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

Therapy Dog Training in Nashville, TN

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 Training in Nashville, TN

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 specialize in therapy dog training in Nashville, TN, helping dogs develop the temperament and skills needed to provide emotional support and comfort in a variety of settings. Our customized programs are designed to guide you and your dog through the certification process with compassion and professionalism. Whether your goal is to visit hospitals, schools, or community centers, we ensure your dog is well-prepared to offer calm, dependable companionship to those in need. With our expert training methods, your dog can become a confident and trusted therapy companion in the Nashville community.

See Training Packages
A therapy dog in training with Dog Training Elite Central Nashville'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

  • Tessa Tuttle
    Sep. 24, 2025
    I would 100% recommend these guys to help with your pup needs. They are so awesome, so very grateful for there help. Steve my dog, and I are so happy.
  • Taya Fillmore
    Sep. 24, 2025
    I am so grateful that I decided to do Dog Training with Dog Training Elite. My standard poodle used to pull on the leash all the time and jump on guests. Now he is the most distinguished gentleman, I am so happy with his progress and training!
  • Brooklyn Borgquist
    Sep. 1, 2025
    thank you so much to Parker at Dog Training Elite for helping me with my rambunctious Labradoodle. He used to bark at every thing outside our door. It felt like we couldn’t even have dinner and talk to each other without hearing Myers bark. Now he can lay down on his place and relax while we eat dinner. I’m so grateful that we decided to invest in dog training!
  • Sadie Eyre
    Aug. 27, 2025
    Thank you so much to Parker at dog training, elite for saving our sanity when it came to our dog. I was at my wits end with my dog, jumping all over everybody and pulling on the leash. Now she is so polite and walks like an angel. I loved my private in-home sessions with the trainers. Everybody was so amazing! Thank you, Dog Training Elite!
  • McKay Peery
    Aug. 27, 2025
    I am so grateful that I called Dog Training Elite! My dog was jumping on every guest that walked in the door and counter surfing. She would get sick and I would take her to the vet from what she would eat. Now she respects the boundaries of our guests that come over and no longer counter surfs. Thank you so much to Parker at dog training late for your expertise and help. I would recommend dog turning elite to everyone!!
  • Mark Hodge
    Aug. 26, 2025
    Thank you Montana and Parker for your patient endurance while training our very stubborn French Bulldog. Our dog Gideon has aggressive tendencies and Elite trainers has given us the tools needed to work toward a more obedient/well behaved pup. Still work to do, but making progress!
  • julie warren
    Aug. 18, 2025
    My insecure golden retriever lacked confidence and social skills! Elite did a great job of not only building his confidence, but helping me understand him.
  • Simon Tv
    Aug. 14, 2025
    I am so pleased with DTE!!! We currently have a 1 year old golden retriever at 78 pounds. Callahan! Named after “Dirty Harry Inspector Callahan” Clint Eastwood… We had senior pups a Beagle and Bassett Hound before they recently passed. With Callahan we have gone from seniors at 20 mph to Callahan at 100 mph (!) Callahan’s breeder recommended dog training. I have never done dog training. Googling, I saw DTE had great reviews. We started with 1 on 1’s at our house. Then group training! Some shout outs to the fabulous trainers at group : Montana, Liam and Andi. All professional and know what they are doing with dogs. I’m probably forgetting someone? But all excellent. But I’m not forgetting PARKER! I swear this man must have been raised with wolves and dogs. He’s part of the pack and instinctively knows how to handle dogs. I had issues with Callahan heeling and running after everything on our walks. Squirrels, runners, cyclists, etc. Parker has helped me control Callahan. We have the proper collar. Parker taught me collar adjustment, collar location on dog’s neck and leash snap. I learned change direction when I see distraction. Like a bunny. Parker also had me practice on him as if he were the dog, feeling the dog pull and learning when I needed to snap. At first I was late lots with my snap but eventually I got the hang of it. Highly recommend DTE. Worth the investment in training a dog. They are responsive and flexible to meet you and your dog’s needs. And request Parker if you really need lots of help! Catherine and Callahan
  • Alexis Pantorilla
    Aug. 11, 2025
    Dog training elite has been a GAME CHANGER!!! Cannot recommend them enough. My dog got attacked and has never been the same. Within the first two sessions she was already a completely different dog. I’ve been recommending them to everyone I see- every time I leave my house people comment saying that my dog is so well behaved. Sooo so so well worth it over and over again. If you’re thinking about doing it- DO IT!
  • Mark Esposito
    Aug. 9, 2025
    I am so glad that I put my dog Winnie in training with Dog Training Elite. We had found her as a stray on the side of the road in Nashville and she needed training to be able to adjust to living in our house. She now is amazing with respecting all of our house guests that come over and grown so much in confidence. Thank you to Parker at Dog Training Elite in Nashville for all of your help!
  • audrey esposito
    Aug. 9, 2025
    Rizzo is my sweet rescue dog that constantly barked at everything! On walks he was very reactive towards other dogs. He wasn’t a bad dog but just really annoying! He now stops barking when I tell him to, and I can walk past other dogs with no barking or reactivity. If you are looking for dog training in Nashville give them a call! They changed my life! And Rizzo loves the trainers!:)
  • Helen K
    Aug. 9, 2025
    Trainers were great! My dog has become calmer, walks better on a leash and recalls commands quicker.
  • Mac Mullen
    Aug. 2, 2025
    I’m astonished at how much my dog has retained in the duration of this course. Parker, Kenna and Montana were FANTASTIC trainers for my boy. He is disciplined and loves to train- I can only thank the team for making it so fun. He is great with other dogs, very patient and obedient, which is hard to train into his breed. I’m very happy we went with Dog Training Elite Central Nashville, 5 stars.
  • Jessica Riley
    Jul. 22, 2025
    Montana is a true dog lover and was amazing with our (very stubborn) dog. She was patient, supportive, and really helped us understand how to work with Koa instead of against him. Training felt less stressful and way more doable with her guidance. We only wish we had found Montana and her team earlier.
  • Kade Carter
    Jul. 11, 2025
    I was out in Nashville for the summer and got an emotional support dog to help me out with my stressful job. Before I found Parker and Dog Training Elite, Russel was a bit to rambunctious he was always barking and some neighbors were upset. I am super happy with their training program and Russel is now a huge blessing to me. THANKS GUYS
  • Jessica Lucyshyn
    Jun. 30, 2025
    We are very pleased with the training! Our dog has learned so much in a short time!
  • Jess and Marty Dulworth
    Jun. 25, 2025
    Parker was amazing at helping out our big guy Earl here in Nashville! Earl was too rough around kids sometimes and he wasn’t able to play with our family. He totally changed and is very gentle and loving!
  • Frank Stone
    Jun. 18, 2025
    Zoe was pretty barky and seemed scary coming out to neighbors. She is now really friendly and very loving around new people. Super happy with Parker and all the work they did at Dog Training Elite. Highly recommend, definitely worth the cost.
  • Connor Harman
    Jun. 17, 2025
    Training has been great! The staff is awesome, making the process easy. Excited to finish the training and start the service dog portion. Highly recommend dog training elite
  • Nolan Rhem
    Jun. 16, 2025
    Our dog, Teddy, is 9 years old. Although not really aggressive, he would get highly anxious when strangers came over (even if they were friends) and bark nonstop. It was hard to have guests in our home. We were concerned that he was too old to be trained not to behave this way. Montana was able to teach Teddy a handful of basic commands within a few weeks. When ordered to behave with these commands, we noticed Teddy quickly become much less anxious with practically no barking at all around guests. Montana did a great job with Teddy and I highly recommend Dog Training Elite.
  • Tessa Tuttle
    Sep. 24, 2025
    I would 100% recommend these guys to help with your pup needs. They are so awesome, so very grateful for there help. Steve my dog, and I are so happy.
  • Taya Fillmore
    Sep. 24, 2025
    I am so grateful that I decided to do Dog Training with Dog Training Elite. My standard poodle used to pull on the leash all the time and jump on guests. Now he is the most distinguished gentleman, I am so happy with his progress and training!
  • Brooklyn Borgquist
    Sep. 1, 2025
    thank you so much to Parker at Dog Training Elite for helping me with my rambunctious Labradoodle. He used to bark at every thing outside our door. It felt like we couldn’t even have dinner and talk to each other without hearing Myers bark. Now he can lay down on his place and relax while we eat dinner. I’m so grateful that we decided to invest in dog training!
  • Sadie Eyre
    Aug. 27, 2025
    Thank you so much to Parker at dog training, elite for saving our sanity when it came to our dog. I was at my wits end with my dog, jumping all over everybody and pulling on the leash. Now she is so polite and walks like an angel. I loved my private in-home sessions with the trainers. Everybody was so amazing! Thank you, Dog Training Elite!
  • McKay Peery
    Aug. 27, 2025
    I am so grateful that I called Dog Training Elite! My dog was jumping on every guest that walked in the door and counter surfing. She would get sick and I would take her to the vet from what she would eat. Now she respects the boundaries of our guests that come over and no longer counter surfs. Thank you so much to Parker at dog training late for your expertise and help. I would recommend dog turning elite to everyone!!
  • Mark Hodge
    Aug. 26, 2025
    Thank you Montana and Parker for your patient endurance while training our very stubborn French Bulldog. Our dog Gideon has aggressive tendencies and Elite trainers has given us the tools needed to work toward a more obedient/well behaved pup. Still work to do, but making progress!
  • julie warren
    Aug. 18, 2025
    My insecure golden retriever lacked confidence and social skills! Elite did a great job of not only building his confidence, but helping me understand him.
  • Simon Tv
    Aug. 14, 2025
    I am so pleased with DTE!!! We currently have a 1 year old golden retriever at 78 pounds. Callahan! Named after “Dirty Harry Inspector Callahan” Clint Eastwood… We had senior pups a Beagle and Bassett Hound before they recently passed. With Callahan we have gone from seniors at 20 mph to Callahan at 100 mph (!) Callahan’s breeder recommended dog training. I have never done dog training. Googling, I saw DTE had great reviews. We started with 1 on 1’s at our house. Then group training! Some shout outs to the fabulous trainers at group : Montana, Liam and Andi. All professional and know what they are doing with dogs. I’m probably forgetting someone? But all excellent. But I’m not forgetting PARKER! I swear this man must have been raised with wolves and dogs. He’s part of the pack and instinctively knows how to handle dogs. I had issues with Callahan heeling and running after everything on our walks. Squirrels, runners, cyclists, etc. Parker has helped me control Callahan. We have the proper collar. Parker taught me collar adjustment, collar location on dog’s neck and leash snap. I learned change direction when I see distraction. Like a bunny. Parker also had me practice on him as if he were the dog, feeling the dog pull and learning when I needed to snap. At first I was late lots with my snap but eventually I got the hang of it. Highly recommend DTE. Worth the investment in training a dog. They are responsive and flexible to meet you and your dog’s needs. And request Parker if you really need lots of help! Catherine and Callahan
  • Alexis Pantorilla
    Aug. 11, 2025
    Dog training elite has been a GAME CHANGER!!! Cannot recommend them enough. My dog got attacked and has never been the same. Within the first two sessions she was already a completely different dog. I’ve been recommending them to everyone I see- every time I leave my house people comment saying that my dog is so well behaved. Sooo so so well worth it over and over again. If you’re thinking about doing it- DO IT!
  • Mark Esposito
    Aug. 9, 2025
    I am so glad that I put my dog Winnie in training with Dog Training Elite. We had found her as a stray on the side of the road in Nashville and she needed training to be able to adjust to living in our house. She now is amazing with respecting all of our house guests that come over and grown so much in confidence. Thank you to Parker at Dog Training Elite in Nashville for all of your help!
  • audrey esposito
    Aug. 9, 2025
    Rizzo is my sweet rescue dog that constantly barked at everything! On walks he was very reactive towards other dogs. He wasn’t a bad dog but just really annoying! He now stops barking when I tell him to, and I can walk past other dogs with no barking or reactivity. If you are looking for dog training in Nashville give them a call! They changed my life! And Rizzo loves the trainers!:)
  • Helen K
    Aug. 9, 2025
    Trainers were great! My dog has become calmer, walks better on a leash and recalls commands quicker.
  • Mac Mullen
    Aug. 2, 2025
    I’m astonished at how much my dog has retained in the duration of this course. Parker, Kenna and Montana were FANTASTIC trainers for my boy. He is disciplined and loves to train- I can only thank the team for making it so fun. He is great with other dogs, very patient and obedient, which is hard to train into his breed. I’m very happy we went with Dog Training Elite Central Nashville, 5 stars.
  • Jessica Riley
    Jul. 22, 2025
    Montana is a true dog lover and was amazing with our (very stubborn) dog. She was patient, supportive, and really helped us understand how to work with Koa instead of against him. Training felt less stressful and way more doable with her guidance. We only wish we had found Montana and her team earlier.
  • Kade Carter
    Jul. 11, 2025
    I was out in Nashville for the summer and got an emotional support dog to help me out with my stressful job. Before I found Parker and Dog Training Elite, Russel was a bit to rambunctious he was always barking and some neighbors were upset. I am super happy with their training program and Russel is now a huge blessing to me. THANKS GUYS
  • Jessica Lucyshyn
    Jun. 30, 2025
    We are very pleased with the training! Our dog has learned so much in a short time!
  • Jess and Marty Dulworth
    Jun. 25, 2025
    Parker was amazing at helping out our big guy Earl here in Nashville! Earl was too rough around kids sometimes and he wasn’t able to play with our family. He totally changed and is very gentle and loving!
  • Frank Stone
    Jun. 18, 2025
    Zoe was pretty barky and seemed scary coming out to neighbors. She is now really friendly and very loving around new people. Super happy with Parker and all the work they did at Dog Training Elite. Highly recommend, definitely worth the cost.
  • Connor Harman
    Jun. 17, 2025
    Training has been great! The staff is awesome, making the process easy. Excited to finish the training and start the service dog portion. Highly recommend dog training elite
  • Nolan Rhem
    Jun. 16, 2025
    Our dog, Teddy, is 9 years old. Although not really aggressive, he would get highly anxious when strangers came over (even if they were friends) and bark nonstop. It was hard to have guests in our home. We were concerned that he was too old to be trained not to behave this way. Montana was able to teach Teddy a handful of basic commands within a few weeks. When ordered to behave with these commands, we noticed Teddy quickly become much less anxious with practically no barking at all around guests. Montana did a great job with Teddy and I highly recommend Dog Training Elite.
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 Central Nashville.

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 Central Nashville’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 Central Nashville - Dog Obedience Training in Nashville, TN. DTE

Obedience Training

Dog Training Elite Central Nashville - Puppy Training in Nashville, TN. Dog Training Elite

Puppy Training

Dog Training Elite Central Nashville - Service Dog Training in Nashville, TN. Dog Training Elite

Service Dog Training

Dog Training Elite Central Nashville - Anxiety & Aggressive Dog Training in Nashville, TN

Anxiety & Aggression

Dog Training Elite Central Nashville - Group Class Dog Training in Nashville, TN. DTE

Group Training

A fully trained service dog from Dog Training Elite Central Nashville.

Nashville Emotional Support Dog Training

Why Choose DTE for Therapy Dog Training?

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At Dog Training Elite Central Nashville, 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 Central Nashville.
Dog Training Elite Central Nashville 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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