Animals Helping Out

December 10, 2020

Service dogs can help those recovering from post-traumatic stress disorder accomplish daily tasks, provide situational assessments, and guide handlers out of stressful situations.  

Legend’s Heroes Service Dog Training Program, offered through Legend Acres, will bring an innovative approach to getting psychiatric and mobility service dogs and to those who need them to continue their recovery from and other mental health conditions.

Legend’s Heroes program was launched in March and consists of service dog training for service dog teams to include PTSD service dogs, psychiatric service dogs, and mobility support.

The trainers work with your current dog to determine if they are appropriate for completing the Service Dog Certification Program and assist with dog selection to meet the criteria.

Through virtual and on-demand courses, participants in the program can complete the training on their own time in a safe space for them.  

Upon acceptance into the Legend’s Heroes Service Dog Training Program, a participant can have a fully trained service animal under two years and for $3,000 or less.

Traditional programs can take one to four years to get a psychiatric service dog in the hands of someone who needs them and can cost up to $15,000.  

The program is a two-year program consisting of an initial training plan of four canine obedience courses, public access test and task dog training with follow-up sessions over the next year. 

The second part of Legend’s Heroes is the Train the Trainer Mentor Program. Future trainers apply to be part of the program.

Those who are accepted will go through a series of course work, learning Legend Acres’ dog training methods along the way.

Once participants have completed the training program, they received guaranteed job placements with Legend Acres. Trainers can attend this program in-person or through interactive online lessons.

Expanding the reach of Legend’s Heroes Dog Trainers to locations throughout the country will allow for more service animals to get in the hands of those who need them most.  

Legend Acres offers dog training, riding lessons and horse training. Founded by an experienced dog behavior specialist and Veterinary Technologist Kristi May, Legend Acres provides education to dogs of all ages and breeds.