Program includes all commands listed below in addition to off-leash reliability, public access training, and service dog tasks. This also includes lifetime support mitigating and understanding the requirements and laws, which regulate assistance dogs. Clients also receive a training guide book supplemented with informative videos and pictures.

Program includes commands such as:

  1. “Come” → recall within arm’s reach.
  2. “Break” → rewards and releases a dog from a command.
  3. “Sit” and “Extended Sit” → “sit” for extended duration of time.
  4. “Place” and “Extended Place” → “place” for extended duration of time) on a defined object that you target (bed, chair, bench, etc.
  5. “Down” and “Extended Down” → “down” for extended duration of time.
  6. “Heel” → walk/run at either your left or right side.
  7. “Off” → stops unwanted behaviors such as jumping, growling, biting, counter-surfing, excessive barking, digging, chasing prey, etc.
  8. “Drop” → any item in their mouth.


The Assistance Dog Program includes tasks specific to the type of service the dog provides to mitigate a disability and/or disabilities.

Some of the many examples include:  

  1. Environmental Conditioning: navigating through different situations, settings, and environments with confidence.
  2. Impulse Control: exuding self-control with various triggers and distractions they will commonly be exposed to.
  3. Support: adapting, providing support, and feeling comfortable in the various situations they will experience with kids, adults, elderly, and/or social interactions specific to their job. This may include showing your dog how to…
    1. Respond to individuals experiencing specific or various impairments they will be working with.
    2. Build confidence in various social interactions.
    3. Position themselves in specific commands that allow them to be petted and/or alleviate stress with different kinds of individuals. For example, dogs can be taught to “touch” on a wheelchair or bed; “stand” to give support, be petted, or put on gear; “place” into a lap or designated area; etc.
  4. Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT): grounding through tactile stimulation, which naturally alleviates stress and/or episodes experienced in various medical conditions.
  5. Medical Alert: alerting to physiological and behavioral changes before they escalate to dangerous levels. Medical alert is (but is not limited to) helping people that experience PTSD, ADHD, OCD, autism, anxiety, depression, cardiac disorders, respiratory disorders, diabetes, seizures, etc. Some of the many symptoms this task helps manage are…
    1. Panic attacks
    2. Sensory overload
    3. Dissociation
    4. Flashbacks
    5. Seizures
    6. Diabetes
    7. Allergies
  1. Guiding: guiding their handler to their car, home, a specific location, an exit, another person, an item, etc. Dogs can be taught to avoid hazards and lead their handler around them.
  2. Environmental Alert: altering to danger in various environments and settings. This may or may not include…
    1. Alerting to the presence of others
    2. Scanning or clearing a room for intruders
    3. Detecting allergens
    4. Acting as a visual or hearing aid
  3. Interactions: interacting with others in order to mitigate symptoms. This involves tasks such as…
    1. Crowd control (circling)
    2. Summoning help
    3. Finding a specific person
    4. Delivering items, etc.
  4. Interruption: interrupting harmful behavior(s) such as…
    1. Dissociation
    2. Flashbacks
    3. Crying
    4. Freezing
    5. Panic attacks
    6. Anxiety
    7. Repetitive behaviors
    8. Nightmares or night terrors
    9. Scratching/picking/mutilating skin, hair, and/or body
  5. Retrieval: retrieving and holding items that you point to, are dropped, out of reach, or are needed in your daily routine. These items may include…

    A. Medications
    B. Clothes
    C. Dog gear
    D. Phone
    E. Purse
    F. Keys
    G. Wallet
    H. Shoes
    I. Tissues
    J. Towels
    K. Remotes
    L. Mail
  6. Personal Action: specialized actions that help to navigate specific symptoms that a person experiences. Some of the many tasks include…

    A. Teaching a dog to turn lights on/off
    B. Mobility or brace support
    C. Cover/watch your back
    D. Open/close doors/cabinets/dishwasher/refrigerator
    E. Clothing removal
    F. Routine or medication reminders
    G. Direct the handler’s body into a safe position
    H. Wake/ground handler
    I. Pull blankets on/off
    J. Open/close curtains
    K. Find their handlers if they wander or get lost
    L. Call phone number with dog-friendly phone