Do you recommend any breeders?

Yes we have a list of trusted breeders we can recommend: Iron Hill Labrador & Golden Retrievers 563- 212-9609 https://www.ironhillretrievers.com/ Barn Yard Dachshunds + Dals Call 641-895-8634 or Text 641-895-3052 https://www.barnyardpuppies.com/ Pals Pups Labradoodles 402-414-2124 palspups.labradoodles@gmail.com https://www.iowalabradoodles.com/ Goldleaf Collies goldleafcollies@gmail.com or contact them via website https://www.goldleafcollies.com/

Superstar Service Dogs, LLC

"Comfort - Confidence - Independence"

About Us

Superstar Service Dogs, LLC was founded in 2016 with a purpose that goes far beyond dog training—it was built from a genuine desire to change lives. Located in Mount Vernon, Iowa and proudly serving Cedar Rapids, Marion, the Quad Cities, and surrounding areas, our journey began with a simple but powerful realization: there is a growing need for highly trained service dogs across the United States, and not enough accessible, personalized options for those who need them most.

With a background rooted in healthcare and a lifelong love of dogs, our founder saw firsthand how life-changing the right service dog can be. That experience sparked a passion to create something different—a training program focused not just on obedience, but on building true partnerships between dogs and the people who rely on them every day.

At Superstar Service Dogs, we specialize in training service dogs for individuals with a wide range of physical, neurological, and psychiatric disabilities. From mobility assistance and guide work to PTSD, psychiatric, and trauma-related support, our dogs are trained to perform meaningful, task-based work that brings comfort, confidence, and independence to their handlers. We take pride in our ability to train dogs for multiple disabilities, tailoring each program to meet the unique needs of the individual.

What sets us apart is our personalized, hands-on approach. Many of our dogs live and train on-site, allowing for consistent, real-world learning and stronger, more reliable results. We believe every client deserves a dog that is not only highly skilled, but also deeply connected to them and their lifestyle.

In addition to service dog training, we’re passionate about giving dogs a second chance. Through our adoption support, we help place shelter dogs into homes while providing the resources, guidance, and training they need to thrive. Every adopted dog comes with the tools to succeed—including training support—because we believe in setting both dogs and owners up for long-term success.

Our mission is simple: to make service dogs more accessible and affordable while delivering the highest quality training possible. As a homegrown business rooted in eastern Iowa, we are proud to serve our community with dedication, compassion, and a commitment to excellence.

At the end of the day, we’re not just training dogs—we’re building confidence, creating independence, and helping people move through life with a trusted partner by their side.

Areas Served

Our Professional Associations

AKC Canine Health Foundation
Association of Professional Dog Trainers
Better Business Bureau (BBB)

Our Certifications

B.S. in Recreation Therapy
Certified Dog Trainer
R.N.
Animal Welfare Certified

What We Offer

Our Specialties include:

Superstar Service Dogs, L.L.C. is proud to specialize in both service dog training and gluten detection dog training, offering life-enhancing solutions tailored to each individual’s unique needs. As experienced service dog trainers, they focus on developing highly skilled, task-trained dogs that provide essential support for individuals facing physical, neurological, and psychiatric challenges. At the same time, their expertise in gluten detection training sets them apart, teaching dogs to accurately identify gluten in foods, products, and environments—an important skill for those living with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. By combining precision training with a deep understanding of real-life needs, Superstar Service Dogs delivers dependable, purpose-driven dogs that provide safety, independence, and peace of mind every day.

Our Services include:

Service Dog & Assistance Training :Superstar Service Dogs, L.L.C. specializes in training dependable, task-trained service and guide dogs that are prepared to assist individuals in their everyday lives. Many of these dogs live and train on-site, which is an important part of creating consistency, reliability, and real-world readiness. Their programs include mobility assistance and psychiatric service dog training for individuals living with anxiety, depression, PTSD, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), panic disorders, autism, personality disorders, self-harming behaviors, and more. Each dog is trained to perform specific tasks such as grounding during distress, interrupting harmful behaviors, alerting to changes in emotional state, and providing deep pressure therapy. This personalized training is important for ensuring that every dog is matched to the unique needs of its handler, ultimately improving independence, confidence, and overall quality of life.
Therapy & Facility Dog Training: Superstar Service Dogs also offers specialized training for therapy and facility dogs, preparing them to work in environments such as schools, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and counseling offices. These dogs are trained to provide comfort, affection, and emotional support in structured and meaningful ways. It is important that therapy dogs are trained with their specific environment in mind, as each setting requires different behaviors, social skills, and levels of interaction. Their presence has been shown to help lower stress, reduce anxiety, and improve emotional well-being by encouraging connection and releasing calming hormones. Many dogs are also taught deep pressure therapy techniques and appropriate engagement methods for individuals with special needs. While therapy and facility dogs do not have ADA public access rights like service dogs, they play an important role in improving mental and emotional health in community and c
Puppy Training & Obedience Programs: Building a well-mannered and confident dog starts with a strong foundation, which is why Superstar Service Dogs offers structured puppy training and obedience programs. Their Puppy Club, held Saturdays from 9 AM to noon, gives dogs ongoing opportunities to practice basic obedience while owners receive hands-on coaching and one-on-one support when needed. This consistent guidance is important for reinforcing commands and improving communication between dog and owner. The Puppy Kindergarten program introduces young dogs to essential skills like sit, down, recall (“come”), and beginner leash walking using positive reinforcement, while also focusing on safe socialization with dogs of different energy levels. As dogs progress, Intermediate Obedience builds on these skills by refining behaviors such as loose leash walking, introducing mild distractions, and incorporating confidence-building activities like agility. This progression is important for pr
Behavior Modification Training: For dogs experiencing behavioral challenges, Superstar Service Dogs provides personalized, one-on-one behavior modification training designed to address the root of the issue. Whether a dog struggles with fear, reactivity, lack of focus, or difficulty following commands, their trainers work closely with both the dog and the owner to create a clear, structured path forward. This individualized approach is important because no two dogs learn or respond the same way. By focusing on consistency, communication, and trust, this training helps correct unwanted behaviors while building confidence and reliability, resulting in a more balanced and well-behaved dog.
Gluten Detection Dog Training: Superstar Service Dogs offers a highly specialized Gluten Detection Dog Training Program designed for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. In this program, dogs are trained to accurately detect the scent of gluten in food, personal care products, and environmental contaminants. This skill is extremely important for individuals who may be at risk of serious health reactions. Dogs learn how to alert their handler when gluten is present, adding an extra layer of safety and peace of mind in everyday situations. The program is uniquely supported by a trainer with personal experience managing celiac disease, which is important in ensuring both accuracy in training and a deeper understanding of the client’s needs.
Free Evaluation: Every training journey at Superstar Service Dogs begins with a free evaluation, which is an important first step in determining the best path forward. During this process, their team assesses your dog’s temperament, current abilities, and potential, while also discussing your goals and specific needs. This allows them to recommend the most effective training program—whether for service work, therapy roles, behavior improvement, or general obedience—ensuring that both you and your dog are set up for long-term success.

Our Products include:

Service Dog & Assistance Training
Therapy & Facility Dog Training
Puppy Training & Obedience Programs
Behavior Modification Training
Gluten Detection Dog Training
Free Evaluation

Testimonials

On 5/30/2026 Shannon Sellers had this to say:
I cannot recommend Jackie enough! Training my therapy dog with her has been a great experience for both me and my dog. Her knowledge, patience, and genuine love for dogs shine through in every session. She not only helped my dog build the skills and confidence needed for therapy work, but she also taught me how to be a better handler. Jackie creates a positive and supportive training environment, tailoring her approach to each dog’s unique personality and needs. The progress we've made under her guidance has exceeded my expectations, and I highly recommend Superstar Service Dogs!

On 5/27/2026 Mark Ray had this to say:
Jackie, is an amazing trainer. Our lab passed his service dog training at 18 months all due to her.

On 4/10/2026 Veronica Wright had this to say:
Superstar Service Dogs has been very beneficial to my almost 3 yr old Beagle. I was a little apprehensive thinking at this point training would be impossible. The obedience training that Jackie has provided has made a huge difference. She is an awesome trainer and my dog absolutely adores her. I highly recommend their services.

On 3/4/2026 Melissa Dean had this to say:
Superstar Dogs has been wonderful to work with! We rescued our dog, and Jackie has helped us with so much more than basic obedience. She’s guided us through addressing his fear, cowering, and timid behaviors, and it’s been incredible to see his confidence grow in such a short time. I really appreciate Jackie’s approach — she takes the time to explain the psychology behind the training, which empowers us to better understand and support our dog. The socialization classes have been especially helpful as well. We’re so grateful for the progress he’s made and highly recommend Superstar Dogs!

On 10/10/2025 Stephanie Hughes-Cross had this to say:
An Army wife friend reccomended Jackie Galvin and Super Star Service Dogs out in Iowa. From our first phone consultation I knew her services were going to be challenging but possible for my Golden Retriever and I to complete virtually from NH if we put in the hours and work required. In 7 months meeting each Friday, Jackie instilled the technical training guidance needed for us to be a successful team through each task. Jackie not only helps the trainer to understand the Psychology behind the methods and the dog, she also listens intently to the needs of the client/handler empowering them to be successful, heard and understood. We flew from NH to Iowa just to be assessed personally by her and we were able to participate in a few in person trainings after months of virtual sessions. The entire experience was amazing and I reccomend Jackie and Super Star Service dogs with full faith and confidence.

Contact Us

Superstar Service Dogs, LLC
2451 Business 30 Mount Vernon, IA 52314
Phone: (319) 775-7172
Email: superstarservicedogs@gmail.com

When reaching out please provide the course you are looking for as well as the dog breed and age.

Where To Find Us

Payment Types Accepted

American Express, Personal Checks, Debit Cards, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Our Hours

Monday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

News

🐾 Looking for top-notch service dog training in Mount Vernon, Marion, or Cedar Rapids, Iowa? Superstar Service Dogs, LLC has got you covered! From puppy classes to service training for disabilities, we offer it all. Sign up now for a free evaluation and give your furry friend the skills they need to become a superstar service dog! 🐶✨

Info

Meet Our Team

FAQ

Do you work with out of state clients?

YES! We have and are willing to work with out of state clients. There are a couple of options available for training. We can board and train your dog on site. This option requires owners to travel to us every 3-5 months to train with, learn with, and bond with their dog. The other option requires more frequent travel by the owner to our training facility in Mount Vernon, IA and is particularly suited for clients within a reasonable driving distance. With this program the dog remains with the owner for the course of their training, living, working and bonding with them. These individuals work for 2—2 hour sessions with breaks in between. The rest of the month is spent working on skills at home. Don’t forget we are always available for questions along the way!

Where are you located?

We are located in eastern Iowa, on the edge of the small town of Mount Vernon nestled along Business Hwy 30. We sit between the larger cities of Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. If using navigation, google does better with our old address 847 Business 30 SW, Mount Vernon, IA 52314. MAP

How long does it take to train a service dog?

On average it takes 12-18 months to fully train a service dog, however this time frame is variable depending on the dog, the complexity of the service skills required, the number of service skills desired, and how much time an owner works with their dog to master and reinforce these skills.

How much does it cost?

A Service dog is an investment and an important tool to help their owners navigate their physical and/or psychological disabilities. We do all we can to keep training affordable for those who need it the most. Please contact us for specific pricing questions.

How do I pay for a Service Dog and training?

As a for profit business, we are unable to assist clients with fundraising, however we offer payment options that we hope make it more manageable especially for those on fixed incomes. Financing options that are available to those needing a way to pay for training include crowd sourcing like a go fund me page, payments made from health savings accounts or similar, personal loans, grants, or seeking funds from other non-profit organizations.

Do you have any dogs available?

NO! We pride ourselves in training each dog to their owner’s specific needs or disability as no two people or dogs are the same in their needs or personalities.

What is the difference between and ESA and a Service Dog?

Service dogs are working dogs that are highly trained to perform specific tasks related to limitations imposed by a medically recognized disability. These dogs undergo intense training and are protected under the Americans Disability Act (ADA). This gives them protected access to all public locations and access to travel such as in cabin flight. Emotional Support Animals (ESA) receive obedience training, and may receive some advanced training, to help mitigate symptoms by providing comfort and companionship. ESAs are only protected by the Fair Housing Act with a prescription from a physician, otherwise they have similar rights to a pet.

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