Welcome to Therapy & Support Animals Australia, where we stand as leaders in dog training, therapy dog certification, and animal assisted therapy services in Australia. We are based in Brisbane, and have local, interstate, and international clients.
Meet Nikki, our founder and lead trainer with an impressive 38-year history shaping canines for diverse roles, spanning from police and detection dogs (with QLD Police Dog Squad, Australian Border Force, Kenyan private explosives detection organisation) to therapy dog training, assistance dogs, and cherished family pets.
Nikki has been at the forefront of initiating and leading innovative dog training and canine programs and establishing the training guidelines that we follow. Her impact resonates, having successfully trained over 1,450 dogs.
Our pioneering Puppy Stay & Train Program has nurtured 750+ puppies, and our Intensive Obedience course has guided 350+ dogs of all ages to graduate with refined skills and behaviours.
Puppy Stay & Train (puppy training)
This all-inclusive puppy training program is meticulously designed to provide your pup with an optimal start in life, tailored to their critical developmental phase. Graduates emerge as calm, well-behaved, crate-trained companions, adept in essential commands and exceptionally socialised. This program simplifies the process of welcoming a new puppy into your home.
Intensive Obedience (dog training)
This essential course establishes the foundation for a strong bond between dog and owner. Our objective is to educate dog owners, providing them with effective training methods and problem-solving abilities. The outcome is a well-balanced family dog, comfortable both at home and in the community.
Yes! This is THE course that you’ve heard about.
Breeder Stay & Train (puppy training)
The Stay and Train program offers breeders multiple advantages. It fosters calm behaviors in their lines, increasing desirability. Dogs going overseas can spend the 28 day mandatory period being trained with an additional focus on reducing air travel stress. We ensure your guardian dogs are calmness trained so they contribute positively to breeding stock.
One on One Dog Training
Private training accommodates time-constrained owners unable to commit to group courses or dogs that struggle in group settings or show extreme reactivity. One-on-One sessions cater to all dogs, from puppies to the unruly to those aspiring to be therapy/support dogs, seeking behavior refinement, proofing, and real-world location training. Great for addressing specific issues or as a refresher dog training course.
Puppy Development Clinic
Encourage family cohesion with in-depth talks, bringing everyone on board for puppy care. Covering initial homecoming, crate training, and establishing a unified leadership team, these discussions lay the foundation. Puppy lessons encompass crucial areas like toilet training, socialization, grooming, veterinary readiness, swimming introduction, basic commands, dietary guidance, and the effective use of food in training.
Trick Training (dog training)
Elevate your dog’s well-being with our Trick Training course, designed to enhance mental stimulation and strengthen your bond. Addressing boredom-related behavior problems, this course fosters patience, boosts confidence, improves focus amidst distractions, and releases excess energy. Open to all breeds, sizes, and ages, it’s a rewarding experience for both dog and human.
Therapy Dog Services
Experience the transformative impact of therapy dogs across various settings, including disability support, schools, hospitals, corporate spaces, funeral homes just to name a few. Interacting with out dogs triggers endorphin release, alleviating pain, depression, loneliness, and promoting emotional well-being. Enrich your workplace, fostering productivity and offering clients & team members a stress-free environment
Therapy Dog Training & Certification
Enrich your life and bring joy to the lives of others by embarking on a rewarding journey with your dog as a potential therapy dog & handler team. We provide comprehensive training, certification, and assistance in securing therapy dog jobs, making this a fulfilling and impactful profession for both you and your furry companion.
Treadmill Hydrotherapy
Providing a controlled and low-impact exercise environment for physical rehabilitation, muscle strengthening, cardiovascular conditioning, and weight management. This underwater therapy is particularly beneficial for dogs recovering from injuries with mobility issues. Underwater treadmills improve a dog’s overall health, range of motion, and quality of life by reducing pain, increasing mobility and aiding in weight loss.
Our Stay & Train programme
Puppy training. Our Stay and Train program offers your puppy the best foundation for their future success. Developed and delivered by specialist ex-police dog trainer, Nikki, this program ensures your puppy receives the utmost care and attention during their critical developmental stage. At Nikki’s own household, your puppy becomes part of her family, interacting with her dogs, cats, horses, and other Stay & Train clients.
With a specialised curriculum of intended outcomes tailored to your puppy’s needs, this course is for owners of puppies from 8 weeks of age. Completion of this program prepares your puppy for further training, especially for Service Dog, Assistance Dog, Support Dog, and Therapy Dog roles.
The Stay and Train program has trained over 700 puppies and was developed to be the most effective method of building the most healthy and desirable habits, behaviours and experiences necessary for your dog reach its full capability. Why not give YOUR dog the best start in life!
Our Therapy Services
Research has demonstrated that the stress hormone, cortisol, can be reduced by up to 45% just by petting a therapy animal. Petting an animal for as little as one minute has been shown to stimulate the production of oxytocin, the hormone associated with bonding, trust, cooperation and love.
Interacting with a therapy animal releases endorphins making people feel better, diminishing feelings of pain, depression and loneliness. Having a therapy and support dog from Brisbane Support Animals visit your workplace can help create conditions conducive to a more productivity environment and give your clients a stress-free environment.
Perfect for; Disability Sessions; Airport crowd calming; Funeral Homes; Corporate events; Trauma / Crisis / PTSD; Sickness, palliative care, hospital or home visit; Returned Service Personnel; Government Departments – DOCS; Schools, Daycares, University, Learning Institutes.
Our Dog Training Courses
At our Puppy Development Clinics, we empower puppy owners to shape their furry friend’s temperament during the critical 8 to 16 weeks of age period. (Intensive 4.5 hours)
Unleash the potential of your four-legged companion with our Intensive Obedience Courses. Designed for dogs aged 4 months and above, this 4-day program transforms them into an obedient and loyal companion.
Get ready to be amazed by what your doggo can do by attending our Trick Training Course, a comprehensive 2-day experience packed with mentally and physically stimulating tricks. The course is 12 hours over 2 days (Saturdays & Sundays).
Elevate your training game with our One-on-One Training sessions. Tailored to you and your dog’s specific needs, these private hourly lessons guarantee personalized attention and effective results. Build a strong bond and witness your dog’s behavior transform positively.
Stay & Trains
Years Experience
Therapy Sessions
Dogs Trained
Training Courses
WE CATER FOR PUPPIES, ADULT DOGS, AND OFFER THERAPY DOG TRAINING.
Puppy Stay & Train
(PUPPY TRAINING)
Minimum 28-day program
This all-inclusive puppy training program is meticulously designed to provide your pup with an optimal start in life, tailored to their critical developmental phase. Graduates emerge as calm, well-behaved, crate-trained companions, adept in essential commands and exceptionally socialised.
We train, socialise and shape the dog’s character and this simplifies the process of welcoming a new puppy into your home.
Intensive Obedience Course
(DOG TRAINING)
4-day program
This essential course establishes the foundation for a strong bond between dog and owner. Our objective is to educate dog owners, providing them with effective training methods and problem-solving abilities.
The outcome is a well-balanced family dog, comfortable both at home and in the community.
Yes! This is THE course that you’ve heard about.
Breeder Stay & Train (PUPPY TRAINING)
Typically 28-days
The Stay and Train program offers breeders multiple advantages. It fosters calm behaviors in their lines, increasing desirability. Dogs going overseas can spend the 28 day mandatory period being trained with an additional focus on air travel – reducing stress.
We ensure your guardian dogs are calmness trained so they contribute positively to breeding stock by ensuring a stable temperament for passing on.
One on One Training
Private hourly lessons by appointment
Private training accommodates time-constrained owners unable to commit to group courses or dogs that struggle in group settings or show extreme reactivity.
One-on-One sessions cater to all dogs, from puppies to the unruly to those aspiring to be therapy/support dogs, seeking behavior refinement, proofing, and real-world location training.
Great for addressing specific issues or as a refresher dog training course.
Puppy Development Clinic
Intensive 4.5 hours
Encourage family cohesion with in-depth talks, bringing everyone on board for puppy care. Covering initial homecoming, crate training, and establishing a unified leadership team, these discussions lay the foundation.
Puppy lessons encompass crucial areas like toilet training, socialization, grooming, veterinary readiness, swimming introduction, basic commands, dietary guidance, and the effective use of food in training.
Trick Training for Dogs
12 hours over 2 days (Saturday & Sunday)
Elevate your dog’s well-being with our Trick Training course, designed to enhance mental stimulation and strengthen your bond.
Addressing boredom-related behavior problems, this course fosters patience, boosts confidence, improves focus amidst distractions, and releases excess energy.
Our comprehensive 2 day trick training course is open to all breeds, sizes, and ages, it’s a rewarding experience for both dog and human.
“Nikki is an amazing trainer . She trained Texas over 6 weeks in the stay and train program. He came home happy and is so well behaved. He was completely toilet and crate trained. Nikki was great at socialising Texas to different environments and people including kids. Apart from that Nikki has been very responsive to all my questions during the training session (she has been answering all my questions and guiding me through even after Texas came home) Would definitely recommend Nikki ‘s training program to anyone looking to have a well trained/ behaved dog who is well socialised. Thank you so much Nikki”
Therapy & Support Dog Services
DISABILITY / TRAUMA / SCHOOLS / CORPORATE / HOSPITALS / GOVERNMENT
Therapy Dog Services
Minimum 2 hour booking
Experience the transformative impact of therapy dogs across various settings, including disability support, schools, hospitals, corporate spaces, funeral homes just to name a few. Interacting with these animals triggers endorphin release, alleviating pain, depression, and loneliness, promoting emotional well-being.
Enrich your workplace with a therapy and support dog, fostering productivity and offering clients & team members a stress-free environment.
Therapy Dog Training & Certification
4-day program across 2 weekends, plus certification
Embark on a rewarding journey with your dog as a potential therapy dog & handler team.
We provide comprehensive training, certification, and assistance in securing therapy dog jobs, making this a fulfilling and impactful profession for both you and your furry companion.
TaSAA in the news
Domestic travellers flying in and out of Brisbane Airport this week are in for one very cute and furry treat. Therapy dogs are taking to terminals, to lend a paw to nervous travellers all in a bid to reduce pre-flight stress.
In the news again!
Sarah Whyte, head of communications and brand marketing at Brisbane Airport Corporation, said, “Therapy dogs are in use in a growing number of airports around the world to calm nerves and help people de-stress. Who doesn’t love a puppy? Not only have we had really positive feedback from travelers but also our airport staff and airline crew too.”
Trusted Partners
Trusted Breeders
Luxe Toy Cavoodles
Colourful Spoodles
Gold Coast Oodles
Sobraon Labs
