Courses for Assistance Dogs
Is Your Dog Suitable for Assistance Training?
Not every dog is suited to assistance or service work—and understanding this early can save time, stress, and unrealistic expectations.
This short course has been designed to help you assess your dog’s suitability, understand key behavioural traits, identify red flags, and learn what is required to move forward.
What you’ll learn:
- What makes a suitable assistance dog
- Common red flags and unsuitable behaviours
- The reality of training and handler commitment
- Clear next steps based on your situation
What’s included:
- Downloadable course guide (PDF)
- Audio explanations for each module
- Real-world, experience-based guidance
Cost: $29
How to access
Once purchased, you will receive your course materials via email.
What our clients say
“Working with Heart Dogs Australia has been a genuinely positive experience for both myself and Lillibet. The program was practical, supportive, and focused on real-life outcomes.
Lisa was patient, encouraging, and clear in her guidance. She broke everything down into manageable steps, which helped me build confidence handling Lillibet in public and staying consistent, even when things didn’t go perfectly.
Lillibet made real progress in focus, manners, and reliability around distractions, and we successfully passed the Public Access Test (PAT), which was a huge milestone for us.
I’m incredibly grateful for the support and would highly recommend Heart Dogs Australia to anyone considering assistance dog training.”
— Louise Witte
“I highly recommend Lisa and Heart Dogs Australia for their outstanding assistance dog training. Through their expert guidance, my dog Henry has become a reliable assistance companion, providing invaluable support with pain management and daily tasks.
The training was tailored to my individual needs, ensuring practical and effective outcomes. Lisa’s professionalism and commitment to positive reinforcement created a supportive and productive environment throughout.
We successfully met all assessment standards, including the Public Access Test (PAT), and now confidently travel together, including in aircraft cabins—something that reflects the high standard of training achieved.
I’m sincerely grateful for the expertise and dedication provided by Lisa and the Heart Dogs Australia team.”
Sue and Henry
Courses for Therapy Dogs
Therapy Dog Bootcamp
🐾 Therapy Dog Bootcamp
The Heart Dogs Therapy Dog Bootcamp is designed to give you the knowledge and foundation required to begin working with your dog in therapy environments.
This course provides a clear understanding of:
• The role of therapy dogs in the community
• Behaviour expectations and suitability
• How to read your dog and recognise stress signals
• Safe and ethical interaction in public environments
This course is suitable for handlers who are interested in working their dog in settings such as schools, aged care, community programs, and support environments.
The Bootcamp is the first step in the Heart Dogs Therapy Dog Pathway and must be completed prior to assessment and practical training.
After completing the course, you will be invited to undertake a Therapy Dog Assessment to determine suitability and next steps.
How to access
Once purchased, you will receive your course materials via email.
📍 Delivered online
Course Fee: $147
Includes access to all online modules and entry into the Heart Dogs Therapy Dog Pathway.
To register or find out more, please contact us.
Puppy Guardianship Guide
This practical guide is designed for anyone raising or supporting a young dog, with a focus on building strong foundations from the very beginning.
The Puppy Guardianship Guide covers:
• Early development and behaviour
• Setting clear expectations
• Building engagement and connection
• Preventing common behaviour issues
• Creating a calm and confident dog
This guide is based on real training experience and is designed to be simple, practical, and easy to apply in everyday life.
Ideal for new puppy owners, foster carers, and those preparing a dog for future training pathways.
💰 $25
To purchase, please contact us.
Looking to take the next step?
Many of our clients begin with the Puppy Guardianship Guide and continue into our Therapy Dog Bootcamp and training pathway.
Contact us to learn more about how to progress with your dog.
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