Psychiatric Service Dog
Train your own dog to
become a qualified Psychiatric Service Dog
Price: $99.00
Per Participant
100% Interactive Online Course.
12-Month Access.
Official Instant Certificate.
Online Psychiatric Service Dog Training Course.
Our curriculum is based on research and informed by evidence.
It is offered in English.​​
PSD training (For travel, housing, and public access).
​Click Below
Psychiatric Service Dog
Self-Paced Online Training
Learn How to Train Your Psychiatric Service Dog
If you're looking for an online training program to help you learn how to train a Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD), our Psychiatric Service Dog Self-Paced Online Training Course provides convenient, step-by-step education that you can complete from home and at your own pace.
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This course was created by Dr. Roberto Jimenez, a licensed mental health professional, health coach, and professional member of the Animal Behavior Society, in collaboration with a certified dog trainer and animal behaviorist.
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The program helps participants understand the role of a Psychiatric Service Dog and learn key training principles, including basic obedience, positive reinforcement, appropriate behavior, handler-dog communication, and disability-related task training.
What Is a Psychiatric Service Dog?
A Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) is a service dog that is individually trained to perform specific work or tasks that assist a person with a psychiatric disability.
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Unlike an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), which primarily provides comfort and emotional support through its presence, a Psychiatric Service Dog is trained to perform specific disability-related tasks.
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Depending on the needs of the handler, these tasks may include responding to psychiatric symptoms, interrupting certain behaviors, providing assistance during episodes of distress, waking the handler when necessary, retrieving items, or performing other individually trained tasks related to the person's disability.
100% Online & Self-Paced
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This is an interactive, self-study online course that allows participants to learn and practice training techniques at their own pace.
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For the best learning experience, we recommend completing the course on a laptop or desktop computer.
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Training a Psychiatric Service Dog takes time, consistency, repetition, and practice. Participants should work through the course while regularly practicing the training techniques with their dogs.
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A Certificate of Course Completion is provided after successfully completing the program.
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Important Notice
Completion of this course does not automatically qualify, designate, register, or certify a dog as a Psychiatric Service Dog.
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A Psychiatric Service Dog must be individually trained to perform work or tasks directly related to the handler's disability and must meet applicable behavioral and public-access requirements.
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The certificate provided at the end of this program documents completion of the educational training course.
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Course Curriculum
How Do I Train My Dog to Become a Psychiatric Service Dog?
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Module 1 - What Is a Psychiatric Service Dog?
Learn the purpose and role of a Psychiatric Service Dog and what distinguishes a PSD from other assistance animals.
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Module 2 - Common Psychiatric Service Dog Tasks
Explore examples of disability-related tasks that Psychiatric Service Dogs may be trained to perform.
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Module 3 - Psychiatric Service Dog Training & Milestones
Understand the training process, important developmental milestones, and the progression from foundational skills to more advanced training.
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Module 4 - Positive Reinforcement Training
Learn how positive reinforcement can be used to encourage desired behaviors and develop reliable training responses.
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Module 5 - Clicker Training: 6 Steps
Learn a six-step approach to using a clicker as a training and communication tool.
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Module 6 - Training a Psychiatric Service Dog to Wake the Handler: 6 Steps
Learn a structured approach for teaching a dog a specific assistance task.
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Module 7 - Essential Training Supplies
Review useful equipment and supplies that can support the PSD training process.
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​Module 8 - Common Psychiatric Service Dog Breeds
Learn about breeds commonly selected for service work while recognizing that suitability depends on the individual dog's temperament, health, behavior, and ability to perform the required tasks.
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Module 9 - Benefits of a Psychiatric Service Dog
Explore ways a properly trained PSD may assist an individual with disability-related functional limitations and promote greater independence.
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Module 10 - Caring for Your Psychiatric Service Dog
Review responsible ownership, health, exercise, grooming, enrichment, and ongoing training considerations.
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Module 11 - Service Dogs vs. Emotional Support Animals vs. Therapy Dogs
​Understand the important differences among Psychiatric Service Dogs, Emotional Support Animals, therapy dogs, and pets.
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Module 12 - References & Educational Resources
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Module 13 - Final Quiz
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Module 14 - Certificate of Course Completion
Learn. Train. Practice.
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Training a Psychiatric Service Dog is a process. Our goal is to provide you with the education, tools, and training principles you need to work with your dog consistently and responsibly.
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Learn at your own pace. Practice with your dog. Build skills together.
Enjoy the training!
What is a Psychiatric Service Dog?