What is the Service Dog Team Training Program?
The ACT Medical Service Dog Team Training Program is designed to help dogs and their handlers work together as a strong, confident team in everyday life. Rather than providing pre-trained service dogs, ACT focuses on guiding individuals who already have a suitable dog through a structured, medically focused training process. This hands-on approach not only creates a strong bond between the dog and handler but also ensures the dog learns specific tasks tailored to the handler’s unique medical needs.
Before starting the program, all dogs must pass two important evaluations: Temperament Testing and Public Access Testing. These tests help determine if a dog has the right personality traits—like calmness, focus, and low reactivity—for service work. Public Access Testing checks whether the dog can behave appropriately in busy public places, stay under control around distractions, and remain focused on its handler. These evaluations are essential to making sure every dog in the program is safe, reliable, and ready for more advanced training.
What sets ACT apart is its team training model. Instead of training dogs separately and then matching them with people, ACT trains both the dog and the handler together from the beginning. This team-based approach helps build clear communication, mutual understanding, and trust—skills that are essential for a successful service dog partnership. Handlers learn how to reinforce their dog’s training and manage real-life situations, while dogs learn to tune in to their handler’s specific needs.
A major focus of the program is medically assistive task training. Each dog is taught to perform tasks that directly support their handler’s health and daily life. These tasks might include alerting to medical conditions, retrieving medication, providing stability and balance support, interrupting harmful behaviors, or offering deep pressure therapy. Because every handler’s needs are different, ACT provides individualized training that turns the dog into a truly helpful medical partner.
Along with task work, ACT prepares teams to handle the everyday challenges of living and working with a service dog. Handlers are taught how to move through public spaces confidently, advocate for their rights under the ADA, and keep their dog’s training strong over time. ACT offers continued support, education, and evaluations to help teams stay sharp and successful long after the initial training is complete.
At its heart, the ACT Medical Service Dog Team Training Program is about building lasting, effective partnerships. By focusing on ethical practices, personalized training, and real-world readiness, ACT helps each team move forward with confidence, independence, and the skills they need to thrive together.
Before starting the program, all dogs must pass two important evaluations: Temperament Testing and Public Access Testing. These tests help determine if a dog has the right personality traits—like calmness, focus, and low reactivity—for service work. Public Access Testing checks whether the dog can behave appropriately in busy public places, stay under control around distractions, and remain focused on its handler. These evaluations are essential to making sure every dog in the program is safe, reliable, and ready for more advanced training.
What sets ACT apart is its team training model. Instead of training dogs separately and then matching them with people, ACT trains both the dog and the handler together from the beginning. This team-based approach helps build clear communication, mutual understanding, and trust—skills that are essential for a successful service dog partnership. Handlers learn how to reinforce their dog’s training and manage real-life situations, while dogs learn to tune in to their handler’s specific needs.
A major focus of the program is medically assistive task training. Each dog is taught to perform tasks that directly support their handler’s health and daily life. These tasks might include alerting to medical conditions, retrieving medication, providing stability and balance support, interrupting harmful behaviors, or offering deep pressure therapy. Because every handler’s needs are different, ACT provides individualized training that turns the dog into a truly helpful medical partner.
Along with task work, ACT prepares teams to handle the everyday challenges of living and working with a service dog. Handlers are taught how to move through public spaces confidently, advocate for their rights under the ADA, and keep their dog’s training strong over time. ACT offers continued support, education, and evaluations to help teams stay sharp and successful long after the initial training is complete.
At its heart, the ACT Medical Service Dog Team Training Program is about building lasting, effective partnerships. By focusing on ethical practices, personalized training, and real-world readiness, ACT helps each team move forward with confidence, independence, and the skills they need to thrive together.
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