Training a service dog for Halloween Horror Nights might sound extreme, but that’s exactly what we set out to do.
One tight space, one giant animatronic, and one horror scene at a time, we began building the confidence Lady Priscilla would need to face one of the most intense public access environments imaginable.
This 5-part series follows Lady Priscilla, our rescue Dutch Shepherd service dog in training, as we prepared her for one of the most intense, unpredictable environments imaginable. It’s a story of trust, resilience, and progress built through empathy, not pressure.
Whether you’re a fellow handler, theme park enthusiast, or simply someone curious about public access training in high-stimulation settings, this series offers both insight and heart.
Start with Part 1 and follow along step by step as we dive into training a service dog for Halloween Horror Nights.
The Full Series
Part 1: Trial by Fog Machine
How we began preparing a service dog for the chaos of HHN—by starting far from it.
Read Part 1
Part 2: Calm in the Chaos: The Building Blocks
Every service dog journey begins with foundational training.
Read Part 2
Part 3: The Training We Didn’t Know Was Training
Introducing elements like tight spaces and costumed figures in a safe, structured way.
Read Part 3
Part 4: The Accidental Curriculum
What do Ikea and Potter’s Wax Museum have in common? They’re great places to test burgeoning HHN skills.
Read Part 4
Part 5: Mapping the Fog
Bringing it all together with less than two months until HHN 2025 opens for business.
Read Part 5
Why This Series Matters
Halloween Horror Nights isn’t just a theme park event—it’s a pressure cooker for public access training. By breaking the environment into manageable elements and focusing on trust first, we helped Lady Priscilla face it with confidence.
We hope this series helps others approach training from a place of patience, intentionality, and respect for the individual dog’s pace.
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