https://www.sandiegoservicedogs.com/home daily 1.0 2026-01-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/ede43306-97b2-450a-8bd5-a3a412236d03/CAA95825-3B35-4D16-9DCB-17D0931DA993.jpeg Home - Our Program Find out about our Psychiatric Service Dog Training and how the program works. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/1623348550794-TZM72KSSM737VR5NGTYL/B18D80AC-4096-474D-8206-1AC5E87E1C11.jpeg Home - Your Trainer Learn more about Certified Positive Reinforcement Trainer Shelly Vandevelde who has over 20 years of experience in the industry. She will be with you every step of the way throughout the process https://www.sandiegoservicedogs.com/service-dog-training daily 0.75 2024-03-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/471d745c-9561-423c-862c-3a15cbe74063/4F792659-1131-44F4-84F7-524EAEE79114.jpeg Service Dog Training - Psychiatric Service Dogs A psychiatric service dog is a recognized sub-category of service dog trained to assist their handler with a psychiatric disability or a mental disability, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. The training to have your dog become a Service Dog includes everything from new puppy training to task specific Service Dog Training. Our Psychiatric Service Dog Training Program is one of the most unique programs in the world, as we coach clients through training their dog to become a Psychiatric Service Dog. The training process can be very therapeutic for our clients because they learn to use positive reinforcement to train their dog, with us coaching, teaching and supporting along the way. We hold weekly sessions around San Diego where your dog will learn to be a Service Dog. We are proud to be partnered with the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP) where we uphold the most prestigious standards in the service dog training industry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/946f36c8-4379-42eb-b32b-9d40a7bb161e/CC3B0162-F112-427F-8B06-A038A70724CC.jpeg Service Dog Training - What does the program include? We train YOU how to train your pup to be a Service Dog with individualized training, and weekly lessons We meet once a week in person for an hour at various locations in the community. We offer virtual support in between in person sessions We can train as few as 2 tasks or as many as you would like Customized Training plan that takes your puppy from as young as 8 weeks to Service Dog. This includes puppy training, public access training and task specific training Weekly homework and video submissions for you and your pup Access to SDSD throughout entire process Specific Psychiatric Service Dog Task Training depending on your needs Public Access test training sessions with you Public Access Test Service Dog Task Specific Test Official San Diego Service Dog Vest upon completion of exam Cost $760 per month https://www.sandiegoservicedogs.com/about-us daily 0.75 2023-03-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/2352a784-3ff4-4515-88ac-79c4e53db89b/9507C625-2145-46CF-96F9-3EF21F8C0BE9.JPG About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/1623430719776-7JFH47OM5GI34WKSBJ20/C6FBD1AF-AE2A-4063-896A-BE8F60F0A120.jpeg About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/32444cb3-55af-44de-989a-ca74fb345633/9B0AE70D-734A-4C52-87AF-848E4712B5D0.JPG About Us https://www.sandiegoservicedogs.com/contact-us daily 0.75 2026-02-05 https://www.sandiegoservicedogs.com/current-dogsintraining daily 0.75 2022-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/c76b24e8-2964-4c85-b4d5-261921871deb/IMG_7432.jpg Meet Our Students Buddy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/40363e20-f3d0-415d-8997-0251f610b4bb/IMG_7433.jpg Meet Our Students Goldie https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/95b71617-9b76-4408-8b34-2b4af96eb83a/A4879473-FC06-4C6A-84D5-D754179BCB0B.jpeg Meet Our Students Misty https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/3b7b760b-6a56-415f-8772-6d3f056b7bfd/IMG_9070.jpg Meet Our Students August https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/bd55b327-7190-46c9-aa3a-f1e96a828cbd/IMG_9160.jpg Meet Our Students Max https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/7f9c89a0-807b-4b6b-8bf9-b6ba6108d432/tempImageTjVjA6.png Meet Our Students Lola https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/df68eaeb-e3c7-4769-8328-a0fd1514ec48/IMG_7430.jpg Meet Our Students Tilly https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/44a3f6e3-7221-46b5-b330-99b312859312/IMG_9065.jpg Meet Our Students Oli https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/f969b726-5d36-4caa-bb32-de9e6f38f18c/2BDAE1DE-1D98-4DE4-9A81-5CEA9142BE75.jpeg Meet Our Students Captain https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/a5a93af0-595f-45b7-81ea-4b9ee2f5390e/IMG_9064+2.jpg Meet Our Students Bear https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/af9d3d7a-fa63-4d1d-9d36-35bba6846161/IMG_7429.jpg Meet Our Students Sandy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/0438b762-7476-4bf5-b2a9-482d2489ffcf/IMG_1139.jpg Meet Our Students Winson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/c379c8f8-2d6d-4e1d-ad77-2863b54daa36/8ED80A86-4C6E-4725-AEEC-38FF74D1FBFF.jpeg Meet Our Students Gigi https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/9160823e-d827-401b-a939-1c3589fe4ccd/IMG_3848.jpeg Meet Our Students Poppy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/1ac9c8a5-37e3-4552-ab6b-cfe5e097832f/IMG_9057+2.jpg Meet Our Students Bernie https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/bb3f00d8-f8da-46ab-8982-def924d1f134/IMG_7963.jpg Meet Our Students Billie https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/04ca97c4-8166-46ed-a3bd-5ed7696d462c/IMG_3847.jpeg Meet Our Students Napoleon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/7fb6ed75-34c4-4da0-93a8-ffb019b4edaf/IMG_3846.jpeg Meet Our Students Lacey https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/1aab9c02-a795-42c0-b8b3-ad13e9a7289d/IMG_3845.jpeg Meet Our Students Skipper https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/bf5a46e0-48b3-4328-acf5-5037024b3ef5/IMG_3851.jpg Meet Our Students Stella https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/12d2294e-9edd-4ef6-a804-eedccb715a63/4E835069-3DA1-443F-B6B7-794F1FE53469.jpeg Meet Our Students Tommy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/2a133c44-6598-4a15-83a8-936831b0d5e4/B802EE4F-B342-4D11-8519-A45086D29040.jpeg Meet Our Students Atlas https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/7a1554bb-527b-4aa6-b566-ba6b37f99a95/IMG_7965.jpg Meet Our Students Bonnie https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/3d784074-db4c-4388-a024-678f31b31832/IMG_7431.jpg Meet Our Students Nova https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/d0ce4f5a-0975-4fdf-9326-c49073dc03e5/IMG_7434.jpg Meet Our Students Harley https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/1f7da392-9c76-444c-908d-eb36aec5e42d/IMG_7435.jpg Meet Our Students Winston https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/3ee4278f-9ba1-4ab7-af73-5c88e188686e/IMG_7426.jpg Meet Our Students Daisy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/b40283cb-344e-4756-8a7d-a29a52766916/IMG_7427.jpg Meet Our Students Charlie https://www.sandiegoservicedogs.com/featured-sdsd-graduates daily 0.75 2022-07-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/1631114361537-GJI519A74U588H8AJR0E/E196423E-563E-4D0B-A519-8EE7C6DBA5B4.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Kacey https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/9534428e-16b8-475f-9a33-84f88dbdc7a2/IMG_7968.jpg Featured SDSD Graduates Lava https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/7f35d443-7679-4d0c-a61c-feac58ea1ac9/52CDD8C0-E1A2-4E8E-8D04-9FE0D4672D31.JPG Featured SDSD Graduates Bova https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/293d3a27-b034-4f56-8a39-fdefe9da0bed/E5E6955F-5E59-4B36-9303-8931220A8342.JPG Featured SDSD Graduates Zetty https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/c3d93f64-e6c8-4362-98c1-cd20fd7ac6fc/7F080122-2515-407C-9772-397599FB1271.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Ollie https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/e0dde330-ae3a-4ef2-9455-cde147ab64bd/936D96CB-B580-4FB0-8958-1D87094CF616.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Peapod https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/1631114375899-HCJS3LN4MS8BQU5LFQFD/E541E028-A4BD-4682-AB01-BB57F663CFB2.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Flash https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/1631114370954-6ADSH2XH0X2URR7PWEXO/B5ED454A-15C2-41B1-B613-8A30F3FBF0C3.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Rain https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/5773012b-c76c-48ee-a964-ba3dce1fe0d9/CB76DA95-E920-4C7F-9867-E3F1D6975C88.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Lily https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/7b71823e-c66f-4a60-b5ea-8436eb09a481/9222BC0C-5599-489A-B30D-59D58101AC2F.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Sbiru https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/833b6dfe-f386-4de7-927c-e9c5e85dd847/24E652A5-0F2C-485A-8E3D-4EAE8212B4B7.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Vesper https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/afaebe13-39e5-4815-952a-8c5d66fcaa3f/E18180B6-4CF3-40A9-832F-1134A0008C7D.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Lovie https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/1b0b4840-2627-4593-a6f3-158ec9ec3714/6825091F-8F6E-4EFD-9720-9392FA6BBC49.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Bo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/616e1bbd-fca0-449d-82fe-6418851aebf3/E41AEF87-46D7-462D-A8A4-1A1A42E2282B.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Lucky https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/c1274181-0dd3-426c-8033-df5e8cfdbe33/E8D4A4DE-490E-4EDC-BE7D-4299654B70D7.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Dolly https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/86354aa7-1e31-4167-aca6-6d3fb076a22a/IMG_1399.jpg Featured SDSD Graduates Julia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/5032d98d-6f3d-4702-a964-56ca5e707884/1AC69266-8DE3-4AD8-984B-FEF37FDFBE6C.JPG Featured SDSD Graduates Bolt https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/cc7e093b-92ef-4ffd-8d1f-ec763ca497e2/IMG_2861.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Morrow https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/9351cfa8-a82f-4a94-bcd5-3157571546cf/IMG_2864.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Fiji https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/85913b6e-de40-4716-9f8a-dcffcfbf0b6b/IMG_9067.jpg Featured SDSD Graduates Ellie https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/c4b94296-42d8-46e6-8b42-eb8d100dfcea/IMG_2862.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Boo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/5dae6d7f-db7a-4df5-87d8-7cb8a380f345/IMG_5911.jpg Featured SDSD Graduates Rocky https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/6de920c0-7a43-4c0a-afa7-9a21eba94184/IMG_5910.jpg Featured SDSD Graduates Yuuki https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/d0b52d92-cdf3-42a9-ba6e-0f9667ca5183/605A3B52-EEBC-463A-A497-A5B11E245071.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Tobi https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/1631114358366-8H4TCABM2U3SSNYV4BVW/F410F7B6-A4AA-4862-89CD-838DFFC7693B.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Winston https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/1631114534063-0XXHVVY377J6MCRRMJXA/IMG_2049.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Stitch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/0d0d045d-871a-45ca-9f1b-98118e0c0a06/06157C50-1F60-4915-B34C-C3A177428467.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Mila https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/7d1ecc9d-ab2a-49f2-9f01-f52c4b77501e/38C2BD09-73C5-49DC-8EDF-AA9AF8534979.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Rocky https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/985891f0-a309-41fc-af52-b792e3804b71/IMG_9108.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Marley https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/8eaaf882-988f-445f-b991-a9f9ced79838/IMG_9072.jpg Featured SDSD Graduates Ellie https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/b970bc96-f81a-4636-b3ba-7e1343ecdd49/IMG_9073.jpg Featured SDSD Graduates Roman https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/3bdda2cd-03c2-452b-bb16-882b40226c1c/IMG_9074.jpg Featured SDSD Graduates Rosie https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/b10bd5b9-0325-45d7-b328-bfa547dc28f3/IMG_7436.jpg Featured SDSD Graduates Bleu https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/7fbccdde-15fc-4869-9040-dfbc6bd0c99a/IMG_9079.jpg Featured SDSD Graduates Aurora https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/8f686278-2af0-4dc4-8a1a-258762bcb39e/IMG_9081.jpg Featured SDSD Graduates Bella https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/74a8cffe-d167-48d3-9582-cd49f04da53a/IMG_7969.jpg Featured SDSD Graduates Bingo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/11c20bdc-f77b-4655-a25e-58ba6d38ed38/IMG_9084.jpg Featured SDSD Graduates Khaju https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/cd0f635f-9628-42bc-a4bc-a0bb99fe515b/IMG_9085.jpg Featured SDSD Graduates Jake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/af6365d2-b527-4045-b243-dd5ccd17c66c/IMG_9086.jpg Featured SDSD Graduates Sally https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/ed1bb696-cd1e-49f8-ac9c-1f9c1e623f30/IMG_9061+2.jpg Featured SDSD Graduates Pipa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/7e0e32d0-0233-41a3-9803-98198cd4f5ee/IMG_9056.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Dax https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/f90917a4-e188-42b3-9f19-4804c1b79109/175C38A3-CC83-422C-AF79-E31B609984F5.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Chip https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/d498e75f-5c5e-4660-a0f0-5ff9bc5b6b52/IMG_9071.jpg Featured SDSD Graduates Mikey https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/d953b393-5b45-487c-b480-87129811b437/IMG_7428.jpg Featured SDSD Graduates Callie https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/62e2e633-c29f-4a32-85e0-ae2604c20198/IMG_3850.jpg Featured SDSD Graduates Revvy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/86ab7d92-0b1b-4cdb-80ee-ef693fa68e7a/AC965CED-9F8F-4418-8626-48F7543EE829.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Sprite https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/01e1ce13-fb41-4f49-bb55-8d380d4cd9cb/IMG_9054.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Ruby https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/7fabbd77-0160-4c78-a6d7-466ae824135b/AF8C65FC-EF80-421A-A95C-71ECD795661A.jpeg Featured SDSD Graduates Millie https://www.sandiegoservicedogs.com/testimonials daily 0.75 2022-07-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/ab4c944b-c6af-4e39-9ace-21ff4ce83712/Screen+Shot+2022-02-22+at+11.11.44+AM.png Testimonials - Bolt and Frans We have been blessed to work with Shelly for almost a year. Shelly is highly experienced in not only helping us train our dog to be a psychiatric service dog, but helping identify the opportunities to train our pup on areas to provide support. She has a level of experience in this field that you will not get anywhere else. We are huge fans of SDSD and we are continuing to work with them even after our pup has received his certification— Shelly is just that good! We highly recommend this organization https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/c8be94c7-e380-4cf8-8faf-ee7deb02cd18/C32D88B8-3353-4082-B86E-17A71C316617.jpeg Testimonials - Samantha and Bova Going through San Diego Service Dogs program with Shelly was one of the best things that I did for my mental health and for my dog Bova’s training. When I first contacted Shelly I had really hit a plateau with Bova’s training and it was so frustrating. I had actually ordered some expensive e-collar and Shelly told me that I am best to just return it because she doesn’t use that type of training on our first phone call. Shelly brings the positivity and fun back into training. SDSD program turned training from a chore and a major stressor in my life into a fun bonding experience for our team. The weekly classes were so amazing to have a group of other teams to train with and compare stories. The classes also created an accountability system to do the work throughout the week and only helps you and your pup grow. I am so grateful for Shelly’s support but also the other teams within the program! If you are serious about training your service dog than this program is the best program that there is. Hands down I would recommended SDSD and Shelly to anyone looking to train. We are so grateful for this program and the community that we are now apart of at SDSD. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/e55e56fb-e863-49d9-925a-1d7d38c4d7f1/IMG_1595.jpeg Testimonials - Erin and Rain Shelly quickly demonstrated that she takes special interest in each of her clients and does not teach a one “size fits all” way of training. She was able to tailor each of our sessions to both my needs and my dog’s behavior/personality. She genuinely understands dog psychology and behaviors and is able to quickly assess the situation and recommend ways to approach my dog that are spot on. Not only is she extremely patient and consistent while teaching complicated behaviors, but she also brought a smile and laughter to each of our sessions. I would highly recommend Shelly to any potential client looking to train tailored and complex tasks for your Service dog needs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/d0e9a5cc-5a7c-4c97-9e8f-76b119a6aa97/IMG_1769.jpg Testimonials - Megan and Kacey Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60c252c05778162254367798/e8a33c5b-4a62-4f22-b5c5-98af55b6bbb3/EA8463DC-66ED-4F44-A594-2DC9A5864308.jpeg Testimonials - Quin and Flash San Diego Service dogs is authentic and caring. From start to finish training it was a wonderful experience for me and my now service dog Flash. I learned a lot about how to test and express myself to my service dog. To this day Flash is valued and highly respected in all public spaces. I highly recommend San Diego Service dogs as an organization for your therapeutic Service dog needs. Everyone in town has fallen in love with Flash and the normal feedback is” wow he is amazing dog and so well behaved”: