I am native of our beautiful state of West Virginia.  Making the decision to retire from Nursing was not a difficult one since I planned to start a new career and open my own business in a field that I have always had an interest.  I feel very fortunate that I could retire at an early age and to be able to continue to provide a service to the community.  I'm excited about the new challenges of being an entrepreutner but I have to say that I am more excited about the much needed multiple and unique services that I can provide to pet owners in my community and the surrounding areas. 

 

As a pet owner myself I understand the difficulties you face in trying to balance the demands on your time with work, family, children, and pets.  Since I experience the same problems that you face is what prompted me to open the business to provide multiple services in meeting the pet owner's needs.

 

In the picture above you see sitting at my side is Mr. Murphy (a shelter pup who I adopted at 4 months of age).  Mr. Murphy is a different kind of pup with a alpha-want-to-be personality.  He was quite a challenge as a young pup but has become truly my "best friend".  Due to my many frustrations I would talk with people at work and share the problems I was having with him.  Unfortunately, many told me that I needed to "get rid of that dog and get you a nice puppy".  I can't even begin to tell you how amazed I was and totally insulted by those comments.  I felt Mr. Murphy needed a chance after all I was the one who selected him to be my companion and friend, not visa versa.  I was the one who assumed the responsibility and made the commitment, not him.  Not to even mention that he is a living, breathing creature not to be thrown out like an old shoe and that is what was implied by the people that listened to my troubles.  I view animals as a gift from God and they should be treated as such.  You wouldn't throw away a gift from a beloved friend would you?  Of course not!  Then why on earth would anyone discard a gift and a blessing from our Most Gracious Heavenly Father?  As far as I was concerned giving up on him was NOT an option.

 

To make a long story short, Mr. Murphy and I attended two obedience classes in his youth neither of which provided me with the knowledge and understanding, nor the skills that I needed to manage him effectively.  Henceforth, my love of animals and Mr. Murphy is what prompted me to pursue my second career as a Professional Dog Trainer, and to particularly specialize in the training of the family pet.   I enrolled in one of the NADOI (National Association Dog Obedience Instructor) recognized courses and earned my diploma in April 2004.  I hired a mentor to give me the hands-on training to sharpen my skills.  My goal is to be the top Positive Reinforcement Trainer in my field that specializes in the family pet in this geographical area.  My interest lies in Basic Obedience Training and

Good Manners for the family pet.  The classes I teach, trains the owner on how to bond and build a meaningful relationship with their pet, and teaches the owner the skills that he/she needs to train their dog in whatever they would like for the dog to perform.  The skills the owner acquires coupled with the understanding on how the canine thinks makes the end results amazing and the owner soon learns what his/her dog can learn is limited only to their own  imagination.   It is very exciting for me to see the transformation from the unruly, unmangageable pup to the well-behaved good mannered dog that the owner is seeking in such a short period of time and to see the relationship between the pup and owner develop.  This is a very rewarding experience.

 

The consulting for behavior problems portion of the services just goes along with the territory as a Dog Trainer.  Problem-solving can truly be a challenge but one that I welcome.

 

 

By the way, Mr. Murphy earned his title by being called MISTER because he was a pup that demanded the respect, and trust me when I say he earned it, he did, and still does!