My passion since as far back as I can remember has always been working with animals, particularly dogs. Since the age of 12- 18 I was responsible for raising and training the dogs in a kennel that my parents had started out of our home. I would feed, bathe, and work with our dogs daily. I also found joy in training them for the many dog shows that we would attend. I mainly focused on basic obedience but always wanted to find new and progressive ways of advancing on the skills that I already knew I possessed. I have always had a way with dogs.
I was honored with the opportunity to train and worked with Bill Thurmon who owned Companion Dog Training for many years in Amarillo, Tx. He also was well known for training the brave and loyal dogs of the Amarillo Police Department. Together Bill and I set up a non profit low income obedience Pit Bull training. It was created out of a passion to provide Pit Bull owners a free way to gain the knowledge needed to raise, care & train these lovable animals.
Establishing a career in dog training has been a life goal of mine since adolescence. I've practiced training skills such as scent work and how to rescue a drowning person through "imitative learning". I did this not only to teach them beyond valuable skills but also out of the personal joy I received through watching them learn.
Now through my training as a Kennel Technician, I am accomplished in delivering care to felines, canines, and exotic pets. I still mainly focused in dog care and now have 15+ years in providing comprehensive animal care and support. With my experiences at the dog day cares I have been employed with. I have learned how to hone in my understanding and interpretation of the non-verbal communication dogs use. I experimented with different interventions to problem behaviors. I also was able to take on several clients pets whom I performed free-lance obedience and problem modification training. Among other things such as personal pet sitting.
I later began working in childcare to be able to stay with my young daughter. I was able to see that that the skills I learned working with dogs, such as redirecting and rewarding positive behaviors, setting them up for success, and controlling my own emotions and frustrations transferred well into children and created a positive change in their lives.
Working for SOSD will be fulfilling my passions for dog training and making a difference for individuals in our community.
I would be truly honored if given this opportunity to show what a deeply life changing experience this career would mean to me.
I started working here originally to gain experience working and training many different dog breeds. I wanted to get to know and master working with different temperaments in the breeds.