CMAC

10/09/2024

Dog training isn't just about training a dog. A dog's owner must also learn certain behaviors that help cue their dog's responses.

04/25/2023

Hello everyone!

As the President of the Center for the Study of Medical Assistance Canines (CMAC), I am thrilled to share some exciting news! 🎉 We are just a little over a week away from the IAABC Foundation conference, where I will be giving two talks on the incredible work of medical alert service dogs and the transformative effects of positive reinforcement training on mental health.

If you're interested in learning more about these topics, I invite you to join me at the IAABC conference. The conference is not just in-person, but also live virtual, AND recorded to be more accessible to as many people as possible! Here's the link to register: https://iaabcfoundation.org/2023-animal-behavior-conference/?fbclid=IwAR0sswpTmCbEsKDlxQEajlph9cCjQ66JNozKoFWWNNSDJPv6djXw6j_LaBc.

At CMAC, we are passionate about the lifesaving potential of medical alert service dogs and the positive impact they can have on individuals with medical conditions. I am honored to share our expertise and insights during my talks, "Unleashing lifesaving potential" and "Pawsitive Impact."

I am also looking forward to connecting with other experts in the field of animal behavior and learning from their knowledge and experiences. It's going to be an amazing event filled with valuable insights and networking opportunities.

If you're attending the conference, please do come and say hi! I would love to meet and chat with fellow enthusiasts of medical assistance canines and positive reinforcement training.

Thank you for your continued support of CMAC, and I can't wait to see you at the IAABC conference! 🐾🎉

Warmest regards,
Jennifer Cattet
President, Center for the Study of Medical Assistance Canines (CMAC)

04/19/2023

Calling all professional dog trainers! 🐾👨‍🏫👩‍🏫

Get ready to make a difference in the lives of individuals with medical conditions by joining our upcoming classes starting on June 8th! 🩺🐾

Our comprehensive program covers everything you need to know to train medical alert service dogs to help with conditions like seizures, psychiatric disorders, PTSD, diabetes, etc. 🐾❤️

The program includes:
• Selecting and assessing dogs to train as service dogs.
• Service dog training foundational behaviors.
• Intermediate training and going out in public.
• Advanced Assistance Dogs Training. Scent training for medical conditions.
• Specialized training for disabilities such as diabetes, seizures, autism spectrum, and psychiatric disorders.
• Selecting and matching dogs and clients.

Our experienced professionals will guide you through each step of the process, equipping you with the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful medical alert service dog trainer. 🙌

Ready to take the first step towards making a positive impact in the lives of others? Sign up for our classes now! 📝🐾
Visit our website https://assistancedog.center/ to learn more and sign up for our upcoming classes! 🐾📚"

04/13/2023

Attention all professional dog trainers! 🐾👨‍🏫👩‍🏫

Do you want to take your dog training skills to the next level and make a real difference in people's lives? Join our upcoming classes starting on June 8th to learn how to train medical alert service dogs that can help individuals with conditions like seizures, psychiatric disorders, and diabetes.

Our comprehensive training program will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to train dogs to detect and respond to medical emergencies. You'll learn from experienced professionals who have trained successful service dogs that have transformed people's lives.

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to improve your dog training skills and make a difference in the world. Sign up for our classes now and be part of something truly special! 🐾❤️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦"

for details visit https://assistancedog.center/

02/09/2023

12/29/2022

Our next classes are starting soon!
Learn how to train service dogs to help with conditions such as diabetes, seizures, PTSD, ASD, and more. Proven and positive training methods for professional dog trainers.
A complete system to train service dogs from A-Z with live coaching from experts in the field.

For more information, visit: https://assistancedog.center/

12/12/2022

12/07/2022

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZdj-6af_ms&list=PL9jHNYFSHwsd3l7jM-zTq8ZDCdmxr-a9v&index=4

How do you know if you need a therapy dog, an emotional support dog, or a service dog? There are big differences in how these dogs help and how each one of t...

10/28/2022

First week of team training with the French organization ACADiA. 3 families are learning how to manage their new diabetes alert service dogs. We finished the day after practicing in downtown Valence.

10/21/2022

Dr. Jennifer Cattet shares her experience in training medical alert service dogs with Cameron Ford at Ford-k9.

Episode 76 with Dr. Jennifer Cattet of Medical Mutts Jennifer Cattet Ph.D. has been training dogs professionally for over 35 years. Her work with service dogs started in a prison program where she was the instructor to the inmates/trainers. She has since started Medical Mutts, a service dog organiza...

10/21/2022

We've been training psychiatric service dogs to use their nose to alert their person when their anxiety is rising for many years. When a dog brings awareness to the anxiety, the person can make changes, like leaving a stressful situation, focusing on their dog for a while, sitting down, etc. They can avoid a potential panic attack.
It's great to finally have scientific validation of what the dogs had shown us all along.

A new study shows that the canine nose is sensitive enough to pick out distinctive compounds in the sweat of a person under pressure.

10/05/2022

Service dogs can help people with psychiatric conditions by alerting when the person's anxiety is rising (they do that with scent), interrupting repetitive or self-harming behaviors, providing deep pressure therapy, getting help, etc. These behaviors are similar for a person with an autism spectrum disorder. Every person's needs are different and the training must be adapted to the person's individual needs.
Oscar came from Johnson County Animal Shelter where he had been surrendered by his family. His enthusiastic and loving personality made him a great candidate to be trained as a service dog. After many months of training at Medical Mutts facility in Indianapolis, he was placed with Rebecca-Eli as her service dog.
This video was taken during their 10 days at our facility for team training. That's when the person and their new service dogs are united and learn how to work together.

Service dogs can help people with psychiatric conditions by alerting when the person's anxiety is rising (they do that with scent), interrupting repetitive o...

07/07/2022

Service dogs will do what we ask to either avoid something they DON'T like (like a leash or verbal correction), or to get what they DO like (like a treat, a toy, access to play). Both training methods work, but both are not equal in how they affect our relationship with our service dog and our dog's overall well-being. Being forced to work vs enjoying work will have a lasting impact on the dogs' stress levels, ability to cope with changes in the environment, and most of all, on our dog's well-being. Let's avoid tools that are meant to cause discomfort and choose methods that respect our dog's need to feel safe.

06/20/2022

Our classes are starting soon!
Learn how to professionally train medical alert service dogs and help people with conditions such as diabetes, seizures, migraines, psychiatric conditions, and more.
- Positive reinforcement methods only
- Science-based, peer-reviewed scent training protocols
- From dog selection to task training and client matching
- Complete training and progress tracking system
- 30+ behaviors
- Public access and industry standards
- Developed by author, scientist, and service dog trainer Dr. Jennifer Cattet

All our classes are done live through Zoom and can be taken from anywhere you live. Nothing is pre-recorded. This is a hands-on, practical course.
Our next classes start July 19th
For details and pricing, visit https://assistancedog.center/

Coaching for professional dog trainers and organizations. Learn how to train service dogs for diabetes, seizures, psychiatric conditions, etc.

06/20/2022

Our classes are starting soon!
Learn how to professionally train Medical Alert Dog for conditions such as diabetes, seizures, migraines, psychiatric conditions, and more.
- Positive reinforcement methods only
- Science-based and proven scent training protocols
- From dog selection to task training and matching with clients
- 30+ behaviors
- Public access - laws and industry standards
- Comprehensive, hands-on curriculum
- Developed by service dog trainer and scientist Dr. Jennifer Cattet
All our classes are done live through Zoom. Nothing is pre-recorded. This is a hands-on, practical course.
Our next session starts July 19th!
Visit https://assistancedog.center/ for details and cost

06/19/2022

Every one of us has limited time and motivation, to say nothing about our limited time on this planet, so we should choose wisely about where we spend it. Why not make the world a better place, for our dogs and ourselves?