How Much Do Therapy Dog Trainers Make

How to Become a Service Dog Trainer

Service dogs are specially trained to assist people with disabilities. According to the American Kennel Club, over 80 million Americans have service dogs as partners and companions. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sets forth guidelines for the use of service dogs but does not require that dogs be trained by a credentialed trainer.

How Service Dogs are Used

When considering a service dog trainer career, know that you have options to train dogs that assist in a variety of ways. The use of service dogs has expanded over the last 100 years. As the American Kennel Club reports, the term "service dog" was once synonymous with "seeing-eye dog." German shepherds were virtually the only breed used. Today, although German shepherds, labs and golden retrievers are most common, a wider variety of breeds is used. Service dogs assist individuals with physical or mental impairments that prevent them from performing major life activities.

Hearing dogs alert deaf and hearing-impaired individuals to important sounds. Mobility dogs assist people with balance issues and those who use a walker or wheelchair. Medical alert dogs are trained to recognize low blood sugar or the imminent onset of a seizure. Psychiatric service dogs assist individuals with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia and anxiety disorders.

Service Dog Trainer Education

There are no legal requirements for the education of service dog trainers, although organizations that place service dogs have their own standards and regulations. Service dog trainers must themselves undergo rigorous training; training is not just for the animals. For example, at Guide Dogs of America (GDA), a leading organization that trains dogs for veterans and people with disabilities, trainers must go through a three-year apprenticeship and undergo an evaluation that ensures they are qualified to work with dogs and people.

A service dog trainer career encompasses not only animal training, but also working with the individuals who will receive service dogs. Check the websites of service dog placement agencies for announcements about openings for apprenticeships. You can find listings of agencies worldwide that are accredited by Assistance Dogs International, a coalition of non-profit training programs that work together to develop and promote standards of excellence for training and placement.

Service Dog Trainer School

California's Bergin University of Canine Studies is considered a top school for prospective service dog trainers. There are both degree and certificate programs available. Tuition for the 2019-2020 school year was just under $5,000 per semester. Financial aid is available.

There are other programs offered by community-based dog training programs. One way to get started, particularly if there is not a service dog trainer school in your area, is to enroll in a Good Canine Citizen (GCC) class near you. GCC is a program developed by the American Kennel Club designed to teach 10 basic skills to dogs. Your ability to successfully navigate the course with a dog is a first step in getting experience to apply to an apprenticeship program.

Service Dog Trainer Salary

The employment website ZipRecruiter listed the average 2020 service dog trainer salary as $35,360 annually. Reported salaries ranged from $16,000 to $54,500 a year. As is the case with almost any job, pay varies by employer and geographic location as well as the skills and experience of the individual. Average salaries, according to ZipRecruiter, are highest in New York, Massachusetts, Washington, New Hampshire and Hawaii, ranging from $37,564 to $35,736. Salaries were lowest in North Carolina, where the average service dog trainer salary was $27,549 a year.

How To Train a Therapy Dog: Learning If Your Dog Is Fit For

How To Train a Therapy Dog: Learning If Your Dog Is Fit For

Can Any Dog Be a Therapy Dog? So what makes a good therapy dog and how do pups and people become a therapy dog team? However, it’s not fair to give a dog a job that it doesn’t want.”Would Your Dog Make a Good Therapy Dog? She also emphasizes that therapy dog work is as good for the person as it is for the dog. Tips For How To Train A Therapy DogLearning to train a therapy dog is no easy task, and often requires a lot of work on behalf of both the dog and the handler.

How To Become A Service Dog Trainer

How To Become A Service Dog Trainer

How To Become A Service Dog TrainerIf you are an animal lover and also find fulfillment in helping others, you may have considered becoming a service dog trainer. There is no nationally recognized training or certification for becoming a professional dog trainer or a professional service dog trainer. The best way to gain skills and experience in dog training is to either apprentice with a dog trainer or take a dog training course at a higher education institution. There is no specific test your dog must pass to become a service dog, and your dog does not need to be registered anywhere to work as a service dog. The average cost of a service dog is $15,000-$30,000, and an independent service dog trainer can sell any animal for this amount.

Service Dog Trainer: Job Description, Duties and Requirements

Service Dog Trainer: Job Description, Duties and Requirements

Additionally, apprenticeships allow service dog trainers to gain real-world experience under the tutelage of experienced instructors. CertificationThere are no certification programs geared specifically to service dog trainers; however, the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) offers voluntary certification for dog trainers in general (www.ccpdt.org). Licensure and Other QualificationsIn some states, guide dog trainers must be licensed. California guide dog trainers must maintain licensure by taking continuing education courses. Dog schools may administer their own exams and field tests to apprentice service dog trainers.