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A therapy dog is a dog who visits places like schools, hospitals and nursing homes. Therapy dog training in Tampa 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 in Tampa 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!
I am very happy with my experience with Dog Training Elite Suncoast. The training tools have helped us get a difficult and at times dangerous situation with multiple large dogs under control. The team are always willing to listen and offer advice, they even helped us when it became clear one of our dogs needed to be rehomed for safety reasons. She is now living her best life and is very happy! Our other dogs have responded so well the training and love the group classes. The team goes above and beyond helping two people wrangle many more dogs and we are all happier for it. Thank you all!— C CJ
Posted June 14th 2024
We are extremely grateful to Luis and Tonya. Our puppy's behavior is totally different. From the first classes the improvement of our dog (Niko) was noticed. They have been very attentive and have answered each of our questions. Thanks to them today we have our service dog. Totally recommended! Niko loves them and always enjoys the group classes.— Johanna Maisonet
Posted June 8th 2024
Due to rapid decline of health, getting a service dog through standard means (2-3 year process) wasn’t an option. I found a dog I thought could be trained but had trouble finding a trainer willing or able to help. I reached out to Tonya at Dog Training Elite pretty much at wits end and she immediately responded and put me at ease. She came out to the house within days and started the training journey for/with us. Our dog is making wonderful progress already in just 2 months and we should have a dog that is ready for service soon thanks to the Dog Training Elite team.— Sheri-Rob Dusse
Posted June 3rd 2024
Tonya and Marissa were awesome with our Luna. She is well behaved when we have company over and loves place. We look forward to the group classes to make her continued training fun.— Annmarie Gardiner
Posted May 31st 2024
Tonya was a big help during the new puppy stage of our Cavalier. We felt very comfortable with her and the techniques she used. She was very patient and made the training fun and successful. We highly recommend her.— Amy Reyes
Posted May 29th 2024
Kim, Jana, and Ryan have been great to work with. They have turned Benny's behavior around and are helping me to get him trained as a service dog. They have been very considerate and helpful with my physical limitations. We look forward to every session with them.— J C
Posted May 28th 2024
We’ve been with DTE for about 7 months now for our Doberman, Bruce. For anyone that knows how stubborn a Doberman puppy can be knows just how challenging it can be to train him, especially with the very little knowledge we had. That’s where Dog Training Elite came in. They’ve been with us from the start, and any question or concern we have they make it known that they are always one text or call away. Over the course of training Bruce, his attitude has changed, or he's gotten used to one method of training, and where we get stuck, is where DTE comes in and helps us overcome these new challenges my wife and I face with Bruce. Long story short they’ve been great trainers to us, and have became great friends to us all, at our weekly group sessions. I would recommend them to anyone with any dog. At training we’ve seen people with giant Great Danes, to small chihuahuas, and even with the very diverse breeds they encounter they might change the way they train some dogs, but it all leads to the same goal, a well trained dog, and trained puppy parents. Thanks again for the help and constant support Kim, Ryan, and Aaron!— brandon brady
Posted May 24th 2024
My dog was a handful for me and I had no clue what to do I saw a tire cover with there phone number advertised on it! so I looked them up and liked what I saw. So I gave them a chance and I’m glad I did. Aaron had my dog listening immediately on day one like it was my dogs job to listen to him lol now my boy walks on leash most what perfect ignoring other dogs and people. I call him he comes! I am very proud of the fact my 7 year old nephew can work him!!!— Richard Butler
Posted May 24th 2024
First a little background.... I have this sweet, very active, energy plus Staffordshire Terrier that was my daughter's. She became very ill and couldn't handle him. I am 83 and couldn't handle him, also. I decided I needed to rehome his ad it was not fair to keep him where he was getting no exercise and little attention. We were unsuccessful in finding someone (truthfully, I was very picky and down deep didn't want to let him go). I decided to look for training and hopefully, keep him. This is where ELITE comes to the rescue! I was impressed with them right away. They are professional, friendly, animal lovers. Ryan came to interview TAZ and me and brought one of his own babies to show how little time it takes just get them understanding the basics. He even worked with TAZ for a short while and was impressed at how quickly he responded. We have had 4 sessions, and I am so impressed and proud of my boy! Because of the professionalism and dedication, they show these animals, I am able to keep my baby!! THANK YOU, ELITE: RYAN, AARON AND KIM. Carol Long— CAROL LONG
Posted February 16th 2024
Dog Training Elite has been phenomenal to work with! Kim, Ryan, and Aaron know what they are doing and have helped me tremendously with my new puppy. 12/10 would recommend to everyone!— Amber Mayne
Posted May 24th 2024
The team at Elite is outstanding; very professional and personable. I get so many compliments on how well-behaved my dog is and I always tell them that it’s due to the training that we received from Elite.— vita marie
Posted May 24th 2024
I decided to enlist some trainers, with my great Dane puppy, Moon Pie. I chose Elite after meeting with them because I found them to be both professional and knowledgeable. I thought they could teach me how to train my dog properly and when you’re dealing with a dog that will eventually outweigh you, training is a great idea. I can’t say enough good things about these folks. I have been with them for about five months now and definitely see a difference in the puppy. You have to do the work after the lessons, but it’s so worthwhile. I’m really loving the group classes too because training outside of your home is essential to having a great dog. I highly recommend these folks.— Living With Giants
Posted February 2nd 2024
We had a great experience with our 17 week old pup KoKo. KoKo and I have learned so much and she is just starting the group trainings. Each trainer is professional and works with you to get the most out of your sessions— Kyle Daniel
Posted April 21st 2024
We have a very wild maltipoo who couldn’t walk on a leash and would run out the front door. She had flunked out of 4 training schools. Not to mention the barking and playing catch me if you can game. Since having Aaron and Ryan come and train her (me). She has calmed down and actually likes the special collar DTE uses. She’ll come and sit while I put it on. She likes to practice the training exercises we do and it tires her out. We are very happy so far.— Charity Smith-Engelin
Posted May 19th 2024
We highly recommend Dog Training Elite! Our 5 month old puppy learned so much over the 5 weeks of in home training and continues to learn at the Group Distractions Training on Saturdays. Kim, Ryan, Aaron and the entire DTE training family are professional, compassionate, hands on and love what they do for you and your lovely pet. My puppy was able to learn all the commands during the one on one trainings and did a great job at home after the trainers were gone. The more we worked with her and had fun training, the more disciplined and consistent she became with commands. DTE is worth every penny on the investment and peace of mind. Please give them a call to schedule your free introduction.— Kyle Myers
Posted May 18th 2024
Great trainers that are very caring of their work. Awesome people and could not have asked for a better experience.— Tyler Wagner
Posted May 9th 2024
Phenomenal training. Aaron has been great with my dog. The group classes are an excellent addition to the training program. Don’t hesitate… Sign your dog up today!— Jacob Irwin
Posted April 20th 2024
The trainers are excellent and provide a customized training program to address your dog's individual needs! They are extremely customer focused and provide the utmost customer service !!! We would highly recommend Dog Training Elite Suncoast!!— Juan Nadal
Posted March 30th 2024
Tanya is very skilled in her profession! She had my Bully Dog obeying her commands within 20 minutes! My dog had a problem with jumping with excitement when I received a visitor. She is 70 pounds and her action was painful and annoying. Thanks to DOG TRAINING ELITE, that behavior has stopped.— E thel Fentzlaff
Posted February 17th 2024
Tonya was awesome!! Can’t say enough good things about our experience with Dog Training Elite!! Tonya was timely, efficient and so good with our dog Maverick!!! She truly is the best and has become like family!!— Mechelle Merrell
Posted February 11th 2024
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 in Tampa 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 in Tampa 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 in Tampa’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 Tampa. 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.
Why do Therapy Dog Training with Dog Training Elite in Tampa?
The Dog Training Elite in Tampa 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 in Tampa 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 in Tampa. Request your free training demo and in-home assessment today.
