Service Dog & Therapy Dog Preparation Programs

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Build the Skills for Real-World Success

Whether you're looking to train a future service dog or prepare your dog for therapy work, Avid K9 provides personalized coaching designed to build confidence, reliability, and real-world skills.

Our programs focus on both the dog and the handler, helping teams develop the foundation necessary for success in public environments and everyday life.

Is a Service Dog Right for You?

Service dog training is a significant commitment that requires time, consistency, and realistic expectations.

A successful service dog should possess:

  • A stable temperament

  • Confidence in new environments

  • Strong handler engagement

  • Appropriate social skills

  • Good physical health

  • The ability to work calmly around distractions

Not every dog is suited for service work, and part of our job is helping you determine whether your dog is an appropriate candidate.

If you do not currently have a dog, Avid K9 can assist you in selecting a suitable prospect.

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Is a Service Dog Right for You?

Choosing the right dog is one of the most important decisions in the service dog journey.

Avid K9 maintains a network of reputable breeders who produce dogs with qualities often sought after for service work, including stable temperaments, trainability, and sound health.

Service Dog Prospect Consultation – $200

Includes:

  • Lifestyle and needs assessment

  • Breed recommendations

  • Service dog prospect guidance

  • Breeder referrals

  • Puppy selection assistance

  • Temperament discussion and evaluation guidance

While no dog can be guaranteed to succeed as a service dog, selecting the right prospect can greatly improve the likelihood of success. to work calmly around distractions

Not every dog is suited for service work, and part of our job is helping you determine whether your dog is an appropriate candidate.

If you do not currently have a dog, Avid K9 can assist you in selecting a suitable prospect.

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Programs

Service & Therapy Dog Foundations
$695 | 4 Sessions | Expires 6 Weeks After Purchase

Perfect for owners exploring service dog or therapy dog work and building the necessary foundation skills.

Program Includes:

  • Public Manners Foundations

  • Engagement & Focus Training

  • Settle & Relaxation Skills

  • Loose Leash Walking

  • Handling & Grooming Tolerance

  • Basic Obedience Skills

  • Personalized Training Plan

  • Homework Assignments

Service & Therapy Dog Development
$1,295 | 8 Sessions | Expires 10 Weeks After Purchase

Designed for teams ready to build reliability around distractions and prepare for advanced public access training.

Program Includes:

  • Everything in Foundations

  • Advanced Public Manners

  • Distraction Training

  • Extended Settle Exercises

  • Restaurant & Store Training

  • Confidence Building

  • Public Access Foundations

  • Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Preparation & Exam

  • Up to 4 Video Reviews

  • Personalized Training Plan

Service & Therapy Dog Preparation Program
$1,995 | 12 Sessions | Expires 14 Weeks After Purchase

Our most comprehensive program for teams pursuing advanced public access skills, therapy dog evaluations, or service dog readiness.

Program Includes:

  • Everything in Development

  • Advanced Public Access Skills

  • Real-World Training Outings

  • Service Dog Task Foundations

  • Therapy Dog Evaluation Preparation

  • Advanced Distraction Training

  • Handler Coaching

  • Unlimited Video Reviews

  • Priority Support

  • Progress Tracking

Things to know before training

Flexible Training Options

1

Every client has different needs, schedules, and learning styles. Depending on your goals and circumstances, some training sessions may be conducted as live virtual coaching sessions. This allows for additional flexibility while still providing personalized instruction and support.

Virtual sessions can be especially beneficial for:

Puppy selection consultations
Preparing for a future service dog
Handler education and coaching
Home management strategies
Follow-up support between in-person sessions
Clients who live outside our primary service area

Training plans may include a combination of in-person and virtual sessions based on the needs of the dog and handler.

Understanding Service Dogs

2

Many people are surprised to learn that there is no official government-issued service dog registration, certification, license, or identification card required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

A service dog is defined by the work or tasks it is individually trained to perform for a person with a disability, not by paperwork, vests, certificates, or online registries.

Because of this, Avid K9 does not sell, issue, or guarantee service dog certifications, registrations, licenses, or identification cards. Our focus is on providing quality training and helping teams develop reliable working skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No. There is no official certification required by the ADA. Our focus is training, not selling certifications.

  • Most service dogs require 18–24 months or more of consistent training and development.

  • Possibly. A temperament and training evaluation can help determine whether your dog is a suitable candidate.

  • Service dogs perform specific tasks for a person with a disability. Therapy dogs provide comfort and support to others in settings such as hospitals, schools, and nursing homes.

  • No. Success depends on many factors including genetics, health, temperament, environment, and handler consistency.

  • Avid K9 accepts payments through:

    • Venmo

    • Zelle

    • Square (card payments)

    • Afterpay

    Venmo and Zelle payments do not include additional processing fees.

    Square card payments are subject to standard processing fees charged by the payment provider.

    Afterpay may also include additional fees determined by Afterpay for installment-based payment options.

    To make training more accessible, clients may choose to use Afterpay to split their total into scheduled installment payments.

    All training must be paid in full prior to the start of the program unless an approved installment option (such as Afterpay) is used at checkout.

  • Completion of any Avid K9 Service Dog or Therapy Dog Program does not guarantee service dog status, therapy dog certification, public access rights, registration, housing accommodations, airline accommodations, or legal recognition.

    Not every dog is suitable for service or therapy work. Recommendations are made based on the dog's temperament, health, aptitude, and training progress.

    Avid K9's goal is to provide honest guidance, ethical training, and realistic expectations while helping each team reach its fullest potential.

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