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General FAQs
No. In the US, there is no official certification for service dogs. Service dogs handlers are not required to show any type of paperwork, certificate, or ID card to “prove” that their dog is a service dog. Service dogs are also not required to wear a vest identifying them as such. And service dog handlers do not need to show any medical proof or documentation that they have a disability.
Under the ADA, for a dog to be considered a service dog, they must have at least one trained task that mitigates their person’s disability and they must be well-behaved in public.
Atlas, like many other organizations, offers its own certification.Â
Atlas certification means that Atlas has confirmed through training, testing, and documentation that:Â
- The dog and handler can work safely and appropriately in public placesÂ
- The client meets the requirements of the American with Disabilities ActÂ
- The dog and handler have been trained to work effectively as a team and the dog has specially trained skills that directly mitigate limitations of the client’s disabilityÂ
- The dog is healthy and able to do the workÂ
- The dog is being treated well, and all the dog’s needs are met (including food, health, exercise, and companionship)Â
- The dog and handler team are trained to recognized international standardsÂ
- The client uses only positive, non-aversive training methods in compliance with Atlas’ Training PolicyÂ
While a service dog can be of any breed, not all dogs have what it takes to become service dogs. A service dog needs to display specific temperament traits, be in good health, and be able to do the job that is required of them. We also want to ensure that your dog WANTS to be a service dog. While some dogs may be able to do the job, they may not be happy doing it. Service dogs dedicate their lives to their person’s well-being, it is crucial that they are willingly doing so and thriving.Â
If you are curious about whether your dog has the potential for service work, look through our “Is Your Dog Ready for Service Dog Training” checklist.
This is not something that Atlas offers. However, some of our Atlas Certified Trainers do help with dog selection, and may also have connections with reputable breeders.Â
Depending on your own background, you may also be interested in Atlas’ Service Dog Selection course. The course does not replace working with a professional trainer who can help you evaluate a dog for service work, but if does provide you with valuable information on dog body language in relation to service dogs as well as the physical, psychological, and emotional requirements of service dogs. It goes over the necessary temperament, health, and red flags to look for during an evaluation. It explains breeds and sizes and how they impact the dog’s ability to perform specific tasks.
If you are going to be investing in a puppy from a breeder in the hopes of training the pup to be a service dog, it is important to work with an ethical breeder who focuses on the health, temperament, and well-being of the dogs. We have put together a list of questions you may want to consider asking potential breeders when searching for your service dog puppy prospect: Click here for list of questions.
Client Certification Program FAQs
- Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), certification or any type of paperwork is not required for service dogs or their handlers.Â
However, many organizations such as Atlas offer certifications and many handlers chose this route as a confirmation and validation of their hard work.Â
Atlas certification means that Atlas has confirmed through testing, training, and documentation that:Â
- The dog and handler can work safely and appropriately in public placesÂ
- The client meets the requirements of the American with Disabilities ActÂ
- The dog and handler have been trained to work effectively as a team and the dog has specially trained skills that directly mitigate limitations of the client’s disabilityÂ
- The dog is healthy and able to do the workÂ
- The dog is being treated well, and all the dog’s needs are met (including food, health, exercise, and companionship)Â
- The dog and handler team are trained to recognized international standardsÂ
- The client uses only positive, non-aversive training methods in compliance with Atlas’ Training PolicyÂ
Please be aware of potential scams that claim to certify your dog as a service dog simply by providing you with a certificate or a letter upon payment.Â
The total cost of the program is $900 and broken down as follows:
Intake fee: $25
Assessment fee: $100
Training fee (9 months):$650
Public Access Test fee: $125
An annual recertification Public Access Test is required and costs $75. For clients who complete their training before 9 months, their first recertification fee will be waived.
After the first two re-certification PATs, teams only have to do a recertification PAT (and pay the PAT fee) every other year.
If clients need additional months of training beyond 9 months, they will be charged $75/additional month.
Once you have submitted your online application along with your CGC certificate (which must have been passed within one year of the time you are applying), we will contact you and send you a more detailed application to fill out. This is also where we will require additional documentation from you. We will need:
- A Medical or Mental Health Report Form
- A completed veterinary health form from your veterinarian along with up to date vaccination recordsÂ
- Videos demonstrating how your dog walks on leash, reacts to other dogs, and reacts to body handling
A template for the veterinarian health form can be downloaded directly from the application you will receive from us, along with detailed instructions about the video guidelines.
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Atlas will determine which form we need from your provider based on the information you provide in your initial application. Atlas will carefully determine if we require a Medical or a Mental Health Report Form. Atlas will supply you with the appropriate form which you can then have your provider fill out.
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Anyone applying to train and certify their dog as a psychiatric assistance dog, or whose primary tasks are mitigating psychiatric/mental health symptoms will be asked to have their mental health provider submit our Mental Health Report form.
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Anyone applying to train and certify their dog whose primary tasks mitigate medical or physical health symptoms will be asked to have their medical health provider fill out our Medical Health Report form.
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No, we do not provide fully trained dogs. We work with people who already have a dog and help them train their dog to become a service dog.
If you are in need of an already trained service dog, please visit https://assistancedogsinternational.org/resources/member-search/
Most teams complete their training in nine months, though some may need a little more time, while others may be ready for certification sooner. No one may complete the program in less than six months. This is a requirement of Assistance Dogs International.
We can support people with a wide range of disabilities. We train dogs to perform tasks relating to:
- Mobility assistance
- Psychiatric assistanceÂ
- Hearing alertÂ
- Medical responses (includes but not limited to seizure, POTS, cardiac, migraine)
- Autism assistance (both adults and children)
- Diabetes alert
Most people do not fit into one “box”. It is not uncommon for our clients to be training their dog for tasks that are helping them for several conditions which may be physical and/or psychiatric in nature. We work with each of our clients to create an individualized training plan and work towards training tasks that will benefit them.
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We do not train:
- Allergen alert dogs
- Guide dogs
- We can support individuals with some vision loss who are training their dog for other types of tasks.
- Outside of diabetes, we do not train scent based medical alerts. If your dog is naturally alerting to your condition, we will help reinforce and shape that alert. Otherwise, we will focus on medical response tasks and look at how your dog can help you during/after an episode.
Atlas is committed to using positive reinforcement, non aversive, and scientifically backed training methods. We believe in ethical treatment of both dogs and people, and ask the same of our clients. Any client signing up for our program will be asked to commit to using positive training methods. Use of force, fear, or intimidation on any dog or person will not be accepted.
We do not allow the use of e-collars, vibration collars, chain martingales, bark/spray collars, choke chains, or slip leads (except in the case of emergency).
You have a few options!Â
For hands-on support, we strongly recommend our Atlas Certified Trainers. But you may work with any private or group trainer of your choice, or you may work on your own without a trainer. We highly encourage you to look for a trainer or resources that use force-free methods.Â
Another good option is our Teams Set in Motion course.
Take a look at our resources page for more options.
There are a lot of factors that go into selecting a service dog candidate. Atlas does not help in the selection of service dog candidates. We do however offer a course that may be beneficial to those who are in the process of searching for their ideal candidate. Learn about Atlas’ Service Dog Selection course.
We also strongly recommend consulting with a qualified trainer, such as an Atlas Certified Trainer who can help with breeder recommendations, evaluating puppies or shelter dogs, and talking through options with you.
Yes! As of September 2025, Atlas Assistance Dogs is accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI). Only those teams that are certified by Atlas Assistance Dogs’ Client Certification Program are ADI certified teams.
No, even if you already have a trained service dog, we cannot just have you go through testing and certify you as an Atlas team. If you wish to receive Atlas certification, you will have to go apply, be accepted, and go through our client certification program for a minimum of six months before being able to pass our Public Access Test.Â
Even teams that come to us with advanced training still benefit from the additional support that our training program provides.Â
Teams Set in Motion Program FAQs
It depends on you and your dog, and what your personal goals are. Some people will complete the course in three months, while others need or want to take more time. We find that most individuals like to pace themselves and will take six to nine months.
Additionally, some people complete the course in a few months but decide to stay enrolled longer in order to continue to have access to the material, virtual meet-ups, and support network.Â
You may also find that you do not need or want to complete the entire course. There is no right or wrong way about it!
Teams Set in Motion is a subscription based model.
Cost is: $79.00/three months. Renewal reminders will be sent as the three month period is coming to an end.Â
Any! Dogs are never too old or young to learn. Please note, the main focus is not puppy raising. It does however cover important topics such as management and building manners in your pup. Basics on crate training and puppy training are covered. All ages of dogs are welcome and Q&A time can cover a wide range of topics, including young pups.
You will be sent automated invoices for renewal every three months. If you do not wish to continue with the course, please email us at that time to let us know. If we do not hear from you after 15 days past your payment renewal due date, we will assume you are no longer interested in continuing, and will conclude your enrollment.
You can also email us at any time at info@atlasdog.org and let us know you would like to stop your enrollment and future payments.Â
Refunds are not provided for prior/advance payments.
Teams Set in Motion is not intended as a service dog training course. The course does not cover disability mitigating tasks or advanced public access skills. To meet the requirements of a service dog under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a dog must provide at least 1 trained task that directly mitigates their handler’s disability, and the dog must be well-behaved in public.Â
With this in mind, completing Teams Set in Motion does not make your dog a service dog, and does not certify them as a service dog through Atlas.
You will receive a certificate of completion for the course, but you will not receive any formal certification. Completing the course does not equate to certifying as an Atlas team or an ADI team.
Completing Teams Set in Motion also does not certify your dog as an Emotional Support Animal, therapy dog, or any other kind of working dog.Â
They are typically every 2nd Wednesday of the month at 2pm Pacific and every 4th Saturday of the month at 9am pacific. (Times subject to change). Schedule for office hours are sent to students at the beginning of each month.
Great! Teams Set in Motion is a great option to prepare you for our Client Certification program. Please visit our Client Certification page to find out more about the entry requirements. Please be aware that completing Teams Set in Motion does not guarantee that you will be accepted as an Atlas client.
Maybe. This is an online, self-paced course. While we provide a lot of feedback as you turn in video assignments, Teams Set in Motion cannot provide the same type of learning that you might get while working with a private trainer or in a group class.Â
You will learn through video instructions, text material, hand-outs, and get as much out of the course as you put in. If you are unsure if this format will work for you, feel free to reach out to info@atlasdog.org for more information.
Atlas Certified Trainer Academy Program FAQs
We ask that you have at least two years of professional dog training experience where you are the primary trainer and are responsible for planning and carrying out lessons with people and their dogs. Private experience is preferred, but group experience is acceptable if you were the lead trainer.
You should at least an intermediate level of knowledge and skills with positive reinforcement training techniques such as clicker/marker training, target training, shaping, capturing, and forming behavior chains.
Atlas’ Academy is designed for someone who is already working as a professional trainer, or has a professional level of experience.Â
On a case by case basis, we will accept trainers who do not have two years of professional experience. If you are unsure that you meet our criteria, please email info@atlasdog.org to inquire.
Based on your prior experience, you may qualify to test-out (and get discounts) on some of our modules. We give credits for experience and qualifications.
Maximum discounted rates for highly experienced dog trainers as well as human educators who can show qualification for all areas other than Atlas service programs and required people programs: $2,889
Certification fee with no discounts: $3,770Â
Annual Recertification fee: $200
Application fee: $50
The application fee is credited towards the certification if the certification fee is paid in one installment. Application fee is non-refundable and valid for one year.
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!
See our detailed program brochure for information about qualifications and test outs.
Yes. We offer a payment plan where you may pay in up to three installments.Â
If you pay in installments, you will get access to the courses in increments and only get access to the final courses upon completion of your final payment.
You will need to complete our online application as well as have two reference letters submitted:
- One professional reference from someone in a dog related profession (trainer, behaviorist, vet, instructor etc.) who you have known for at least one year.
- One personal reference from a client you have worked with in a private or group training for at least 6 months.
We ask that you complete the Academy within 12 months, though most will take less to complete. If you complete within nine months, your first renewal fee will be waived.
If you have not completed the course within one year and wish to continue, we do offer a three month extension for $225 to give you additional time. If you do not wish to continue beyond the 12 months, you will lose access to the course and additional resources (Facebook group, virtual meet-ups etc.).
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.
No. Assistance Dogs International does not accredit independent trainers or their clients. As an Atlas Certified Trainer, you will not be able to provide ADI accreditation to your private clients. You will however have gained thorough knowledge about Public Access Testing and are welcome to develop your own testing standards for your clients.
Atlas is committed to using positive reinforcement, non aversive, and scientifically backed training methods. We believe in ethical treatment of both dogs and people and ask the same of our trainers. Any trainer signing up for the Academy must agree to abide by our training standards. Use of force, fear, intimidation on any dog or person will not be accepted.
Yes! We want to expand access to our professional trainers with disabilities or different learning needs. Please contact us before or during the course to let us know about accommodations that might help, or to discuss your needs. We will do our best to support you in your progress.Â
We offer several speciality courses as stand alone options. These are all courses that are included within the full Academy. If you were to decide to eventually sign up for the Academy after completing one (or multiple) of these courses, the cost of the Academy would be discounted.
For a more foundational level of training, check out our Teams Set in Motion online program.
Academy Specialty Courses General FAQs
We give you six months access to each course. They are entirely self-paced, so depending on how much time you spend on it each week, you could complete it in far less time. Regardless of how fast you complete it, you will have access for six months.
If you have not completed the course within six months and wish to continue, we do offer a two month extension for $50 to give you additional time. If you do not wish to continue beyond the six months, you will lose access to the course
Great! Please visit our Trainer Certification page for information about the program and its requirements. Having completed this course first will give you a discount on the Academy.
You will receive a certificate of completion. But this course does not certify you or your dog under any certifying bodies.
Maybe. This is a self-paced, online course. You will get plenty of feedback on the assignments you submit and opportunities to talk to instructors. The assignments you submit are meant to help you apply the course material with the dog(s) you are working with. But you will not be watching live demos or have instructors coaching you live as you work with a dog. Please consider your learning style before signing up.
It depends on the course. Some courses are perfect for the novice trainer, while others are intended for people with more professional-level training experience. Please see the details on each course to learn more.
Atlas Assistance Dogs believes in using positive reinforcement, non aversive, and scientifically backed training methods. We do not endorse the use of pain, fear, intimidation, or force when working with dogs (or people). Any student signing up for our courses will be asked to commit to using positive training methods for all assignments and course work.Â
Atlas Team Facilitator Certification FAQs
- You must be at least 18 years of age
- You must have at least two years’ experience as a dog trainer Â
- You must complete our online courses and workshopÂ
- You must commit to at least one year as a facilitatorÂ
- You must commit to using only positive training methods and treating all dogs and people ethicallyÂ
No! All training is free. However, if we were to have in-person workshops or events, fees associated with travel and lodging would be your responsibility.
We require that you complete a series of 16 online courses prior to the workshop. You can take the courses at your own pace and some may take longer than others. Typically people spend one to three months going through the courses.
There are then three workshop sessions spread out over two weekends. The first two workshops are 6 hours each with breaks included, and the last workshop is a half day.
Atlas is committed to using positive reinforcement, non aversive, and scientifically backed training methods. We believe in ethical treatment of both dogs and people and ask the same of our trainers. Any Team Facilitator must agree to abide by our training standards. Use of force, fear, intimidation on any dog or person will not be accepted.
Yes! In fact, if you have gone through all the training to become a Team Facilitator, the full Trainer Academy will then be significantly discounted. We love to see our facilitators further their education and become Atlas Certified Trainers.Â
If you are already an Atlas Certified Trainer, you can also become a Team Facilitator. There are two additional online courses to take, and you will have to attend the virtual workshop trainings.
We ask for a one-year commitment during which time you will work with a minimum of two Atlas clients. Each client takes approximately nine months to complete our program.Â
You will meet with your client at least twice a month during the initial stages. In person lessons may get more spread out later in their training, though you will still be doing phone/video call check ins bi-monthly.
You will be responsible for some paperwork such as updating training plans and sending in progress update logs every other week.
Absolutely! As long as you can meet the requirements of the program, we would love to have you. Please let us know about accommodations that might help, or to discuss your needs. We will do our very best to support you.