Service Dog Academy

Service Dog Academy offers a 9-week live online private class via Zoom for medical alert dog training, with 1.5–2 hours of weekly instruction. Classes cover alerting to medical episodes, retrieving supplies, dialing 911, public access, and persistence training. Students must complete 20 minutes of daily homework and document training progress. Classes are customized to the handler’s condition and dog’s abilities. In-person group classes and board and train options are also available. No certification is provided; training focuses on skill development and legal compliance.

Pricing Summary

Private 9-week online medical alert dog training costs $2,750 plus a non-refundable 3% card processing fee ($82.50). Payment options include check, wire transfer, Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App. Credit/debit card payments require signed contracts and authorization forms. No refunds. Board and train and other services have separate pricing not detailed here.

Policies

Class registration requires a signed Terms and Conditions contract. No refunds. Private classes cannot be made up if missed. Payment must be received with signed forms; mail must be tracked. Students must be pre-screened before payment. Using Service Dog Academy as a training location on DOT forms without taking their classes will result in legal action, fines, and public exposure. They do not certify dogs or issue service dog IDs.

Service Dog Academy is a dog training business founded and led by Mary McNeight, a certified service dog trainer with over 10 years of professional experience. The academy specializes in training medical alert service dogs for conditions including diabetes, POTS, seizures, narcolepsy, migraines, AFib, and dysautonomia. They offer live online private 9-week training classes, in-person classes, board and train programs, and group training sessions using only positive reinforcement methods approved by the American Humane Association. Mary is a nationally recognized expert, former APDT conference speaker, and has trained over 250 service and pet dog classes. The academy also provides resources, supply lists, and advocacy for ethical service dog training, and actively combats airline fraud by enforcing strict policies against false certification claims.

Mary, who owns a certified diabetic alert dog herself, emphasizes individualized training tailored to the handler’s medical needs and the dog’s abilities. Training includes tasks like alerting to low blood sugar, retrieving medication, dialing 911, and public access preparation. The academy does not offer certification but educates owners on how to build reliable, legally compliant service dogs. They also provide puppy supply lists and volunteer opportunities for those raising medical alert puppies.

Service Dog Academy serves clients across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico through online sessions and in-person training in Waterloo, Illinois. They accept Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, checks, and wire transfers, but require a signed contract and pre-screening before enrollment. Their approach is grounded in science, ethics, and real-world experience, with a strong focus on long-term success and handler-dog bond development.

Accomplishments

Mary McNeight is a two-time national award winner from the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, a former CPDT-KA certified trainer (2011–2014), and a recognized national expert witness in service dog legal cases. She has presented at APDT conferences, American Diabetes Association expos, and multiple national training events. She is a graduate of the only state-certified dog training degree program in Washington and the University of Michigan. She has authored professional articles and mentored other trainers in medical alert dog work.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients must contact Service Dog Academy to schedule a phone screening before enrollment. After screening, they must complete and mail signed Class Terms and Conditions and payment forms (credit card authorization if applicable). Online classes begin on a date and time mutually agreed upon, subject to availability and potential delays due to breeding schedules.