Professional Training - What Do You Need to Consider Service Dog Training Organizations Near You

Choosing the most suitable breed as well as the most suitable dog for a service dog can be a very challenging task. The dog needs to suit the individual’s needs and lifestyle. In addition, the strong bond between both a handler and a dog is crucial for the success of service dog training.

Individual or a Professional Training - Advantages and Disadvantages

Training their own service dog is beneficial for many owners, as it is affordable and the dog adjusts to their particular needs easily. However, training your own service dog has disadvantages as well, since it requires a lot of time and energy, constant monitoring of the dog’s behavior during the training process, patience, and strict following a training program. Some owners may find it difficult to distinguish the regular interaction with their dog as a pet from the interaction with the dog as a service animal. A service animal needs to follow strict rules, as he/she will be trained to perform specific tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. That means that a service dog is a working dog and he/she needs to stay focused on his/her handler at all times.  According to the ADA regulations (Americans With Disabilities Act) service dogs can be trained both professionally and individually, and in both cases, they must be granted accommodation access rights.

Professional training is often prohibitively expensive for many people. Getting a trained service dog from a non-profit organization may take years, as there are long waiting lists. Both factors can be considered the main disadvantages of training provided by a professional trainer. Of course, professional training will ensure that the dog has been trained the most proper way to perform a specific work and be able to meet the needs of his/her handler efficiently.

Before reaching out to a professional trainer or deciding to train your own service dog at home, you need to make clear what type of assistance dog you need and which breed will be most suitable for your lifestyle.

Things You Need to Consider Before Choosing Between a Professional or an Individual Training

What Kind of an Assistance Animal Do You Need?

Depending on the individual’s disability assistance animals can provide different types of support like mental, emotional, and physical.

Animals, not only dogs, can comfort a person when just being around them. These kinds of animals- emotional support animals (ESA), companion dogs, or therapy dogs (used as a calming device for people in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and different types of facilities) are not service animals. They do not qualify as service dogs and do not have access rights to public spaces. Moreover, they are not accepted by airlines as service animals and can travel as pets only. With that in mind, you do not need to provide a special training in order to make your pet an emotional support animal. 

It is a different case when the animal is trained to perform specific tasks. According to the ADA regulations only dogs can be service animals (some states accept miniature horses as well). The tasks that a service dog can be trained to perform can be physical like- turning the lights on/off, opening the door, alerting the handler to different sounds like alarms, seizure alerting, detecting low levels of blood sugar, retrieving certain objects, etc… If you are dealing with anxiety, PTSD or depression, you may need a calming stimulation, provided by a Psychiatric dog. These kinds of dogs can also be trained to notify you when you need to take your medication or even bring it to you. 

The age, health condition, and temperament of the dog are crucial for making the right choice.

Considering the things mentioned above, you can understand how important it is is to identify what kind of assistance dog you need, in order to train him/her (when necessary) properly.

After identifying the type of assistance dog you would like to have, you need to choose the most suitable breed for you.

Most Suitable Breeds for Service Dogs

In some of our articles we provided detailed information about the most suitable breeds for different types of assistance dogs, as well as the main features that they need to posses. In general, an appropriate breed should be easy to train, intelligent, with a stable temperament, with good obedience and social skills, with a large size- when needed for physical tasks like pulling a wheelchair or balance support. Some of the most suitable breeds for service dogs are: Labrador/Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Poodles, Border Collie, Bernese Mountain Dog.

After you chose the most suitable breed for your needs, you need to decide whether you want to train your own service dog or to reach out to a professional trainer. Considering the disadvantages of the individual service dog training at home, some owners decide to reach out to a professional trainer. 

What Do You Need to Consider When Choosing a Professional Trainer?

Certifications and Qualification

Not every state requires professional trainers to be certified. With that in mind, you may want to check the qualification background of the trainer in order to ensure that he/she is a dedicated person, who wants to provide service dog training as efficiently as possible. There are training certification programs that many trainer find valuable. Some of them are:

Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)

This program is one of the most popular training programs that offers two levels of certification:

CPDT-KA and CPDT-KSA.

Among the documentation forms that the CPDT-KA (Knowledge Assessed) requires are: minimum 300 hours dog training for the last three years, completing an exam with 250 multiple-choice questions with a passing grade, as well as a statement from a veterinarian or a member of the CCPDT. The applicant must sign an ethic code as well.

Getting a CPDT-KSA (Knowledge and Skills Assessed) certificate is an even more demanding task, as the trainer is required to have a CPDT-KA qualification, to upload a passport photo, as well as two videos. The first one has to include four defined exercises with four different and unfamiliar dogs. The second video has to feature the applicant coaching three students with different dogs. The applicant must keep meeting all ongoing requirements.

International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP)

Applicants for a Certified Dog Trainer certification (IACP-CDT) must have been members of the IACP for minimum of six months and must have been engaged in the training of dogs for minimum of two years. When an applicant passes the CDT exam they are allowed to take the CDTA (Certified Dog Trainers Advanced). In order to pass the advanced exam, the applicants must submit a video for assessment of their training skills.

National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI)

NADOI is considered the oldest organization that provides dog trainer certification. If an applicant wants to be a certified member of it, they must have been engaged in obedience training for a minimum period of five years. For at least two of these five years, the applicant must have been a head trainer. Other requirements include: a minimum number of trained dogs- 100, providing a group training for minimum of 104 hours, or giving individual lessons for minimum of 288 hours. In addition the applicant needs to pass a test, that includes essay writing. 

Karen Pryor Academy

If a trainer is interested in receiving the KPA-CTP (Certified Training Partner) they need to participate in a course that includes four weekends of intensive learning with a trainer as well as online lessons. The length of this program is six months. This program is accepted by CCPDT and IAABC and can be used as proof for ongoing qualification.

Personal Contact

When choosing a professional trainer you may want to talk to them in person. That way you will be able to evaluate the trainer as a person and to ask all questions that are of interest to you directly.

Visit the Facility

You may want to visit the training facility as well, as you can check the equipment, the maintenance of the building, the conditions, in that dogs have been trained. You will be able to observe practical training and to evaluate whether it is adequate or not. You may find it efficient or rather stressful and overwhelming for the dogs.

Making personal contact and checking the training facility are some of the most important factors you need to take into consideration when choosing a professional trainer for your dog.

Reviews from other students

You can find easily if there are complaints, or extremely negative reviews when making detailed research about an organization or a certain trainer. You also may want to check the Better Business Bureau for trainer or trainer organization reviews.

Private Lessons

If you would feel more comfortable when your dog has been trained individually by a professional trainer, you may want to check if the trainer you are about to choose provides individual training.

Training Organizations by States

We will list some dog training organizations in different states, so that you can find easily an organization near you.

Alabama

K-9s 4 Kids and K-9s 4 Heroes

Programs of Easter Seals Alabama

Frances McGowin, Director

5960 East Shirley Ln.

Montgomery, AL 36117

(334) 395-4489

Arizona

K9 Paws Behavior Dog Training

Marsha Tonkinson

(928) 530-4605

email: k9pawsbehaviordogtraining@gmail.com

Types of dogs trained: Mobility, PTSD, Hearing

Areas served: Kingman, golden valley, bullhead city, Laughlin NV

Prescott K9 Academy

(928)445-1706 Office [most Tuesdays and Thursdays]

(928) 443-0386 Michael [cell: most Saturdays, Sunday & Wednesdays]

(928) 925-3644 Deb  [most weekends late afternoons]

California

The Sam Simon Foundation

Jannelle Hackman

30765 Pacific Coast Hwy #113

Malibu, CA 90265

email: info@samsimonfoundation.org

Types of dogs trained: Hearing

Areas served: CA

Train Rite

Melanie Bernhardt

610 Silverwood St.

Oceanside, CA 92054-1682

(760) 754-0818 voice & FAX

email: mbernhardt@trainrite.or

Canine Companions for Independence

Southwest Regional Center

124 Rancho del Oro Dr.

Oceanside, CA 92052-4568

(760) 754-3300

Types of dogs trained: Service, Hearing, Social/Therapy

Colorado

Freedom Service Dogs
Sharon Wilson
2000 W. Union Ave.
Englewood, CO 80110
(303) 922-6231
(303) 922-6234 FAX
email: info@freedomservicedogs.org
Types of dogs trained: Service
Area served: CO and surrounding areas

Canine Partners of the Rockies, Inc.
Linda Port
651-E Potomac Street
Aurora, CO 80111
(303) 364-9040
email: info@caninepartnersoftherockies.org
PO Box 460214
Denver, CO 80246
Types of dogs: Service
Areas served: Colorado

Mountain High Dog Training
Candy Muscari-Erdos
755 Hwy 105 Suite L
PO Box 0721
Palmer Lake, CO 80133
Types of dogs trained: Diabetic, PTSD, Epilepsy, Stability
Areas served: USA, Europe

Connecticut

East Coast Assistance Dogs

Lu Picard

PO Box 831

Torrington, CT 06790

(860) 489-6550

(860) 489-3791 FAX

email: ECAD1@aol.com

Types of dogs trained: Service, Social/Therapy

Areas served: NY, CT, MA

District of Columbia

Dogs With A Mission

Jolanthe Wijnholds

PO Box 40266

Washington, DC 20016-0266

(202) 669-8316

(202) 363-6595 FAX

email: info@dogmission.com

Types of dogs trained: Service, Hearing

Areas served: DC, MD, VA, PA

Florida

Patriot Service Dogs

Susan Bolton or Julie Drexel

4729 Blount Ave.

Jacksonville Fl 32210

(904) 777-1371 Susan

(352) 307-2524 Julie

(904) 777-1291 FAX

email: susan@PatriotServiceDogs.org or julie@PatriotServiceDogs.org

Types of dogs trained: Mobility, PTSD, Disabled Military, Wounded Warriors

Classic Service Dog Network

Jerri Carter

400 S. Kepler Rd.

DeLand, FL 32724

(386) 228-7206

New Horizons Service Dogs

Janet Severt

1590 Laurel Park Ct.

Orange City, FL 32763

(386) 456-0408

email: NewHorizons@cfl.rr.com

Types of dogs trained: Service, Mobility Assistance

Areas served: FL and East Coast USA

Georgia

Canine Assistants

Kent Bruner

3160 Francis Rd.

Alpharetta, GA 30004

(770) 664-7178

(770) 664-7820 FAX

Animals Deserve Better, Inc.

Paws for Life

Kimberly Brenowitz

Marietta, GA 30062

(770) 402-0297

email: pawsforlife@animalsdeservebetter.com

Types of dogs trained: Autism, Multi Purpose, Mobility, Seizure, Psychiatric, Medical, Hearing

Areas served: Nationwide

Hawaii

Hawaii Fi-Do

Susan Luehrs

59-790 Kam Hwy.

Haleiwa, HI 96712

(808) 638-7413

(808) 628-0200 FAX

email: hifido@hawaii.rr.com

Types of dogs trained: Service, Hearing

Areas served: HI

Assistance Dogs of Hawaii

Mo and Will Maurer

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 1803

Makawao, HI 96768

Physical Address:

675 Kealaloa Avenue

Makawao, HI 96768

(808) 298-0167

email: mo@assistancedogshawaii.org

Types of dogs trained: Service, Hearing, Guide, Facility, Social/Therapy

Areas served: HI

Idaho

Genesis Service Dogs, Inc.

Danielle Stem

2727 W. Janelle

Meridian ID 83646

(208) 761-4884

email: 4paws4freedom@gmail.com

Types of dogs trained: PSTD, Service, Mobility, Scent, TBI, Obedience

Areas served: National

Pawsitive Difference Training

Darcey Shank

Owner /Trainer

Pawsitive Difference Dog Training

Hayden, ID

208-771-2114

Illinois

Canine Companions for Independence

Chicago Satellite Office

PO Box 41

Woodstock, IL 60098

(847) 816-7360 Voice

Types of dogs trained: Service, Hearing, Social/Therapy

Heartland Service Dogs

Linda Fox

11315 192nd St.

Mokena, IL 60448

(815) 651-4327

email: HeartlandSvcDog@yahoo.com

Types of dogs trained: Service, Mobility Assistance, Hearing, PTSD and Diabetic Alert Dogs

Areas served: Illinois and Midwest States

Dogs For Disabilities

Dan & Sue Wasilas

PO Box 537

Batavia, IL 60510

(630) 879-9561

email: info@dogsfordisabilities.com

Types of dogs trained: Service

Areas served: IL & Southern WI

Indiana

Day 1 Service Dog Training

574-314-1886

Granger, IN

Indiana Canine Assistance Network (ICAN)

1801 N. Meridian Street

Indianapolis, IN 46202

(317) 250-6450

(317) 925-5597 FAX

Northern Indiana Service Dogs

Rachel Miller

1913-F N. Michigan St.

PMB 190

Plymouth, IN 46563

(574) 952-1635

Kansas

Paws For Freedom

Lea Ann Shearer

18700 183nd St.

Tonganoxie, KS 66086

(913) 208-6326

email: pffinfo@gmail.com

Types of dogs trained: Service

Areas Served: Midwest

Kansas Center for Canine Assistance, Inc.

7901 E. 87th St. South

Derby, KS 67037

(316) 789-8870

email: hilltop@feist.com

Kansas Specialty Dog Service

PO Box 216

124 W. 7th St.

Washington, KS 66968

(785) 325-2256

(785) 325-2258 FAX

email: ksds@ksds.org

Types of dogs trained: Service, Guide

Areas Served: National

Maine

Mutts With A Mission

Brooke A. Corson

158 Fox Farm Hill Rd.

North Berwick, ME 03906

(207) 459-5026

Email: muttswithamission@yahoo.com

Types of dogs trained: Psychiatric Service Dogs, Mobility Assist Service Dogs

Area served: Nationwide (Veterans, Wounded Warriors, Soldiers and Sailors only)

Maryland

Compass Key:

Website: www.CKDogs.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ckdogs

National Phone Number: 484-643-8445 (Business Hours: M-F, 9-5 Eastern)

Fax Number: 484-766-3598

Compass Key, formerly PAWS Training Centers, rebranded on March 20, 2018

Fidos for Freedom, Inc.

Debbie Gavelek

PO Box 5508

Laurel, MD 20726

(410) 880-4178

(301) 570-7570 TDD

(301)776-7749 FAX

email: fidos@erols.com

Types of dogs trained: Service, Hearing, Social/Therapy

Areas served: 75 mile radius of Laurel, MD

Dog Ears and Paws, Inc.

Debbie Winkler

5399 Enterprise St.

Sykesville, MD 21784

(410) 655-2858

(410) 552-5052

email: info@dogearsandpaws.com

Types of dogs trained: Service, Hearing, Seizure Alert, Therapy

Areas served: MD

Massachusetts

Tutor Service Dogs & Coast to Coast SAR, Inc.

Cynthia L. Dodge, CEO

PO Box 687

Greenfield, MA 01302

(413) 775-0553

(413) 772-3129 FAX

email: utorsdg@shaysnet.com

Types of service dogs/animals trained: Mobility, Seizure Alert, Search & Rescue

National Hearing Dog Center, Inc.

Gertrude E. Farnum

1116 S. Main St.

Athol, MA 01331

(978) 249-9264

Types of dogs trained: Hearing, Social/Therapy

Areas served: National, usually local to facility

National Education for Assistance Dog Services (NEADS)

Sheila O’Brien

PO Box 213

West Boylston, MA 01583

(978) 422-9064 Voice/TTD

(978) 422-3255 FAX

email: NEADSDogs@aol.com

Types of dogs trained: Service, Hearing, Social/Therapy

Areas Served: National

Michigan

Sterling Service Dogs

Carole Froling

5440 Brookdale

Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304

(248) 645-0621

(810) 977-0079 FAX

email: sterlingcf@aol.com

Types of dogs trained: Service

Areas Served: National

Paws With a Cause

Corporate Office

1235 100th Street, SE

Byron Center, MI 49315

(616) 698-0688 Voice/TTY

(800) 253-PAWS

email: paws@alliance.net

Minnesota

Pawsitivity Service Dogs

Tom Coleman

197 Griggs St N

St Paul, MN 55104

(651) 321-3647

email: mail@pawsitivityservicedogs.com

Types of dogs trained: Service, Seizure Response, Autism, PTSD

Areas Served: MN, WI, ND, SD, IA Dog Services

Myra Fourwinds

401 LaBore Rd. #115

Little Canada, MN 55117

(612) 805-9136

email: my4k9s@gmail.com

Types of dogs trained: Service, Hearing, Social/Therapy

Areas served: National

Helping Paws, Inc.

Eileen Bohn

630 12th Ave. South

Hopkins, MN 55343

(952) 988-9359

(952) 988-9296 FAX

email: general@helpingpaws.org

Types of dogs trained: Service

Areas Served: MN, Western WI

Pawsitive Perspectives Assistance Dogs (PawPADs)

Linda Ball

8239 150th St. W.

Savage, MN 55378

(952) 226-2063

email: info@PawPADs.org

Types of dogs trained: Service, Medical Alert, Autism Support

Mississippi

Pets and People: Companions in Therapy & Service

Pat Gonser, Ph.D.

P.O. Box 4266 West Station

Meridian, MS 39307

(601) 483-8970

email: kintoi@cybertron.com

Missouri

American Service Dog Association

Rob Schenberg

1521 Virginia Dr.

Ellisville, MO 63011

(314) 607-2361

Areas served: Greater Saint Louis area

Assistance Dogs for Living

Marilyn Pona

4419 Butler Hill Road

St. Louis, MO 63128

(314) 892-0574

email: ADL@mailroom.com

C.H.A.M.P. Assistance Dogs, Inc.

Janet Cole

5 Lombardy Way

Saint Louis, MO 63138

(314) 653-9466

(314) 653-1718 FAX

email: CHAMPdogs@aol.com

Types of dogs trained: Service, Social/Therapy

Areas served: Saint Louis, MO

Montana

Service Canines of Montana

Debbi Bouwkamp

PO Box 1214

Laurel, MT 59044

(406) 669-3149

email: sercom@ttc-cmc.net

Canine Logistics

Tom Brownlee

2020 Townsend Ave.

Helena, Mt. 59601

(406)439-5323

email: prodigalservicedogs@bresnan.net

Types of dogs trained; Mobility, Hearing, Diabetic

PawsAbilities

Glenn Martyn

3735 Big Flat Rd.

Missoula, MT 59804

(650) 898-9117

Nebraska

Dillon Dog Training

russ@dillonsdogtraining.com

Dog Training Information:

(402) 699-2840

Information about free Service Dogs for Veterans:

(402) 502-5289

Fax:

(402) 502-6689

http://dillonsdogtraining.com/

Nevada

Gold Star Dog Training

Eric Sanders

Pahrump, NV 89060

(702) 497-7229

email: goldstar_252@yahoo.com

Types of dogs trained: Service

New Hampshire

White Mountain College for Pets

Mike Robertson

661 Mayhew Turnpike

Plymouth, NH 03264

email: collegeforpets@gmail.com

Types of dogs trained: Assistance and support. Also cats and other animals

Areas served: NH, VT

New Jersey

K-9 Service Dogs of New Jersey

Oradell, NJ 07649

(201) 200-4368

(201) 244-1117 FAX

email: k9chieftrainer@juno.com

Types of dogs trained: Service

Areas served: Northern NJ, NY

Alpha Affiliates, Inc. (Referral Service Only)

103 Washington St. #362

Morristown, NJ 07960-6813

(201) 539-2770

(201) 644-0610 FAX

Canine Hearing Companions, Inc.

Debra Schaser

247 E. Forest Grove Rd.

Vineland, NJ 08360

(856) 696-0969 V/TDD

(856) 696-5405 FAX

email: CHCHearDog@aol.com

Types of dogs trained: Hearing, Social/Therapy

Areas served: NJ, PA, DE

New Mexico

Assistance Dogs of the West

Jill Felice

440 Galisto St.

Santa Fe, NM 87501

(505) 986-9748

(505) 986-9748 FAX

New York

Canine Companions for Independence

Northeast Regional Center

PO Box 205

Farmingdale, NY 11735-0205

(516) 694-6938 V/TDD

Types of dogs trained: Service, Hearing, Social/Therapy Dogs

Canine Helpers for the Handicapped, Inc.

5705 Ridge Road

Lockport, NY 14094

(716) 433-4035 Voice/TTY

North Carolina

Compass Key:

Website: www.CKDogs.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ckdogs

National Phone Number: 484-643-8445 (Business Hours: M-F, 9-5 Eastern)

Fax Number: 484-766-3598

Compass Key, formerly PAWS Training Centers, rebranded on March 20, 2018

Nanhall Training Center

Frances Shatner Keyes

2206 Martin Luther King Dr.

Greensboro, NC 27406

(919) 272-6584

Canine Seizure Assist Society of North Carolina

369 Cedar St.

Mooresville, NC 28115

(704) 663-1427

email: info@seizureassistdogs.org

North Dakota

Great Plains Assistance Dogs

Mike Goehring

PO Box 513

Jud, ND 58454

(701) 685-2242

(701) 685-2290 FAX

email: gpadf@daktel.com

Types of dogs trained: Service, Seizure Alert/Response, Social/Therapy

Areas served: Continental US and Canada

Captain’s Canine’s

Veteran Owned and Operated

Service Dog Trainers, Good Citizenship Training, PTSD Training for VETS

West Fargo, North Dakota, United States

(907) 317-0356

captainscanine@yahoo.com

https://captainscanine.com/

Ohio

Canine Companions for Independence

North Central Regional Center

4989 State Route 37 East

Delaware, OH 43015-9682

(740) 548-4447 V/TDD

Types of dogs trained: Service, Hearing, Social/Therapy Dogs

Assistance Dogs of America, Inc.

Dino Brownson

8806 State Route 64

Swanton, OH 43558

(419) 825-3622

(419) 825-3710 FAX

email: ADAIfacili@aol.com

Types of dogs trained: Service, Social/Therapy

Area served: 250 mile radius Toledo, OH & SE FL

4 Paws for Ability, Inc.

Karen Shirk, President

1414 Lake Allyn Rd.

Batavia, OH 45103

(513) 732-3091

email: karen4paws@aol.com

Oklahoma

Therapetics Service Dogs of Oklahoma

Susan Hartman

9433 E. 51st Street, Suite J

Tulsa, OK 74145

(918) 270-4226

email: info@therapetics.org

Types of dogs trained: Service Dogs for Physically Disabled

Areas served: OK

Oregon

Compass Key:

Website: www.CKDogs.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ckdogs

National Phone Number: 484-643-8445 (Business Hours: M-F, 9-5 Eastern)

Fax Number: 484-766-3598

Compass Key, formerly PAWS Training Centers, rebranded on March 20, 2018

Autism Service Dogs of America

Kati Rule-Witko

4248 Galewood St.

Lake Oswego, OR 97035

(971) 285-4547

email: info@autismservicedogsofamerica.org

Types of dogs trained: Autism Service Dogs

Areas served: National

Oregon Assistance Dogs

Heather Murlin

77 Red Cedar St.

St Helens Oregon 97051

(503) 662-2DOG

email: info@oregonassistancedogs.org

Types of dogs trained: Any, based on temperament testing

Areas served: Portland Metro area, Salem, Newberg, and surrounding areas (OR and SW WA). Trainings held in Newberg

Pennsylvania

Compass Key:

Website: www.CKDogs.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ckdogs

National Phone Number: 484-643-8445 (Business Hours: M-F, 9-5 Eastern)

Fax Number: 484-766-3598

Compass Key, formerly PAWS Training Centers, rebranded on March 20, 2018

UDS Service Dogs Program

1905 Olde Homestead Lane

Lancaster, PA 17605

(800) 995-9581

(717) 293-1595 FAX

email: lorib@udservices.org

Types of dogs trained: Service, Social/Therapy/Companion

Areas Served: Within a two hour radius of Lancaster, PA

Susquehanna Service Dogs

Nancy Fierer

555 Le Sentier

Harrisburg, PA 17112

(717) 599-5920

email: lesentier@aol.com

Types of dogs trained: Service, Hearing

Areas served: PA

South Carolina

Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services (PAALS)

PO Box 25679

Columbia, SC 29224

(803) 788-7063

email: info@paals.org

Tennessee

Retrieving Independence

Lesley Adams

1802 Williamson Court, Suite 101

Brentwood, TN 37027

615-934-0444

email: info@retrievingindependence.org

Types of dogs trained: Mobility, Seizure Alert

Areas served: Southeast

Ain't Misbehavin K9 Training

Cliff Cunningham

Memphis, TN

(314) 249-2394

email: aintmisbehavingk9@gmail.com

Types of dogs trained: Service Dogs, Mobility Assistance, Psychiatric Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs

Areas served: TN, MS, AR, MO

Texas

Train A Dog – Save A Warrior Program (We Have Trainers Nationally)

Bart Sherwood

13423 Blanco Rd. Ste. 218

San Antonio, TX 78216

(210) 643-2901

(210) 375-4684 FAX

email: bart@tadsaw.org

Types of dogs trained: Service, PTSD

Areas served: TX Service Dogs, Inc.

Sheri Soltes

4925 Bell Springs Rd‎

Dripping Springs, TX 78620

(512) 891-9090 V/TDD

email: sheri@servicedogs.org

Types of dogs trained: Service, Hearing

Areas served: TX

Utah

Skye’s Dog Training

Skye Poitras

Salt Lake City, UT

(801) 885-3922

email: info@skyesdogtraining.com

Types of dogs trained: Psychiatric, Mobility, Medical Response, Autism, Hearing, Seizure Alert, Emotional Support, Therapy

Areas served: UT

Canine Companion Concepts

Bob Reid

859 N. 300 E.

Spanish Fork, UT 84660

(801) 794-1225

email: dogguy@itsnet.com

Kodiak Service Dogs

Specialize in psychiatric, PTSD, and mobility service dogs as well as emotional support dogs

www.kodiakservicedogs.com

(904) 599 2149

Virginia

Compass Key:

Website: www.CKDogs.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ckdogs

National Phone Number: 484-643-8445 (Business Hours: M-F, 9-5 Eastern)

Fax Number: 484-766-3598

Compass Key, formerly PAWS Training Centers, rebranded on March 20, 2018

Blue Ridge Assistance Dogs

Lydia Wade

11215 Dumfires Rd.

Manassas, VA 20112

(703) 369-5878

email: BLRDGAD@aol.com

Types of dogs trained: Service, Social/Therapy

Areas served: VA, DC, MD

Saint Francis Service Dogs

Cabell Youell

P.O. Box 19538

Roanoke, VA 24019

(540) 342-3647

http://www.saintfrancisdogs.org

Washington

Compass Key:

Website: www.CKDogs.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ckdogs

National Phone Number: 484-643-8445 (Business Hours: M-F, 9-5 Eastern)

Fax Number: 484-766-3598

Compass Key, formerly PAWS Training Centers, rebranded on March 20, 2018

Paws Abilities (predominately an obedience school)

Larry and Dana Babb

914 Industry Drive #22

Tukwila, WA 98188

(206) 277-3794

Areas served: WA

Summit Assistance Dogs

PO Box 699

Anacortes, WA 98221

(360) 293-5609

email: info@summitdogs.org

Types of dogs trained: Service, Social, Therapy, Hearing

Areas served: Pacific Northwest, will consider National

Wisconsin

Dogs For Independence Inc.

P O Box 71338

Shorewood, WI 53211

(414) 964-3341 (414) 962-9649

email: info@dfiinc.org

Types of dogs trained: Service, Hearing, Therapy

Areas served: Milwaukee – county area only Wisconsin

Wisconsin Academy for Graduate Service Dogs (WAGSD)

1338 Dewey Ct. Madison, WI 53703

(608) 250-WAGS

email: info@wags.net

Types of dogs trained: Service, Therapy, Helpmate

Areas served: WIJF

Service Dog Training Jill Forster Bruce

WI 54819

(715) 868-2225

email: jillforster@brucetel.net

Types of dogs trained: Service, Psychiatric, Invisible Disabilities, Mobility, Obedience

Areas served: WI and beyond

Although a service dog is trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability, it is very important for a service dog to be well-behaved while in public.

Proper Behavior in Public

Many training organizations have basic requirements that a service dog should meet, to be able to accompany his/her handler in public spaces.

The dog should not look for food, sniff around, behave disruptive towards other people, be aggressive, go potty in public, seek attention, bark excessively (unless barking is a part of the work), react to different sounds or smells when not related to the handler’s disability.

Do You Need To Provide A Training Certificate While in Public?

No, ADA does not require a handler of a service dog to provide a certificate while in public. That means that business owners may not require documentation as proof that the dog is a service animal.

However, it is helpful for many service dog handlers to have certification or accessories when visiting public events or facilities. In that way they are more likely to avoid inappropriate and unwanted questions, interfere with the intentions of strangers to pet the animal, or to distract him/her.

Although business owners are not allowed to require any identification documentation of the service dog, they may ask two questions:

-Is the dog a service animal because of a disability;

-What task has the dog been trained to perform.