Paw Prints

By Karen Wheeler, The Doggone Good! Clicker Company 

How do you do your best to maintain your pet-service business as well as help it flourish in this precarious time? A quick answer to that question is to be a problem-solver, ascertain what is most important to your clients, and learn to adopt your business model as you go. Continually ask what your clients need and want, and from there be the solution to their problems. Below are a few tips to help your business in this ever-changing industry.

Embrace Change

Many pet owners are looking for something fresh and new. Be at the forefront of new ideas and services—and even products. Consistently be thinking of ways to keep your business relevant. Conduct client surveys to identify areas where your business might be lacking, as well as areas where you are exceeding expectations. Both positive and negative feedback are essential for a business to flourish, so consider both and use this to modify as needed. Negative client feedback can often be turned into a positive by tackling it head on. Implementing new ideas is an excellent way to test the market to see how they are received, otherwise you will never know if they would have been a success.

Discover What Makes Your Business Unique

Identify a few things that your business is doing (or can do) to make it stand out among the competition. Emphasize what it is that makes your business unique. Maybe you are known for a special service (e.g., you are the only one that has/does something) or sending handwritten notes to clients. Whatever it is, make it known how you are extraordinary.   A shift toward increased personalization in the pet industry is becoming a trend. Brainstorm ways in which you can create more custom experiences for your clients.

Make It Convenient

On-demand service and purchasing are expected by most people today. As such, you should consider making your services as effortlessly accessible as possible. For example, giving clients the ability to schedule appointments 24/7 is pretty much essential. Also, optimizing all of this for a mobile devise is advantageous because people tend to use their phones more often than computers. Currently, many businesses are also encouraging drop-off and pick-up services, as well as virtual consultations and visits. Being able to transition between these is vital for the growth and survival of your business. In addition, people want a smooth and easy way of paying. 

Market and Brand Your Business

One of the easiest ways to brand your business is to have a great logo and show it off. Really take the time to develop a logo and brand as it will be the face of your business for a long time. Perhaps the most satisfying way to market your business comes from operating with integrity and remarkable client service. Soon your business will begin to reap the benefits by building a referral network from happy clients.    The ongoing shifts in the pet industry make it such an interesting, energetic one to be a part of. Learning ways to accommodate and enrich this very passionate industry while growing your business will be triumphant for years to come.

By Kathie Henschen, CPG & Co-owner of Platinum Paws 

Our official state’s government website [we’re in Indiana] was very clear when it stated grooming was nonessential. Doing the right thing in this situation was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life. Our country had fallen down and was in the middle of a pandemic crisis. Living and pursuing the American dream suddenly didn’t matter anymore. The world just stopped. It was no longer about living a dream. Instead it was all about the fight for survival—survival as a small business owner and survival as a person, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.    

Of course, I wanted to break the rules at times. I wanted to be grooming all of my clients’ dogs in a business-as-usual mode. I absolutely wanted to be able to hire all of the employees I had to lay off back. I missed their smiling faces. I missed working side-by-side with them in the hustle and bustle of our grooming salon. I also found myself really struggling with the controversy around all of this. There was so much misinformation, judgment and fighting happening, not only in our industry but around the world. 

My clients’ sadness and disappointment when I had to tell them we couldn’t groom their dogs due to a government order restricting us from doing so hurt my heart every day with every single phone call. Some customers became extremely upset with the situation and took it out on me over the phone. Those phone calls really caused me a lot of anxiety. I had no choice over the matter; I did my best to realize it was probably not really me they were angry with. It was the whole state of the world at the time that was causing their angst and, unfortunately for me, my phone call cancelling their appointment was just the last straw. I really tried to stay humble with these customers and handle them with care instead of getting defensive.    

Doing the right thing doesn’t always feel good. Staying calm and putting one foot in front of the other in the right direction while struggling with massive amounts of insecurity, angst and fear caused by this global pandemic was a perfect example of that. There were a ton of things going on in the world that I didn’t agree with. But I also didn’t have the answers as to how to fix the problem. There were so many things I had prepared for as a grooming salon owner, such as having an evacuation plan for all of my employees and pet clients in the case of a fire. But I never saw this coming. I wasn’t and couldn’t have been prepared for this. Was I going to lose my business because of it? Or was I going to adapt and overcome? How do you even do that in a situation like this? It felt like everything had just been taken from me and the more I thought about it the angrier I got. 

For a while I couldn’t put my finger on where exactly this anger was coming from and then it finally hit me, it was because of the complete powerlessness I felt. Our business had been given the label “non-essential” and that really hurt me deep down. This business was essential to us, my employees and my customers. We had always done our part to meet the government’s needs by paying taxes and here they were now calling us non-essential. We were a place of business that gave jobs to people. People that needed money to support their families. I didn’t see those who worked for me as just employees; I saw them as my family.    

We don’t just groom dogs, we also save lives. We find cancer. We find symptoms of other bigger underlying problems. We use our compassion to take in shelter dogs and give them makeovers so that they have a better chance at a new family. Grooming, while not the totally who we are, is heart that pumps blood throughout our business. I didn’t expect the nonessential business label to change, so I had to work through all these emotions. In doing so, I realized I was strong and was going to stay that way. My team was also strong and they were going to stay that way. That had never changed. So I kept the faith that we would make it.   

During the month that we had to remain closed, I found ways to keep myself busy. My husband and I completely revamped the retail side of our business. We had been dreaming of changing things around in our store to offer more raw feeding options and less kibble. So we invested in a huge six-door glass-front freezer. These freezers were so big that we actually had to have a glass company remove our front windows so we could get them into our little shop. 

There is no way that would have gone well if we had clients coming in and out. It took us two weeks of working every day to get the store looking good. And I must say, it looks absolutely amazing and we are so proud and grateful. I also recorded several videos to help my clients groom their dogs at home. Groomers typically don’t want clients grooming their own dogs due to the risk for injuries and the mess using inappropriate tools can cause. In this case, my customers had no choice.    

My first video pertained to nails. I explained the pros to dremeling their dog’s nails versus cutting them. I explained and showed how to see the quick, even on the dreaded black nails. I showed my technique on how to hold the dog and how to hold the dremel. The feedback I received on this video was more positive than I could have ever imagined. It was shared hundreds of times and I had so many people reach out to me and tell me how helpful the video was and that it was the best one they had seen. I was even asked by an extremely popular influencer in the pet world to do a FB live about it on one of their podcasts. That was an amazing experience.

I continued to do more and more videos, from how to bathe your dog safely and effectively to how to brush, comb and maintain their coats. The feedback I received each time I posted a video was always so positive. People kept telling me how helpful they were. I even had one lady tell me that my brushing video had been life changing for her. How cool is that! The more I posted, the more people started following Platinum Paws on all of our social media outlets.    

I no longer felt powerless. I no longer had anger, frustration and fear ruling my life. I had found my strength. I was helping other people find their way, too. This was my victory over the darkness of this pandemic. Helping someone else is the most amazing gift of all. The power in that is stronger than almost anything life throws at you. There is always good that can come out of bad and this is a perfect example of that.   We made it through to the other side and when we opened up our doors again, our customers were all there ready to come back. And boy did we make a comeback! I’m so grateful for the strength this experience gave me. And my business, well it is stronger than ever and I didn’t even think that was possible. 

By Kong Company Staff 

Myriad pet owners around the world found themselves unexpectedly stuck at home this past spring and summer. As they figured out how to turn their kitchen tables into workspaces, dogs were enjoying a lot more time with their families at home. Now, many are starting to go back to on-site work, and dogs are having to readjust to another “new normal;” this time without the abundance of attention and play.  As a result, many dogs could experience some form of separation anxiety.    

Fortunately, there are strategies to help alleviate the condition that you can share with your clients. As you know, dogs are Inherently social animals, and for some, being left alone can cause distress. This can lead to barking, howling, pacing, escape attempts and destructive behaviors. Even dogs who do not experience full-blown separation anxiety might still be upset at the jarring change of routine when their owners go from staying home with them for months, to spending far more time away every day. The following tips can help them adjust.

 

Create Positive Associations with Departures: Owners can create positive rather than negative associations to their leaving work, and a Kong toy filled with their dog’s favorite treats is a great way to do this. Your clients should give their dog a food-stuffed toy about 5 minutes before they plan to leave. To get the treat out of the toy, dogs must focus both mentally and physically on it, rather than their owners’ exit. Separation-anxiety-caused behavior is are often most severe during the first 20 minutes of being left alone. Filling this time with a food challenge can ease the transition (image right).

Reduce Door Drama: Calm, casual goodbyes—and hellos—can help minimize separation anxiety. When owners return home they should wait until their dog settles down before acknowledging them.

Shake up the Routine: If a client’s dog becomes more anxious when they grab keys, purses and jackets, have them mix their routine up. For example, they could put on their coat, sit on the couch for a while, and then take it off. Or, move the keys around the house without leaving home. Eventually, their dog will stop associating those actions with a departure.  

Wear Them Out Before Heading Out: Your clients should take their dogs for a walk or play a game of fetch or find-it before they leave to burn off any excess energy that could spiral into anxiety.   

Play Some Tunes: Clients could also leave calm music playing softly while they are away. Not only can the music itself help dogs relax, it can also help reduce stress by masking outside noise.

Use a Crate as a Safe Place: For many dogs, their crate provides a comfortable refuge where they feel secure and can relax. As such, crate training can be a helpful tool for easing separation anxiety. Remember: It’s critical that owners introduce their dog to the crate in a positive, stress-free way. For tips, visit https://kongcompany.com/learn/solutions/crate-training.   

Educating owners about tools and strategies that help keep their dogs happy and healthy can help build their trust in you as a pet professional.

By ADPT Staff 

Due to the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) has changed its in-person 28^th Annual Conference and Trade Show originally scheduled for October 21–24 in Cincinnati, Ohio, to a two-day virtual conference for October 21–22.    “Protecting the health, safety, and well-being of APDT members and attendees was the paramount reason for the decision to cancel the in-person conference for the first time in APDT’s 27-year history,” said APDT Chair Khara Schuetzner. 

“The APDT staff and board of directors actively monitored the situation and with guidance from the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , and the American Veterinary Medical Association, canceling the in-person conference was the right thing to do during this historic time.”

APDT’s virtual conference will provide a variety of opportunities to improve as trainers, as businesspeople and as an industry, Schuetzner added.   

“From amazing keynote speakers to CE classes, the 2020 APDT Virtual Conference is a dynamic event for serious dog-trainers who want to stay at the top of their game,” she said.

The two-day conference features two keynote speakers, animal behaviorists Alexandra Horowitz, Ph.D., and Bob Bailey, Sc.D. And it will have 21 session speakers for 18 session titles that cover all aspects of training, including but not limited to animal learning; human learning; canine behavior, health and nutrition; and client interactions.    

Those who sign up for the full virtual conference on-demand to watch at their leisure, can earn 29 CEUs that are accepted by CCPDT-KA, KSA, CBCC-KA, IAABC, KPA and NADOI. For those who only attend the virtual conference “live,” as many as 11 CEUs can be earned for the two days.

Register by Sept. 30, you will receive access to nine bonus sessions (listed below) for an additional nine CEUs, a value of $225. The cost is $149 for APDT Premium Professional Members; $159 for Professional Member; $169 for Supporting Member, and $199 for a Non-Member. 

You can also look for more educational opportunities via APDT’s webinars and online certificate courses available at https://www.pathlms.com/apdt throughout the remainder of 2020.   

For more information, including the conference schedule, click here or visit APDT’s website and click on the conference tab at the far right on the screen.

APDT Foundation Scholarship Programs

Individuals who are interested in submitting an application for the Blue-9 Pet Products Scholarship Program find more more information and applications by clicking here. 

The scholarships enable trainers, behaviorists, shelter employees/volunteers, etc., who may not otherwise have the funds available to attend the APDT Virtual Conference.  Those interested must submit a completed application by Aug. 31. Applications are to be submitted to info@apdtfoundtion.org. The APDT Foundation thanks Blue-9 Pet Products for their generous support of this scholarship program.   

The APDT Foundation Scholarship Task Force will score the applications based on the following criteria: content, completeness, thoroughness of responses to application questions, and financial need. The number of applicants selected to receive funds will be limited by the amount of monies available provided through sponsorships. The APDT Foundation Scholarship Task Force will notify the president of the APDT Foundation Board of Trustees of all scholarship winners. The APDT Foundation will notify the scholarship winners by Sept. 16.  

Previous recipients of the Blue-9 scholarship are not eligible to apply again for 5 years. The APDT Foundation maintains a list of scholarship recipients. Members of the APDT Board of Directors and the APDT Foundation Board of Trustees are not eligible. 

By Petco Marketing Staff

As people’s trusted partner in caring for their pets’ overall health and wellness, Petco offers a variety of premium services that are designed to help save time, money and stress. Our services include pet grooming, training, Vetco vaccination clinics and full-service veterinary hospitals. 

Petco’s grooming salons are open seven days a week, offering early morning, afternoon, evening and weekend appointments to best fit pet owners’ busy schedules. This gives us the ability to have a flexible work environment for our talented grooming partners. Petco offer numerous career growth opportunities and has several different salon roles based on an applicant or employee’s experience (we call the latter Petco partners). 

The Jr. Pet Stylist position is ideal for candidates looking to be pet bathers. To set individuals in this position up for success, they’re taught everything they need to know. This includes Petco’s Seven-Point Pet Care Check, which is performed prior to any grooming service to assess pets and recommend the most appropriate service. The seven points include: customer engagement, veterinarian-approved basics on skin and coat, and information on parasites, behavior and, most importantly, safety. Based on individual productivity, each Jr. Pet Stylist has the opportunity to increase their personal compensation by earning a weekly bonus.

If a Jr. Pet Stylist partner is interested in becoming a Pet Stylist, they first advance to Pet Stylist Apprentice and enter a 12-week program carefully crafted to teach them how to groom all breeds of dogs successfully. Pet Stylist Apprentices are placed with one of Petco’s academy instructors or approved mentors to learn all the tips and tricks for grooming dogs.

Once the training program is completed, the apprentice qualifies for promotion to Pet Stylist. This position is also available to experienced external candidates. All candidates must complete a three-breed technical test with a tenured stylist. The position offers a compensation plan that helps drive individual performance and rewards with a robust incentive program. 

As Petco groomers continue fine-tuning their expertise, they can advance further to a Pet Stylist Pro position. This role is for Petco partners who have been with the company for a minimum of 1 year, and have reached and maintained great targets. Pet Stylist Pros are offered an enhanced incentive plan with vast earning potential.

Those who seek to not only expand their grooming skills but also become strong leaders of their own salon can become Petco Grooming Salon Leaders. This position is available to experienced internal and external candidates. Although Salon Leaders still interact with pets via grooming appointments, their primary role is to grow the business, and lead and develop their team. In turn, they can expand their salon team’s ability to earn incentives. This team growth mindset is rewarded with a strong incentive plan directly related to the efforts of the collective team.  

Salon Leaders looking to train the next generation of Pet Stylists can become Petco Grooming Salon Mentors. With added responsibility comes an increase in the partner’s financial compensation.  

For the most experienced grooming salon partners, Petco offers the Grooming Salon Academy Instructor position—a multi-unit, influential role. This position is dedicated to and responsible for training Pet Stylist Apprentices from multiple districts. It provides partners with the opportunity to influence the next generation of incredible groomers.   

With so many groomer positions available, Petco offers their partners many incredible career opportunities within and beyond their grooming salons. Visit careers.petco.com to learn how you can become part of Petco’s pet-loving organization, and let your talents shine.

Congratulations to Our New ABC Certified Dog Trainers, Veterinary Assistants, Pet Groomers and Cat Trainers!

June 11 to August 10, 2020

ABC Honor Roll Graduates

Paula Barker

Melissa Hinkle

Jacob Hunter

Shannon Kerimian

Olivia Knab

Josseline Melendrez

Stephanie Neal

Blayne Penner

Ava Scribner

Kenneth Shallies

Connie Stanley

Jarred Triesler

Jonathan Werbowsky

ABC Graduates

Joanne Adamis

Sarah Alderson

Emily Benerakis

Keisy Bertolo

Fred Bommer II

Jonathan Bonavia

Jada Bordelon

Kaitlin Brennan

Michelle Briceno

Kathleen Burdziak

April Caddigan

Cierra Cain Milini

Taranea Camerano

Jessica Carter

Anastasia Cashat

Guadalupe Castaneda

Abigail Chapman

Christina Ciepiela

Rachelle Coble

Twanda Collins

Diana Coward

Tabitha Crane

Maddison Cranfill

Jocelene Cruz

Christopher Currington

Soultana Da Silva

Victoria DeMarco

Jensen Drake

Erika Dunham

William Dye

Cheyenne Edwards

Alondra Feliz

Erika Fontana

Auriel Fromme

Brandon Gabbard

Lena Gershenov

Angelika Giedrojc

Kaileigh Goff

Abbie Gordon

Ariel Goward

Brittany Groves

Kelsey Gullett

Anastasia Hancock

Jakob Hardy

Evolena Hartshorn

Sloan Helfman

Katherine Henriquez

William Heron

Cecily Holland

Johnna Holland

Paula Holland

Maria Hraba-Uncapher

Haley Hunter

Deverett Jones

Katelyn Jones

Megan Jones

Leeann Kaib

Angela Kerr

Ellen Killough

Jennifer Klingensmith

Sarah Ksycki

John Lazard

Mary Leclair

Peckaina Leng-Herrera

Caila Linzell

Anthony Lowe

Kathryn Lyphout

Stacy Marquar

Sara Martinez

Annaka Massek

JoLeen Mayer

Kaitlyn Maziarka

Savanna Mccabe

Brittany McCaw

Emily Mclean

Odem McLelland

Natalie Mercer

Danielle Myrick

Jodi Northington

Sarah Onweller

Nicole Owens

Emmaleigh Palmer

Kathryn Pankau

Ashley Perez

Concetta Phillipps

Scott Phillips

Mark Polizzotto

Andrea Ramirez

Marcia Ramos

Elizabeth Rand

Chloe Ray

Wendy Reade

Alyssa Marie Reinholz

Jo Anne Robertson

Ashley Rodriguez

Joanne Ross

Jesse Roy

Evelio Ruiz Jr. 

Krystal Sanders

Erin Sandwick

Mariana Santizo

Cynthia Schaaf

Aspen M Schafer

Jennifer Sims

Misty Smith

Kamri Spaulding

Allison Stiles

Helena Strickland

Jennifer Taylor

Skyla Thomas-Frazier

Heather Thompson

Jennifer Utter

Patricia Walker

Rebecca Ward

Whitney Washburn

Nevaeh Watson

Johnette Wiggins

Breanna Wilkinson

Bailey Wilson

Megan Yeager

Inside this issue:

• What’s Waggin’: The Latest News from Animal Behavior College
• Tool Talk: Brushless Motor Clippers and Stainless-Steel Attachment Combs
• Helping Owners Keep Their Dogs Busy and Happy at Home
• Caring About—and for—Others During Times of Crisis
• Getting Ahead with APDT Membership
• Grooming Lessons from a Dog
• Helpful Puppy-Teething Solutions for your Clients
• Why You Should Consider Working at Petco
• Training at a Distance
• ABC’s Newest CTP, DOP, GIP and VAP Graduates 

By Crazy Dog Staff

Sheltering-in-place, social isolation, self-quarantining; whatever you call it, having to remain at home for long stretches takes its toll on all of us, including our dogs. Although they don’t have to remain 6-feet apart, dogs can suffer as a result of their owners’ social distancing. The good news is that there are activities you can recommend to your clients to help keep their dogs happy and busy when they must remain at home—whether due to “safer-at-home” rules or has part of their normal routine.

Work it Out

Being at home doesn’t mean your clients can’t put their dogs on an exercise program. A brisk workout will not only burn off excess energy and keep their canines from bouncing off the walls, but it will also put them in a happier frame of mind. Research conducted at the University of Arizona found that dogs get a “runner’s high” after vigorous exercise, just like humans do. In both specie, exercise causes neurochemicals to activate endocannabinoid (eCB) receptors in the brain, which deliver neurobiological rewards.

Being at home doesn’t mean your clients can’t put their dogs on an exercise program. A brisk workout will not only burn off excess energy and keep their canines from bouncing off the walls, but it will also put them in a happier frame of mind. Research conducted at the University of Arizona found that dogs get a “runner’s high” after vigorous exercise, just like humans do. In both specie, exercise causes neurochemicals to activate endocannabinoid (eCB) receptors in the brain, which deliver neurobiological rewards.

So how can dogs get enough exercise at home to activate eCB? Playing fetch is one of the easiest ways to provide a rough-and-tumble workout anywhere—owners just sit there and throw the toy, and their dog does all the work. They can make the game even more strenuous by tossing a retrievable object up a flight of stairs or onto furniture (if it’s allowed, of course). And a good game of fetch outside is always an option for clients who have a backyard.

Another variation is to use nontoxic children’s bubbles and a wand or bubble-blowing toy. Dogs will love chasing these evaporating balls as they fly through the air, even though they can’t retrieve them. The bubbles’ novelty and weird behavior will add mental stimulation, too, as dogs try to figure out what they are—and where they went.

Challenge with Puzzles

Speaking of mental stimulation, stay-at-home dogs need plenty of it. There are many toys and puzzles that can be filled with treats to keep dogs happily occupied for long periods. Owners can add to the challenge by hiding the toys in different spots around the home and then have their dogs find them.

To entice their dogs to participate in any game, have your clients use highly rewarding treats that have a mouthwatering aroma and taste, such as Crazy Dog Mini Train-Me Training Rewards.  Available in delectable Bacon, Beef and Chicken flavors, Crazy Dog Train-Me. treats have pork liver as their No.1 ingredient, which makes them irresistible to canines. They’ll keep a dog focused on the task of finding and solving the puzzles. They will be rewarded not only with delicious goodies but also with the sense of accomplishment that comes from successfully completing a mental challenge.

Make it a Spa Day

Your clients can use being home with their dog to relax and bond (it will do both some good). by giving your pup a leisurely spa-type grooming session. They can pamper their dog with some gentle brushing, followed by a bath with spa-quality Crazy Dog Shampoo  available in luscious Green Apple, Baby Powder and Pina Colada fragrances, and then a head-to-tail wrap in warm towels. As an alternative to bathing or in-between shampoos, they can give their dog’s coat a touch-up with Crazy Dog Grooming Spray  which will clean, condition, detangle and leave a long-lasting scent. Either way, their dogs will enjoy being cuddled and feeling like they are the center of their owner’s world.

Add a New Trick or Behavior

Your clients could also use the time spent at home to teach their dog a new behavior or trick, such as roll over or play dead. This will be fun for both, and the challenge will be a good antidote to boredom. If their dog already knows the basic commands Take-it and Drop it, they could teach him something more advanced, like how to pick up and put away his toys. Or they could teach him a behavior chain, such as puppy push-ups (Sit, Down and Stand in various order).

Whatever your clients choose to do during their time at home, they will be strengthening their relationship with their dog and ensuring they get plenty of physical and mental stimulation.

By Steve Appelbaum, ABC President & CEO

Wow, what a difference a few months makes. My last column was about wrapping up last year and our various plans for 2020. Then came the bolt out of the blue that surprised almost everyone: the COVID-19 virus.

As all of you know, ABC offers our programs all across North America. We manage this from our corporate headquarters in Santa Clarita, California. For those of you not familiar with the area, Santa Clarita is in northern Los Angeles County. It is here that our program managers, externship coordinators, admissions personnel, shipping, marketing, compliance and editorial staff, and management work. A little under 100 staff in all. With almost no exceptions up until mid-March 2020 no one worked remotely. When it became obvious that this new coronavirus would likely affect a great many more people before anyone got a handle on it, we made a decision to allow most everyone to work from home. We based this on several factors. 

At any given time, we have 2,000+ students in our various programs; that is a lot of people counting on assistance from program managers and externship coordinators. Additionally, more than 20,000 people a month inquire about our courses. With this and more in mind, we spent two weeks in March working to make it possible for ABC employees to work from home. I say “we,” but in truth, after I gave the directive I needed to get out of the way and let my teams make this happen. While there certainly were some challenges, we were successful. This all means that nearly 100 people kept their jobs and thousands of students were—and are—able to continue to work toward achieving their dream career.

After six months, no one still knows what the full impact of the COVID-19 virus will be. Of ABC’s five programs, four of them consist of 81 percent home study and 19 percent externships; as such, the vast majority of students can continue their programs from the safety of their homes. As of this writing, our externship coordinators are now scheduling externships; subject to social-distancing requirements and each location’s restrictions.

Because those of us in the pet industry are optimistic at a core level, we are forging ahead with our Zookeeper Assistant Program (ZAP). Of course, this coronavirus has wreaked havoc with all our dates, so tasks that were supposed to be done by the end of summer will more likely be completed in late fall or early winter. I will keep everyone posted.

Stay safe and healthy!

Congratulations to Our New ABC Certified Dog Trainers, Veterinary Assistants, Pet Groomers and Cat Trainers!

December 19, 2019 to June 10, 2020

ABC Honor Roll Graduates

Lori Adams

Maria Alvarez

Oksana Annaberdiieva

Amy Barnes

Rebekah Barron

Kenneth Bartell

Raquel Began

Barry Benner III

Mitchelle Borgeaud

Jeanine Brushwood

Andrea Burggrabe

Kimberly Call

Sofia Callaci

Samantha Canney

Lacy Clifford

Amanda Collins

Alyssa Cornelius

Shonda Cornell

Wendy Crone

Ashley Dejong

Marjorie Dennis

Summer Emick

Aislyn Gabriel

Samantha Glenn

Lisa Gower

Darin Greene

Carol Gust

Lauren Harbart

Kevin Heffentrager

Heather Herman

Brianna Hoang

Andrea Horton

Brianna James

Lainey Koch

Angelique Kontzamanys

Ryan Lease

Bridget LeBlanc

Amanda Lemonds

Holly Liepert

Shir Limazati

Kametra Long

Kristina Lubow

Amber Ludden

Brittany Lutz

Leslie Marcellus

Peter Martin

Tammy McClellin

Leonardo Mendoza

Rachael Meyer

Susan Mitchell

Sage Moriarty

Lauren Murphy

Sarah Newton

Rachel Novelen

Matthew Olver

Lori Orn

Cynthia Persic

Ashley Phelps

Tyler Polenick

Camille  Pukay

Jenna Reasons

Bethany Rebillot

Jessica Reno

Nelly Reynaud

Aubrey Rodrigo

Carolyn Rositano

Sharon Ruprecht-Brown

Andrea Sarrat  Antonacci 

Brittany Schwartz

Celina Seibert

Joy Selting-Buchberger

Monica Serna

Anita Sewald

Hope Shetterly

Amber Sickler

Janna Skinner

Erika Sosa

John Spence III

Randi Stift

Dana Striker

Zachary Subealdea

Deborah Tangen

Emily Teister

Natalie Truempy

Kristen Trump

Stephanie Urbaniak

Gerritdina Maria Van Der Veen

Samantha Welch

Haley Wert

Samantha Winchester

Kelci Wright

Claire Ylitalo

ABC Graduates

Lori Abella

Erin Abrahams

Maria Abrams

Danielle Adame

Tabitha Agront

Natasha Aguero

Paige Ahlbach

Jessee Aldaco

Shirley Alexander

Ashley Alford

Erika Allen

Katherine Alsip

Adelita Alvarez

Erin Anderson

Linzey Anderson

Marlin Andrade

Nicole Andrzejewska

Sarah Antoine

Elia Anzures

Karla Aragon

Matthew Araiza

Mallory Ardoin

Kailye Arends

Robin Armentrout

Courtney Armstrong

Rhyan Armstrong

Geraldine Arteaga Campos

Sabrina Arzillo

Mikaela Ashenden

Samantha Ashman

Alyssa Atalla

Renee Atencio-Burton

Jennifer Austin

Kimberly Avelino

Michelle Aviles

Yasmine Banks

Akanksha Bansal

Ashtin Baptista

Richard Barber

Ashley Bautista

Kassidy Beagan

TeLisa Bearden

Brittney Beaulieu

Jennifer Becker

Jessica Beleno

Shawna Benavides

Krystal Benjamin

Lindy Bennett

Ashlie Benson

Rachel Best

Alexys Bingham

Dellon Blackman

Kari Blackmon

B.J. Blake

Christina Blakely

Lyndzy Blanton

Susan Blouin

Debbie Board

Christy Boch

Erin Bodner

Desiree Bohling

Yaquelin Bojorquez Barreras

Kayleigh Boland

Sarah Bolyard

Jordan Bond

Flor Bonilla Cortes

Nancy Booth

Abigayle Bopp

Sabine Born

Ember Boswell

Caitlin Bourque

Alicia Bozeman

Amy Brandhuber

Cassandra Bredlie

Kristen Brehmer

Sunny Brennan

Ariel Brofman

Allison Brokschmidt

Briana Brotzman

Claudia Brown

Ryan-Alexis Brown

Brittany Buck

Kimberly Buis

Briana Burnsworth

Brittany Bush

Brittian Bush

Christin Cadwell

Cara Camire

Vickie Cantelmo

Mathew Capalario

Dawn Capka

Tabatha Carlson

Franche Carlson Straus

Suzanne Carner

Kaela Carpintero

Amanda Carr

Kassandra Carvajal

Sarah Casel

CynTia Casey

Destiny Castilleja

Victoria Catalfano

Samantha Catena

Cierra Cavanaugh

Christine Chang

Celia Charlton

Tanya Chavez

Sierra Chinapen

Florence Lai Kuen Chong

Natasha  Clark

Ryan Clarke

Brian Clemens

Jamie Cline

Elizabeth Clisbee

Eamon Collins

Katherine Collins

Rita Collins

Sara Commons

Lisa Cone

Jessica Constancio

Anastasia Irene Cooper

Ashley Cooper

Harlee Cooper

Ryan Cooper

John Coppens

Makylee Cordova

Oscar Cordova

Raeven Cornelius

Carlos Cortez

Courtney Coulter

Taven Lee Counsell

Anissa Cowan

Keli Cox

Leah Crescini

Joseph Crissy

Jonathan Cross

Tera Cruce

Ayleen Cruz

Kimberly Culwell

Melanie Cyrier

Breanna Dahl

Jessica Daigle

Jacob Daley

Sophia Dallis

Christine Daniel

Elizabeth Daniel

Jorden Daniels

Kim Danowitz

Manami Davis

Nicole Davis

Victoria Davis

Jennifer Davitt

Mehdi Davoodi

Megan Dawson

Samantha De Leon

Isabella De Vita

Andrea DeAlmeida

Nicole DeAngelo

Michele Aiala DeBarros

Christopher Dedge

Michelle Degante

Eleanor DelaRosa

Debora Delaune

Mallory Delk

Corey  Dell

Hayley Delpier

Laura Depew

Griselda Deras

Laura DesMarais

Krystina Diaz

Emily Dice

Asia Dodaro

Mina Donahue

Brian Donnelly

Megan Donnelly

Angela Dorsey

Haley Dougherty

Vanessa Downing

Sarah Duffy

Natasha Dunda

Victoria Dupin

Liani Duprey

Krystan Earle

Jolie East-Miji

Alexandra Eckstrom

Cynthia Edmonds-Healy

Madison Edmunds

Ohr Elcayam

Kenneth Emmil

Ruben Encarnacion

Karrie Erickson

Alexander Erker

Maritza Espinoza

Alondra Espinoza Chavez

Angelica Estevez

Christian Fain

Brittany Fawbush

Kelley Fecteau

Lauren Federspiel

Corinne Feeney-Myers

Julian Ferrer

Tiffany  Fess

Marshall Fischer

Brenda  Flinton

Bianca Flores

Lauren Folsom

Marissa Foltz

Taylor Foreman

Rico Forney

Jillian Frank

Kristina Frasier

Kathrine Freeman

Jeanne Friedlander

Ashley Friscia

Tyana Frisk

Whitney Fung

Laurie Michelle Gabel

Jarrod Gac

Elaine Gage

Rachel Galarza

Yolimma Galindo-Hernandez

Daniel Galvin

Amy Ganos

Mariza Garcia

Kassandra Gardner

Ana Garibay

Jennifer Garrett

Kyla Gates

Amber George

Victoriana Gibbens

Nathalie Gil

Britney Gilliam

Theresa Glaviano

Nicole Glenny

Brandy Glover

Teresa Goettl

Gabriella Goldberg

Justine Gonzales

Adele Good

Rachel Goodman

Aimee Goodson

Hannah Gordon

Marissa Gore

Rachel Gottshall

Meghan Grant

Olivia Greer

Kara Grefe

Dawn Griner

Alfredo Guadarrama

Mattison Gulatto

Brianna Gunnarson

Morgan Gusler

Jade Hagan

Jessica Hagemore

Christina Hair

Emily Hall

Sarah Hamlin

Kevin Hamm

Danielle Han

Catherine Hanakowski

Derek Hardee

Rachel Harnish

Antonia Harris

Mikayla Harris

Tonya Hatcher

Christy Hayden

Emily Heaton

Jennifer Heilman

Payton Helm

Kristofer Henderson

Kayleigh Henry

Tara Herbst

Emily Hernandez

Emily Hernandez

Kimberly Hess

Patricia Hess

Larry Hickey

Michelle Higginbotham

Dejalee Hill

Haley Hill

Olivia Hinn

Kristine Hinton

Amber Hitchcock

Keith Hobbs

Mia Hodal

Brianna Hoehl

Johnathan Hoerer

Amanda Hoffard

Kendall Hogue

Paula Holland

Octavianna Holst

Caitlynn Hoogendoorn

Maureen Hoopes

Brittany Hoover

Laura Hoover

Savana Hopkins

Kaylee Horne

Tia Horwood

Alyssa Howard

Shannon Hubbert

Tamara Hudson

Timothy Huff

Janelle Hunt

Chaney Ilar

Janelle Imad

Adam Irwin

Prajesh Janardanan

Grace Jared

Savanna Jensen

Kimberly Jimmerson

Cheyenne Johnson

Emmalee Johnson

Julie Johnson

Sierra Johnson

Aaron Jones

Angela Jones

Rachel Jordan

Sara Kallenberger

Isaiah Kassahn

Kyle Kasten

Jeevanjot Kaur

Sally Keefe

Carlie Kelley

Makayla Kellum

Ashley Kemp

Joy Kenney

Jesse Kephart

Amanda Kerrigan

Sahidan Khan

Jin Kim

Miran Kim

Brittany King

Sherry Kinney

Aisha Kirnon

Cassie Kiser

Danielle Kosky

Olga Kovalchuk

Liesl Kreider

Leeba Krigsman

Kimberly Kubes

Jacey Kunde

Khalil Landers

Deena Lapikas

Heather Larsen

Chase Larson

Kimberly Lavigne

Alyssa Lawson

Alyssa Lawton

Brittany Lebrecht

Lindsey Lee

Emiko Leiva Mendoza De Budd

Joshua Lemon

Vincent Leonard

Adrienne Leone

Cecillia Lerma

Anna Lewis

Sierra Lewis

Sarah Loen

Sarah Loewenstein

Ingrid Lofgren

Sofia  Lopez Vargas

Damaris Lorenz

Dianne Loveman

Jason Lucas

Ahren Lutz

Keila Lyons

Madison MacAdams

Tania Macfarlane

Breanna Macks

J Madden

Nikhila Madhwapathy

Erica Mardis

Kathryn Marlin

Daniela Martinez

Mayellin Martinez

Olivia Martinez

Sapphire Martinez

Lani Mason

Esmeralda Mattarazzo

Faith Mattingly

Shayla Maupin

Taylor Mayberry

Charmaine Maynard

Reva Mc Caig

Sarah McClure

Sarah McClurken

Brooke Mcdaniel

Jennifer McDaniel

Alexis McDonald

Megan McGee

Dustin McIntyre

Luke McMillan

Emily McNeill

Alexis Meador

Tina Mears

Jasmine Medina

Melissa Menard

Mercedes Mendez

Jeffrey Meyers

Morgan Miles

Alexis Milks

Julia Miller

Lauren Miller

Naydene Miller

Kynadee Miller-Spurrier

Samuel Mimitz

Christina Miranda

Jennifer Miranda

Rebecca Mitchell

Karina Moffatt

Sean Molloy

Fallon Molony

Darcy Mondovich

Patricia Monia

Payton Moore

Jailene Morales

Shannon Moran

Jennifer Morelos

Nancy  Morissette 

Jessica Morris

Mackayla Morris

Hayley Morrison

Sally Morth

Timothy Moss

Scott Mroczka

Sen Mu

Rachel Mulfeld-Alfieri

Katherine Murdock

Ashley Nagle

Ariel Nash

Jody Neeley

Elizabeth Nelson

Grant Nelson

Leah Neuhaus

Madison Newberry

Annemarie Niechcielski

Megan Nielsen

Raya  Nixon

Ashtin Norrick

Amanda Nottmeier

Dusan Obsajsnik

Tricia Okada

Barbara Okerstrom

Pia  Olsson 

Abigail Oppenheimer

Emma Orr

Jennifer Ortega Fuentes

Debra Ortiz

Jaime Ortiz

Cynthia Ottensmeyer

Russell Oxman

Isabel Paez

Jerrald Palma

Jerelin Paredes

Chelsey Paresa Porter

Kenneth Parham

Deborah Park

Emily Parker

Madison Parris

Alicia Payne

Langdon Peale

Rosemary Pena

Jamie Penick

Kathleen Peoples

Karla Perez

Russell Perez

Valeria Perez-Gomez

Anna Perrino

Kara Perry

Chase Peterson

Shalynn Peterson

Silvia Petrasova

Kelsea Pettenger

Alexandra Pirone

Lacey Pliska

Katherlyn Pluas

Samantha Poindexter

Carlie Pope

Shipra Prakash

Shubha Prasad

Melissa Pressley

Katherine Price

Brenna Purcell

Kathleen Quinlan

Nicole Radcliffe

Montana Ragazincky

Catherine Raimonde

Daisy Ramirez-Aldea

Katirina Rand

Maria Randall

Abby Rasmussen

Ashley Ratajski

Emily Read

Veronica Reese

Kischa L Reid

Brianna Relano

Ludmila Revelle

Candice Reynoso

Chase Rhodes

Daniela Ricciardi

Marissa Rice

Ola Richardson

Destiny Rigsbee

Kalyn Rios

Emma Roberts

Jenna Roberts

Korleen Roberts

Krista Robinson

Maya Robinson

Jaxson Rodgers

Amanda Rodrigues

Cristal Rodriguez

Stephanie Rodriguez

Vannessa Rodriguez

Sara Rojas

Emily Roman

Rebecca Romoshan

Gabrielle Rosales

Xitlali Rosales

Jinesha Rosario

Rashawnda Roseboro

Nichole Roush

Brittnee Roussel

Tiffany Roy

Trishna Roy

Alexandra Rubio

Jymi Rudolph-Hodson

Daniella Ruiz

Sierra Russell

Andrew Ryan

Dana Ryan

Michelle Salaz

Karina Salazar Aceves

Rebecca Sams

Cheyenne Sandahl

Guy Santiago

Alexandra Santos

Andrea Sarratt Antonacci 

Michelle Scalise

Ashliegh Schaefer

Alexandra Schmidt

Karrissa Schmidt

April Schneider

Kayla Schroeder

Olivia Schwehm

Lauren Scorey

Jamie Seibel

Ruth Selvin

De Ann  Sewell

Jill Sexton

Breanah Shane

Miranda Shatley

Taya Shears

Morgan Sheets

Chyenne Shouse

Lauren Shunaman

Hannah Silverman

Ashley Simon

Erica Simpson

Mikaela Skelton

Mallory Smelgus

Ashley Smith

Jennifer Smith

Katlin Smith

Keren Smith

Lydia Smith

Gordon Smith III

Samantha Sobel

Sydney Sodergren

Guillermo Sosa

Zoila Soto

Jessi Spainhower

Joel Spratt

Alura Squillini

Samantha Staedt

Katherine Stanard

Ellen Stark

Kalyn Stephens

Jamie Steven

Clarice Stevens

Cathryn Stevenson

Susan Stevenson

Brittney Stewart

Morgan Stockton

Haleigh Strasdin

Adam Striebel

Ayumi Stringer

Cheyanne Strohl

Kyle Strong

Laura Stutz

Tricia Sullivan

Alex Summerville

Shannon Swaddling

Andrea Szabo

Terasa Tampoya

Krista Tanis

Riley Tarver

Jeffery Teeple

Lexi Tennies

Savannah Terranova

Jessica Thomas

Kenneth Thomas

Keidra Thompson

Michelle Thompson

Kiera Timmins

Jory Tindol

Shandarius Tisdale

Emily Todd

Holly Tom

Benjamin Tompkins

Jasmine Torres

Catherine Tracey

Virginia Tribble

Monica Turley

Amber Tymeson

Lilly Ulferts

Brittany Upson

Katherine Uram

Angelica Urresta

Megan Van De Kerckhove

Djoeke Van der Velde

Anna Vandezande

Chantel VanDorp

Jocelyn Vayan

Elena Vazhenina

Dawn Vazquez

Sydney Veenhuis

Lynette Veit

Christiane Viane

Wendi Vicencio Bustos

David Vicino

Christopher Vickers

Jarizza Villarreal

Fiona Voeks

Stephen Vold

Janny Vong

McKenna Wagner

Jesse Walls

Jennifer Walsh

Caleb Watkins

Carina Watkins

Margaret Weisbach

Misty Wells

Megan Whitcomb

Aaminah White

Kaylee White

Kristen Whitley

Megan Wilkins

Brandon Williams

Brennon Williams

Nadjae Williams

Samantha Williams

Kemaya Willis

Brooke Wilson

Haley Wilson

Marina Wilson

Sydeny Wilson

Marissa Wittmann

Kristen Woolery

Jillian Woolsey

George Wozniak

Hannah Wright

Maneena Xiong

Denisse Yates

Alex Zeng