About Annie

Ever since I got Holly, a Border Collie mix, for my eighth birthday, I’ve been interested in dog training. Fast forward to 1997 when I took the puppy we found dumped in a ditch to group obedience classes. Although Sasha loved the training - she needed more – she needed a job!!

I approached area trainers who had experience in dog activities such as Pet Therapy, and Search and Rescue. We were hooked – Sasha really knew how to work a room during visits to the Pediatrics unit at Memorial Hospital. Nasa, who followed in Sasha’s footsteps, loved his pet therapy work at both the Centre Township Library and the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services Day Respite Program.

Sasha and I trained and certified with a local search and rescue team – this led to training with members of Indiana Task Force 1 (INTF1). INTF1 is one of 28 elite FEMA teams that specialize in disaster response. Sasha and I were proud to become INTF1 members in 2003. We achieved Advanced certification and were deployed to Hurricanes Dennis and Katrina in 2005. After Sasha retired, the search work continued with K9 partners Magic and Oakley. My current partner, Maggie, and I are members of the Clay Fire Department Tactical Rescue Team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the early 2000s I began work as a Field Representative/Trainer with Paws With a Cause. PAWS is a service dog agency that trains dogs for individuals with hearing disorders, seizure disorders, mobility issues and children with autism. Since I needed a service demo dog for my job, Sasha learned to open commercial doors, use push plates, open the refrigerator, get help and retrieve anything from a piece of paper to a hammer. I continue to work for PAWS and Sasha has had several successors: Magic, Nasa and my current partner, Falcon.

While Sasha was busy making me look good as a handler, I continued to expand my knowledge base. We successfully completed Field Representative training at PAWS and the FEMA Canine Search Specialist course.

Two pivotal experiences for me were attending courses at the Purdue University Animal Behavior Clinic and the six-week Master Training Course at National K9 School for Dog Trainers. Both involved class work, oral/written exams and working with shelter dogs – many with behavioral issues! National K9 also required starting the course with an untrained dog and producing a dog proficient in areas such as Basic/Advanced obedience, tracking, service dog tasks, scent work and protection work.

While teaching classes at the Indiana Search and Rescue Academy, I asked the director if I could develop a Canine Learning Theory class to add to the course offerings. He was open to the idea and it became a pre-requisite for canine/handler classes. I’ve enjoyed teaching it locally as well to handlers from the South Bend Police Department K9 unit, veterinarians and staff from Gilmer Park Animal Clinic, handlers from INTF1, clients from Joshica’s Planet K9 and group classes for my private clients.

When it comes to dog training, the only thing better than experience – is more experience. With more than 20 years of experience from teaching group classes, working with private clients, obedience and behavior modification work, Pet Therapy and Search and Rescue – I’ve got it covered.

What began as an interest with a puppy who needed a job led to a career and the opportunity to work with you and your dog!