Service Dog Training

Todd Campbell is a certified Service Dog Coach (SDC) trainer and, to date, is the only person to have this distinction in the Orlando area.

He is currently taking clients needing hearing alert and mobility service dog training along with the public access training that comes with that. SDC's have to be excellent trainers even to get excepted into the SDC program. They are instructed how to teach dogs tasks and learn how to pass acquired knowledge and skills to clients in need of a service animal. This distinctive certification requires continuing education units to keep current in the field. SDCs must have compassion and empathy and are trained to work with a range of people with varying disabilities. Todd empowers those with service dogs to become great owner/trainers. SDC's use only positive, force-free techniques. Service dogs should be thinking independently and need not worry about punishment-based practices.

Service dogs are defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act and are dogs that are specifically trained to help people with disabilities. I help people with disabilities train their own dog to assist them as a service dog. These dogs are special dogs and have innate talents.

FAQs

Flying with a Service Dog

Service dogs are currently allowed and protected under the law. Having a well-trained public access dog is essential and required under most major carriers. For example, some, like American Airlines, require that you put the trainer’s name and/or business on the U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form. Note, I can’t put my name, business or number on any form until you have completed the 2-year training program with me.

Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Training

ESA’s are not the same thing as service animals and are not allowed places pets are not permitted and they are now not allowed on most airline carriers. However, if you need your ESA to be trained for places that allow dogs, I can help you with that.

Therapy Dog Training

Therapy dogs are not the same thing as service dogs and are not allowed in places that pets are not permitted unless they are invited by a school or hospital. Therapy dogs should be tested by a reputable testing organization such as the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. I can help you prepare your dog for therapy work and the test if your dog is a good candidate.

Phone Consultations

Call me for a free 15-minute phone consult. Receive guidance to select a dog for service work, an ESA or learn about service dog training. Please fill out the form below to set up a phone consult.

Service Dog Training Requirements

1.

Able to attend training lessons for 1.5 years or longer

2.

Able to commit daily time to practicing with your dog between appointments.

3.

Have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act

4.

Aware that you may end up with a dog that can only help at home or in places pets are allowed. Up to 50% of service dog candidates in programs are not able to complete training and work in places pets are not permitted.

5.

Willing to wait until I evaluate your dog’s suitability and help you train your dog foundation skills before putting service dog identification on your dog and before taking your dog to places pets are not permitted. This preliminary training could take up to a year or more.

6.

Have support from your licensed healthcare provider for use of a service dog.

My Process

Step 1:

We begin with a 40-75 minute appointment where we discuss your needs, identify tasks that would be helpful to train, review your dog’s behavioral history, educate you on reputable service dog informational resources and give you some training recommendations. Fee: $160

Step 2:

Training for service work if your dog is suitable. This process usually takes 1 – 2 years but can take longer or shorter depending on the dog and whether we are preparing for public access or at-home-only training. The first year might be primarily foundation work, and the second year public access. Note: Every dog is different and will progress at different rates. We start with a 6-week training package for $660 after the initial appointment in Step 1. Then we work in 4-session packages, each being $440, until the dog is well-trained(usually about 2 years).

Step 3:

Follow-up support. Ongoing brush-up training throughout your service dog’s working career. $110 per appointment, usually twice a year.

Requirements for the dog

Your dog must have no history of aggression or reactivity towards people, dogs, or other animals. Good service dogs must be almost “invisible” in public and not attract negative attention.
Your dog must be trainable. Labs, golden retrievers, or mixes are known breeds for service work, but each dog is an individual, and other breeds could be suitable if they exhibit specific characteristics. For at-home only service dogs, they only need to display the ability to do the desired tasks in the home.
No history of behavioral issues like separation anxiety or fear.
Physically healthy
Under the age of 4

Please fill out this secure form. The information you provide will help me identify service dog tasks and training accommodations to meet your needs. I respect the confidentiality of all information you share.

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email

How did you find us?

Breed? Or breed you are thinking of?

If you already have a dog, what is the size, age, and weight?

Address

Address 1

Address 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

Subject

Please help our trainer understand how your disability impacts your life and how having a service dog would make a difference for you.

Please list some specific tasks your dog could do to help you.

Do you anticipate any changes in your disability that would require additional task training for your potential service dog?

Have you ever raised and trained a dog before? If yes, please describe.

Our trainer needs to understand if dog training lessons and techniques need to be accommodated to meet your needs. Dog training often involves the following: listening to the trainer, participating in a one hour lesson, watching training demonstrations, remembering instructions, bending/crouching/sitting to work with the dog, walking with the dog, pressing a clicker, holding a leash, putting equipment on and off the dog, handing the dog treats, going to different locations to practice, picking up after the dog. Do you have difficulty with any of these activities? If yes, please list the impacted activities and explain below.

Do you have a caregiver or anyone who is involved in helping you train or care for your dog?

Do you have support from a licensed healthcare provider to train your dog as a service dog?

Yes

No

I will respond within 24 hours. Please acknowledge that if you don’t see my response within that time, that you will check your spam folder if you don’t see it in your inbox.

I agree

We are only servicing the following communities. For service dog work, I do not offer virtual training.

Lake Nona
Belle Isle
Hunters Creek
Conway area
Downtown Orlando and anywhere south of Downtown in Orlando
Baldwin Park
Winter Park(East of Park Ave. Only)
Windermere
Metrowest
Winter Garden(north of SR50 only)
Ocoee(South of Silver Star Road only)
Dr. Phillips
Meadow Woods
North Kissimmee or anywhere north of downtown Kissimmee
Colonialtown North
College Park
Winter Park(West of Park Ave. only)
Vista East