working with Dog Trainers Anuj and Jessica from Dog Training Elite Coastal Bend, and had the best experience. Our daughter needed a service dog for college, and she worked all summer for a Great Dane. We've always had big dogs, so it was go big or go home. "Ace" went through both obedience and service training, and thanks to the excellent guidance from Anuj and Jessica, he did wonderfully. At just 11 months old, Ace went off to college and is thriving as a service dog with our daughter. We couldn’t be happier with how well he turned out, especially considering we have three untrained big dogs at home! We will definitely be using their services again, and would recommend them to all of our friends. Thanks again!
  • Barbara Aguilar
    Sep. 5, 2024
    We had the pleasure of working with Dog Trainers Anuj and Jessica from Dog Training Elite Coastal Bend, and had the best experience. Our daughter needed a service dog for college, and she worked all summer for a Great Dane. We've always had big dogs, so it was go big or go home. "Ace" went through both obedience and service training, and thanks to the excellent guidance from Anuj and Jessica, he did wonderfully. At just 11 months old, Ace went off to college and is thriving as a service dog with our daughter. We couldn’t be happier with how well he turned out, especially considering we have three untrained big dogs at home! We will definitely be using their services again, and would recommend them to all of our friends. Thanks again!
  • Casey Caraway
    Jun. 27, 2024
    Just finished up a full training program with DTE and they were fantastic. Very professional and did everything we wanted with our 2 year old mutt who is now the most obedient pup in the neighborhood. Highly recommend Anuj and his team. You won't be disappointed!
  • Kati Curry
    May. 17, 2024
    They were great and very patient with our dog.
  • Ivonne Tostado
    May. 6, 2024
    I moved from Houston to Corpus Christi in December 2023 and was very excited to see that I could continue our dog training in Corpus. The Dog Training Elite Coastal Bend has helped me deal with some recent issues that have come up with my 1 year old Doberman. Since we started the training, Peaches has been doing so well. I've started feeling more confident and Peaches is showing less reactivity and less fear. Thank you to the entire team for your support and amazing training program. My working Doby is a happy girl!
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 Coastal Bend.

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 Coastal Bend’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.

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A fully trained service dog from Dog Training Elite Coastal Bend.

Corpus Christi Emotional Support Dog Training

Why Choose DTE for Therapy Dog Training?

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At Dog Training Elite Coastal Bend, 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.

A group of dogs being trained by the expert team at Dog Training Elite Coastal Bend.
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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.