A therapy dog walking in a park with their owner - contact Dog Training Elite to talk to a professional therapy dog trainer in Metro Detroit, MI!

Therapy Dog Training

Dog Training Elite Southeast Michigan

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 Metro Detroit, MI

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 Metro Detroit, MI, 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 Southeast Michigan'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

  • LouAnn Knaus
    Apr. 21, 2025
    The training is great! They work with you one on one your dog. Help you through the issues you may have. Great experience. Hailey is sweet, energetic and so helpful. She is a must if you want a well behaved dog. Thank you Hailey!
  • Thyra
    Apr. 18, 2025
    We had an amazing experience with Dog Training Elite and our trainer, Steven! He worked with my German Shepherd, Wolfgang, on obedience training and did a phenomenal job. Steven is not only professional and knowledgeable, but also incredibly skilled at explaining techniques clearly and reading both the dog and handler. What really stood out was his ability to pivot and adjust methods if something wasn’t clicking for us—no ego, just a real dedication to helping us succeed. His confidence and calm demeanor made Wolfgang feel comfortable and engaged, and I felt supported every step of the way. We just wrapped up our Platinum package and are really looking forward to starting the group classes soon. I highly recommend Steven and Dog Training Elite to anyone looking for effective, personalized dog training!
  • Jim Ashley
    Apr. 18, 2025
    Working with Austin was a great experience. His knowledge and patience is exceptional. He clearly explains the why, what and how of his training methods. He listens to what your goals are and tailors the training around that. They don't simply run a generic training playbook. I highly, highly recommend.
  • Cindy Warren
    Jan. 28, 2025
    I owned 4 previous dogs (labs) and trained them myself. But then I rescued a husky mix last April. I walk nearby trails everyday and I was struggling with my dog pulling, launching, and passing people and other dogs. Steven Dennison and Elite have helped me learn tips, tools, and training to allow my dog and I to enjoy our hikes without fear of falling, getting angry at her, having to get way off the trail in the poison ivy and tics when people and dogs pass, etc.. And with this new peaceful structure, my dog is more affectionate and attached to me! Steven was kind, understanding, helpful and positive in working with my dog and I. I am SO grateful!
  • Stephanie Shinkle
    Apr. 10, 2025
    Steven was amazing! We were struggling with training our very large puppy. We needed guidance from an expert in this field. Steven was knowledgeable, intuitive, creative and kind. He helped build our confidence and the results are fantastic. Our dog now has manners, doesn't jump on people and loves the "jobs" we give him. I highly recommend this company, Steven!
  • Anna Moreno
    Apr. 9, 2025
    We have used Dog Training Elite 2x now and find them to be amazing. Both our dogs are mini Australian shepherd poodle mixes and can be a handful. We have had both Austin and Hailey as Trainers, and both are exceptional. For our most recent pup,Merlin, we had Hailey as our trainer. She truly understood how worried I have been about not only the safety of our puppy but the safety of my elder mother who is home with him the most. She has made sure that my mom is comfortable using the different training techniques and even has helped us figure out a way for my mom to take merlin on walks while using her walker. Hailey has been a delight to work with. These trainers are amazing, and you are in good hands with them.
  • Mary Starr
    Apr. 7, 2025
    Chuva came home at 12 weeks and we muddled through some initial training attempts. Things weren't going that well and she knew that she ran the house. So we needed some help. Chuva is now 9 months old and we started working with Hailey a couple months ago. Chuva is a much more confident and well-behaved puppy now. The credit goes to Hailey for showing us how to help Chuva learn to pay attention, listen and settle. Hailey was kind and supported us while we learned and showed us great ways to interact with Chuva. Our puppy went from being an ok puppy to being a great, more well-behaved one over the course of about 7 weeks. Today we went out in the world and Chuva did amazing. We will keep working with her using the skills that Hailey taught us. I can't recommend Dog Training Elite and Hailey enough.
  • Anna Harris
    Mar. 28, 2025
    We didn’t know what to expect when we started this process but we are so happy that we did it. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite. We had the pleasure of working with Steve Dennison. He was absolutely fantastic. Always on time. Great communication. Really knows so much about how to train your fur baby. He shows a lot of compassion even when my dog wasn’t happy to see him. Our dog was an 8 year old Pit Terrier. My family was skeptical about her ability to change her behaviors at such a late stage in her life. Steve told us that she just wanted a job to do. She took to the training so well. She sits, place, heel, comes on command, and knows how to leave it. I can walk her on leash without her pulling. The last session was done at Home Depot. We were able to get her to sit and stay put while I walked up and down the aisle until I told her to come. My goal was for her to be able to coexist with my two small 5 lb. Yorkshire terriers. The goal was achieved and then some. Such a great sense of accomplishment. Marley is a very happy dog and so is her Mom and Aunt! Thank you Steve for everything!
  • Susie Garbacz
    Feb. 14, 2025
    Steven from Elite Dog Training was amazing. He helped train our sweet dog Gus and us to make Gus the best he could be. Steven was so kind, helped us understand how the dog thinks, and how we should respond to every situation that Gus is thrown into. We can’t thank Steven enough. I would highly recommend them and Steven!
  • Michelle Jonna
    Feb. 7, 2025
    I contacted Dog training Elite to training my four year old maltipoo to be therapy and service dog after many people told me Brady would be joy to others. We started working with Hailey and she guided myself to give me the proper tools so Brady can volunteer at medical, school, nursing homes and wherever someone might need some extra love. Even when Brady was being a bit stubborn Hailey never allowed me to give up and was so calm and loving. Words can’t express how highly I would recommend Hailey. Brady is always excited to see Hailey.. If your dog needs any training I highly recommend.
  • Kari Jones
    Feb. 7, 2025
    My 3 year old pup Zeus and I have been doing service dog training with Hailey for the past couple months. I could not be more happy with his progress! In around 10 weeks, he has gone from not really healing consistently — to today, when we went to DTW and practiced going through airport TSA. He healed, sat, and laid down on command, all the way through the airport, with flying colors. Hailey has made both Zeus and I feel more confident about taking the lessons we have learned and applying them in public settings. We’ve even had the opportunity to be around a couple other dogs from Dog Training Elite — including a second trainer (Steve?) bringing a dog to meet us at a store, so we could practice passing another dog in crowded store aisles. And they have group classes on the weekends, which we just haven’t been able to attend yet due to this crazy cold winter. Anyway, I rarely write reviews, but I am so happy with this company, and highly recommend Dog Training Elite! I have nothing but praise for the work Hailey has already done. Zeus adores her and is actively excited for our training sessions, and I feel confident that he will continue doing a great job moving forward, thanks to all the skills he has learned.
  • Jon Brown
    Feb. 3, 2025
    We could not be any happier making the decision to use Dog Training Elite to help train our dog, Pistachio! Steven is an amazing trainer and gave us very useful insight and tips on how to reinforce the training outside of the sessions. Even when our dog was challenged in the training sessions, Steven led the training in a way where our dog was still having fun and learning new things. We have noticed such a difference from when we began the training. Our walks and trips around town have become so much more enjoyable as the training has progressed. We look forward to working with Steven and the rest of the DTE staff in the future!
  • Pandy Arrieta
    Jan. 31, 2025
    I have a super energetic pup with an amazing personality and full of love. The way she makes people smile made me want to train her to be a therapy dog. I researched the different companies that offered the training and I am so happy that I have gone with Dog Training Elite because they come to my home to begin the training and use very humane methods. Holleigh is our trainer and she is fantastic! A great way of teaching both my pup and I. I’m so excited to know we will be able to visit places that will appreciate the joy and love she will bring them.
  • Kara Vuich
    Dec. 17, 2024
    What an amazing program! Hailey helped me not only train my dog but understand him on another level! She really impressed me on first day alone and nust got better with each visit. Hailey encouraged me a lot throughout and kept checking in which also helped me stay motivated.
  • Debbie DeborahM
    Dec. 16, 2024
    My five year old rescue pup, Whiskey, just completed training with Hailey Roovers. He was a reactive barker, he jumped on everyone that came in the house and was nervous around other dogs. I could not be any happier with the results of our sessions. Hailey worked through every issue with Whiskey and me. Through Hailey’s instruction he is now a very confident pup! I highly recommend Dog Training Elite Southeast Michigan and Hailey Roovers.
  • Breann Shrock
    Dec. 16, 2024
    We started with Dog Training Elite of Southeast Michigan a few weeks after we brought Bailey home. We had not had a puppy in almost 16 years, and forgot how overwhelming & joyful it could be at the same time. Dachshunds are stubborn and not easy to train! We started working with Hailey right away as we knew we wanted to obtain a service dog certification and eventually volunteer at the children’s hospital and hospice floor of our local medical facilities. We are very happy with the results of the basic commands and how well behaved our pup is around other dogs, people of all ages & in various environments. We also love that we can continue to attend group training classes for reinforcement! The mental stimulation proved to be far more beneficial for the puppy energy than any amount of walks we could get her to go on:) Our Doxie is stubborn, but we continue to reinforce the fundamentals - it is a commitment from the owner if you want to maximize what is taught during the 1x1s and group classes, but greatly pays off. Hailey was easy to work with, accommodated our crazy schedule, and truly loves animals & treated Bailey like she was her own. Highly recommend!
  • Teddy
    Nov. 18, 2024
    Hailey was a fantastic trainer for our dog Winnie! She is knowledgeable, kind, funny, and really cares about Winnie’s training🐶 it’s been great working with her and the whole DTE team!
  • Lynn Staten
    Oct. 26, 2024
    We have had THE best experience with this company and their trainers. Ryann has been exceptional to work with. Every tip and trick she has given us has changed how our puppy Chase has been for us. She is full of knowledge and never lets us get down on ourselves when Chase doesn’t get the hang of something immediately, she always reminds us that he is young and new to all of this. Thank you Dog Training Elite for all of your exceptional work and a special thank you to Ryann for your patience with Chase and I.
  • Alyssa Loria
    Oct. 23, 2024
    We have been having a wonderful experience with Dog Training Elite! Both Hailey and Steven have been great to work with and have been helping us understand how to best work with our dog. We have been loving our weekly training sessions with Hailey and our dog has been excelling throughout the training!
  • Michelle Foley
    Oct. 21, 2024
    Dog Training Elite of Southeast Michigan is the best of the best when it comes to training. They go above and beyond to make sure you are happy with the services they provide. They truly love the animals like their own and work with the families every step of the way. If I could give 6/5 stars I would. I would highly recommend.
  • LouAnn Knaus
    Apr. 21, 2025
    The training is great! They work with you one on one your dog. Help you through the issues you may have. Great experience. Hailey is sweet, energetic and so helpful. She is a must if you want a well behaved dog. Thank you Hailey!
  • Thyra
    Apr. 18, 2025
    We had an amazing experience with Dog Training Elite and our trainer, Steven! He worked with my German Shepherd, Wolfgang, on obedience training and did a phenomenal job. Steven is not only professional and knowledgeable, but also incredibly skilled at explaining techniques clearly and reading both the dog and handler. What really stood out was his ability to pivot and adjust methods if something wasn’t clicking for us—no ego, just a real dedication to helping us succeed. His confidence and calm demeanor made Wolfgang feel comfortable and engaged, and I felt supported every step of the way. We just wrapped up our Platinum package and are really looking forward to starting the group classes soon. I highly recommend Steven and Dog Training Elite to anyone looking for effective, personalized dog training!
  • Jim Ashley
    Apr. 18, 2025
    Working with Austin was a great experience. His knowledge and patience is exceptional. He clearly explains the why, what and how of his training methods. He listens to what your goals are and tailors the training around that. They don't simply run a generic training playbook. I highly, highly recommend.
  • Cindy Warren
    Jan. 28, 2025
    I owned 4 previous dogs (labs) and trained them myself. But then I rescued a husky mix last April. I walk nearby trails everyday and I was struggling with my dog pulling, launching, and passing people and other dogs. Steven Dennison and Elite have helped me learn tips, tools, and training to allow my dog and I to enjoy our hikes without fear of falling, getting angry at her, having to get way off the trail in the poison ivy and tics when people and dogs pass, etc.. And with this new peaceful structure, my dog is more affectionate and attached to me! Steven was kind, understanding, helpful and positive in working with my dog and I. I am SO grateful!
  • Stephanie Shinkle
    Apr. 10, 2025
    Steven was amazing! We were struggling with training our very large puppy. We needed guidance from an expert in this field. Steven was knowledgeable, intuitive, creative and kind. He helped build our confidence and the results are fantastic. Our dog now has manners, doesn't jump on people and loves the "jobs" we give him. I highly recommend this company, Steven!
  • Anna Moreno
    Apr. 9, 2025
    We have used Dog Training Elite 2x now and find them to be amazing. Both our dogs are mini Australian shepherd poodle mixes and can be a handful. We have had both Austin and Hailey as Trainers, and both are exceptional. For our most recent pup,Merlin, we had Hailey as our trainer. She truly understood how worried I have been about not only the safety of our puppy but the safety of my elder mother who is home with him the most. She has made sure that my mom is comfortable using the different training techniques and even has helped us figure out a way for my mom to take merlin on walks while using her walker. Hailey has been a delight to work with. These trainers are amazing, and you are in good hands with them.
  • Mary Starr
    Apr. 7, 2025
    Chuva came home at 12 weeks and we muddled through some initial training attempts. Things weren't going that well and she knew that she ran the house. So we needed some help. Chuva is now 9 months old and we started working with Hailey a couple months ago. Chuva is a much more confident and well-behaved puppy now. The credit goes to Hailey for showing us how to help Chuva learn to pay attention, listen and settle. Hailey was kind and supported us while we learned and showed us great ways to interact with Chuva. Our puppy went from being an ok puppy to being a great, more well-behaved one over the course of about 7 weeks. Today we went out in the world and Chuva did amazing. We will keep working with her using the skills that Hailey taught us. I can't recommend Dog Training Elite and Hailey enough.
  • Anna Harris
    Mar. 28, 2025
    We didn’t know what to expect when we started this process but we are so happy that we did it. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite. We had the pleasure of working with Steve Dennison. He was absolutely fantastic. Always on time. Great communication. Really knows so much about how to train your fur baby. He shows a lot of compassion even when my dog wasn’t happy to see him. Our dog was an 8 year old Pit Terrier. My family was skeptical about her ability to change her behaviors at such a late stage in her life. Steve told us that she just wanted a job to do. She took to the training so well. She sits, place, heel, comes on command, and knows how to leave it. I can walk her on leash without her pulling. The last session was done at Home Depot. We were able to get her to sit and stay put while I walked up and down the aisle until I told her to come. My goal was for her to be able to coexist with my two small 5 lb. Yorkshire terriers. The goal was achieved and then some. Such a great sense of accomplishment. Marley is a very happy dog and so is her Mom and Aunt! Thank you Steve for everything!
  • Susie Garbacz
    Feb. 14, 2025
    Steven from Elite Dog Training was amazing. He helped train our sweet dog Gus and us to make Gus the best he could be. Steven was so kind, helped us understand how the dog thinks, and how we should respond to every situation that Gus is thrown into. We can’t thank Steven enough. I would highly recommend them and Steven!
  • Michelle Jonna
    Feb. 7, 2025
    I contacted Dog training Elite to training my four year old maltipoo to be therapy and service dog after many people told me Brady would be joy to others. We started working with Hailey and she guided myself to give me the proper tools so Brady can volunteer at medical, school, nursing homes and wherever someone might need some extra love. Even when Brady was being a bit stubborn Hailey never allowed me to give up and was so calm and loving. Words can’t express how highly I would recommend Hailey. Brady is always excited to see Hailey.. If your dog needs any training I highly recommend.
  • Kari Jones
    Feb. 7, 2025
    My 3 year old pup Zeus and I have been doing service dog training with Hailey for the past couple months. I could not be more happy with his progress! In around 10 weeks, he has gone from not really healing consistently — to today, when we went to DTW and practiced going through airport TSA. He healed, sat, and laid down on command, all the way through the airport, with flying colors. Hailey has made both Zeus and I feel more confident about taking the lessons we have learned and applying them in public settings. We’ve even had the opportunity to be around a couple other dogs from Dog Training Elite — including a second trainer (Steve?) bringing a dog to meet us at a store, so we could practice passing another dog in crowded store aisles. And they have group classes on the weekends, which we just haven’t been able to attend yet due to this crazy cold winter. Anyway, I rarely write reviews, but I am so happy with this company, and highly recommend Dog Training Elite! I have nothing but praise for the work Hailey has already done. Zeus adores her and is actively excited for our training sessions, and I feel confident that he will continue doing a great job moving forward, thanks to all the skills he has learned.
  • Jon Brown
    Feb. 3, 2025
    We could not be any happier making the decision to use Dog Training Elite to help train our dog, Pistachio! Steven is an amazing trainer and gave us very useful insight and tips on how to reinforce the training outside of the sessions. Even when our dog was challenged in the training sessions, Steven led the training in a way where our dog was still having fun and learning new things. We have noticed such a difference from when we began the training. Our walks and trips around town have become so much more enjoyable as the training has progressed. We look forward to working with Steven and the rest of the DTE staff in the future!
  • Pandy Arrieta
    Jan. 31, 2025
    I have a super energetic pup with an amazing personality and full of love. The way she makes people smile made me want to train her to be a therapy dog. I researched the different companies that offered the training and I am so happy that I have gone with Dog Training Elite because they come to my home to begin the training and use very humane methods. Holleigh is our trainer and she is fantastic! A great way of teaching both my pup and I. I’m so excited to know we will be able to visit places that will appreciate the joy and love she will bring them.
  • Kara Vuich
    Dec. 17, 2024
    What an amazing program! Hailey helped me not only train my dog but understand him on another level! She really impressed me on first day alone and nust got better with each visit. Hailey encouraged me a lot throughout and kept checking in which also helped me stay motivated.
  • Debbie DeborahM
    Dec. 16, 2024
    My five year old rescue pup, Whiskey, just completed training with Hailey Roovers. He was a reactive barker, he jumped on everyone that came in the house and was nervous around other dogs. I could not be any happier with the results of our sessions. Hailey worked through every issue with Whiskey and me. Through Hailey’s instruction he is now a very confident pup! I highly recommend Dog Training Elite Southeast Michigan and Hailey Roovers.
  • Breann Shrock
    Dec. 16, 2024
    We started with Dog Training Elite of Southeast Michigan a few weeks after we brought Bailey home. We had not had a puppy in almost 16 years, and forgot how overwhelming & joyful it could be at the same time. Dachshunds are stubborn and not easy to train! We started working with Hailey right away as we knew we wanted to obtain a service dog certification and eventually volunteer at the children’s hospital and hospice floor of our local medical facilities. We are very happy with the results of the basic commands and how well behaved our pup is around other dogs, people of all ages & in various environments. We also love that we can continue to attend group training classes for reinforcement! The mental stimulation proved to be far more beneficial for the puppy energy than any amount of walks we could get her to go on:) Our Doxie is stubborn, but we continue to reinforce the fundamentals - it is a commitment from the owner if you want to maximize what is taught during the 1x1s and group classes, but greatly pays off. Hailey was easy to work with, accommodated our crazy schedule, and truly loves animals & treated Bailey like she was her own. Highly recommend!
  • Teddy
    Nov. 18, 2024
    Hailey was a fantastic trainer for our dog Winnie! She is knowledgeable, kind, funny, and really cares about Winnie’s training🐶 it’s been great working with her and the whole DTE team!
  • Lynn Staten
    Oct. 26, 2024
    We have had THE best experience with this company and their trainers. Ryann has been exceptional to work with. Every tip and trick she has given us has changed how our puppy Chase has been for us. She is full of knowledge and never lets us get down on ourselves when Chase doesn’t get the hang of something immediately, she always reminds us that he is young and new to all of this. Thank you Dog Training Elite for all of your exceptional work and a special thank you to Ryann for your patience with Chase and I.
  • Alyssa Loria
    Oct. 23, 2024
    We have been having a wonderful experience with Dog Training Elite! Both Hailey and Steven have been great to work with and have been helping us understand how to best work with our dog. We have been loving our weekly training sessions with Hailey and our dog has been excelling throughout the training!
  • Michelle Foley
    Oct. 21, 2024
    Dog Training Elite of Southeast Michigan is the best of the best when it comes to training. They go above and beyond to make sure you are happy with the services they provide. They truly love the animals like their own and work with the families every step of the way. If I could give 6/5 stars I would. I would highly recommend.
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 Southeast Michigan.

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 Southeast Michigan’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 Southeast Michigan - Dog Obedience Training in Metro Detroit, MI. Dog Training Elite
Obedience Training
Dog Training Elite Southeast Michigan - Puppy Training in Metro Detroit, MI. Dog Training Elite
Puppy Training
Dog Training Elite Southeast Michigan - Service Dog Training in Metro Detroit, MI. Dog Training Elite
Service Dog Training
Dog Training Elite Southeast Michigan - Anxiety & Aggression Dog Trainer in Metro Detroit, MI
Anxiety & Aggression
Dog Training Elite Southeast Michigan - Group Class Dog Training in Metro Detroit, MI. DTE
Group Training
A fully trained service dog from Dog Training Elite Southeast Michigan.

Metro Detroit Emotional Support Dog Training

Why Choose DTE for Therapy Dog Training?

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At Dog Training Elite Southeast Michigan, 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 Southeast Michigan.
Dog Training Elite Southeast Michigan 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.

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