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Service Dogs

Is your dog ready for service dog training?

Check out my short checklist to outline areas you might need to focus on before being able to focus on public access and disability skills. 

Training your own service dog isn't easy! Whether you started with a intentionally picked out puppy OR your current dog is surprising you with their interest and awareness of your well being, there are still so many aspects to being covered by the ADA. 

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As someone with a disability who utilizes a service dog AND worked professionally with programs and owner trainers alike Paul has unique perspective on the stages of training. 

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Avery M., WA

"Paul is a patient and insightful trainer who works hard to ensure that you know how to train the behaviors you are seeking. They will start by asking you to consider your goals and help you work to achieve them. I have worked with Paul at the Mindful Pupper both in a class environment and one on one with my SDiT.
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Working one on one with Paul and my SDiT has been fantastic. At class I noticed my SDiT was becoming uncomfortable with the other dogs (a major problem in a SD). Paul suggested a couple of sessions working on threshold work using their own SD as a starting place. I appreciate Paul’s proactive nature and willingness to work at whatever pace a dog needs (and sometimes remind an owner)."

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Experience

2024

Control Unleashed Speaker

Spoke at Control Unleashed professional conference on service dog training, resilience in public settings, and accommodating disabilities in pattern game protocols. 

Certifications:

CCUI Passed 2023

CPDT-KA Assessed 2020

IAABC-ADT Passed 2020

2023-present

Brigadoon Service Dogs

Service dog training instructor for Brigadoon Service Dogs. Weekly group sessions for handlers and puppy raisers caring for program dogs.  - ADI Accredited Organization. 

2020-Present

Atlas Assistance Dogs

Volunteer Team Facilitator- Assists clients in reaching certification goals through the Atlas program.  - ADI Accredited Organization

Related Questions

Do you train ESA's?

I would be happy to assist you in any of your training goals for your ESA.

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ESA's or Emotional Support Animals have limited public access based on your location. With the continuing changes to laws around flying with ESA's it's always a good idea to make sure your animal is comfortable in such a stressful and fast paced and environment. I can help make sure you are both ready for travel together!

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Other areas I find ESA's need assistance are: apartment manners, separation anxiety, and general confidence building. 

Do you train therapy dogs?

Therapy dogs are a very different category of working dogs. They are specifically trained to interact with the public and provide comfort to groups of people.  Though some of the public access training is similar to service dogs, therapy dogs are not covered by the ADA, and have specialized programs to volunteer through.  Therapy Dogs International has some good information about this process. 

How do I get started?

Do you offer certifications?

In the U.S there is no requirement for certification or registration of service animals.  In fact, agencies that offer these can add to the misrepresentation of service animals. For more FAQ about the ADA Click Here. 

I do offer CGC testing to help track goals, and training support and verification for flying.

I also work with a few ADI accredited organizations that offer these certifications for the purposes of international travel. 

I encourage people to sign up for a group class with me.  You can see updated course offerings on our "services" page. These tend to be great places for us to get to know each other, as well as review some basic training concepts. 

Otherwise, I like to setup service dog assessments in two parts. 

Part 1: virtual call where we discuss training history, handler needs, and laws around service dogs. 

Part 2: is an in-person session in a pet friendly store, I go over a behavior assessment created from Guide Dog schools to help us highlight areas of focus for training. 

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