There is a huge need for qualified service dog trainers.
Atlas Assistance Dogs is dedicated to expanding the pool of knowledgeable and ethical service dog trainers who will be able to help individuals with disabilities train their service dog to help mitigate their disabilities and thrive every day with their dog at their side.
Atlas’ Trainer Academy gives experienced dog trainers the knowledge and tools needed to support their clients in the training of their service dog.
Benefits of Atlas Trainer Certification
Certification
You can advertise as an Atlas Certified Trainer
Exposure
You are listed on our website and given client referrals
Support
You have access to Atlas’ materials to use with your clients and on your website as well as Atlas' trainer network for ongoing support
Knowledge
Learn from content developed by experts in the field, including Sweet Snoopers® Diabetes and scent training.
Experience
You earn 21 CEUs for KPA and CCPDT
Our courses are a mix of text, videos, case studies, on-line resources and one-on-one support, featuring positive reinforcement for better communication. Click below to find out more details on our program. Complete Program Syllabi also available here.
Proficiency in people skills – understand how to work with someone with a disability, gain excellent communication skills, and learn the value of integrity.
Proficiency in dog skills – learn about comprehensive dog theory, body language, communication, and training approaches.
Proficiency in service dog training – get a deeper understanding of the world of disabilities and learn how to teach and apply a wide range of service dog skills such as mobility, medical, and psychiatric tasks.
Proficiency in many modalities of training – learn how to train based on scent, time of day, state of body, laser, hand, and many other types of cues.
Training Program development – benefit from review of your existing programs and facility as well as and expert advice on development of new service dog program offerings.
More Than Training a Dog
Learn More About Our Program
Read our Atlas Certified Trainer Program document to find out how it all works.
Download our full Academy Syllabi to get additional details.
Read our Atlas Trainer Policies that all Trainers need to follow to ensure our clients and their dogs are treated ethically and with respect.
Ready to Apply?
We encourage you to read the FAQs as well as the above program documents. When you are ready to apply, simply click the link below which will take you to our online application. You can save your progress and resume at any time.
Feel free to contact info@atlasdog.org if you have any questions.
Not sure you are ready for the full Academy? Looking to focus on a more narrow area of service dog selection or training?
Consider starting with our Specialty Course Modules. If you decide to continue on to the Academy after that, you will receive discounts based on the modules you completed.
FAQ
You have up to one year to complete the program. If you complete it in 9 months or less, we give you your first renewal for free. That’s a $200 credit!
The time it takes you will depend on how much time you spend each week on the courses. We highly encourage trainers to complete the program within six to nine months, which is easily done if you spent a few hours a week.
Once in the program, if you feel you will need more than 1 year, please contact us for case-by-case consideration of extensions. Fees may apply. Access to the program will be removed 18 months after start date unless extensions have been granted.
Price range varies from $2,622 to $3,520. We give credits for experience and qualifications, and offer test outs.
Income from the Academy helps subsidize our Client Program. This means that while you are increasing your skills and knowledge, you are also directly helping people with disabilities obtain training services at low costs!
Yes. Certification fees for Atlas Certified Trainers can be paid in up to 3 installments. One-third of total payment is due at the time the trainer is accepted by Atlas and begins the Atlas training courses. The remaining parts are due in two-month increments. Trainers may begin courses but will not have access to the service specialty training classes until all fees are paid.
Yes! We offer a free sample course which gives you a glimpse into several different of the modules that we offer in the Academy. You can sign up for free today by clicking this link.
Yes! We now offer a few of our courses standalone. See our Specialty Training Courses
Atlas Certified Trainers are completely independent of Atlas. They might have their own businesses or be taking the program to increase their knowledge. They are not employees or contractors of Atlas and are not paid by Atlas. They are free to charge their clients and follow their own programs as they see fit.