History & Mission
Our History
Early in her career as a Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist, Psychological Service Dogs co-founder Marcie Cramer began bringing her own dogs to her office and immediately noticed the feelings of connection and safety they brought to the therapeutic arena.
To her surprise and delight, she noticed her clients taking deeper therapeutic steps while holding or even just petting the dogs. Sometimes, they would take therapeutic risks they would not take otherwise, as long as they were allowed to hold her dog.
In 1996, Marcie rescued an abused dog from a puppy mill, named Cocoa. Because of the prior abuse, Cocoa was not a stable dog and needed an outstanding dog trainer who would be able to train Cocoa to assist Marcie’s clients.
That’s when Marcie and Cocoa were introduced to Jocelyn McGuiness, who became a dear friend and the amazing trainer who changed both their lives. As a result, Marcie and Jocelyn joined together to form Psychological Service Dogs, Inc. to bring healing and hope to those who might otherwise stay invisible.
Our Founders
Marcie S. Cramer
Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist
Co-Founder- Psychological Service Dogs, Inc.
Marcie has maintained a highly successful psychotherapy practice, the Center for Healing Arts, for more than 40 years in Winter Park, Florida. Marcie’s areas of expertise are couples therapy, Adult Children of Alcoholics, individual therapy, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationships, and families. Her core belief is that we are not sick trying to get well, but instead, hurt, trying to heal.
Marcie embraced the opportunity to support individuals with invisible disabilities to live fuller lives through Psychological Service Dogs.
Jocelyn McGuiness
Master Dog Trainer
Co-Founder- Psychological Service Dogs, Inc.
Jocelyn trained dogs throughout the world for over 40 years. She was known for her balance in teaching with compassion and boundaries. In addition to her expertise in training service dogs, she also excelled in training dogs in obedience, protection, guarding, and competitions.
Jocelyn embraced the journey of bringing Psychological Service Dogs to those in need and training other trainers throughout the world.
The Psychological Service Dogs family was deeply saddened to lose Jocelyn in early 2025, and we are proud to continue her legacy.
Our Mission Statement
- To promote the use of Service Dogs for those with invisible disabilities—emotional, genetic, intellectual, or psychological.
- To offer Service Dog training to dogs already in the home or assist with rescuing a dog to be trained as a Service Dog for those with invisible disabilities.
- To ensure that those with invisible disabilities, along with their Service Dogs, are provided with the respect and accessibility they deserve.
- To educate and train other Service Dog trainers on issues specific to individuals with invisible disabilities.
WE BELIEVE LIFE SHOULD BE DEFINED BY OPPORTUNITIES- NOT BY LIMITATIONS
Psychological Service Dogs, Inc. is proud to utilize many therapists from Center for the Healing Arts, one of the first dedicated group practices devoted to challenging, supportive, and nurturing psychotherapy, offering individual, group, marriage & family psychotherapy. Center for the Healing Arts is also home to The Center for Brain Potential and the Adult Children of Addiction Treatment Center.