Learn to Be a Professional Dog Trainer
Our School for Dog Trainers Accepts GI Bill® and VA Benefits
Build practical skills for a career working with dogs at the School for Dog Trainers.
Eligible veterans and family members can use VA education benefits for three programs at our North Carolina campus in Harmony:
- Master Dog Trainer Program — 24 weeks
- Service Dog Trainer Program — 18 weeks
- Police K9 Trainer/Instructor Program — 12 weeks
VA benefits are currently available only for these approved North Carolina programs. Programs held in Texas and Alabama are not currently approved.
Our school team can review your benefits documentation, answer questions about enrollment, and help you understand your next steps.
Call 800-726-7412 or complete the pre-application on your chosen program’s page to get started.
VA APPROVED DOG TRAINER PROGRAMS
Master Dog Trainer Program
Our most comprehensive program combines obedience and behavior modification, service dog training, police K9 training, search and rescue, and business education. Over 24 weeks, students develop practical skills for a variety of professional dog training careers.
Learn more about our Master Trainer Program.
Service Dog Trainer Program
This 18-week program teaches students how to select and train service dogs, develop task-specific behaviors, and work with the people who depend on them.
VA benefits apply only when this program is held at our North Carolina campus.
Learn more about our Service Dog Trainer Program.
Police K9 Instructor Program
Our 12-week program covers the selection and training of police dogs, including detection, patrol work, and handler instruction.
VA approval applies only to the 12-week North Carolina program. The 6- and 8-week courses are not approved for VA benefits.
Learn more about our Police K9 Instructor Program.
How to Use Your Benefits
1. Confirm Your Eligibility and Coverage
Before applying to the school, check which benefits you qualify for, how much entitlement you have remaining, and what your benefits will cover.
Sign in to your VA.gov account to access your available education benefits documentation. You can also call the VA Education Call Center at 888-442-4551 or visit a local VA regional office.
If you plan to use Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), speak with your counselor about approval to attend and the expenses your plan will cover.
2. Submit a Pre-Application
Complete the pre-application on your chosen program’s page. Our school team will help you with your next steps and provide the full application link.
If you have already found the full application, you may complete it directly.
3. Review Your Documentation With Our Team
We will review your Certificate of Eligibility (COE). You must also obtain confirmation from the VA or your VR&E counselor about your coverage and approval to attend.
The School’s Certifying Official coordinates enrollment certification for students using benefits other than VR&E. Chapter 31 students work with their counselor and our school team to arrange enrollment.
4. Secure Your Place
Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. A $500 registration deposit secures your place and is applied toward tuition.
Most students using VA benefits must pay this deposit themselves. Chapter 31 students should confirm whether their counselor will arrange payment.
Will My Benefits Cover Full Tuition?
Coverage depends on your benefit chapter, eligibility level, remaining entitlement, and the program you choose. Confirm your expected coverage before committing to enrollment.
For the 24-week Master Dog Trainer Program, we recommend having at least seven months of benefits remaining to help avoid a tuition shortfall. This is a planning guideline, not a guarantee of full coverage.
If you have fewer than seven months remaining, you may still enroll and pay any tuition your benefits do not cover.
For the Service Dog and 12-week Police K9 programs, contact our team and the VA or your VR&E counselor to review the benefits needed for your selected course.
Understanding the $500 Registration Deposit
The deposit is part of your tuition, rather than an additional tuition charge.
For students using Chapters 30, 33, 35, or 1606: You must pay the $500 deposit out of pocket to reserve your place.
For Chapter 31 VR&E students: Counselors usually arrange payment of the deposit. Confirm this with your counselor; if it is not covered, you must pay it yourself.
If you pay the deposit and the VA or VR&E subsequently pays your tuition in full, you may choose a refund or an account credit. Full tuition payment typically arrives around 30 days after classes begin, although timing varies.
If your benefits cover only part of your tuition, your deposit remains applied toward the tuition balance.
What Other Expenses Should I Expect?
Books and Equipment
Books and program equipment are included in tuition. You will need to provide your own treat pouch and leash.
Housing
Housing is an additional expense. Visit Farmhouse Property Management for housing options and current pricing.
Housing assistance depends on your benefit chapter and individual eligibility. Some Chapter 31 students may have housing covered through their approved VR&E plan. Confirm what assistance you will receive before making arrangements.
If you are paying for school housing yourself, payment is due in full before classes begin.
Meals and Travel
Plan for meals, travel to and from school, gas, rental cars if needed, and personal expenses throughout your course.
When Do Classes Begin?
At our North Carolina campus:
- Master Dog Trainer Program: January and July
- Service Dog Trainer Program: January and July
- 12-week Police K9 Trainer/Instructor Program: January, April, July, and October
Exact dates may vary. Review the North Carolina campus calendar on your chosen program’s page before arranging housing or travel.
Using Your GI Bill to Train Dogs
Eligible students may use the following benefits for our approved North Carolina programs:
- Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill® — Active Duty
- Chapter 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill®
- Chapter 35: Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance
- Chapter 1606: Montgomery GI Bill® — Selected Reserve
- Chapter 31: Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
Coverage and payment arrangements differ by benefit program. Our team can explain the school’s enrollment process, while the VA or your VR&E counselor confirms your individual benefits.
Ready to Get Started?
Confirm your benefits, choose your North Carolina program, and complete the pre-application on that program’s page. Our team can then guide you through the full application process.
Call: 800-726-7412
Email: learntotraindogs@highlandcanine.com
Or fill out the contact form below.