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Have you ever thought your dog helped you when you were sad, anxious, or angry?

Do you ever think your dog can read your mind and calm you down and bring you to a state of Zen?

Do you ever think your dog could help others in a similar situation?

If you’ve answered YES to any of these questions, please read ahead. You may be pleasantly surprised to find you too have the ability to bring your furry soul mate with you practically everywhere to help those in need. Dogs have been shown to help people heal at a faster rate in the hospital after a traumatic injury. Dogs have also been shown to help children with learning disabilities, especially those who suffer from anxiety.  Please note, before beginning this process it is important to take your dog’s age, health, and personality into consideration.

Here are a few guidelines to set you up for Service Dog certification success!

1. Find a Service Dog Trainer

Although certification is not required in the United States to become a dog trainer, communities are becoming more self-regulated.  Even though it may be wiser to hire a professional trainer, legally training can be completed by a friend, a family member, or yourself if you chose to do so.

2. Put in the Time

Typically, it takes 6 months to a year to properly train your service dog. Breaking this down into international standards the requirements are a minimum of 120 hours, 30 hours of which the dog is placed in a public and easily distracted environment. Behavioral documentation and progress will need to be taken during this time.

3. Pass the Test

Registrations are only for personal identification purposes. So, to ensure a promising future for your service dog, its necessary to finish his/her formal training with a Public Access Test.

Have any tips on training a service dog, or just know a really cute one?! Share with us by using #PetTreaterService on social media! 

Love,

The Pet Treater Pack

Related Sources:

usdogregistry.org/faqs

A Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Service Dog

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