Success Stories 6
We love to see our students making a difference in the lives of dogs and their owners by utilizing modern, science-based, positive reinforcement training methods.
Heidi is making a real difference in the lives of shelter dogs.
Heidi Rips Rowland, CCDT
Owner, Great Companion Dog Training, Pensacola, FL
Update After Graduation:
I just wanted to send some updates on my work now. Since I am volunteering at the Humane Society as a dog trainer, most of my private lessons are coming through them. Many customers have told me that they have wasted a lot of money to get rid of aggression issues, but they haven’t gotten any help. When I worked with their dogs and showed them how to manage their problems, they got help instantly. All my group classes are full now and every time I come back from a client or group class, I feel soooo good, and I know that I am doing something that I really enjoy 🙂 Thank you again so much for your educational program. Without it, I would never have had that kind of knowledge!!
Gina is a hard-working student, who is loved by her clients!
Gina Chang, Basics Pro Student
Owner, Coastside Canine, Half Moon Bay, CA
Starting Early:
Dogs can learn new tricks at any age. In fact, the earlier the better, it’s never too early to start developing good basic manners. As your puppy gets a little older, you can add to its growing set of skills.
Training Philosophy:
At Coastside Canine, we utilize effective, science-based, positive reinforcement techniques that help your dog learn and make it easy for you to maintain the new behaviors over time. Our unique approach to training turns lessons into games, making it fun for both humans and their canine pals.
Theresa is passionate about the human-canine bond.
Theresa Kelly, CCDT
Trainer, Dog On It Training, Grovetown, GA
Theresa Speaks Their Language:
Theresa is an engineer who moved to the US from Austria. Growing up there, she was exposed to positive reinforcement training methods from a young age. as aversive equipment is illegal in Austria. Inspired by her dad who also trains dogs, she gained experience working with a variety of dog breeds, especially French and Belgian Shepherds. Theresa owns Tucker, a Chocolate Lab, and Flynn, a Carolina Dog mix, who are an inseparable duo. Theresa’s motto is “Why do I work with dogs? Because I speak their language and I would love to teach you too!”.
Kristy with her gorgeous Yellow Labs
Kristy Houck, CCDT
Owner, Consistent Canine, Jefferson, MD
Kristy’s Achievements:
Through her work as the owner of Beyond Barks, a pet sitting company, Kristy saw a need within her clients for guidance with training and behavior modification. This need launched a drive within her and she enrolled with CATCH Canine Academy and graduated in 2015. Subsequently, she started her dog training company, Consistent Canine. Kristy’s primary focus is on training pet dogs. Additionally, she has mentored with a service dog trainer for many years. In 2017 Kristy trained and placed her first mobility assistance and cardiac alert service dog.
Anita surrounded by some very happy customers!
Anita Anderson, Basics Pro Graduate
Owner, Anita’s Loving Pet Services, Lomita, CA
Benefits of Play:
Play provides exercise for both, bonding for both, and teaches dogs training is fun, and it’s a great motivator and reward. It releases good feeling endorphines, increases oxygen to the brain enabling learning to happen more effectively, and it reduces stress for both parties.
Sara served as the Director of Adoption & Education at Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue
Sara Bright, CCDT, CPDT-KA, BBA
Founder, Best Friends Dog Academy, Iowa City, IA
Sara’s Experience:
Originally from Iowa City, she spent several years living on the East Coast, where, in 1994, she was one of the original volunteers who worked together to create Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue (DVGRR). Serving in a variety of roles ranging from Board President to hospice foster home, Sara most recently worked as the Director of Adoption & Education at DVGRR. Since moving home to Iowa in 2015, Sara worked as the Dog Training Coordinator at the Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center, as a foster home to dogs with behavioral and medical challenges, and with the Iowa City Animal Services Supervisor to create a prison dog program and a local animal response team. She is also a responder with national animal disaster response teams, most recently deploying to Houston, TX following Hurricane Harvey to work with Best Friends Animal Society as they sheltered and rehabilitated over 400 dogs.
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