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Tonia Whilden, CPDT-KA
Tonia Whilden is a certified Canine Behavior and Training Specialist. Tonia has owned and trained dogs as a hobby for many years. She holds a B.A. Degree in English and a Master’s Degree in Teaching English. She turned her hobby into a career when she decided to put her two greatest passions together, teaching and animals. In 2002, she attended Triple Crown Academy for Dog Trainers in greater Austin, Texas. Triple Crown is hailed as the most comprehensive school for trainers in the nation.
More about Tonia . . .
Tonia's Affiliations and Certifications |
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Trisha Marino
From an early age Trish knew that animals would always be a part of her life. There has never been a time where she hasn’t owned dogs, cats or other furry critters. She even brought back Sam, a Maremmano (Italian herding dog) that she rescued from Italy, where she lived for two years. Trish also shares her home with Jasmine, a feisty little cat who loves to shred bows. Trish volunteered for the American Red Cross and was involved with a local animal rescue group while living overseas.
She holds a B.S. in Business Administration/Finance and Economics. While Trish is a wiz with numbers, it is her love of animals that makes her a perfect fit in our family at Houston Dog Ranch.
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Katie Oesch
Katie Oesch is a native Houstonian, holds a B.A. in Art History with a minor in Spanish from UH and is a Huge dog-lover! This job is "right up her alley" as her family and freinds put it because it gives Katie a chance to work in her boots and jeans and she gets to hang out with dogs! Her desire to work with dogs began during her time volunteering with the Junior League of Houston. Katie would bring animals from the SPCA to visit the residents at retirement homes. After seeing what joy these wonderful dogs brought to people, she knew she wanted to make working with animals a career.
Katie has a pair of Golden Retreivers, Maya, who retreives everything from slippers and magazines to paper clips found on the floor, and Jack, the more laid back one who just wants to kiss their cat, Kitty Cat Cowgirl. Katie feels right at home at the Ranch and she'll make you and your pup feel right at home as well.
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Chad Coffey
Chad worked as a kennel supervisor for more than a year at a Houston pet resort before joining the family at Houston Dog Ranch. Chad has a special way with dogs and seems to build an instant rapport with each and everyone he meets. He is certified by the Pet Care Services Assoc. as a Level II Pet Care Technician and has also volunteered with the Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Commission.
Chad has a sincere love for animals and currently shares his home with four dogs – Bandit, Chatanooga, Snowshoes, and Sycamore, as well as a cat named Baby Brownie.
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Abby Fields
Abigail Fields has been an avid enthusiast of dog training since the age of thirteen, gaining the admiration and respect of professional colleagues across the region. After a rigorous course of self study and experience as a kennel technician at a Houston Pet Resort and apprenticing under several experienced dog trainers, Abby applied to and was accepted at the nationally acclaimed Triple Crown Dog Training Academy in Austin, Texas. She graduated at the top of her class in agility in the Canine Behavior and Training Specialist Program in November 2008. During the demanding program she trained dogs in agility, obedience, competitive obedience, search and rescue, narcotics, and assistant dogs for the handicapped. She is currently competing in agility with her Australian Shepherd, Angel and her terrier mix, Flash, both of whom she adopted from local shelters.
Abby is a believer in working within a dog’s personality to naturally develop the best of behaviors and security with its owners, regardless of the dog’s pedigree. She believes that there is not a one-plan-fits-all for dog training, but instead recognizes that each dog is unique and has specific needs, and has a irreplaceable relationship with his owner. Abby plans on fulfilling each of those needs to the best of her ability and helping each owner take their dog on the journey to reach their highest potential.
Abby's Affiliations and Certifications
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Tracy Day
Tracy earned a BA in Communications from Stephen F. Austin State University where she met her husband, Jed. They have three children, Sydney, Tyler and Cooper. Their house is always filled with well loved pets! They currently have two boxers, Tucker and Marley, two cats, Boo Radley and Tater Tot, and the newest member of their canine clan, a Boston terrier named Cricket. We can’t forget the 10-year old rabbits either – Hank and Nibbles.
Tracy chose to spend the past years as an avid volunteer at her children’s schools. She now enjoys spoiling and caring for the guests at the Dog Ranch. Each dog who visits the ranch brings her joy and the satisfaction of providing that personal touch. Rest assured, with Tracy, your dog will get tucked in at bedtime!
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Lupe Flores
Here at the Ranch, we think Lupe is the best maintenance man in the business. There is nothing he can’t fix and no problem he can’t solve. Lupe is no stranger to ranches. He has worked with animals on a real ranch. Lupe lives on-site and has pet first aid training. He provides the Ranch with round-the-clock security and night-time care for our canine guests. He is known to make rounds between 2AM and 4AM just to make sure all is well. Lupe pitches in wherever he is needed to keep things running smoothly. Everyone loves Lupe and we are so glad to have such a talented and loyal person working with us.
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Alison Posey
Alison graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, but has always had a desire to work with animals, since she was a little girl growing up in Amarillo, TX. She got her feet wet working at Westbury Animal Hospital, but is so happy to have found her way to the greatest place for dogs ever at the Houston Dog Ranch! When away from the Ranch, she and her husband, Brian, love spending time with their two babies, a little Chihuahua/Pug, Kenley, and a long-haired Chihuahua, Apricot.
Alison has been a wonderful addition to our ranch family. We are thankful to have such a kind and thoughtful animal lover to take care of our clients, both two legged and four legged alike!
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Janna Tjon
Since Janna was about 12, she has had a love of dogs. Even though Janna's family already owned two Siberian Huskies that she had grown up with, Janna dreamed of one day owning her own dog. Hoping to be a knowledgeable dog owner, she tirelessly researched the many different breeds and read multiple books on dog care and training. For her 13th birthday, Janna was given her very own Golden Retriever puppy named Penny, who has been her devoted companion for 8 years now. Later Janna adopted Lexi, a little Australian Shepherd mix, from a local shelter to become a part her family as well. Janna has trained them both in basic obedience, and has thrown in a few cute tricks for fun!
Janna has over 8 years of experience in petsitting for her neighbors, and has cared for a variety of dogs, cats, and even cockatoos. She has received her Associate’s Degree at Houston Community College, and she hopes in the future to pursue a career in dog training.
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Amy Rose, KPA-CTP
Born and raised in Houston, Amy graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. Amy was an elementary school teacher for 10 years. A few years ago, she decided to combine her two passions, teaching and dogs. Amy enjoys training and is especially interested in dog behavior, since her own dog, Cozmo, is reactive. She treats every dog as if they were her own and learns something new from each and every dog and owner.
Amy is a certified dog trainer from the Animal Behavior College and recently graduated with distinction from the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior. She also worked in daycare and boarding at Houston Dog Ranch before transitioning into training.
Amy's menagerie consists of Emma (yellow lab), Maddy (Australian Shepherd), Cozmo (mixed breed), Lilly (Yorkie) and Moxie, a 3-legged cat, who got her name because she survived a horrible accident and has the heart of a lion!
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Snow Bickley
Snow's first words weren't the proverbial "Mama" or "Dada" but "Hi, Boss-da" -- spoken to the family's English Sheepdog, Boss. Snow's passion for anything and everything canine continued. While studying for her license in Clinical Psychology at the University of North Texas, Snow found herself distracted by her job at a doggie daycare. She made a bold move and decided to pursue a career with dogs instead. She has worked in the canine industry for six years, is certified in Doggie Daycare Management, is a Level 1 Pet Care Technician, and completed Jim Burwell's program to become a dog trainer. Snow has three dogs: pugs Inky von Stinky and Bug, and a pug mix named Steve. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature and enjoys comedy writing in her spare time.
Snow chose Houston Dog Ranch because of its superior standards in animal care, its educated staff, and HDR's philosophy to put dogs before profit. Snow says she feels honored to be a part of such an incredible team. The feeling is mutual Snow, we are truly grateful to have you as a part of our HDR family!
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Beauregard
Beauregard is a Bloodhound/Rhodesian Ridgeback mix and everyone agrees he has the best qualities of both breeds. He stops people in their tracks everywhere he goes. Beauregard is a real life success story and a constant reminder of the awesome power of the dog’s spirit. To his owner he is an inspiration and a teacher of all things dog. She is grateful for his patience, which teaches her patience, and his desire to learn, which inspires her to learn. Beau's Story . . .
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