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About Us >> Instructors |
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About Us:Instructors
Sara Reusche, CPDT-KA, CVT became interested in dog training after adopting her first dog, Duke, from a local shelter. She has turned her love of animals and teaching into a career and is dual certified as a veterinary technician and professional dog trainer. Sara supports dog rescue. She has worked as a dog groomer, at several shelters in Minnesota as a vet tech and animal caretaker, and also spent some time as the Head Trainer at a Pit Bull rescue in New York state. She is an avid reader and attends seminars whenever possible. Sara purchased Paws Abilities in 2010. Sara has two dogs, Layla and Dobby. Both are Minnesota White-Toed Chipmunk Dogs (AKA mutts). Layla competes
in Rally Obedience (where she has earned several titles) and Canine
Freestyle. Dobby was just adopted, and is learning new things every day.
Sara frequently fosters dogs for rescue organizations, so often has a third dog living with her as well.
Sarala Helmer, CPDT-KA grew up riding, training, and showing horses and spent many hours hiking and riding with her
dogs. She has an undergraduate degree in biology and a masters degreee in psychology. She has worked in the fields of counseling,
Ombudsman, social work, and land surveying. In addition to Paws Abilities, Sarala is an instructor with Rochester Dog Obedience Club.
She is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She has two dogs, Dalton and Tess, and they all enjoy hiking, agility, and
training games of all kinds. Sarala is convinced that cooperation and communication, not coercion, are the keys to a sustainable
future on the planet. Sarala pursues learning from her students, peers, professionals in many fields -- and from her dogs -- on a daily basis.
Lindsay Decker CPDT-KA and Rick Decker compete with their dogs in North American Dog Agility Council (NADAC), American Kennel Club (AKC), and Teacup Dog Agility
Association (TDAA). They are also members and judges of the TDAA and have a special interest in small dog agility. In 2008 Rick and Lindsay
completed a three day seminar given by members of the agility world team. They have started training others in the hope to encourage more
people to discover the joys of agility competition.
Lindsay started her agility training with their Yorkshire Terrier (Emma) in 2004 with Paws Abilities. Emma was slow to take to agility but once
she did she took off. She has been nicknamed "Pocket Rocket" by several judges and her focus and drive have been compared to that of her much
larger Border Collie counterparts, a great feat for a 5 pound dog! Emma has earned many agility titles and in 2009 & 2010 won 1st place at the TDAA
National Competition. Rick has always been their coach from the sidelines but in 2007 Rick got his first agility dog. Oliver is a full
sibling to Emma and seems to have inherited his sister's drive for agility. Lindsay and Rick recently brought home baby Cairo, a Brussels Griffon puppy,
who will also be training in agility.
Julia Breza CPDT-KA has always loved animals and became interested in dog training after taking classes through Paws Abilities. She has an undergraduate degree in special education and a masters degree in counselor education. She currently works as a teacher with the Rochester Public Schools. She is an avid reader of dog training books and tries to attend as many seminars as possible. Her goal is to become a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. Julia is owned by five (yes, five) dogs and 2 cats. All of the animals are rescues and Julia is a strong advocate of animal rights.
Three of the dogs, Greta, Gracie and LeRoy, enjoy a life of obedience classes and doggie daycare. The other two dogs, Cubby and Maggie,
are enjoying their golden years.
Linda Blanchard CPDT-KA has a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and worked with developmentally disabled adults for 10 years. She is currently working for the US Postal Service as a letter carrier, is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, and has been a member of the Rochester Dog Obedience Club since 1995. While a member of the Rochester Dog Obedience Club she served as an Instructor, Board member, Vice President, President, and was Training Director in 2004 and 2005. She joined the Paws Abilities training staff in 2007, has an extensive library of dog behavior, training, and health books, and attends seminars whenever possible. Linda currently has two dogs. Flint, a German Shepherd, is working towards competing in Rally Obedience. Tank, a Wirehaired Carolina Schnauzer Mix (a mutt) was just adopted and is training for a wide variety of activities.
Shalise currently has two dogs, Tori and Dexter. Tori is a young German Shorthaired Pointer and has earned her conformation championship and Canine Good Citizen certificate. She is training in agility. Dexter is an English Mastiff who has retired and is enjoying a life of leisure.
Currently, Shelly runs the 4-H Dog Program in Olmsted County. She is responsible for moving that program from choke chains to clicker training. In addition to working with the kids and dogs, a lifelong passion of her's is working with horses.
When Maisy began to demonstrate symptoms of anxiety and reactivity, Crystal shifted her focus from competition to behavior modification. She read countless books and attended as many seminars as she could afford. Over time, she and Maisy learned a whole new set of skills. Maisy is now a happy, functioning member of society, and ready to return to the competition ring. Crystal has a bachelor of science in social work, and works with children with disabilities. In her spare time, she enjoys training her dog and writing about training her dog. Maisy is a Midwest Muppet dog, and enjoys training her person and playing ball.
Kristin has three Azawakh. Felaou trains and competes in Freestyle. Konan trains in Freestyle and competes in conformation, lure coursing,
rally obedience, and straight racing, and Tagalas is retired.
Sandy Cattanach, CPDT-KA has a degree in Dental Hygiene and works at the Houston Dental Clinic in Houston, Minnesota. She has been involved in dog training for 30-plus years. Sandy is an avid dog book reader and seminar junky attending 3 to 5 training seminars a year as well as being a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Sandy is a member of the Rochester Dog Obedience Club and served as training director in the years 2002 and 2003. Sandy currently has 2 dogs. Kayla is a Mountain Cur dog, and Morgan is a Bloodhound. Kayla is in Elite Agility classes and Morgan is in Masters agility class with Paws Abilities Dog Training. Sandy also shares her home with 2 cats and 2 horses. Note: In 2002, Shalise was among the first few trainers in the state of Minnesota and the first 250 in the nation to earn the title Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed. Sandy received her CPDT-KA certification in December 2004, Sara in December 2005, Sarala in December 2007, Lindsay in April 2011, and Julia and Linda in November 2011. Sara earned her CVT (certified Veterinary Technician) June 2006. Trainers are also members of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and actively involved in research and seminars to learn from the world's experts.
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