Meet the Moderators

Administrators

Sarah Wilson

Sarah, a professional trainer for 25+ years now, works with both pet owners and pet professionals. I have been a professional dog trainer for over 25 years and hold a Master’s degree in the human-animal bond. My first book was published in 1992 which has sold more than 360,000 copies. Seven more followed. Her books have be translated into Japanese, German, Italian, and Polish and three have made Amazon’s Top 100 list. The top-selling "My Smart Puppy" (book with a DVD included) and Childproofing Your Dog are the guides for this website.

divineK9

A retired Emergency Room Nurse, Shirley has dabbled in professional training while raising her own brood of Aussies and German Shepherds. Long time friends, Shirley is Sarah's right hand on the boards (and elsewhere). Shirley is also an experienced Service Dog Handler, who has mentored others who are new at dealing with the joys and challenges of living with a Service Dog. If you have any questions or need help regarding board etiquette - ask divineK9.

Melissa Fischer

After more than 20 years homeschooling her three human kids and developing curriculum for their varied needs, Melissa is turning her considerable talents to you and your furkids. She finds that her training and experience as a peer counselor gives her insight into the relationship people have with their dogs, and she enjoys working with people to bring joy and clarity into the dog/human relationship. Melissa can be reached at Puppy Homeschool.

Veterinarian

BarnCat

Dr. Alexandra Soltan is a small animal veterinarian practicing in Ontario, Canada for 17 years. She has a strong interest in the human animal bond both personally and professionally. She actively competes in dog sports, especially agility with Brier and Cabot, Pointers, Emma, a German Shepherd Dog and Badger, a Boxer X Labrador. We thank her for lending her expertise to this board and before it, Greatpets, for so many years.

Trainers (in alphabetical order)

Betsey began her pet care career in 1998 as a kennel worker at veterinary clinics in Ohio and West Virginia, moving up to vet assistant where her main duties included helping with exams and surgeries. A pet sitter for more than 10 years, working for both large companies and her own, she began pursuing a professional interest in pet dog training in 2002. A long time member of these boards and student of Sarah's, Betsey operates Puppy Prep School in Cincinnati OH, offering private lessons, boarding school, occasional small group classes and pet sitting services for all types of pets. She can be reached at: betsey@puppyprepschool.com.

cdturner

Carolyn, a retired science teacher, is extremely active in animal rescue.  She began volunteering at Richmond Animal League shortly after adopting a feisty orange kitten there in 1998.  First a kennel worker, then crew leader, she now helps select dogs and cats from euthanizing animal control facilities to bring to RAL, assists in providing medical care for the animals, and is one of the temperament testers.  She joined Great Pets, Sarah’s first message board, in 2001.  She has attended seminars and classes taught by Sarah Wilson, Brian Kilcommons, Sue Sternberg, and Sarah Babcock (of the Richmond SPCA).  Her  “personal critters” include 3 dogs, 4 cats, and a grand dog currently in residence.  She can be reached at cdturner1@verizon.net

PoochProfessor

Mailey E. McLaughlin, M.Ed. is a Certified Dog Trainer through the International Association of Canine Professionals, where she has been a Professional member since 2004. Mailey started out in the veterinary industry at 16, and other than a couple of temporary jobs she held putting herself through school, she has always worked with dogs. She became a professional trainer and behavior consultant in 2000, and built a solid reputation in Atlanta teaching several levels of obedience classes for 10 years at the Atlanta Humane Society. Currently, she works to make shelter dogs more adoptable through training, teaches private lessons as the Pooch Professor, and strives to connect with both ends of the leash in fun, effective ways to make training something people can't wait to do with their dogs. Mailey is also certified in Pet First Aid and CPR. http://www.poochprofessor.com

PuppyMannersSeattle

Dog trainer Becky Bishop, owners of Puppy Manners in Woodinville, Washington for over 12 years. Recognized by Seattle Magazine as "Seattle's Best Bet For Your Pet" her classes often have a waiting list and filly quickly. Becky's enthusiasm, sense of humor and positive attitude is one of the many reasons her Seattle dog training business is such a success. If you're ever in Seattle she would love to take you AND your dog out for a latte!

Schiptosign

tonikaywolff

For over 18 years Toni Kay Wolff has owned and run The Well Mannered Dog. She offers small, focused classes in Southbury, CT, private instruction in CT, and creates customized training programs for each dog and their family. Helping you have a dog who will always want to be with you, will work hard to please you, and will do so with a positive attitude and joy for life is Toni's goal and commitment. Toni also offers a Board and Train program for young puppies and dogs.

Trievr

Trainer, competitor and occasional breeder of high drive Labradors - Triever works extensively with her Labradors in hunt tests, obedience and agility. She is also a magnet for the lost dogs of the world with decades of experience rescuing, fostering and placing dogs. In her "spare time" she does doggie demos promoting responsible dog ownership and teaching kidshow to be safe around dogs. Working out of Lubbock, Texas, she can be reached for private sessions at: trievr4@yahoo.com