Sue has owned dogs for over thirty years.
Raven, CGC, TDI, a Lab mix, came to her as an adult shelter rescue with numerous behavioral problems. It took a few years but he was certified by Therapy Dog International, Inc. and visited regularly at local nursing and adult homes until his death.
Annabelle Lee, CGC, TDIA, R1-CL, a Doberman/Greyhound mix came to Sue at 16 weeks of age from a nearby shelter. She, though just a puppy, had some issues to overcome, mostly extreme shyness and fear. She was certified by TDI when she was a year old and made weekly Therapy Dog visits until her death.
Tiny Tessa, truly a Heinz 57 mixed breed, about 10 years of age, came along as a temporary foster project for a local rescue group and stayed for good. In the time she's been with Sue she has made great strides. It's just a matter of time before she's doing therapy dog work herself. It looks like she's taking to agility, as well.
Sue also has a 14 year old tortoise shell cat, Lenore, who helps in lessons and does periodic therapy visits.
Sue takes the responsibility of helping you train your dog very seriously and has worked hard over the past fifteen years to learn as much as she can about dogs, dog behavior and dog training.
She apprenticed for three years with two local trainers and has attended, and continues to attend, many dog training workshops and conferences including some given by such notables as John Rogerson, Sue Sternberg, Trish King, Terry Ryan, Leslie Nelson and Ray Coppinger, PhD. She is a member of the APDT, Association of Pet Dog Trainers, and has attended their conferences.
Sue is a graduate of Instructor Training Course, an intense learning opportunity for dog training instructors, that focuses on classroom teaching and training skills in order to increase effectiveness, improve skills and bring fun and enthusiasm to classes and private lessons.
Sue is also a CGC Evaluator for the AKC and a Certified Therapy Dog Evaluator for Therapy Dogs International, Inc.
