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A therapy dog is a dog who visits places like schools, hospitals and nursing homes. Therapy dog training in Traverse City 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 of Northern Michigan 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!
Dan helped us with two dogs. One was more willing than the other. He was very careful and handled the dogs well. They took quite a liking to him. His training has made a world of difference!!— Deborrah Bower
Posted August 24th 2024
Dan was a magician when it came to Training our new dogs! He works fast and efficiently, making sure to train your pup and to make sure you know how to continue the training. He left the first training session and we already felt as if we had brand new, trained and obedient dogs. His expertise is worth every penny!— Bobby Mey
Posted July 27th 2024
Dan was great to work with and a huge help in teaching us how to communicate better with our dog Lola. We saw a major difference even after the first training session. We highly recommend Dan and Dog Training Elite!— Crystal Bailey
Posted June 8th 2024
My rescue rottie, Brix, and I had our first session with Dan & Tyler today and it went remarkably well! Brix is a good boy but also displays some resource aggression so the financial investment is absolutely worth it to me to start him under training right away. Watching Brix and the guys in session this afternoon was confirmation and reassurance that he truly wants to please and do good work for those asking it of him, we both just need some extra guidance so I’m very excited to see what comes of my sessions with DTE! I will leave an updated review upon our training completion but at this time I’m very excited and hopeful!— Caitlyn Walston
Posted June 4th 2024
This is by far the best dog training company in the northern Michigan area! Dan is a wonderful trainer! He is kind, patient and knowledgable working with all types of dogs. I appreciated his flexibility in scheduling and ability to offer in-home training in my dogs’ usual environment. I have worked with many trainers in the past and have never met someone as nice to work with as Dan is. Totally recommend this company for all your dog training needs - you and your pups will no doubt love him and the results you’ll see after even just one session with Dan at Dog Training Elite of Northern Michigan!— Jordan N. Lindsey, Esq., MA
Posted May 30th 2024
Dan IS the man!!!😉 Seriously, he gently and kindly whipped both my dog and me into shape. He is not only wonderful with dogs, he’s great with people, too! He’s not just training your dog, he patiently instructs you as well. He has picked up every phone call to ease me out of whatever situation is going on. That in itself is rare! I was hesitant at first because of the cost, however, it’s been worth every penny. Soon we will participate in the group classes which I’m really looking forward to. Do it! You won’t regret it!— Kristi Jo Brubaker
Posted May 24th 2024
Dan was great will our two lab puppies. He was super patient and we are very happy with their progress!— Julia Nicholas
Posted May 19th 2024
I recently had the pleasure of working with Dan at Dog Training Elite of Northern Michigan to train my dog. I couldn't be more satisfied with the results. From the very first session, it was clear that Dan had a deep understanding of dog behavior and a genuine passion for helping dogs and their owners. They are incredibly patient and used positive reinforcement techniques that made the training sessions enjoyable for both my dog and me. They tailored the training program to address specific issues we were facing. One of the things I appreciated most was Dan’s ability to explain the reasons behind each technique and provide practical advice that I could easily implement at home. This not only helped improve my dog’s behavior but also strengthened our bond. In a few short weeks, I saw remarkable improvements. My dog is now more obedient, confident, and well-behaved, both at home and in public. I am truly amazed at the progress we've made and grateful for the support and guidance provided by Dog Training Elite of Northern Michigan. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a professional, knowledgeable, and compassionate dog trainer. They truly did wonders for my dog, and I’m confident they can do the same for yours. Thank you, Dog Training Elite of Northern Michigan for your outstanding work!— kristi jorns
Posted May 16th 2024
Our sweet little shihpoo Sophie has had a serious issue with stranger aggression due to lack of socialization during Covid. We grew tired of her barking, growling and nipping at people all the time, so we decided to call Dog Training Elite. I'm so glad we did! After just a few sessions with Dan, Sophie's whole demeanor has changed. She is learning and responding to commands, and we can easily quiet her when people come to the door. We can't wait to see how she progresses!— Brianne Geetings
Posted May 16th 2024
Our sweet little shihpoo Sophie has had a serious issue with stranger aggression due to lack of socialization during Covid. We grew tired of her barking, growling and nipping at people all the time, so we decided to call Dog Training Elite. I'm so glad we did! After just a few sessions with Dan, Sophie's whole demeanor has changed. She is learning and responding to commands, and we can easily quiet her when people come to the door. We can't wait to see how she progresses!— Brianne Geetings
Posted May 16th 2024
I can't recommend Dog Training Elite of Northern Michigan enough! We've been working with Dan for the past four months to train our dog Milo, and the experience has been nothing short of fantastic. Dan is not only supportive and flexible but also extremely knowledgeable. No matter what the training challenge, he's always available and ready to help with practical solutions and encouragement. It's clear he cares deeply about the progress and happiness of the pets and the peace of mind of their owners. If you're looking for a dog trainer, look no further than Dan at Dog Training Elite!— Michael Broodo
Posted May 14th 2024
Best dog training business hands down! Our trainer Dan is absolutely amazing and so good with our puppy! Would highly recommend!!— David Chauvette
Posted May 3rd 2024
Dan is a wonderful human trainer and he’s great with dogs too! My Bernadoodle service dog is getting weekly trainings from him, and he’s doing a wonderful job. I highly recommend Dan!— Elizabeth Teklinski
Posted May 3rd 2024
Dan Luchko trained my adopted Staffordshire terrier, which I could not take walking because she dragged me so hard. Dan trained her not only to heel and walk with slack in the leash, but how to come, stay, stay in "place". He came right to my house and was a super nice man, and spent real valuable time training my dog. I can not say enough good things about his service.— Rachel Bezile
Posted May 3rd 2024
I had a fantastic experience working with Dan. His devotion to his work is readily apparent. I knew from the moment he arrived that my dog was in good hands. I highly recommend working with Dan.— Daniel Nelson
Posted April 15th 2024
I had a fantastic experience working with Dan. His devotion to his work is readily apparent. I knew from the moment he arrived that my dog was in good hands. I highly recommend working with Dan. The training sessions are quick and easy, and I saw results after the first session. I would give 6 stars if I could! Amazing experience and immediate results, from a trainer who cares about his clients!— Daniel Nelson
Posted April 15th 2024
I wish I had video footage to share comparing Dan’s first visit with Miss Large-and-in-charge and the second visit! Matilda is a rescue and is very protective of her new family and home. She growled at, barked fiercely, and tried to push Dan out of her space the first time he met her. I was mortified and very concerned about whether she could be trained by someone with whom she had such difficulty. (Definitely her problem, not his!) Dan brought the E-collar the second time he came over (first training session) and taught us how it works. He proceeded to work with Matilda for the hour and by the time he left she was a new dog! She followed him, looked to him for praise, and rolled on her back for belly scratches! Our walks are no longer stress-filled and I am AMAZED! I am so thankful that Dan was not put-off by her terrifying behavior at her assessment, and that he had the ability to teach this big girl how to behave! Many thanks from Matilda and her mom in Manistee!!!— Ruth Zehnder
Posted April 10th 2024
Absolutely unbelievable! I highly recommend having Dan train anyone's dog! I have had great results after the first session!— William Meade
Posted April 7th 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 of Northern Michigan 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 of Northern Michigan 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 of Northern Michigan’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 Traverse City. 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 of Northern Michigan?
The Dog Training Elite of Northern Michigan 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 of Northern Michigan 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 of Northern Michigan. Request your free training demo and in-home assessment today.
