Service Dog Trainer Mentorship – Spaces Available

Sharon Wachsler is opening her online service dog mentorship program to experienced dog pros. Learn from a credentialed, R+ professional who has been owner-training service dogs since 1998. Being a service dog trainer can be complex… and rewarding!  Are you a working dog pro who wants increased clarity about which service dog cases are right … Service Dog Trainer Mentorship – Spaces Available Read More »

Sharon Wachsler is opening her online service dog mentorship program to experienced dog pros. Learn from a credentialed, R+ professional who has been owner-training service dogs since 1998.

Being a service dog trainer can be complex… and rewarding! 

Are you a working dog pro who wants increased clarity about which service dog cases are right for you? Do you want to increase your confidence in training tasks and public access?

Trainer stands in a hospital emergency room, speaking to a handler on a gurney who is training their white pitbull lying on the floor next to them.
Get the tools you need to enable your clients and their dogs to thrive even in the most challenging circumstances.

The At Your Service Dog Trainer mentorship will help you…

  • Graduate fully trained service dog teams
  • Structure your business for joy, resiliency, and financial sustainability
  • Avoid frustration and unproductive effort with inappropriate cases
  • Give your clients the gift of a safer, healthier, better life, while training humanely
Person walking a red labradoodle with a service dog vest in a mall.
Learn the secrets to public access training

Working with an expert in owner-training service dogs, join a small, supportive cohort of like-minded trainers who want to see you excel. 

  • Weekly meetings (via Zoom)
  • Individual coaching (online or in person)
  • Observe classes, lessons, and consultations (online or in person)
  • Group teaching and materials geared to your business stage
  • Get immediate answers to your questions

Learn how to

  • Select the right clients for you and your business
  • Train common tasks quickly and efficiently
  • Guide clients to find and select the right dog
Person lying on couch with black fluffy dog lying on their legs and torso. Person is laughin, smiling, petting the dog.
Deep pressure therapy can help with a variety of disabilities. Learn a successful approach to distraction and duration.

This is a great time to join our mentorship cohort if…

  • You have graduated from a service dog trainer course, but you want guidance and community as you enter the field and take clients.
  • You are considering entering the field of service dog training, but you’re not sure if it’s the right fit for you and your business.
  • You are working with service dog clients now, but you have a lot of questions.
  • You have a passion for service dog training and tried working with service dog clients in the past, but it did not go well.

We are At Your Service. Let an expert help you, your business, your clients, and their dogs succeed.

I’ve gained a deeper understanding of dog behavior and the ins and outs on how to approach client questions and solve dog behavior problems. The mentorship is both easy-going and jam-packed, which allows me to truly go at my own pace. I like the organization of the materials and the opportunity to connect with Sharon and other mentees. Even though we are doing it via Zoom, it feels like we are all in class together. There’s a lot of support, exploration, fun, and insight. – Dasha Morrison

Dog and handler participating in service dog trainer mentorship
Dasha Morrison trains Bohnji on cue discrimination in a mentorship meeting.

FAQs

How many trainers are in the mentorship program?

It is usually limited to 5 or 6.

Is there financial aid?

The Dasha Morrison scholarship is available for a trainer from an underrepresented minority community. Dasha was a member of the mentorship program from June 2021 until her untimely death in February of 2023. The scholarship is named in her honor. Contact us to apply.

Is this online or in-person?

The mentorship is designed for online participation. Most trainers participate entirely online, as the meetings are held on Zoom and most of the lessons and classes are online (and recorded). However, we sometimes have in-person meetings or events, and if you are in or able to travel to Massachusetts, you are also welcome to participate in person, too.

How long does it take to complete the program?

That varies with the individual — your goals, your experience, how quickly you move through material. Some trainers get a lot of support in a few months and feel empowered to move on. Others enjoy the ongoing learning and support for one or two years.

Is this program different from the mentorship course described on your website?

The structure of the course is the same. But we currently have a cohort of experienced pro trainers who are interested in developing their service dog expertise, so current openings are limited to those who are already working professionally as dog trainers and have a specific interest in service dog training.

Space is limited. Ready to bring more joy and confidence to service dog training? Contact us to meet your mentor.

“When I interned with Sharon, I was able to observe the layers of knowledge and skills she brought to both human and canine client. She helped people to clarify their expectations of their dog and then helped them to create attainable goals which sustained and then enriched their relationship with the dog they lived with. I learned so much about training, of course — but also about teaching people! She leaves room for people to decide what training they do or don’t want to accept without judging them. Sharon’s dedication to evidence-based, positive training, coupled with her understanding of the canine/human relationship has without a doubt enhanced the quality of life for both many, many times.”  – Lucy Leete

Lucy Leete hikes next to a rocky stream in the woods with her brown, short-haired dog, Tillie
Lucy Leete hikes with her dog, Tillie

https://atyourservicedogtraining.com/service-dog-trainer-mentorship/

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