Services

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy 

Our puppy class should be first on your list when bringing home your new pup. Riley’s Angels offers the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy class, as both trainers are evaluators for the AKC. Per the AKC, “Organized training classes provide an opportunity for your dog to socialize with other dogs. In classes aimed at earning the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy distinction, you’ll be able to get information on all of your puppy-raising questions including house-training, chewing, and the most effective way to teach practical skills such as coming when called.” 

This is step one for both therapy dogs in training as well as household pets and is typically offered every 8-10 weeks. Our puppy class runs for six weeks and includes the S.T.A.R. Puppy evaluation. Class is $150. 

Focus, Fitness, and Friends

This class was designed to be helpful for dogs of all ages and obedience levels. Our goal is to integrate the advanced dogs with those still learning in order to teach patience and impulse control for the advanced dogs and to get novice dogs around mild mannered, well behaved dogs. Each week will be a different main topic (focus, fitness, socialization, and impulse control). Basic obedience will be worked on during each class.

The demand for this class has increased, and therefore is being offered more regularly. This is step one for new adult dogs in training, and step two for therapy dogs in training and household pets. Focus, Fitness, and Friends (FFF) is a five week course and cost is $160. 

AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC)

Riley’s Angels offers the AKC Canine Good Citizen course, as both trainers are evaluators for the AKC. The class offers a structured training model for clients to pass the CGC in conclusion of the training. It also allows pet owners to evaluate their training to get an idea of their dog’s strengths and weaknesses and focuses on basic obedience and comfortability with other dogs, people, and distractions. “Not only does CGC training create long-lasting trust between you and your pup, but also ensures you’ll be good neighbors and friends to everyone around you,” (AKC, 2020).

This class is offered regularly and is great for creating a well-rounded pup. This is a pre-requisite for our Therapy dog Course (dogs must take the class AND pass all 10 items on the CGC test). The CGC class is seven weeks long, includes the the Canine Good Citizen evaluation, and is $170.  

Riley’s Angels Therapy Dog Course

Riley’s Angels Therapy Dog course is unlike other training classes. We focus on experiential learning in this course, as we only offer two weeks of “classroom” setting (traditional) training, and the remaining classes are held with our community partners. Therapy dogs in training will work alongside certified dogs and trainers while learning the skills they need to be successful therapy dogs “on site.” The class is at least 9 weeks long, for 2 hours per week, followed by assistance in setting up teams' three formal test evaluations. The first 30 minutes of class is a structured meeting, where clients learn what tasks will be focused on for the evening. The remainder of class has the handlers and dogs engaging in those tasks discussed during the group meeting. The first two "on site" classes are held in non medical settings such as lumber stores and shopping malls, while the remaining classes are held in medical facilities.

This class is offered when advanced dogs and handlers pass their CGC, Riley's Angels Temperament test, and is on an invite only basis. Course length is dependent upon the skill level of the dogs and handlers in class, as well as evaluation scheduling (we use a third party for testing to eliminate bias). Evaluation scheduling will be handled by our team, but it is separate from the Therapy Dog Class. Class cost is $450.

Riley’s Angels Therapy Dog Outreach and Community Service 

Riley’s Angels is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit and we would love to be involved with your organization! Select handlers and dogs are invited to work on our specialized therapy dog teams to engage in the community alongside our trainers. Past involvements have included elementary reading programs, physical and occupational therapy assistance, nursing home and hospital visitations, church events, high school de-stress days, community events and gatherings, college campus assistance, disaster relief, and mental health outreach, to name a few. If you or someone you know is holding an event or is looking for a regularly scheduled program, please reach out to learn about our programming and rates!