What Training Does an ESA Need?
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Under the guidelines that define Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), an ESA is a type of animal that provides comfort, emotional and companionship for an individual suffering from various mental and emotional conditions. ESAs are recognized for their ability to alleviate at least one aspect of a disability through their presence, though they do not require specific task training like service dogs.

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Examples of ESAs include animals that offer calming presence for individuals with anxiety, depression, or certain phobias, as well as those that provide companionship to mitigate symptoms of loneliness and certain psychiatric disorders.

Unlike service dogs, ESAs are not required to perform specific tasks and their main role is to offer emotional stability and unconditional support. Our ESA program is designed to ensure that animals and their owners understand and fulfill the role of an ESA, focusing on the importance of the bond between the animal and its handler, and promoting well-being and comfort for individuals facing mental and emotional challenges.

Harmoni Dog Training offers a comprehensive five-month program to help you train your dog to become an Emotional Support Animal. You may take these courses separately, or, enroll in the complete program for a significant cost savings. 

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1. Harmonious Fundamentals This program is designed to teach your dog the basics every dog and owner should know. We focus on critical skills and help you teach your dog to respond to commands the first time, every time you ask them to do something. 10 sessions.
    

2. Intermediate Canine Good Citizen Training  this course is geared toward helping you and your dog pass the AKC's Canine Good Citizen certification test. Every dog interested in becoming a service, support or therapy dog should have the CGC credential. 6 sessions.
    

3. Limited Public Access Training for Therapy & Support Dogs  is a course developed specifically for Emotional Support Animals and Therapy Dogs. It will help you and your dog master important parts of the Assistance Dogs International Public Access Test. This course teaches "limited public access", which involves the same types of exercises learned by service dogs, but is not as demanding.  This test, which we administer before endorsing you as as an ESA team, requires that your dog navigate a high-distraction environment and behave calmly in public. Program length: 10 sessions

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In addition to these three levels of training, we strongly encourage owners with puppies under six months to complete our Harmonious Puppy Training program prior to beginning the basic training class. This will help your puppy become socialized at a critical early age. 

Who Qualifies for an ESA?​

A person qualifies for an Emotional Support Animal if they experience significant life disruption due to a disability or disorder, and if the presence of their dog can alleviate their symptoms. Such individuals are potential candidates for forming an ESA team.

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