Can my vet help with training or certifying my dog as a service dog?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! What a beautiful family! We sadly are not associated with a Veterinary clinic or trainer. Your Veterinarian may have names of trainers they recommend. I would also print out the forms and requirements from the agency you want Jax certified under. They need to have certain vaccines, heartworm tests and fecal tests. I hope this helps!

Visit the PAWS Training Centers website at www.pawstrainingcenters.com. They may be able to give you guidance and information. You can also use your preferred online search engine to find certified trainers. Be sure to study local and state statutes regarding service animals as laws can and do vary.

Hi there! I think part of the issue may be the terminology you're using, when you're trying to find someone to help. By definition, a "therapy dog" is a dog who visits hospitals, nursing homes, or other places and interacts with people there to bring them comfort. What you're describing - a dog that helps you, not members of the public - would be either an emotional support animal, or a service dog. If you're trying to make Leo an emotional support animal, you just need a letter from your doctor or mental health care provider stating that you have anxiety that is helped by having your dog with you. This allows you to have him with you in certain housing situations that may not otherwise allow pets, and may allow him to travel with you in come cases, but does not give him any other public access rights (restaurants, stores, etc.) A service dog, by definition, is trained to perform a specific task to alleviate an owner's disability. So if you're interested in working with someone to train him to do something specific to help you, you would need to find a trainer to work with who has experience training service animals. Off the top of my head, I don't know who in your area might be able to do this - but at least you know what to ask about now, when you call trainers to inquire. Best of luck! :)

We cannot do that from this site. Not only it is illegal, but we cannot make a statement about behavior just from seeing videos or doing a video chat. You need to make an appointment with a local clinic to have this done.

Emotional Support Animals are trained to help a person depending on that person's specific needs, and there is no one set rule or training program for them. Each dog is trained individually, assisting in tasks such as helping with panic attacks, anxiety, etc. These dogs are also not considered service animals in some cases, so may not have the same protections as a service animal such as Guide Dogs for the Blind. There is also no specific certification or designation for ESAs. That said, if you are interested in having an ESA, speaking with a trainer in your area that specializes in service dog training is a good place to start. They can work with you on tailoring training techniques, and get you into actual training certification programs such as Canine Good Citizen which can help teach basic obedience and social skills all service dogs should have.

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Don't be embarrassed! I wouldn't try to trick the system though by putting a vest on Lola. I would talk to your guidance counselor or principal to see if they would allow her. If not then have your parents contact a service dog program and get Lola certified. That way she is legitimate. Unfortunately a lot of people are now abusing the emotional support animal. Lola needs to be able to behave at school: not whine or bark, growl or try to bite people, needs to know all her commands. She would need to be spayed, vaccinated, tested for worms and on preventatives. The school can't have dogs not Rabies vaccinated and have ticks and fleas on them in school with kids. It is a bit of a process. But if you feel your life would be better then start the process! All you can do is try, right? Good luck!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If you would like to get Mandie certified as a therapy dog there are certain requirements that have to be met. There are many organizations that can help you get her certified. Dogs have to be spayed/neutered, have a negative stool test, on flea/tick and heartworm prevention and up to date on vaccinations. Most organizations are local and your Vet can likely point you in the direction of an organization to get her certified. Or the internet can be helpful. I do not see why she can't be a therapy dog and a medical alert dog for you. She probably can not be used for others as a medical alert dog. Those dogs are usually trained from puppy-hood by other non-profit organizations. I hope this helps!