How to Find the Best MObility Service Dog Workshop for YOu and YOur Dog In L.A.
How to find a Reputable Mobility Service Dog Workshop in Los Angeles County
Training your own mobility service dog in Los Angeles County is an achievable and empowering path with the right guidance and structured support. For individuals with mobility-related disabilities, owner-training offers a unique opportunity to build a customized working partnership while maintaining control over your timeline and training approach.
A high-quality program must follow ADA service dog guidelines, include comprehensive assessments, and prepare teams for real-world public access throughout Southern California.
Why Train Your Own Mobility Service Dog?
Owner-training a mobility service dog enables a customized working partnership tailored specifically to your needs. When you train your own dog, you can begin immediately with a dog you already have or personally select, ensuring the right temperament and physical capabilities for your specific mobility requirements. The training process creates a working bond between handler and dog from day one, and allows you to focus on the exact tasks that support your daily functional needs.
What to Look for in a Mobility Service Dog Workshop in Los Angeles County
Before enrolling in any mobility service dog training program in Los Angeles County for mobility assistance dogs, handlers should look for programs that include:
Human handlers must qualify by meeting the standards for needing a Service Dog under ADA Disability Profile.
Alignment with ADA service dog guidelines
Assessment related to mobility disabilities
Thorough evaluation of a dog's suitability for mobility service work
Public access training in real-world environments
A structured, multi-week curriculum with accountability and progression
Programs advertising instant certification or registration should be approached with caution. In the United States, mobility service dogs are defined by trained tasks and public behavior, not paperwork.
MobilityDog: Train Your Own Mobility Service Dog — Pasadena, California
MobilityDog, located in Pasadena, California, specializes in mobility service dogs and has trained dogs specifically to work as mobility assistance dogs for individuals with physical and mobility-related disabilities.
Through its Public Access Test and Tasking (PAT+T) Prep Course, MobilityDog offers one of the most comprehensive Train Your Own Mobility Service Dog workshops in Los Angeles County. The program is designed for individuals who want professional guidance while actively participating in the training of their own mobility service dog.
Mobility Tasks Trained
MobilityDog's program focuses on training dogs to perform specific tasks that directly mitigate a handler's mobility disabilities. Examples of mobility tasks may include:
Balance and Bracing Support – Dog provides counterbalance or stability during walking, standing, or transitioning between positions
Momentum Pull – Dog provides forward pulling assistance to help handler rise from seated position, navigate inclines, or maintain forward motion
Retrieval Tasks – Picking up dropped items such as keys, medications, phones, canes, or mobility aids
Door Assistance – Opening and closing doors, drawers, or cabinets
Light Switch/Button Operation – Pressing automatic door buttons, light switches, or elevator buttons
Wheelchair Assistance – Pulling manual wheelchairs, retrieving wheelchairs, or assisting with wheelchair positioning
Medical Alert Response – Retrieving medications, phones, or emergency devices during medical episodes
Stability During Transfers – Providing body support during transfers from wheelchair to bed, car, or other surfaces
All tasks are individualized based on each handler's specific functional limitations and assessed during the team evaluation.
What MobilityDog Offers
Assessment (ADA-Aligned) – Each team begins with an assessment aligned with ADA service dog guidelines, ensuring all mobility tasks trained directly support the handler's functional needs.
Complete and Thorough Dog Assessment – Potential service dogs are evaluated for temperament, focus, physical capability, and long-term suitability for mobility assistance work.
18-Week Structured Training Program – In-person mobility-focused training once a week for 19 weeks in Pasadena, combined with virtual classes once a week for 19 weeks, allows for consistent skill development and accessibility across Los Angeles County.
Public Access Test Preparation and Graduation – Teams are prepared for calm, reliable behavior in public settings such as stores, sidewalks, and medical facilities, culminating in Public Access Test preparation and graduation.
Requirements for Workshop Acceptance
Pass pre-workshop assessment. Application required.
Dogs must be able to have the ability, strength and weight to accomplish required tasks.
Before assessment - dogs must be up to date on all required vaccinations.
Dogs over 1 year of age must be altered.
No reactive or aggressive dogs will be allowed.
Human must qualify by meeting the standards for needing a Service Dog under ADA Disability Profile.
Why MobilityDog Is a Top Mobility Service Dog Program in Los Angeles County
MobilityDog's programs are intentionally designed for working mobility service dog teams, not pets or emotional support animals. With a long-standing focus on mobility assistance dogs, ethical training practices, ADA compliance, and individualized assessments, MobilityDog is a trusted resource for residents throughout Los Angeles County and Southern California.
Learn more about the program and submit an application at: https://mobilitydog.org/trainyourown
MobilityDog Course Offerings
Essential Skills 101-For Dogs who are not ready for PAT+T or People who want to train their dogs.
Basic training (teach your dog to sit, stay, down, recall)
Follow the AKC Star Puppy curriculum
Pricing: $550* for 6 week course *Includes nonrefundable $50 dog assessment fee
Public Access Test + Tasking (PAT+T) Prep
Advanced class to train your own Service Dog
Course includes a dog assessment and concludes with taking the PAT
Pricing: $2,525 for 19 week course *Includes nonrefundable Assessment fee of $150.00 to determine eligibility for PAT + T Prep
Having an assistant with you for the training is a positive, so that they can expose your dog to things you might not be able to do. We welcome co-trainers in the classes. Cost for the training is per dog.
FAQ
“What happens is my dog does not pass the assessment?”
You and your dog cannot take the course. However, we will offer ideas and pathways forward.
"Do I have to start with Essential Skills 101 first?"
NO, you do the assessment for the class you want to take and the SD Trainer will let you know their recommendations for next steps
"What breeds work best for mobility work?"
We have breed restrictions but will not dictate the best breeds for working. Do your research and be a good owner with training and consistency.
"How much homework/practice between sessions?"
To be successful, you will need to train everyday.
For Essentials probably you will need to commit to 60-90 minutes each day spread out.
For PAT+T 2 hours are broken into 20 minute sessions throughout the day. Suggestions may change and your SD Trainer will give you instructions and best practices in training and consistency.
Additional Resources: D.O.G. Directory
MobilityDog also maintains the free D.O.G. (Disability Organization Guide), a curated resource hub designed to support individuals navigating mobility disabilities, service dog training, and accessibility services in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
D.O.G. includes links and information related to mobility service dog education, ADA guidance, accessibility and mobility support organizations, training and funding resources, advocacy organizations, and community-based disability services.
Explore D.O.G. at: https://mobilitydog.org/free-la-disability-organization-guide
Training your own mobility service dog is an achievable and empowering path with the right guidance and structured support. For individuals with mobility-related disabilities, owner-training offers a unique opportunity to build a customized working partnership while maintaining control over your timeline and training approach.
A high-quality program must follow ADA service dog guidelines, include comprehensive assessments, and prepare teams for real-world public access throughout Southern California.
Next Assessment Date Jan 31, 2026 Apply now to secure your place.
