Therapy And Service K-9s ~ T.A.S.K

T.A.S.K’s class descriptions and schedule are listed below.

Classes are limited to 4- 5 dogs to allow for personal attention to be given to each dog and handler. 

We use only positive training methods.

T.A.S.K-9 is an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluation Center and a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

To register, please call Valerie at (407) 931-3199.  After the initial interview, fill out the registration form and mail it with your payment so that your space in the class is reserved.  You can also use our e-mail registration and on-line payment option.  We will call you before the class to confirm that we have your registration.

Puppy Kindergarten

This workshop is designed to give your puppy a good start in life, and to give you the skills you need to raise a good companion.  You will learn how to set your puppy up to succeed as he/she grows older, to avoid the pit-falls of puppy raising and what to expect as your pup matures.

The class covers such things as human-canine bonding and socialization, housebreaking, crate training, chewing, nipping, jumping and good leash manners.

Class size:  4-5 puppies (and their humans) for more personal attention.

Price:  $45. Includes four weeks, one-hour session per week

Schedule:  Sunday 4:00.  Please call since schedule may change (407) 931-3199

Private lessons:  $35. per lesson, appointment time to be arranged.

Basic Canine Obedience

This workshop is designed to teach beginning obedience skills, and help correct troublesome behaviors.

The class covers basic commands, such as come, sit, stay, wait, and walking politely on a leash.

Class size:  4-5 dogs

Price:  $90. Includes six weeks, one-hour session per week. 

Schedule:  Sunday 5:00.  Please call since schedule may change (407) 931-3199

Private lessons:  $35. per lesson, appointment time to be arranged.

Train to Maintain

Maintenance training is for previous graduates who want to keep up and improve their skills and for our current participants to bring their dogs in for extra practice. 

Price:              $150. for three months, $250. for six months.

Schedule:  Call (407) 931-3199 to schedule or write Val@task-9.com.

Trick Training (as if they needed to learn more!)

This workshop is designed as a fun and quality way to spend time with your dog after he/she has mastered basic obedience training.  This class will calm the physically and mentally active canine, and is especially good for dogs and their kids!  

The class Includes tricks such as crawl, roll over, high five, find it, bow, get the newspaper, hoop jumping, and others.

Class size:  4-5 dogs

Price:              $120. Includes six weeks, one-hour session per week

Schedule:  Saturday 4:00.  Please call since schedule may change (407) 931-3199

Private lessons:  $35. per lesson, appointment time pre-arranged.

Therapy Dog Certification

This workshop is designed for handlers and their dogs that have completed advanced training and would like to graduate to therapy dog work.  Therapy dogs are calm, well mannered dogs who volunteer with their handlers in hospitals, nursing homes, for teaching programs, for disaster relief, and many other areas.

The class covers basic elements of therapy dog work such as manners, calmness in unusual situations, sounds and sights, and we add in a few entertaining tricks just for fun.

Class size:  4-5 dogs

Price:  $210*. Includes six weeks, one-hour session per week, therapy dog test, official certification and therapy dog vest.

Schedule:  Saturday 5:00.  Please call since schedule may change (407) 931-3199

Private lessons:  $40. per lesson with appointment time pre-arranged.

Service Dogs Training

Service dogs are notoriously hard to obtain.  Many people who need a SD are denied them because the waiting list is too long, 2-5 years on average, or the cost is prohibitive.  The average cost of a service dog bought from a private trainer is averages at about $25,000.  We offer a cost effective solution to this problem by guiding people with disabilities in the training of their own dog.  Training can begin immediately, at a much lower cost and bonds the service dog more completely to his or her handler.  We also train psychiatric service dogs for people with mental health disabilities. 

Once your puppy has completed Advanced Training, he/she may go on to the very specialized training required of service dogs.  Most service dogs are temperament tested as puppies and then trained with service in mind.  This requires some differences in puppy training as well. 

Class size:  Usually service dog work is individual because it is tailored to the individual’s needs.  However, basic puppy skills and socialization are required and therefore is enhanced by class participation if possible.  

Price:   $520. Includes a three month commitment, service dog test, certificate, service dog ID tag, patch and basic service dog vest.

$910. Includes a six month commitment (savings of $351/year), service dog test, certificate, patch and service dog vest.

$1500. Includes one year commitment (savings of $580./year), service dog test, certificate, patch and service dog vest.

This is much more affordable than many of the pre-trained service dogs you may find for sale. 

Schedule:  Saturday 6:00, or by appointment.  Please call since schedule may change (407) 931-3199.

Click for information on school visits

Education & School Visits

Have a certified teacher visit your school with a registered therapy canine.  Therapy dogs are well trained and well mannered canines who love children and can have a very positive effect on your class in many ways.  Check out our "endangered species" program! 

Our curriculm inclludes:    

Endangered Species - the Wolf
    Add some reality to your endangered species class with a visit from Akela, who is part wolf and the friendliest canine around.  In fact, he is a therapy dog and in training as a service dog.  He will help defuse some of the myths about wolves and is a living reminder of how humans and animals can work together for the betterment of all.

How the Wolf Became the Chihuahua
     Did you know that all dogs are decended from the wolf?  Even the little chihuahua!  Learn about how humans selected specific traints in the wolf to create the dog breeds that we have today.

The Myth of the Big Bad Wolf
     Who's afraid of the big bad wolf?  Just about everybody. But in all of history no one has been killed by a wolf in the United States.  In reality these animals are timid, peace-loving, have a complicated communication and social structure.  Find out how these myths developed and made many species of wolf endangered or extinct.  Who knows...you might actually meet one!

Canine Language - or how to speak "dog" 
     Did you know that the canine actually has an extensive language that usually goes unnoticed by humans?  Did you know that dogs can laugh?  Learn about "calming signals" and how canines communicate to keep the peace, much better than humans do!

Therapy dog Visits for Regular Ed and ESE Classes

     Our registered therapy dogs have visited many places and love to visit children in school.  Many studies show that children who learn to take care of a dog are quicker to develop social skills and empathy.  Therapy dog visits can inspire good behavior and is a great way to end the week!

"Reading Dogs" - dogs who can read, and the children who read to them.
    It's true - this dog can read!  Even better, he likes for children to read to him.  This is a great way to inspire your young readers and to help those who are struggling.  After all, the dog likes you no matter how you pronounce the word.