Description text goes herePsychiatric service dogs are individually trained to perform specific tasks that directly mitigate their handler's disability. Because every person's needs are different, there is no standard list of tasks that every psychiatric service dog performs. Instead, each dog's training is tailored to the individual's symptoms, daily challenges, and lifestyle.

Depending on the handler's needs, a psychiatric service dog may be trained to provide Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT) during periods of anxiety or emotional distress, interrupt escalating anxiety or panic by nudging or pawing their handler, create personal space in crowded environments, or perform other trained tasks that increase safety and independence. The specific tasks each dog learns are determined through careful discussion with the client to ensure the training provides meaningful, real-world support.

Our goal is not simply to train a service dog, but to develop a highly individualized partner whose skills are designed to help their handler navigate daily life with greater confidence, independence, and peace of mind.

Yes. We've successfully trained psychiatric service dogs for both children and adults. Every placement is different, and factors like the child's age, maturity, home environment, and family involvement all play a role in how the partnership is built. In many cases with younger children, a parent or family member takes on a larger role in the dog's day-to-day handling and reinforcement, especially in the early stages. We'll talk through what that looks like for your specific family during the process.

We don't simply place dogs. We build teams.

Every dog in our program is evaluated throughout training for temperament, confidence, work ethic, environmental soundness, activity level, and overall suitability for service work. At the same time, we take the time to understand each client's lifestyle, family, daily routine, goals, and individual needs.

Rather than trying to make every dog fit every client, we carefully pair each team based on compatibility. This thoughtful matching process helps create a partnership that is enjoyable, effective, and built to last.

Once a match has been made, we continue tailoring the dog's experiences to prepare them for the environments and lifestyle they will encounter after going home, making the transition as seamless as possible.

Most dogs complete Phase One, the foundational obedience, public access, and task training, in about 12 -15 months, typically finishing around 1 to 1.5 years old. Every dog learns at their own pace, so we don't rush a dog through training just to meet a set timeline. Phase Two continues once your dog comes home, as your new partnership puts everything learned into daily, real-world practice.

Our commitment to your success begins long before delivery day and continues well after your dog comes home.

While your dog is in training, you'll receive access to our Mastering the Basics course. This course is designed to prepare you for life with a psychiatric service dog by helping you understand canine learning, training principles, service dog expectations, public access, and the skills needed to become an effective handler. By the time your dog is ready for placement, you'll already have a strong understanding of how to build a successful partnership.

After delivery, your education continues with our Beyond the Basics course. This year-long program provides ongoing guidance throughout your dog's first year at home, helping you strengthen your partnership, navigate common challenges, and continue reinforcing your dog's training as they mature and settle into everyday life.

In addition to these educational resources, we provide ongoing phone, email, and virtual support at no additional cost. Whether you have a quick question or need guidance through a new situation, we're here to help.

Our goal isn't simply to place a trained dog. It's to equip every handler with the knowledge, confidence, and ongoing support needed to build a successful partnership for years to come.

Our Phase One psychiatric service dog program starts at $16,000 for a Labrador or Goldendoodle. Specialty breed requests may increase this cost.

This includes your dog's selection and matching, current vaccinations, spay/neuter, and extensive obedience, public access, and 2-3 trained tasks, everything needed for your dog to come home ready to begin working with you. It also includes the education and ongoing support that carries your partnership well beyond delivery day, from the Mastering the Basics course during training, through Beyond the Basics and continued support once your dog comes home. (See "What support do you offer before and after my dog is home?" )

We offer payment plan options to help make this investment more manageable. Reach out to us directly and we'll walk you through what that looks like for your family.

Yes. Once your dog completes Phase One, they meet the legal standard under the ADA to work as a service dog, meaning they can accompany you in public spaces alongside you from day one. Your dog comes home having completed extensive obedience and public access training, along with the introduction to individually trained tasks.

Task reliability continues to build significantly during Phase Two, the first year at home. Just as a new teacher, doctor, or athlete has the credentials to do their job well before they've built years of real-world experience doing it, your dog's trained tasks will grow more consistent and finely tuned to you specifically as your partnership develops. This is a completely normal part of the process, not a sign anything is behind schedule, and it's exactly why we stay involved with education and support throughout that first year, to help you and your dog grow into a truly reliable team together.

Yes. We're honored to partner with American Humane's Pups 4 Patriots program, which provides specially trained service dogs at no cost to qualifying veterans diagnosed with PTSD and/or TBI due to military service. [Learn more about Pups 4 Patriots →]