Cooperative Paws Service Dog Coach™ is a service dog trainer certificate program developed by Veronica Sanchez M.Ed. CABC, CPDT-KA, an expert in service dog training. The program is for experienced professional pet dog trainers who would like to expand their knowledge of service dog training. Successful graduates earn the respected SDC™ certification. Launched in 2017, the program has educated over 170 trainers worldwide.
Fleur Montambeault PBCB-A, CSAP-BC, SDC
Canilogique, Québec, CanadaWhy Service Dog Training Matters
The demand for skilled service dog trainers is growing rapidly. People with disabilities and nonprofit programs need professionals who can train dogs to perform reliably in real-world settings. As a certified SDC™, you’ll not only meet this need—you’ll broaden your expertise, expand your career opportunities, and make a real difference in clients’ lives.
A Rewarding Challenge
Service dog training is complex. It requires understanding clients’ functional needs, applying public-access laws appropriately, ensuring safety, and tailoring training plans to the individual dog’s learning and behavior needs. But the rewards are unmatched: you’ll teach advanced, life-changing skills and work with some of the most committed and motivated clients you’ll ever meet.
“THANK YOU so much for such an amazing course, I loved diving into all of the fabulous online content, training the practical tasks with my dogs and also your very thoughtful and detailed individual feedback.”
Laura Ryder KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA, IMDTB, FFCP, SDC
Western AustraliaLearn from Veronica, a Service Dog Expert
The Cooperative Paws Service Dog Coach™ combines online convenience with hands-on practice and direct guidance from Veronica Sanchez M.Ed. CDBC, CPDT-KA. Veronica knows what it’s like to run a pet dog training business and provides practical strategies to integrate service dog training, support clients, and grow your services.
Have a question about a task or client challenge? You can ask anytime via email or course discussions and receive individualized feedback on your training videos. Veronica is committed to helping every student succeed.
New! Live Support Sessions give you the chance to connect with Veronica in real time, ask questions, get feedback, and receive guidance in a friendly, interactive format—designed to help you make the most of the program.
“Veronica was fabulous to work with. She was responsive and thoroughly answered all of my questions. This program is a must have for anyone working with clients who want to train a service dog.”
Laura Sharkey PhD, KPA-CTP, SDC
Woofs Dog Training, VA, USAThe Details
When
The program is available on a rolling enrollment basis and is designed to be completed in 3 months. Apply anytime. The course is asynchronous, so you can access the materials on your own schedule. Students are expected to spend about 4 hours a week on the course.
Where
The course is delivered entirely online through recorded video presentations and written materials. You’ll communicate with Veronica, the instructor, via email and discussion forums within the course platform.
How
You’ll watch video presentations, read materials, complete short projects and quizzes, and submit videos demonstrating your training of two service dog tasks for personalized feedback. Quizzes can be retaken and projects resubmitted as needed. Important note: the dog does not need to be a service dog candidate, and all training can be done at home or in a training facility.
Curriculum
The course is comprehensive and prepares you to train service dogs for people with a wide variety of disabilities. As an SDC student, you also gain access to an extensive Learning Library filled with scientific research and resources on service dog specialties, including mobility, guide, hearing, psychiatric/PTSD, autism, diabetic, seizure-alert, and more.
- Service dog laws
- Selecting service dog candidates
- Training
- Foundation Skills
- Tasks
- retrieves
- balance/brace
- opening/closing doors
- lights on/off
- hearing alert
- anxiety alert
- Deep Pressure Therapy
- scent-based medical alert (diabetes, seizure)
- Public Access Training
- Preparing and assessing teams
- Incorporating service dog training into your business
- Getting started
- Virtual services
- Marketing
- At-home only service dogs
- Contracts, forms
- Working with People with Disabilities
- Training accommodations
- Working with Veterans
- Communicating with healthcare professionals
- Service dog program challenges
- Placing dogs
- Educating recipients
- And much more!
Tuition
$3100 USD
Prerequisites
The course is designed for experienced trainers committed to modern, reward-based training methods. Applicants need to have at least one industry credential that we recognize and hands-on experience working with clients and their dogs. Read details here.
CEUs
- CCPDT: 30 CEUs (applies to CPDT-KA, CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA; see details)
- KPA: 30.75 CEUs
- IAABC: 17.75 CEUs
- PPGA: 20 CEUs
“I appreciate all the coaching and feedback… This is such a well put together course. The depth of information is so helpful, and the tasks were challenging.”
Victoria Cherpes, KPA-CTP, SDC
Hunter Mill Retrievers, VA, USAPractical, Doable Coursework
The SDC program has a flexible format so you can complete lessons at times that are convenient for you. The mix of video presentations, readings, hands-on projects with individualized feedback keeps the process interesting. Successful graduates earn the SDC™ certification and can use the Cooperative Paws SDC® logo in their marketing materials and website.
“I am incredibly excited to have completed this course, but wow, I learned so much! The content was easy to follow, and there’s so much valuable information.”
Rebekah Glasmeier, KPA-CTP, SDC
Retrieving Independence, TN, USABusiness Tools You Can Use
No one likes paperwork! You will receive numerous business tools to use in your marketing including forms, letters, checklists and handouts so you can hit the ground running training service dogs:
- Service dog candidate assessment
- Public access assessment
- New client intake & questionnaire template
- Marketing tools – website content examples, social media and SEO tips
- Client handouts
- Client contract addendum, Medical release, Healthcare provider letters & forms created in consultation with an animal law attorney
Support for Grads
Graduates receive a beautifully printed certificate to frame when they earn the SDC credential. They are listed on our online directory for SDCs. Be sure to check out our Featured Graduates to see their success stories. SDCs also have access to industry updates and support through an exclusive, private email group.
“A huge shout out to Veronica for creating such an amazing and
informative program, for being a lovely teacher and support system through this journey.”
Christie Golebiowski ABCDT, SDC
Training Loyal Companions, Winnipeg, CanadaA Great Value
Service dogs require two years or more of intensive training, along with ongoing maintenance throughout their working career. The training process is flexible and can include private lessons, board and train, day training, or group classes. Just one service dog client can often offset the cost of tuition.
Graduates frequently share that service dog training provides steady, reliable income, unlike the seasonal fluctuations common in pet dog training. Whether you want to work with owner-trainers, support a nonprofit program, or simply expand your professional skill set, the SDC™ program is a valuable long-term investment in your career.
- "This program has been such an incredible learning experience, and I’m really proud of the progress Sail, Stevie, and I made along the way. I’m so grateful for the support, flexibility, and feedback you’ve given throughout. It made a world of difference."Bridget Nicholls CPDT-KA, SDCUnleashed Niagara, Ontario, Canada
- “I found the program amazing and your teaching style inspirational. I strive to be more like you with my students.” Leanne Good, KPA-CTP, SDCWow! Dog Training, British Columbia, Canada
“I kept getting requests for service dog training, but I did not feel I knew enough about the topic. When trying to find places to refer the callers, I found very little in the way of positive reinforcement options. Veronica is a skilled, positive-reinforcement trainer, so her program was exactly what I needed to become comfortable helping owners train their service dogs in a way that is enjoyable, fair, and free of intimidation.” Lisa Marino PMCT-2, KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA, FP-MT, CSAT, SDCHead of the Class Dog Training, Virginia, USA
- “...I was blown away by the content and presentation of Veronica’s service dog training coach certification program. The information is clear and well organized and enjoyable to go through. She covers all of the topics that are needed to become an effective service dog trainer. I am so glad that I invested my time into this program, and I am already using skills that I learned in the course in my everyday work as a dog trainer. Five stars!!!” Elizabeth Ashley CTC, SDCCalvert Dog Academy, Maryland, USA
- "I want to tell you how much I enjoy your courses, and how thankful I am that I decided to add service dog coaching into my services. My service dog clients have been so fulfilling!"Nori Smith, CCDT, CPDT-KA, SDCEvery Dog Training, California, USA
