Kristen
Instructor & Trainer
AKC Approved - Canine Good Citizen
Evaluator


CTSART Volunteer

My dog experience started at the young age of
16 with my first entrusted friend "Jake".  The
love of that dog and our bond inspired me to
learn all I could about animal behavior - dogs in
particular. This interest would lead me to work
at a training center in Hartford County.  Click
here to read about Jake.

While working at the training center, I was
exposed to wonderful trainers, all of this time
learning through experience and osmosis.
Others had paid to learn what I apprenticed. I
was able to train my animals leading them to be
ambassadors for the center, holding time in
news spots and children's education programs,
as well as daily demonstration dogs for the
classes held.

Later, I held the position of Kennel Manager,
giving me the responsibility to run a municipal
dog pound. This included over 2000+ dogs per
fiscal year that needed to be identified for
placement into the kennel run adoption
program. I was temperament testing and
obedience training dogs on a daily basis.

Those were some of the saddest days of my life
professionally, choosing which of these dogs
was to be given a second chance.  It was
difficult knowing all along that the "issues" I
was identifying were almost 100% human
induced. The behavior problems were the
primary issues, but these dogs had medical
issues and medical issues superimposed on
behavior problems. These all created unique
challenges that had to be overcome to reach
optimal results: a chance at new life.

Those days at the kennel led me to my now
current career as a Certified Veterinary
Technician. I wanted to create solutions where
the problems began. I wanted to educate
humans on how to best handle the
domesticated pets they brought into their lives.
With the help of veterinarians and through
continuing education, I have been exposed to
knowledge and behaviorists that were
previously out of reach. I know am able to take
each opportunity to make clear the
responsibility pet ownership holds.

I was a puppy raiser for Canine Companions for
Independence as well as gaining Canine Good
Citizenship for my current pack. My pack
includes four dogs Baxter, Dory, Gath and
Benno, and not to forget our infamous cat
Maximus. Don't be fooled for a moment that we,
my son and I are in charge of our pack, it is
really our cat Maximus that rules the "roost".

    Kristen
About Us - Meet Kristen
Dory!
Kristen & Benno
Gath, Benno & Baxter
Maximus
Kristen & Jake