For many people, a service dog is more than just a helper—it’s a lifeline to independence. That’s exactly what Wallace became for Josie.

Josie was living the dream of going away to a prestigious college, but due to serious health challenges, she had to leave school and seek treatment at the Mayo Clinic. Medications and therapy didn’t provide the relief she needed, leaving her unable to go back to school. The one thing that truly changed her life? A dog. With Wallace by her side, Josie gained the ability to return to school, across the country from her loving and supportive family. It was her and Wallace facing the world together.

Setting Up for Success from the Start

At Dog Training Elite, we believe that a great service dog starts long before formal training begins. The breeder selection process helps ensure proper health testing is conducted and it’s the right breed for the job.

Working alongside the breeder, temperament testing by a professional trainer to identify the puppy best suited for service work can make a huge difference. Selecting the right dog from the start helps set up a successful partnership and minimizes potential challenges down the road.

From Puppy Energy to Service Dog Focus

Wallace began his service dog training around nine months old. At that age, he still had a lot of puppy energy—jumping on people was a regular habit along with chasing anything that moved. Ideally, training starts even earlier to shape desired behaviors from the beginning, rather than working to un-train unwanted ones. But with dedication, patience, consistency and time, Josie and Wallace made incredible progress.

We started with private, in-home lessons, using every visit as an opportunity to reinforce good behavior. Each balanced training session brought improvement. As Wallace gained skills and focus, they transitioned to group classes and public access training, learning vital service dog tasks along the way.

Achieving Independence—And Continuing the Work

After months of hard work and dedication, Josie and Wallace passed their Public Access Test (PAT), marking the final step in achieving Service Dog Certification. With Wallace by her side, Josie was able to return to college, reclaiming her independence and her future.

But the training never truly ends. Service dogs must maintain their skills throughout their working life, reinforcing behaviors and adapting to new challenges as they arise. Josie and Wallace continue practicing daily, ensuring their relationship and teamwork stay strong.

Josie and Wallace’s story is a testament to the life-changing power of service dogs and the dedication it takes to become a successful team. Through proper training, commitment, and trust, Wallace didn’t just learn tasks—he gave Josie the freedom to take back control of her life.

At Dog Training Elite West Michigan, we are honored to be part of these incredible journeys. If you or someone you know could benefit from a service dog, we’re here to help no matter where you are on your journey. From the very beginning—starting with selecting the right breed, the right breeder and the right puppy—all the way through a lifetime of training and support. Because the work never stops, and neither does the transformation.