Therapy Dog Training & Certification in Boca Raton
Therapy Dog Training & Service Dog Training in Boca Raton
Whether you have a gentle dog destined to bring comfort to others, or you need a trained partner to help with a disability, our Boca Raton team provides ethical, ADA-aware training for both paths. We start every program with an honest suitability evaluation—because the right foundation matters.
Ready to Get Started?
Free suitability assessment • No obligation
Understanding Therapy Dogs vs. Service Dogs
Clear definitions matter—for legal access, training approach, and setting the right expectations.
What Is a Therapy Dog?
A therapy dog is a trained dog that provides emotional support, comfort, and affection to people in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, disaster areas, and other facilities. Therapy dogs work with their handlers to visit multiple people and require certification through organizations like Therapy Pets Unlimited. They do not have public access rights under the ADA—facilities invite them by permission.
What Is a Service Dog?
A service dog is individually trained to perform specific tasks that directly mitigate their handler's disability. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs have legal public access rights when under handler control. There is no federal certification, registration, or ID requirement—only that the dog is task-trained for a disability. Common service dog tasks include medical alerts, mobility assistance, PTSD interruption, and guide work.
| Feature | Therapy Dog | Service Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Provide comfort to many people | Perform tasks for one handler with a disability |
| Public Access Rights | By facility invitation only | Protected under ADA when under control |
| Certification Required? | Yes (Therapy Pets Unlimited, etc.) | No federal certification exists |
| Training Focus | Calm temperament, obedience, sociability | Disability-mitigating tasks + public behavior |
| Who They Help | Groups of people in various settings | Their individual handler |
| Common Settings | Hospitals, schools, nursing homes, libraries | Everywhere their handler goes |
Therapy Dog Preparation Program
Our 8-week program prepares you and your dog for therapy certification through Therapy Pets Unlimited.
8-WEEK THERAPY DOG PREPARATION
One-time investment • Payment plans available
- 8 private training sessions with certified trainer
- Advanced obedience: extended stays, loose-leash heeling, immediate recalls
- Public access proofing around Boca Raton (Mizner Park, Town Center, parks)
- Socialization with wheelchairs, walkers, medical equipment, crowds
- Full mock certification exam in Week 8
- Therapy Pets Unlimited evaluation upon successful completion
- Ongoing support and guidance post-certification
Service Dog Training Track
Task training and public access preparation for handlers with qualifying disabilities.
Who This Is For
Handlers with a qualifying disability who need a dog trained to perform specific tasks that mitigate that disability. We begin with an honest suitability evaluation for both dog temperament and handler lifestyle—not every dog is cut out for service work, and that's okay.
Tasks We Train
- Medical alerts: Seizure, blood sugar, cardiac, migraine
- Mobility assistance: Balance support, retrieval, door operation
- Psychiatric support: PTSD interruption, anxiety alerts, grounding
- Deep pressure therapy for anxiety and sensory regulation
- Hearing alerts for deaf/hard-of-hearing handlers
Public Access Training
- Neutrality to people, pets, food, and sudden noises
- Calm behavior: entrances, queues, elevators, seating
- Real-world proofing throughout Boca Raton
- ADA rights education and handler responsibilities
- Documentation guidance for your records
What Makes a Great Therapy or Service Dog?
We build the skills, but the best candidates start with the right temperament foundation.
😌 Naturally Calm & Gentle
Not overly excitable. Has a relaxed demeanor around new people and environments. Can settle quietly for extended periods without anxiety or restlessness.
🤝 Sociable & People-Oriented
Genuinely enjoys meeting strangers of all ages, appearances, and mobility levels. Seeks gentle affection without jumping, mouthing, or overwhelming people.
💪 Confident & Non-Reactive
Not easily startled by loud noises, clumsy petting, sudden movements, or medical equipment like wheelchairs, walkers, and IV poles. Recovers quickly from surprises.
🧠 Eager to Learn
Food or toy motivated. Engages with training sessions willingly. Can focus on handler even with moderate distractions present.
❤️ Healthy & Sound
Good physical health with no chronic pain or mobility issues. For service dogs: structurally sound enough to perform required tasks safely long-term.
🐕 Appropriate Age
For therapy dog certification: typically 1 year minimum. For service dog training: puppies can start foundation work, but task training usually begins after 6 months.
Our 8-Week Therapy Dog Training Process
A structured progression from foundational obedience to certification-ready performance.
Weeks 1–4: Advanced Obedience
We build rock-solid obedience cues: extended stays (5+ minutes), loose-leash heeling through distractions, immediate recalls from any situation, and impulse control around food, people, and other dogs. Your dog becomes predictable and fully under your control.
Weeks 5–7: Public Access Proofing
Training moves to real-world environments throughout Boca Raton. We practice around crowds near Mizner Park, navigate tight spaces and doorways, simulate interactions with wheelchairs and walkers, and proof against children, loud noises, and dropped objects.
Week 8: Mock Test & Certification
We conduct a complete mock test based on the Therapy Pets Unlimited certification exam. This identifies any final areas for polishing. Upon successful completion, we evaluate and certify you and your dog through Therapy Pets Unlimited.
Meet Your Trainer
Expert guidance from certified professionals with real-world experience.
Jake
Jake realized his affinity with animals while working with Horses and herding dogs out on the farms. He started his career in canine behavior and training in 2010 working with a local animal boarding and training facility’s in Boca Raton pairing with local Police. While in School in Gainesville pursuing his business degree Jake paired with ASPCA working against the abuse and investigation of fighting pit bull operations. https://www.aspca.org/about-us/press-releases/367-dogs-rescued-multi-state-dog-fighting-case-second-largest-us-history. This is where Jake learned the tools to assist and rehabilitate the most aggressive and abused dogs he has ever witnessed and realized his purpose. After rehabilitating over 300 dogs, he went on to run and manage a local rescue with AHHHA taking in numerous dogs that needed homes and housing.
While working here he has picked up a plethora of tools to train and educate through canine behavior and mental health. Moving forward Jake was trained formally through various methods and regiments such as Service Dog Training, Therapy, ESA, and Protection. Over his career Jake has made a dedication in his life to find and give every dog in need of assistance a more behaviorally safe and enjoyable life with their companions while traveling the US. Jake continues to follow the path of educating and furthering his knowledge by attending a multitude of seminars and research in animal behavior, understanding breed specific tendencies and how to work with every breed and temperament.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about therapy and service dog training in Boca Raton.
What's the difference between a therapy dog and a service dog?
A therapy dog provides comfort to many people with their owner's permission in facilities like hospitals and schools. A service dog is individually trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability and has legal public access rights under the ADA. Different training, different legal status, different purposes.
Do you certify service dogs?
No—because no legitimate federal certification exists. We evaluate suitability, build disability-mitigating tasks, train public access manners, and guide you on proper documentation and ADA rights so your team meets real-world expectations. Beware of anyone selling "official" service dog certifications or IDs.
How much does therapy dog training cost in Boca Raton?
Our 8-week Therapy Dog Preparation Program is $1,000. This includes all private training sessions, public access proofing, mock certification testing, and Therapy Pets Unlimited evaluation upon successful completion. Payment plans available.
Does this program guarantee therapy dog certification?
We guarantee thorough preparation. 95% of dogs that complete our program pass Therapy Pets Unlimited certification on the first attempt. If your dog needs additional work in any area, we'll identify that early and adjust the training plan accordingly.
Can any breed become a therapy or service dog?
Yes—success depends on the individual dog's temperament, health, and trainability, plus the handler's commitment to training. We've certified Chihuahuas to Great Danes. Breed matters less than the dog's disposition and the handler's consistency.
Where do you train in Boca Raton?
We train in real-world environments including outdoor areas near Mizner Park, Town Center vicinity, local parks, pet-friendly businesses, and various public spaces throughout Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and surrounding areas. Real distractions, real results.
How long does it take to train a service dog?
Service dog training timelines vary significantly based on the dog's existing skills, the complexity of required tasks, and the handler's needs. Most programs require 6–24 months of consistent work. We create custom plans with clear milestones after your initial assessment.
What tasks can service dogs perform?
Service dogs can be trained for medical alerts (seizure, blood sugar, cardiac), mobility assistance (balance, retrieval, doors), psychiatric support (PTSD interruption, anxiety alerts, grounding), hearing alerts, and guide work. The task must directly mitigate the handler's specific disability.
My dog is reactive/fearful. Can they still become a therapy dog?
It depends on the severity and root cause. Mild reactivity can often be addressed with proper training before starting the therapy dog program. Severe fear or aggression typically disqualifies a dog from therapy work. Book a suitability consult so we can evaluate honestly.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes—we offer flexible payment plans for all programs. Call us at (561) 513-5333 to discuss options that work for your budget. We believe financial constraints shouldn't prevent you from accessing professional training.
Start Your Therapy or Service Dog Journey
Book a free suitability consultation to discuss your goals, evaluate your dog's temperament, and create a custom training plan. No obligation—just honest guidance.
Mon–Sat 8am–6pm • Same-day response guaranteed
Dog Training in Boca Raton & All of Palm Beach County
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Professional mobile dog training in Boca Raton, FL specializing in off-leash obedience, board and train, aggressive dog rehabilitation, puppy training, therapy dog certification, and reactive dog behavior modification serving all of Palm Beach and Broward County.
· Obedience: from $650
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