A therapy dog walking in a park with their owner - contact Dog Training Elite to talk to a professional therapy dog trainer in Greenville / Spartanburg, SC!

Therapy Dog Training

Dog Training Elite Upstate SC

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 Greenville / Spartanburg, SC

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 Greenville / Spartanburg, SC, 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 Upstate SC'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

  • Lilly Catherine
    Dec. 20, 2024
    My Golden Retriever went to Elite Camp and has learned commands such as sit, place, come and heel. Prior to camp, she struggled with these commands and had great difficulty walking with a leash. Today, we had a session with Danny at Conestee Park and my pup practiced heeling with distractions such as children playing, car horns honking and other dogs in the vicinity. With Danny’s guidance, she overcame her fears and could heel nicely. She also was able to “place” and sit on an uneven rock and later a bench. Danny was extremely patient and helpful. We will continue practicing what we learned at group lessons. The owner and all the trainers are excellent. I would highly recommend Elite to anyone who would like a well behaved companion.
  • Wayne Turner
    Dec. 2, 2024
    I was blow away with the love they give to every dog and time working with them. I know after the week in training. She had what it takes, but they worked with me to understand what part I needed too
  • Kate Murphy
    Nov. 29, 2024
    This was my first time seeking professional training for a dog. I was uneasy at first as it was all new to me, but all the trainers took the time to explain everything to me as much as I needed and it made me feel comfortable making this commitment of time and money. I’ve seen the most amazing results from training far beyond what I imagined!! My bond with my dog has been strengthened and she has found so much enjoyment learning her tasks. All the trainers we’ve worked with have been so friendly, helpful, and smart. I’d recommend them to anyone considering to invest in training.
  • Heather Hayden
    Nov. 23, 2024
    Absolutely amazing results!! We can’t recommend DTE enough. All the trainers we have encountered have been so sweet, knowledgeable, and patient; you can tell they love what they do. Before training, our 1.5 year old Boykin Spaniel walked, or should I say drug, us around on our walks and the only command she did somewhat consistently was sit and come (but you could forget it with any distractions). Today, Duchess can walk by our side WITHOUT a leash and can hold a sit for 5+ minutes with distractions! I could go on and on. If you are hesitant or debating if training is worth it or not, just do it! We are so pleased with our investment in our pup and we are a better family for it. Thank you DTE for teaching us the best and most effective ways to communicate with our sweet pup!
  • Heather Hayden
    Nov. 23, 2024
    Absolutely amazing results!! We can’t recommend DTE enough. All the trainers we have encountered have been so sweet, knowledgeable, and patient; you can tell they love what they do. Before training, our 1.5 year old Boykin Spaniel walked, or should I say drug, us around on our walks and the only command she did somewhat consistently was sit and come (but you could forget it with any distractions). Today, Duchess can walk by our side WITHOUT a leash and can hold a sit for 5+ minutes with distractions! I could go on and on. If you are hesitant or debating if training is worth it or not, just do it! We are so pleased with our investment in our pup and we are a better family for it. Thank you DTE for teaching us the best and most effective ways to communicate with our sweet pup!
  • J Lauren Villano
    Nov. 18, 2024
    I am blown away!!! Billie is a 1 year old Plott Hound. Before coming to Dog Training Elite, she was chaotic. We just finished her week of training camp last week and she's a different dog! I was able to train her on my own to a certain point but I didn't know how to make it stick. DTE helped me just as much if not more than Billie. I now know how to communicate to her what her job is during certain instances. I'm now able to actually play with my nieces and nephew when they're at my house. I can take Billie on walks and actually enjoy the walk myself. I still have a 1:1 session and 6 months of group classes to continue our training, but I can already confidently say that this training is worth every penny. If your dog is food aggressive, gets overly excited by visitors, or needs an outlet for pent up puppy energy... This is the training for you and your doggo!
  • Alison Jones
    Nov. 14, 2024
    We adopted a dog with some serious anxiety that manifested as leash aggression. We’d tried another training program previously and were told that she’d never be able to go anywhere with us. Then we went to a baseball game and saw Dog Training Elite in action. I called and scheduled a free eval. I was honest and told them that my husband was likely going to say no (we’d already spent a good deal of $ on training that didn’t help our main issue). We met with our evaluator and even my husband was sold!! We haven’t looked back. The training had been so incredibly beneficial. One on one sessions in your neighborhood with different trainers is so helpful. Our last session was at Falls Park(lots of people and lots of dogs with ZERO problems). We’ve been able to take our girl camping with is. We are no longer scared to take her on outings where there might be other dogs. She so much better behaved! Not gonna lie, she’s not perfect but she’s getting there. Thank you,DTE!
  • Emese Simon
    Nov. 7, 2024
    We have been struggling with our 2 year old puppy with significant dog reactivity, to the point of being afraid to take her for a walk as she would bark uncontrollably, jump, pull. We tried multiple methods and classes, including a camp where she stayed for a month to try to get control of her behaviors, without any improvement. Once we started working with dog elite training, she was transformed. I can't believe how well she is doing now. We can walk in our neighborhood without any fear of her lunging at another puppy. She is more confident, happy dog and responds well. We are learning how to work with her and she is listening very well. We found everyone extremely helpful, knowledgeable, friendly and understanding of our challenges with our puppy. We are looking forward to attending the group lessons and continue to watch Millie's progress. Thank you Casey for your patience, guidance and help with our challenging puppy.
  • Cole O'Connor
    Nov. 6, 2024
    I cannot recommend Dog Training Elite enough! Their obedience program is truly outstanding. From our very first session, the trainers demonstrated a deep understanding of canine behavior and used positive reinforcement techniques with the e-collar that made learning enjoyable for my dog. The curriculum is well-structured, addressing everything from basic commands to more advanced skills, ensuring we stayed engaged and motivated. What impressed me the most was the personalized approach; the trainers took the time to understand my dog's unique personality and tailored their methods accordingly. The results have been incredible. My dog is more obedient, confident, and well-behaved in various situations. Furthermore, the offered support is fantastic, with resources and guidance provided to reinforce what we have learned in class. We are looking forward to the 6 months of free group sessions that was part of our package, to continue to work through our tollgate checklist so we can move on to therapy training. If you're looking for a top notch obedience program that truly makes a difference, Dog Training Elite is the way to go!
  • Laura Lee Kearns Taylor
    Nov. 3, 2024
    Our 2 pups began training at 4 months old and we are so glad we enrolled them with Elite Dog Training! It’s been 6 weeks since they completed their week of training and they have been excellent at recall and obedience. Even after the hurricane and we had no power and couldn’t use their collars, they retained their training the majority of the time. We highly recommend the competent, professional trainers that really love what they do and love the dogs too!
  • Tom Hafft
    Oct. 30, 2024
    This organization is truly "Elite". My dog was (yes, "was") very reactive to people and dogs. It became impossible to walk her, she had pulled me down twice and we were concerned I or someone else would be hurt. Within 1 week I was able to walk her without incident! I was very skeptical this could happen, but I saw for myself. Having proper guidance and training techniques turned things around. I can't thank these people enough for their patience, love of dogs and professionalism. It's worth every penny spent 😊
  • Chris Clayton
    Oct. 29, 2024
    Lucy my German Shepard had some issues. She is doing so good now. High highly recommend these guys!
  • Carol Knupp
    Oct. 29, 2024
    In need of a good dog trainer? Your puppy or dog doesn't have the best behavior? Could your life and your dog's life be better if his/her behavior was better? I know exactly how you feel. I was in the same situation. I adopted a 6 year old minature Aussie, beautiful but with several ugly behaviors. She was very food aggressive towards other dogs and me, very aggressive to people coming into the house, especially aggressive towards men, and aggressive towards dogs she encountered on our walks. Has Margot's inappropriate behaviors been completely eliminated? No. But they have been significantly reduced. She (and I) are works in progress. I am so happy to have worked with the Dog Training Elite trainers. They are experts in the field, they are patient, and love what they do. They have provided Margot and I with the knowledge and techniques we can use in a consistent, ongoing training program. Thank you, thank you!! Both Margot and mine lives have greatly improved because of this traing.
  • Dylan Scott
    Oct. 29, 2024
    Incredible experience! Highly recommend working with Dog Training Elite! I used the puppy training and advanced obedience training and I can't be more impressed with the results! All of the trainers are very experienced and it shows in the results.
  • Marni Sumbal
    Oct. 24, 2024
    We adopted Sunny four weeks ago after saying good bye to our 17 year old chihuahua. Sunny is a terrier mix and ended up at Animal Care and Control in Charlotte after being found abandoned in an apartment building with another dog. He was being fostered before we officially adopted him. He is ~1 year old (and a few months) and 16 lbs. Sunny came to us overly excited and reactive to other dogs. He was extremely barky, didn’t know how to act around strangers, would nip when he got excited and after a long walk outside, he was wound up with energy. We knew he was a very happy and smart dog but we felt he had a lot of anxiety and uncertainty about life. And with five cats in our house, his barks and wild energy made our house feel divided and stressful. After researching several different behavior training schools, we selected Dog training elite upstate because of the reviews/testimonials. We enrolled Sunny in the gold elite package which consists of two home visits, 5 days of training in the facility and six months of group classes. This package also includes the e-collar (not a shock collar), which is how the trainers work with the dogs. We were skeptical about the training (and collar) as we have no prior experience in dog training and we asked a lot of questions about the collar to make sure it was safe. After the first in-home visit with Casey, Sunny was a changed dog. We couldn’t believe how quickly he learned “come” and “off”. Sunny thrived at school and responded so well to his 3-4 different trainers, teaching him place, down, heel and sit. After each day of class, we watched a tutorial video of how to give commands and watched videos of Sunny in action. Since the training, we never say no, raise our voice or use the collar for punishment. We don't even have to use treats for rewarding good behavior. Everything Sunny learned has been through positive reinforcement. The collar is simply a mode of communication. Sunny feels secure in his collar and loves working on his new skills. He gets excited to put on his collar. After five days of his school, we saw his confidence improve, he’s not anxious anymore, the cats are calm around him, we can peacefully coexist around other dogs and he has so much more freedom in life. He is still a happy and fun dog but now relies on us to help him safely navigate this new world. We are so happy that Sunny has so many more opportunities in life thanks to his good behaviors and listening skills - all thanks to Dog Training Elite. -Marni and Karel Sumbal Greenville, SC
  • Marni Sumbal
    Oct. 24, 2024
    We adopted Sunny four weeks ago after saying good bye to our 17 year old chihuahua. Sunny is a terrier mix and ended up at Animal Care and Control in Charlotte after being found abandoned in an apartment building with another dog. He was being fostered before we officially adopted him. He is ~1 year old (and a few months) and 16 lbs. Sunny came to us overly excited and reactive to other dogs. He was extremely barky, didn’t know how to act around strangers, would nip when he got excited and after a long walk outside, he was wound up with energy. We knew he was a very happy and smart dog but we felt he had a lot of anxiety and uncertainty about life. And with five cats in our house, his barks and wild energy made our house feel divided and stressful. After researching several different behavior training schools, we selected @dogtrainingeliteupstatesc because of the reviews/testimonials. We enrolled Sunny in the gold elite package which consists of two home visits, 5 days of training in the facility and six months of group classes. This package also includes the e-collar (not a shock collar), which is how the trainers work with the dogs. We were skeptical about the training (and collar) as we have no prior experience in dog training and we asked a lot of questions about the collar to make sure it was safe. After the first in-home visit with Casey, Sunny was a changed dog. We couldn’t believe how quickly he learned “come” and “off”. Sunny thrived at school and responded so well to his 3-4 different trainers, teaching him place, down, heel and sit. After each day of class, we watched a tutorial video of how to give commands and watched videos of Sunny in action. Since the training, we never say no, raise our voice or use the collar for punishment. We don't even have to use treats for rewarding good behavior. Everything Sunny learned has been through positive reinforcement. The collar is simply a mode of communication. Sunny feels secure in his collar and loves working on his new skills. He gets excited to put on his collar. After five days of his school, we saw his confidence improve, he’s not anxious anymore, the cats are calm around him, we can peacefully coexist around other dogs and he has so much more freedom in life. He is still a happy and fun dog but now relies on us to help him safely navigate this new world. We are so happy that Sunny has so many more opportunities in life thanks to his good behaviors and listening skills - all thanks to Dog Training Elite. -Marni and Karel Sumbal Greenville, SC
  • Terri Gowdy
    Oct. 20, 2024
    We had the best experience with Dog Training Elite! All the trainers are fantastic and feel a bit like part of our family now! From our initial home visit where we talked about our personal goals for our dog and the things we needed help with, to the implementation and teaching of the skills in group class, we were just amazed at the quality and effectiveness of the program! I was a bit apprehensive about learning how to work with an e-collar, but it is a great management tool, and our dog seems happier than ever - as if he has purpose! I only wish I had done it sooner!
  • Joanne Edwards
    Oct. 20, 2024
    I could not say enough about how great everyone has been at Dog Training Elite! From the initial set up of Milo’s consultation to scheduling his lessons, the staff have always been super accommodating and responsive! Every trainer we have worked with has been amazing! Casey, Sydney, Danny, and Mackenzie loved Milo like their own pup and set us up for success! I was initially a little hesitant about working with e collars (I grew up with dogs with an electric fence and initially thought they were similar…completely different!) I tried it out on myself first and it’s amazing how such a small amount of stimulus can help you communicate with your pup better! The trainers are also super informative in the use of it and Milo adjusted pretty quickly to wearing it! I have seen such an improvement in Milo through working with DTE. Before, I stopped bringing him out with me because of his reactivity but now with the training he has done so great being in public! The e collar has provided a way for me to communicate with him on such a deeper level. He has attended puppy classes before but DTE is next level and worth the investment! I cannot thank the staff enough at DTE for working with Milo to be the bestest boy!
  • Joanne Edwards
    Oct. 19, 2024
    I could not say enough about how great everyone has been at Dog Training Elite! From the initial set up of Milo’s consultation to scheduling his lessons, the staff have always been super accommodating and responsive! Every trainer we have worked with has been amazing! Casey, Sydney, Danny, and Mackenzie loved Milo like their own pup and set us up for success! I was initially a little hesitant about working with e collars (I grew up with dogs with an electric fence and initially thought they were similar…completely different!) I tried it out on myself first and it’s amazing how such a small amount of stimulus can help you communicate with your pup better! The trainers are also super informative in the use of it and Milo adjusted pretty quickly to wearing it! I have seen such an improvement in Milo through working with DTE. Before, I stopped bringing him out with me because of his reactivity but now with the training he has done so great being in public! The e collar has provided a way for me to communicate with him on such a deeper level. He has attended puppy classes before but DTE is next level and worth the investment! I cannot thank the staff enough at DTE for working with milo to be the bestest boy!
  • Robin Flynn
    Oct. 16, 2024
    We used Elite to train our 8 month old dog. Everyone we worked was very knowledgeable and professional. We will definitely use Elite again!
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 Upstate SC.

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 Upstate SC’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 Upstate SC - Dog Obedience Training in Greenville / Spartanburg, SC. DTE
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Dog Training Elite Upstate SC - Elite Puppy Training in Greenville / Spartanburg, SC. DTE
Puppy Training
Dog Training Elite Upstate SC - Elite Service Dog Training in Greenville / Spartanburg, SC. DTE
Service Dog Training
Dog Training Elite Upstate SC - Aggressive Dog Training in Greenville / Spartanburg, SC. DTE
Anxiety & Aggression
Dog Training Elite Upstate SC - Top Group Dog Training in Greenville / Spartanburg, SC. DTE
Group Training
A fully trained service dog from Dog Training Elite Upstate SC.

Greenville / Spartanburg Emotional Support Dog Training

Why Choose DTE for Therapy Dog Training?

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At Dog Training Elite Upstate SC, 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 Upstate SC.
Dog Training Elite Upstate SC light star icon.

Educate, Empower, Elevate, Elite

Victory Begins With Elite Education

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.