Therapetics Service Dogs

Therapetics trains service dogs over a two-year period using volunteer trainers. Applicants must complete a lengthy application, undergo interviews, and be approved by the Board of Directors. Once matched, clients must complete 100 hours of in-person team training in Tulsa, followed by a Public Access Test. Training focuses on task-based work for mobility or PTSD, conducted in public environments. Lifelong support is provided to all graduate teams.

Pricing Summary

Service dogs are placed at no cost to clients. Training costs of approximately $10,000 per dog are covered entirely by donations. No fees are charged to applicants or graduates.

Policies

Applicants must fully complete and submit their application via Jotform to be reviewed. Applications are not reviewed until fully submitted. Once approved, clients must commit to 100 hours of in-person training in Tulsa. There is no refund or cancellation policy for applicants, as services are provided at no cost and subject to availability and approval.

Therapetics Service Dogs is a Tulsa-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that trains and places mobility and PTSD service dogs at no cost to qualified Oklahomans with disabilities. All dogs are trained by volunteer staff to perform specific tasks such as opening doors, picking up dropped items, turning on lights, and creating physical barriers to reduce hypervigilance in veterans and first responders. The organization provides lifelong support to handler-dog teams and requires 100 hours of in-person team training in Tulsa before certification. Therapetics does not train dogs for emotional support, seizure, autism, diabetes, blindness, or deafness. All staff and trainers are volunteers, and the program is funded entirely by donations. Training occurs exclusively in public settings to ensure real-world readiness.

Therapetics does not offer private, group, or in-home training services to the general public. Their services are limited to applicants approved for a service dog placement through their rigorous application process, which includes medical documentation and interviews. They do not train pet dogs or offer obedience classes for non-disabled individuals.

The organization provides extensive public access education and service dog etiquette guidelines to promote understanding and compliance with the ADA. They also maintain a career change program for dogs not suited for service work, placing them as therapy dogs, facility dogs, or pets.

Accomplishments

Since 1992, Therapetics has placed over 50 service dogs with Oklahomans with disabilities. The organization is 100% volunteer-run and has maintained a consistent placement program for over 30 years without federal or state funding.

How to Get Started!

Interested individuals must complete the full online application, including medical and personal recommendations, via Jotform. Approved applicants are interviewed by the Client Selection Committee, then evaluated by the Board of Directors. If accepted, they are matched with a dog in training and begin the 100-hour team training program in Tulsa.