Wags
Ranked #7 in Madison and #53 in Wisconsin
Service area: Madison and South-Central Wisconsin
Service Overview
Types of Dog Training
- Service Dog
- Therapy Dog
Specialty Focus Areas
- Basic Obedience
Dog Training Methodology
Methods:
- ✓ Positive Reinforcement Only
WAGS provides service dogs for individuals to assist with daily activities such as retrieving items, opening doors, and offering companionship and emotional support. They also run a School Service Dog Program, pairing WAGS dogs with school clinicians to support students with comfort, grief support, and participation in therapy sessions.
Furthermore, WAGS offers Clinical Therapy Dogs that provide therapeutic support in various settings including hospitals, clinics, and senior centers. The organization also trains volunteer trainers, providing comprehensive training in obedience, beginning service dog skills, and positive behavioral shaping, enabling volunteers to care for, train, and work with service dogs in public and at home.
About the Trainer
Wisconsin Academy for Graduate Service Dogs (WAGS) is a trusted nonprofit service dog agency and community dedicated to helping people live with greater independence, comfort, and confidence. They empower lives through skilled service dogs.
WAGS provides service dogs for individuals to assist with daily activities like retrieving items, opening doors, and offering companionship and emotional support. They also have a School Service Dog Program where WAGS dogs are paired with school clinicians to support students with comfort, grief support, and participation in therapy sessions. Additionally, WAGS offers Clinical Therapy Dogs that provide therapeutic support across hospitals, clinics, and senior centers.
WAGS also offers volunteer trainer opportunities, stating that no experience is required, only a love for dogs and eagerness to learn. Volunteers gain hands-on experience caring for, training, and working with service dogs in public and at home, receiving comprehensive training in obedience, beginning service dog skills, and positive behavioral shaping.
Accomplishments
WAGS has been making a difference in the greater Madison area since 1987. They have placed over 200 service dogs and currently have four clinical therapy dogs actively supporting students in schools. WAGS is recognized as a trusted nonprofit organization.
How to Get Started!
To get started, interested individuals can contact WAGS to learn more about their programs or volunteer opportunities. For those interested in becoming a volunteer trainer, no prior experience is required; only a love for dogs and an eagerness to learn are needed.

Contact Information
Misc Features
- wheelchair accessible entrance
- wheelchair accessible parking