Texas Veterans

Service Dog Training

Our service dog training empowers Texas veterans living with PTSD, TBI, military sexual trauma, and mobility challenges. As an Assistance Dogs International–accredited organization, we use positive reinforcement training to create life-changing partnerships that restore independence, confidence, and peace.

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Veteran in wheelchair with a trained service dog wearing a blue vest, in front of an American flag

Veteran walking with a service dog in harness during a training session outdoors on a sunny day

Your Path to a Certified Service Dog

How Our Service Dog Training Works

1. Choose Your Path

Read our application requirements summary to confirm you qualify for our service dog training programs before beginning your journey.

2.Introductory Seminar

Attend the mandatory Veteran Service Dog Seminar covering program options, training expectations, legal rights, and application details.

3.Eligibility Assessment

Submit documents & complete online application detailing your home environment, disability, and meet with our approval team for consultation

4.Personalized Training Plan

Begin your service dog training with personalized task instruction, positive reinforcement, and weekly real-world practice.

1. Review Requirements

Click to read a summary of application requirements and confirm your eligibility for our service dog training programs.

Review Requirements >
2.Attend Seminar

Attend our required one-hour seminar covering service dog definitions, legal rights, training requirements, funding options, and next steps.
3.Submit Application

Submit proof of military service and Texas residency. Complete our online application with details about your home environment and service-connected disability.
4.Personal Consultation

Meet with our application approval team for a one-on-one consultation to discuss your specific needs and determine the best program fit.
5. Program Requirements & Home Visit

Complete your home visit and finalize eligibility. Partner Program applicants schedule the Canine Good Citizen evaluation and create a customized training plan with our trainers.
6. Begin Your Training Journey

Start attending weekly service dog training classes (Partner Program) or work with our transition team to bond with your matched, fully trained adult dog (Matched Program).

Service Dog Training Programs

We offer two comprehensive service dog training programs designed specifically for disabled Texas veterans. Whether you’re matched with one of our professionally trained dogs or partner with us to train a dog you already own, our expert trainers guide you every step of the way toward independence and healing.

Matched Program

Our service dog training program provides professionally trained dogs for veterans living with service-related disabilities — including PTSD, military sexual trauma (MST), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and mobility challenges.

Who Qualifies

1. Veterans who live within a four-hour drive of our Cedar Park, Texas campus
2. Meet the program’s application requirements
3. Have a service-connected disability that could benefit from a service dog

How It Works

Thanks to Texas Veterans Commission funding and donor support, this life-changing service dog training is completely free for eligible veterans.

Each dog is carefully matched to your unique needs and training goals. Our service dogs — typically 20 to 24 months old at placement — have been trained by professional service dog trainers since birth, mastering both emotional support tasks and practical assistance skills tailored to veteran-specific challenges.

Partner Program

Our Partner Training Program allows you to train a dog you already own to become your service dog, with expert guidance from our professional service dog trainers. Perfect for veterans who are already bonded with a suitable dog.

Who Qualifies

1. Veterans who live within 45 minutes of our Cedar Park, Texas campus
2. Own a dog aged 14 months to 4 years that passes the Canine Good Citizen test
3. Have a service-connected disability that could benefit from a service dog

How It Works

For eligible veterans who meet all program requirements, this service dog training program is provided at no cost thanks to Texas Veterans Commission funding and donor support.

Through weekly classes and twice-monthly public access outings (6-12 months), you’ll master proven training techniques to teach your dog disability-specific tasks, build confidence as a team, and prepare for ADI Public Access certification.

Disclaimers

Completion of a course/internship does not signify that the person is a qualified service/assistance dog trainer by Assistance Dogs International, and the course itself is not endorsed or approved by ADI. The purpose of our program is to guide you as you train your own dog to be your service dog. The Dog Alliance is a fully accredited member of Assistance Dogs International.

Our funded Veteran Service Dog Training supports Texas veterans with PTSD, MST, TBI, or mobility challenges. It does NOT cover blindness, seizures, peanut allergies, or other conditions. If you fall outside these criteria, please explore additional resources here.

This program is supported by a grant from the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans’ Assistance. The Fund for Veterans’ Assistance provides grants to organizations serving veterans and their families. For more information, visit www.tvc.texas.gov.

Our Accreditations

Join Our Service Dog Community

Veteran Service Dog Training Outings

At The Dog Alliance, we believe in the power of community and consistency. Our service dog training program includes weekly classes and twice-a-month public access practice outings in real-world environments like grocery stores, restaurants, and parks. Beyond mastering obedience and public access skills, you’ll join a supportive community of fellow veterans who are on the same journey, building friendships and sharing experiences along the way

Veteran seated in a shoe store with his service dog during a training outing to build public access skills and community connection

Service dog trainer leading veterans and their service dogs during a public access outing at a train station

Hear From Our Customers

140+ Reviews

★★★★★

150+ Reviews

★★★★★

Ralph Gruner

★★★★★

I’ve been training at the dog alliance with my dog Sammie. Sammie is being trained to be a service dog . The classes are fantastic and i must say the trainers are all the best. Their love for the animals and people is absolutely incredible. The Austin VA clinic sent me to the dog Alliance and im have been very happy with the training and when you need to ask a quetion if you and your dog just do not grasp what your being taught , i promise you to just ask for help and they will give you all the answer until you both understand. I would recommend the dog alliance to anyone interested in traing their dogs whether Veterans or non veterans. Their the Best.
richrobinson3

★★★★★

I started volunteering at The Dog Alliance a year ago and I can’t express how amazing the people are there. As a combat veteran myself, I know how great the need is for service dogs but I had no idea how costly it was to raise and train these amazing pups. Debi and her team pour their heart and soul into helping our Vets and our entire community and I’m proud to play a small part in their mission.
Joseph Cuteri

★★★★★

Outstanding local charity supporting our Military Veterans suffering from PTSD focusing on training service dogs to help them overcome it’s crippling effects. Please find it in your heart to support this local charity.
David Eirckson

★★★★★

I am able to train my own service dog.
Justin Warner

★★★★★

This is the best dog classes in the area. The trainers all focus on positive techniques. I’ve done everything from puppy classes to service dog classes to agility. I’ve loved it all. The agility especially is fantastic, our dog has improved so much and we’ve done so much variety, it really is the best dog classes!
Rachell Hayes

★★★★★

I love this dog training school. I go here for service dog training. I feel absolutely lucky that they are here in Cedar Park. Service dog training schools seem to be few and far in-between, plus they are usually expensive (like $25,000 expensive). This school has a train your own service dog program which is only a percentage of that cost (depends on the dog but they say about $2,500). We love Becca Young, Kathleen Reish, and Paula Baker-Smith. They are really helpful and understanding of dog behaviors.
E.E.

★★★★★

Love Naomi’s Nose work class. My dog loves going to class every week. She is so knowledgeable and patient with the dogs and owners. I have only had great experiences at dog alliance.
Lalitch

★★★★★

I first was introduced to this charity through their summer clinics for kids and their dogs. My daughter went to this clinic for two summers, brought a friend the second summer because it was so fun. She learned so much and it created a deeper bond between her and our dog Jim. Since then I have taken multiple classes and I always learn new ways to engage with my dog and create a deeper bonds. Their main mission is training service dogs for veterans which is so impactful for those coming back and need the support. Their mission is definitely worth supporting!

Begin Your Service Dog Training Journey

Start your service dog training with an Assistance Dogs International–accredited organization and expert trainers by your side.

Begin Service Dog Training

Why Choose The Dog Alliance for Service Dog Training?

Expert Trainers

Our expert trainers bring years of experience and professional credentials, including CPDT-KA and AKC Evaluator, to every training session. As professional service dog trainers at a fully accredited Assistance Dogs International member organization, our team is dedicated to helping you and your dog succeed in your service dog journey. Our trainers participate in ongoing education to stay at the forefront of the latest training techniques and best practices.

Proven Training Methods

We use only positive reinforcement techniques, ensuring that your dog learns in a supportive and encouraging environment. Our proven methods have helped countless individuals in Cedar Park and Austin develop strong, reliable service dogs. These methods are based on the science of canine behavior, and they’re designed to create a deep, trusting bond between you and your dog.

Comprehensive Support

From your first consultation to ongoing training sessions, The Dog Alliance offers comprehensive support every step of the way. Our programs are designed to provide you with all the tools, knowledge, and resources you need to successfully train your own service dog. We’re here to guide you through every challenge and celebrate every milestone, ensuring a rewarding training experience.

Customized Training Plans

We understand that every dog and owner pair is unique, which is why we offer customized training plans tailored to your specific needs. Whether you’re in Cedar Park or the Austin area, our trainers will work closely with you to create a plan that addresses your goals and challenges, ensuring the best possible outcomes for you and your dog

Community and Resources

When you choose us, you’re not just enrolling in a program—you’re joining a supportive community. Our Cedar Park facility offers a welcoming environment where you can connect with other dog owners, share experiences, and access valuable resources. We believe in the power of community and are committed to providing ongoing support beyond the training sessions.

Accreditation and Trust

The Dog Alliance is a fully accredited member of Assistance Dogs International (ADI), reflecting our commitment to the highest standards of service dog training. Our reputation in Cedar Park and the Austin area is built on trust, professionalism, and a passion for improving lives through the bond between humans and dogs. You can rely on us to deliver the highest quality training and support.

Expert Trainers

Our expert trainers bring years of experience and professional credentials, including CPDT-KA , AKC Evaluator, and Assistance Dogs International service dog trainer to every training session. Our team is dedicated to helping you and your dog succeed in your service dog journey. Our trainers participate in ongoing education to stay at the forefront of the latest training techniques and best practices.
Proven Training Methods

We use only positive reinforcement techniques, ensuring that your dog learns in a supportive and encouraging environment. Our proven methods have helped countless individuals in Cedar Park and Austin develop strong, reliable service dogs. These methods are based on the science of canine behavior, and they’re designed to create a deep, trusting bond between you and your dog.
Comprehensive Support

From your first consultation to ongoing training sessions, The Dog Alliance offers comprehensive support every step of the way. Our programs are designed to provide you with all the tools, knowledge, and resources you need to successfully train your own service dog. We’re here to guide you through every challenge and celebrate every milestone, ensuring a rewarding training experience.
Customized Training Plans

We understand that every dog and owner pair is unique, which is why we offer customized training plans tailored to your specific needs. Whether you’re in Cedar Park or the Austin area, our trainers will work closely with you to create a plan that addresses your goals and challenges, ensuring the best possible outcomes for you and your dog.
Community and Resources

When you choose us, you’re not just enrolling in a program—you’re joining a supportive community. Our Cedar Park facility offers a welcoming environment where you can connect with other dog owners, share experiences, and access valuable resources. We believe in the power of community and are committed to providing ongoing support beyond the training sessions.
Accreditation and Trust

The Dog Alliance is a fully accredited member of Assistance Dogs International (ADI), reflecting our commitment to the highest standards of service dog training. Our reputation in Cedar Park and the Austin area is built on trust, professionalism, and a passion for improving lives through the bond between humans and dogs. You can rely on us to deliver the highest quality training and support.

What Service Dogs Can Do

Well-trained service dogs from The Dog Alliance transform lives through expert service dog training. These highly skilled partners perform specialized tasks, provide emotional support, and navigate public spaces with you—unlocking independence, confidence, and safety every day.

Begin Service Dog Training

Through our comprehensive service dog training, dogs master retrieving dropped items, opening doors, flipping light switches, and carrying essential tools—each task customized to your daily routines and personal needs for maximum independence.

Our service dog training includes bracing and counterbalance techniques, helping to steady you during transfers, prevent falls, and retrieve objects you can’t reach, all to enhance your mobility and confidence at home and in public.

With targeted service dog training, dogs are taught deep-pressure therapy, grounding nudges, medication retrieval, waking you from nightmares, and creating space in crowded environments—proven methods to interrupt panic, reduce hypervigilance, and provide calming companionship for veterans with PTSD and anxiety.

We prepare you and your service dog for real-world success by covering every detail of public-access training—from boarding planes and dining out to passing official ADI certification tests. As an ADI accredited member organization, we provide teams that successfully pass our evaluations with an electronic ID card from ID123, recognized worldwide for air travel, so you can move through any environment with ease and assurance.

Service Dog Training Process

1. Initial Assessment

Our training process begins with a thorough initial assessment to evaluate the dog’s temperament and suitability for service work. This step ensures we tailor the training plan to the specific needs of both the dog and the handler.
2. Basic Skill Training

After assessment, we build a strong foundation with obedience commands such as sit, stay, and heel. These essential skills prepare the service dog for advanced training and ensure reliable behavior that supports the unique needs of the handler.
3. Task Training

Next, the service dog is trained to perform specific tasks that directly assist the handler. From retrieving items to providing stability or alerting to medical needs, this training equips the dog to offer vital, life-changing support every day.
4. Public Access Training

Service dogs must remain calm and attentive in public places. This stage of training prepares dogs for restaurants, stores, and medical offices. Our trainers ensure each service dog can reliably support their handler in real-world environments.
5. Certification and Beyond

The final stage confirms that the service dog and handler can work together confidently in daily life. After certification, our trainers provide ongoing guidance and resources to ensure long-term success in service dog training.

Supporting Disabled Veterans & Giving Back

Support Our Veteran Service Dogs

Military veteran wearing a cap gently holding their service dog close, showing a strong emotional bond and mutual trust

Young Labrador puppy wearing a “Service Dog in Training” vest peacefully sleeping by a fenced training

Veteran wearing a shirt with a U.S. flag design relaxes on a couch as their service dog rests its head on their chest, highlighting a calm and trusting bond

Every dollar brings us one step closer to pairing a dog with a veteran in need. Your gift funds training, gear, veterinary care, and ongoing support—helping us Save Lives every day.

Donate Now

Raise a Service Dog Puppy

Open your home to a service dog puppy and guide them through socialization and basic obedience. Puppy raisers play a crucial role in nurturing tomorrow’s life-saving partners.

Become a puppy raiser

Brand Partner for a Purpose

Align your brand with a mission that matters. Through sponsorships, cause-marketing, or in-kind support, your organization can amplify impact and help veterans regain independence.

Explore Brand Partnerships

Not a Veteran? We Train Civilians Too

We help both civilians and veterans train reliable service dogs.
Your first step is our Intro Seminar, where we explain the program, requirements, and costs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy Dog Training

Find answers to common questions about our Therapy Dog training program and how they can assist you.

A dog that has been trained to perform at least three tasks that mitigate an individuals disability. To read more, visit the Department of Justice website regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Yes. Service dogs must be able to perform at least three tasks that mitigate your disability. By the end of this program, your dog will know more than three tasks and over 30 cues. You will have a very well-trained dog that is unobtrusive in public and trained to assist you.

You will also have the knowledge of how to train your dog to do additional tasks and cues.

Civilians and veterans are eligible. Veterans must reside in Texas in specific counties.

A parent must accompany children 13 – 15. The program is not available for handlers younger than 13. The handler must be able to control the dog in public.

An application, including a form signed by a doctor, psychologist, or master-level social worker stating that you have a disability and will benefit from a public-access service dog, must be provided prior to taking public-access level courses. Everyone is welcome to get started with basic manners classes.

Dogs can be trained to assist with mental health and mobility disabilities. We can also teach you how to train a hearing-alert dog, but we do not have sign-language interpreters on staff. You will need to provide your own interpreter.

We are not qualified to train dogs for allergy, peanut alert, loss of smell, seizure, or diabetes alerting. We are also not qualified to train guide dogs for those with vision impairments.

You must be healthy enough to attend events outside your home with our trainers.

The time to train your dog will depend on many factors. If you start with a puppy, the training time is approximately 18 – 22 months. If you start with an adult dog, the minimum training period before certification is 6 months. Support is provided for the service life of the dog.

If your dog has already received some training, the minimum time before taking the public access test is 6 months. Please note, we can NOT recertify or test any dog that we have not worked with for at least 6 months. This is a rule of Assistance Dogs International.

Veterans needing a fully trained dog from us are eligible if they reside full-time in Texas. You will be responsible for any travel-related costs, but you do not need to live close to our Cedar Park location.

For veterans interested in participating in the training partnership model, you must live within an hour’s drive of our Cedar Park location and be committed to meeting with us there weekly for 6 – 12 months.

For civilians who have a fully trained dog but need to be certified by an ADI-accredited organization, we can work with you via online conferencing and a limited number of visits to our Cedar Park location. Please enroll in the seminar to learn more.

There are many factors in determining if a puppy or dog is a good fit for this program. Please attend our Introductory workshop or schedule a private lesson to discuss further.

According to current laws, emotional support dogs do not need to be trained and are not allowed public access. For example, emotional support dogs are not allowed in the grocery store. Service dogs for mental health disabilities are allowed in public spaces per the Americans with Disabilities Act.

However, we believe strongly that a well-trained dog is very beneficial for emotional/mental health. We encourage everyone to enroll in our pet-level courses.

This program has been designed to be as cost-effective as possible. Due to the extremely high number of requests and limited funding, discounts, and scholarships are very limited for civilians or veterans who do not have service-related disabilities. Trust us, if we had the funding, we would joyously welcome more participants for free or for reduced fees.

We are happy to assist you in setting up a tax-deductible crowdfunding campaign to raise the funds needed for you and your dog’s training.

Due to the nature of the training, this program can not be done 100% online.

No. All our training is based on positive reinforcement and building a trusting bond between you and your dog who will be by your side 24/7. We utilize a variety of pain-free training harnesses during the early stages of training.

We require the handler of the dog to be at least 13 years old and able to be in-control of the dog when in public. A parent can train a dog for a child, but the child must be able to handle the service dog in public settings.

We have excellent family dog training classes for families who want thier dog to be well mannered and a positive aspect of their child’s life.

The Dog Alliance’s Service Dog Training Program trains dogs for Veterans and first responders disabled during service. These dogs are only available for Texas veterans and first responders who have service-related disabilities and are extremely limited in supply. Each dog is trained for 18 – 22 months before being matched with their disabled partner.

The current wait time is up to 18 months to 3 years.

Yes, The Dog Alliance, located in Cedar Park, Texas, achieved full member status with Assistance Dogs International (ADI) in 2021. We are proud to be one of fewer than 150 organizations worldwide to hold this prestigious accreditation. When you work with us, serving the Austin Greater Area and beyond, you can trust that your service dog will be trained to the highest standards. As a full ADI member, our service dogs are eligible to fly both nationally and internationally.

An emotional support dog is an animal that provides comfort just by being with a person. Because they have not been trained to perform a specific job or task, they do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

Dogs that have been trained to do tasks to reduce mental or physical disabilities can qualify to be service dogs. Just providing comfort is not enough.

We have a limited number of puppies available. Future litters are planned. To join the waitlist, please attend the Service Dog Seminar and complete an application to join our puppy waitlist.

When funds are available, scholarships up to 100% are available for Texas veterans who were disabled in the line of duty. There is a small fee for the introduction program, but the task training portion is provided at no cost to qualifying veterans.

To donate so that we may serve more veterans, click here.

Yes. We train both everyday people and veterans. If you are a civilian, your first step is to attend our Intro Seminar. In this session, we explain how the program works, what is required, and what service dog training costs.

Civilian service dog training starts at $10,000

Selecting a dog partner is an important decision. For PTSD service dogs, we do not recommend German Shepherds or Malinois. Here is an excellent article that explains why.

If you have any more questions or need further assistance, please feel free to contact us—we’re here to help!

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