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A therapy dog is a dog who visits places like schools, hospitals and nursing homes. Therapy dog training in Milwaukee teaches dogs to provide comfort, support, and affection to the people they meet, particularly vulnerable people like children, seniors, patients in hospitals, and so on.
Therapy dogs are not service dogs. Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks to help a person who has a disability. This distinction is important because therapy dogs do not have the same access to public places like service dogs do. For example, service dogs can go into restaurants, but therapy dogs cannot. Therapy dogs still provide a valuable service and should receive therapy dog certification.
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite Milwaukee location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Who Do Therapy Dogs Help?
Therapy dogs may be regular visitors to a variety of people and places, with hospitals and rehabilitation centers being among the most common. Children, in particular, respond positively to therapy dogs.
Seniors in assisted living or people with mental disabilities who live in facilities and experience feelings of isolation also see a lot of benefits from visiting with a therapy dog.
Besides providing valuable social opportunities and relieving anxiety, therapy dogs may even help lower blood pressure and heart rate in patients and the other people they visit.
Why Are Therapy Dogs Important?
Therapy dogs offer unconditional love, non-judgmental interaction, reduce stress, anxiety and loneliness, and provide an overall positive distraction to ailments. Research shows therapy dogs can have a positive effect on a patient’s mood, stress and pain levels during facility stays.
Young patients — children — seem to benefit most from working with therapy dogs. They are more motivated to participate in treatments, feel optimistic about the future, and experience an overall sense of calm when a certified therapy dog is present.
For people who may have a hard time socializing due to mental disabilities or their living situation, therapy dogs can promote social interaction within their community and help them to connect.
We help your dog become a valued companion and beloved member of the family. Read what our customers have to say and then give us a call!
Mary was great to work with. When I reached out to Dog Training Elite, I was at my wits end with my reactive dog. I no longer was enjoying our walks, and they had become a point of stress in my life. Mary provided me with the tools to refocus my dog and reduce her reactivity, and I can say we are both enjoying our walks more. This training is not just for your dog, it's also for you. What I've learned has made me a better dog owner.— Nicole Wolf
Posted September 25th 2024
My dog and I had a pleasant experience with Dog Training Elite. It made a huge difference training my dog, Bianco! I highly recommend it. Both Mary and Anina were amazing! We mostly worked with Anina, she was very friendly, knowledgeable, and patient. She did great with not only teaching my dog Bianco, but also focusing on teaching my sister and I how to train him. Before starting training, my dog would bark excessively, pull on walks, and react to other dogs/people/cars. Now my dog is more calm and a much better listener, which has strengthened our bond. Many thanks to you both!— MELISSA PALACIOS
Posted September 1st 2024
Anina was just great! Even stopped over on her own time when we had difficulty adjusting the prong collar. Maggie just loved her! Would highly recommend Anina.— Janet Gauger
Posted August 30th 2024
Paul and Mary did an amazing job in working with Journey (my Goldendoodle) and I. As a new puppy parent, learning the different facets of this particular breed and bonding with my new pup, had its challenges. However, with Paul and Mary's help, we were able to get though the trainings, successfully. Their skills and experience in training dogs to be service animals is incredible. Paul was my direct trainer, and he is knowledgeable, consistent and patient as a trainer. Something we really needed. I am grateful for the support that Paul and Mary provided on my journey, with Journey. Many thanks to you both!— Tamarra carr
Posted August 19th 2024
The? People that sent me paul yang. Was a very good gentleman.Help me a lot with training. I would recommend if you guys need help with training Your dog for support. They are very good people and they work very well.— Cindy Sancinati
Posted July 25th 2024
My dog is my whole world, but he has developed some behavioral issues, such as being weary of strangers, excessive barking, and reactiveness to other dogs. Mary worked closely with me and him for a few months to help resolve these issues, and within the first few sessions I noticed a drastic improvement. She was patient with him and very informative. We still have work to do, but Mary and this company has given me the tools and resources to help me give my dog the best life I can. I 100% recommend this service.— Marina Steger
Posted July 12th 2024
We have been working with Mary and she is amazing Our puppy Penny has greatly improved under her supervision Looking forward to beginning group classes Andy & Liz— Andrew Dunlap
Posted July 10th 2024
Anina was terrific training me and my dog! It's great to have her start something new with him, then coach me as I work with him. After trying two other classes/methods, its good to find a training style that works. I'm looking forward to the follow up group classes, as well.— Beth Bautz
Posted July 3rd 2024
We had a very good experience with Anina, she was very knowledgeable and kind with our Akita. We saw immediate results and would definitely use this service again in the future!— Eva
Posted June 23rd 2024
It was an absolute pleasure working with Mary to get my dog (rhodesian ridgeback puppy) therapy dog certified. After the very first training session, I noticed a huge change in my puppy's behavior. I enjoyed both the one-on-one trainings and the group classes. Would highly recommend!— Leah Linn
Posted June 11th 2024
Both Mary and Paul have been great as we were looking for help training our rescue Nora. She’s already so much better than when we started, especially when walking. I can’t recommend DTE and both Mary and Paul higher. If you are looking for a trainer that uses classical conditioning, this is the one!— Adam Lang
Posted April 29th 2024
Mary and Katie are both very sweet people and so easy to work with. Mary helped my dog and I both gain the confidence we need. My dog has come so far and I'm so thankful for Mary. #TeamDTE— stephanie w
Posted March 15th 2024
Trainers are great and it's nice I can work with my own dog under their supervision— Karen Stardy
Posted March 3rd 2024
Mary the trainer is awesome with my dog. Within 2 training sessions my dog was much better with her behavior. The training is top notch. Mary is working with my dog to be a service dog. The in home sessions worked well for me. I injured myself and can't drive at this time The training cost is worth every penny! I'm very happy to have found Mary and dog training elite— Susan Freund
Posted February 13th 2024
Dog Training Elite has been a great experience for myself and my dog. Mary met with us in home to do an evaluation, Paul completed the one on one course with my dog. Group training as follow up has been fun. Mary and Paul have been great to work with. 10/10— Neil Rossman
Posted January 30th 2024
Paul and Mary were amazing, I felt as if I was being instructed correctly and there was a complete change in behavior of my dog Goku. He was extremely excited puppy who did not understand how to control his excitement by week 3 he learned the basic obedience and continued on. Final week of private training Goku did not rush to the door nor jump on trainer. Without Dog Training Elite I would be feeling very anxious around other people and dogs but now I am completely comfortable with him being off leash around animals and people.— Tony Orlando
Posted December 4th 2023
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Posted November 20th 2023
Dog Training Elite Milwaukee has worked magic with our mini bernidoodle and our Cane Corso. The doodle is being trained as a service animal and has amazing command response even as a young puppy(started training at about 6 months). The cane corso was a very good, well socialized, but highly independent animal. She did what she wanted and thought she was the boss. Since her basic training, she is much better behaved and listens to commands. I no longer have to leash her on walks through the woods, she never leaves my side, and comes on command when I let her run free.— Quinn Armitage
Posted October 30th 2023
Mary is great! Can't wait to do group sessions. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite and Mary.— Roxann Yaeger
Posted September 22nd 2023
I cannot say enough good things about Mary at Elite Dog Training! Our journey with her to train our therapy dog was nothing short of extraordinary. From the very first session, it was clear that Mary possesses an unparalleled expertise and passion for what she does. Mary's approach to dog training is both effective and incredibly enjoyable. She not only understands the intricacies of canine behavior but also knows how to communicate her knowledge in a way that's accessible and easy to grasp. Her deep connection with dogs was evident from the moment she met our sassy puppy, and it was heartwarming to see how quickly our furry friend responded to her guidance. One of the most remarkable aspects of our experience with Mary was the speed at which we progressed through the lessons. It felt like an instant transformation out of the sassy puppy phase! Mary tailored each training session to our specific needs and goals, ensuring that we were always moving forward. Her teaching style is patient, compassionate, and filled with positive reinforcement, making every training session a joy for both our dog and us. Beyond the exceptional training skills, Mary also provided us with valuable insights into dog psychology and behavior. She taught us not only how to train our therapy dog but also how to understand and communicate with her effectively. Her guidance went beyond just the lessons, equipping us with the tools and knowledge to continue nurturing a happy and well-behaved dog at home. Mary's dedication to her craft and genuine love for dogs is truly remarkable. She has not only transformed our sassy puppy into a well-behaved therapy dog but has also enriched our lives with the joy and fulfillment that comes from having a beautifully trained canine companion. If you're looking for an outstanding dog trainer who will work tirelessly to help you and your furry friend achieve your training goals, Mary at Elite Dog Training is the absolute best choice. She exceeded our expectations in every way possible, and we are forever grateful for the incredible experience she provided. Thank you, Mary, for making our journey to a well-behaved therapy dog such a fantastic and unforgettable one!— Jordan Beck
Posted September 11th 2023
How Does a Dog Become a Therapy Dog?
If you have felt the benefits of owning a dog, you may feel inspired to help more people feel the unconditional love, joy and support your dog provides. However, having a friendly, loving personality isn’t enough for a dog to qualify as a therapy dog. Some other qualifications to consider are:
- The age of your dog. Puppies do not make good therapy animals.
- How obedient your dog is. It’s important your dog listens to you and obeys basic commands. Dogs that go through obedience training with Dog Training Elite Milwaukee have the perfect foundation to go onto therapy dog training, as long as they are old enough.
- How social your dog is. Your dog may be affectionate with you — but are they affectionate with strangers? Do they like to receive attention from strangers, particularly petting?
Therapy Dog Handlers
As a dog owner, it’s important to reflect on whether you would like to become a therapy dog handler as well. If you enjoy connecting with people, becoming a therapy dog handler may be a great fit. You can also choose where to volunteer to better suit your interests — if you like kids, volunteer to visit schools or children’s hospitals. If you prefer to work with older people, then sign up to visit senior living centers.
Once you’ve determined that becoming a therapy dog handler and helping your dog become a therapy dog is the right move for the two of you, you’re ready to start therapy dog training. The trainers of Dog Training Elite Milwaukee are experts in the behaviors needed in a therapy dog and will help you and your dog either brush up on or master behaviors such as “leave it,” “watch me,” loose-leash walking and not jumping on other people.
To help your dog become well socialized, you may consider also signing up for one of Dog Training Elite Milwaukee’s group obedience classes. A group class environment is also beneficial because it helps your dog learn to be obedient when there are a lot of distractions around, a crucial skill for a therapy dog.
Once you’ve completed initial training, you’re ready to apply for therapy dog certification in Milwaukee. However, it is important to note that this certification is not the end. It’s important to stay on top of your dog’s training and continue to help them be the best therapy dog they can be.
Dog Training Elite Milwaukee Partners
Why do Therapy Dog Training with Dog Training Elite Milwaukee?
The Dog Training Elite Milwaukee training method stands out because of its emphasis on positive reinforcement. Dogs are never punished for bad behavior, instead they are rewarded for good behavior. This kind of training makes a huge difference in your relationship with your dog, and will make a difference in how your dog interacts with other people.
The balanced training method of Dog Training Elite Milwaukee fosters a dog’s naturally loving and obedient nature. Focusing on positive reinforcement and rewarding good behavior helps build a strong bond between dog and owner built on love and trust. This foundation in turn becomes a great foundation for dog and owner to become a fabulous therapy team providing an invaluable service to the community.
If you feel therapy dog certification is right for you and your dog, get started by contacting Dog Training Elite Milwaukee. Request your free training demo and in-home assessment today.
