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

  • Cameron Simmons
    Jun. 9, 2025
    Montana, Liam and the whole Elite team have been amazing!! Praline and I love working with them!
  • AL C
    Jun. 8, 2025
    I was looking for training for my puppies! My girls were so energetic and jumpy. Very quickly DTE got my pups down and listening! Their pricing is worth every minute they spent training with them. The results are long lasting and guaranteed! Thanks Parker -
  • Ashlynne Kirkland
    Jun. 8, 2025
    Absolutely amazing!! The best dog trainers out there. Definitely money well spent. Parker was a pleasure to work with and he makes sure to pay special attention to detail and will leave you feeling confident in your ability to carry on what they teach. My Blaze went from temperamental to obedient and we have been closer than ever! He no longer gets snippy at people and listens well. I would 1000% recommend.
  • Darin Barber
    Jun. 8, 2025
    Dog Training Elite and Parker helped me take my dog from an anxious wreck to an obedient rockstar. I watched him grow in confidence every time he came to our house for a session. I would definitely recommend their dog training services!
  • Victoria McCullough
    Jun. 8, 2025
    Liam is an excellent trainer! He really helped tailor the lessons to help us better understand and respond to our reactive and sometimes aggressive dog. If you are stressed or frustrated around dog training, highly recommend Dog Training Elite!
  • Avery Profancik
    Jun. 2, 2025
    I loved my experience using Dog Training Elite! My dog used to bark, pull, and jump at other dogs in the house and on walks, and now is so well mannered and obedient. The Dog Training Elite program in Nashville is top tier.
  • Luke Vosti
    Jun. 2, 2025
    Parker is an amazing dog trainer! My dog never listened or obeyed commands but after some patient and diligent work in Nashville my dog no longer feels like a nuisance to take out in public.
  • irelyn willden
    Jun. 2, 2025
    So glad that we decided to do dog training! My dog used to bark at everyone and jump up on them whenever they came in the house but now he has the best manners! He’s so good to guests and really is so much more obedient! Our experience with Dog Training Elite in Nashville was the best and I’m so glad we did it!
  • Abagail Ferguson
    Jun. 2, 2025
    I’m so grateful that my husband and I decided to train my dog with Parker and Dog training elite Nashville! We would try to take our dog for walks which never went well because he would bark and try to chase after other dogs. After training, he now walks right by our sides and doesn’t try to run away or bark.
  • Tanner Wilson
    Jun. 2, 2025
    This place really works. My dog is very obedient now thanks to their program. We struggled with my dogs listening but not anymore. Would recommend
  • Joseph Smith
    Jun. 2, 2025
    Parker with Dog Training Elite has was amazing for my little guy bolt! He was very loud and unpredictable from a pup, but after working with these guys, he was able to calm down and be more loving. Very obedient and only barks in certain circumstances. Very satisfied with the service and price!
  • cheyenne kane
    May. 31, 2025
    Our dog Winston grew and learned so so much with DTE!! Winston was a VERY stubborn dog and they truly were a blessing when it came to working with him and giving him the patience he needed with training. We are grateful they worked with not only him but trained us as well on anything ranging from not pulling on walks, taking things out of peoples hands, bolting out the door, etc. They were very accommodating and listened to ALL of our concerns and absolutely everything was addressed very thoroughly. We had looked into dozens of training centers and I am glad we chose DTE! They set you up for success that goes far after the training sessions end. It has been a pleasure to watch Winston grow from a very scared/anxious dog with resource aggression into a dog who is so confident with himself and has so so much obedience and respect for other people/animals space and boundaries.
  • Remy Rendeiro
    May. 30, 2025
    We did so much research for dog training, and this team is the absolute BEST!!! So incredibly helpful and flexible, and they gave us the attention, tools, and e-collar training we needed to transform our pup Ida into the best dog in the world. We worked with Liam and Parker the most, and they’re amazing—truly so knowledgeable and patient. Everyone here is so kind and experts at what they do, and their results speak for themselves!!! Thank you!!
  • Natalie Watson
    May. 27, 2025
    We've had a great experience with Dog Training Elite! The training has been simple and straightforward and our mini Aussie Ruby has learned so much - we would highly recommend to all of our friends and family!
  • Jim Finley
    May. 27, 2025
    I would definitely recommend this dog training program to anyone. My beagle, Cooper, is a stubborn hound and now he listens to me all of the time and I feel like he is much safer for it. I am so thankful to Parker and his team for delivering such amazing dog training right to my home in the Nashville area.
  • Kim Finley
    May. 27, 2025
    I loved my experience with Parker and Dog Training Elite. I have a beagle named Cooper who would never leave us alone at the dinner table and now he is the most polite little man. I would recommend them to anyone in the Nashville area for dog training
  • Allie Haslam
    May. 26, 2025
    Hiring Dog Training Elite has truly been one of the best decisions we have ever made! Both my Pitbull and German Shepard were out of control. They would jump on guests and bark uncontrollably. Now after training it has made the biggest difference! My dogs now walk on a leash nicely and are so good with guests! If you are looking for a dog trainer in Nashville for sure give them a call! Thank you dog training elite.
  • Reyn Haslam
    May. 26, 2025
    It did not know having a well behaved dog was even possible through training! I thought it was just luck if you got a good dog. My dogs used to be out of control. They would bolt out of the front door, counter surf, and dig in the back yard. Now my dogs are so well behaved. They listen on and off leash, are amazing with guests, and know obedience commands really well. Dog training elite are the best dog trainers in Nashville
  • Michelle Cannon
    May. 20, 2025
    We live in Brentwood, and contacted Dog Training Elite for help with our new puppy!! We have grandchildren and needed some help for our puppy to be able to play nicely with kids. Parker and his team were SO helpful and patient answering all of our questions and completely transforming our dog. My dog now stays by my side on walks, plays nicely with the kids (no biting or barking), stays off of our counters and couches. Our experience was 100/10, we couldn’t recommend Parker and his team at Dog Training Elite enough!!
  • Bailey Burden Kroff
    May. 19, 2025
    Great experience all around! I would recommend to all my friends and family!
  • Cameron Simmons
    Jun. 9, 2025
    Montana, Liam and the whole Elite team have been amazing!! Praline and I love working with them!
  • AL C
    Jun. 8, 2025
    I was looking for training for my puppies! My girls were so energetic and jumpy. Very quickly DTE got my pups down and listening! Their pricing is worth every minute they spent training with them. The results are long lasting and guaranteed! Thanks Parker -
  • Ashlynne Kirkland
    Jun. 8, 2025
    Absolutely amazing!! The best dog trainers out there. Definitely money well spent. Parker was a pleasure to work with and he makes sure to pay special attention to detail and will leave you feeling confident in your ability to carry on what they teach. My Blaze went from temperamental to obedient and we have been closer than ever! He no longer gets snippy at people and listens well. I would 1000% recommend.
  • Darin Barber
    Jun. 8, 2025
    Dog Training Elite and Parker helped me take my dog from an anxious wreck to an obedient rockstar. I watched him grow in confidence every time he came to our house for a session. I would definitely recommend their dog training services!
  • Victoria McCullough
    Jun. 8, 2025
    Liam is an excellent trainer! He really helped tailor the lessons to help us better understand and respond to our reactive and sometimes aggressive dog. If you are stressed or frustrated around dog training, highly recommend Dog Training Elite!
  • Avery Profancik
    Jun. 2, 2025
    I loved my experience using Dog Training Elite! My dog used to bark, pull, and jump at other dogs in the house and on walks, and now is so well mannered and obedient. The Dog Training Elite program in Nashville is top tier.
  • Luke Vosti
    Jun. 2, 2025
    Parker is an amazing dog trainer! My dog never listened or obeyed commands but after some patient and diligent work in Nashville my dog no longer feels like a nuisance to take out in public.
  • irelyn willden
    Jun. 2, 2025
    So glad that we decided to do dog training! My dog used to bark at everyone and jump up on them whenever they came in the house but now he has the best manners! He’s so good to guests and really is so much more obedient! Our experience with Dog Training Elite in Nashville was the best and I’m so glad we did it!
  • Abagail Ferguson
    Jun. 2, 2025
    I’m so grateful that my husband and I decided to train my dog with Parker and Dog training elite Nashville! We would try to take our dog for walks which never went well because he would bark and try to chase after other dogs. After training, he now walks right by our sides and doesn’t try to run away or bark.
  • Tanner Wilson
    Jun. 2, 2025
    This place really works. My dog is very obedient now thanks to their program. We struggled with my dogs listening but not anymore. Would recommend
  • Joseph Smith
    Jun. 2, 2025
    Parker with Dog Training Elite has was amazing for my little guy bolt! He was very loud and unpredictable from a pup, but after working with these guys, he was able to calm down and be more loving. Very obedient and only barks in certain circumstances. Very satisfied with the service and price!
  • cheyenne kane
    May. 31, 2025
    Our dog Winston grew and learned so so much with DTE!! Winston was a VERY stubborn dog and they truly were a blessing when it came to working with him and giving him the patience he needed with training. We are grateful they worked with not only him but trained us as well on anything ranging from not pulling on walks, taking things out of peoples hands, bolting out the door, etc. They were very accommodating and listened to ALL of our concerns and absolutely everything was addressed very thoroughly. We had looked into dozens of training centers and I am glad we chose DTE! They set you up for success that goes far after the training sessions end. It has been a pleasure to watch Winston grow from a very scared/anxious dog with resource aggression into a dog who is so confident with himself and has so so much obedience and respect for other people/animals space and boundaries.
  • Remy Rendeiro
    May. 30, 2025
    We did so much research for dog training, and this team is the absolute BEST!!! So incredibly helpful and flexible, and they gave us the attention, tools, and e-collar training we needed to transform our pup Ida into the best dog in the world. We worked with Liam and Parker the most, and they’re amazing—truly so knowledgeable and patient. Everyone here is so kind and experts at what they do, and their results speak for themselves!!! Thank you!!
  • Natalie Watson
    May. 27, 2025
    We've had a great experience with Dog Training Elite! The training has been simple and straightforward and our mini Aussie Ruby has learned so much - we would highly recommend to all of our friends and family!
  • Jim Finley
    May. 27, 2025
    I would definitely recommend this dog training program to anyone. My beagle, Cooper, is a stubborn hound and now he listens to me all of the time and I feel like he is much safer for it. I am so thankful to Parker and his team for delivering such amazing dog training right to my home in the Nashville area.
  • Kim Finley
    May. 27, 2025
    I loved my experience with Parker and Dog Training Elite. I have a beagle named Cooper who would never leave us alone at the dinner table and now he is the most polite little man. I would recommend them to anyone in the Nashville area for dog training
  • Allie Haslam
    May. 26, 2025
    Hiring Dog Training Elite has truly been one of the best decisions we have ever made! Both my Pitbull and German Shepard were out of control. They would jump on guests and bark uncontrollably. Now after training it has made the biggest difference! My dogs now walk on a leash nicely and are so good with guests! If you are looking for a dog trainer in Nashville for sure give them a call! Thank you dog training elite.
  • Reyn Haslam
    May. 26, 2025
    It did not know having a well behaved dog was even possible through training! I thought it was just luck if you got a good dog. My dogs used to be out of control. They would bolt out of the front door, counter surf, and dig in the back yard. Now my dogs are so well behaved. They listen on and off leash, are amazing with guests, and know obedience commands really well. Dog training elite are the best dog trainers in Nashville
  • Michelle Cannon
    May. 20, 2025
    We live in Brentwood, and contacted Dog Training Elite for help with our new puppy!! We have grandchildren and needed some help for our puppy to be able to play nicely with kids. Parker and his team were SO helpful and patient answering all of our questions and completely transforming our dog. My dog now stays by my side on walks, plays nicely with the kids (no biting or barking), stays off of our counters and couches. Our experience was 100/10, we couldn’t recommend Parker and his team at Dog Training Elite enough!!
  • Bailey Burden Kroff
    May. 19, 2025
    Great experience all around! I would recommend to all my friends and family!
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.

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

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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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