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Meet our Trainers
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Maria Cecilia Saleme Director of Training and Programs, CPDT Cecilia grew up with a passion for animals and a soft spot for dogs. At the age of 12, she trained her terrier mix to perform a variety of tricks for family and visitors. Yet, like so many from the Silicon Valley, she pursued a career in business, obtaining an MBA in Global Management. However, she never lost touch with the dogs, continuing her education through countless seminars and books, and teaching dog training part-time for many years before deciding to pursue her passion full-time. Now, with over 10 years of experience in dog training instruction, Cecilia has an extensive understanding of dog behavior, ethology, humane training techniques, and training for various AKC sanctioned dog sports. A Certified Pet Dog Trainer specializing in the child-dog relationship, she also counsels dog owners in working with a variety of challenges including family integration, separation anxiety, fear-related problems, and human and dog aggression. She is also an AKC CGC Certified Evaluator and is certified in Pet First Aid and CPR. She is the Executive Director and founder of KADIE – Kids and Dogs Interactive Education, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to child-dog safety. Whenever she can find spare time, she volunteers as a trainer for the Humane Society of Silicon Valley and as a behavior consultant for Society Dog and for Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary. She maintains her roots in business, consulting in business development for a variety of electronics and pet related products. In training her own dogs, Cecilia has achieved Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificates, Therapy Dog International (TDI) certification, and titles in Flyball and Herding. She and her dogs have also competed in Agility, Disc Dogs and Rally Style Obedience. She lives with her three dogs, Claire, a border collie, Buzz, a border collie mix, and Flash, a Pyrenean Shepherd; two cats, KittyHawk and Laika; and two bunnies, Ace and Amelia. |
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Nancy Weller Senior Manager of Puppy Training & Programs, Marketing, Specialty Class Instuctor, CPDT, CTC Nancy spent over 15 years in corporate administration, while simultaneously operating a Jazzercise franchise before deciding to turn her passion for puppy dogs into her life's work. She received her Certificate in Training and Counseling (CTC), with honors, from the San Francisco SPCA's Academy for Dog Trainers in 2000. The Academy provides a comprehensive, leading edge education to trainers, behavior counselors and other companion dog professionals. After graduation, Nancy joined Sirius Puppy Training, becoming one of their top trainers and teaching for over six years under the guidance of world-renown puppy trainer, Dr. Ian Dunbar. In September of 2002, Nancy earned her Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) designation. She passed an extensive exam to become one of the first trainers in the world to have earned this internationally recognized accreditation. She is also certified in Pet First Aid and CPR. In early 2007, she joined A DOG'S LIFE to implement a premier Puppy Training program, taking client's dogs from infancy to adulthood. Clients' dogs are then prepared to go on to being the "perfect" pet dogs, Canine Good Citizens, or to continue on to classes such as agility, flyball, tracking, freestyle, pet-assisted therapy, Rally, etc. Nancy also offers group and private training for special interests such as multi-dog households, grooming the "fluffy" puppy, clicker training and conformation (show ring) training. Nancy is a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and a member of the South Bay Trainers (SBT). Both groups provide ongoing education to their members. She has been a volunteer with the Humane Society Silicon Valley, training dog socializers and fostering numerous shelter puppies. Along with her husband and dogs, she has provided pet-assisted therapy services to nursing homes and a children's shelter. She lives with her husband, Bill, and her two Bichon Frise girls: "Kashi," a Delta-certified little old lady (now retired from pet-therapy services) and the youngster, "Iniki," a CGC certified Bichon Frise, who is an International Champion and is currently "playing" the show circuit with owner/handler Nancy. In her free time, Nancy likes to experiment with new recipes, entertain friends, go out to dinner, discover new wines, garden, go horseback riding, travel when time permits and take classes with her own dogs. |
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Ruthanna Levy Senior Trainer, CTC Ruthanna Levy, a certified pet dog trainer, graduated from the prestigious San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers in 2000. After graduation, Ruthanna joined Sirius Puppy Training, teaching for over five years under the guidance of world-renown puppy trainer, Dr. Ian Dunbar. In addition to training puppies AND people, she has found a way to combine this vocation, dog training, with her previous avocation, dance. The result is Canine Freestyle, which combines training, movement and music, and provides a wonderful and enjoyable way to train adult dogs. In the Spring of 2007, Ruthanna brought Canine Freestyle workshops and classes to A DOG'S LIFE. In the Summer of 2007, Ruthanna brought her extensive experience with puppies to A DOG'S LIFE to teach puppy classes at our Palo Alto location. Ruthanna is a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), an organization which provides ongoing education to their members. Prior to become a pet dog trainer, Ruthanna spent 15 years as a professional theatrical dancer, culminating in her selection to participate in the opening and closing ceremonies for the 1980 Los Angeles Olympics. Ruthanna offers Canine Freestyle workshops, Canine Freestyle classes, and private consultations throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Ruthanna lives with her husband Jeff, an Art Director, her dog Ziggy, and cats Sister Sara and Hootie. |
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Tracey Lee Davis Tracey Lee serves as Senior Manager for A DOG'S LIFE and works out of both of our locations. Tracey Lee graduated with Honors from the San Francisco SPCA's Academy for Dog Trainers with a Certificate in Training and Counseling. Tracey Lee brings a breadth of experience with her to A DOG'S LIFE. "Obsessed with animals since birth," Tracey Lee graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Wildlife Biology and a minor in Zoology. While in Colorado, Tracey Lee was an Animal Care Supervisor at Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Sanctuary while also working at the Longmont Humane Society, where she discovered her passion for training dogs. Since moving back to California, Tracey Lee has worked in the Veterinary Services Department for the Peninsula Humane Society, assisted Nancy Weller's Puppy Classes with Sirius Puppy Training (before Nancy joined the ADL Team, that is!), and managed Nana's Doggy Daycare in San Jose. Tracey Lee is completely smitten with her Great Dane, Kohl and her two cats, Dr. Kovacs and Shiao Ho-Tzu (a handsome Red Tabby and a crazy Siamese). In 2004, Tracey Lee took a wonderful two-week long vacation to Bali to celebrate her sister's 30th birthday, and while there, she was seriously bitten by a travel bug. She now has plans to take one major out-of-the-country trip a year, and has checked Aruba, Mexico and St. Martin off of her to-do list, with future plans to go to the entire Caribbean and the Mediterranean. Tracey Lee is a Certified Kennel Operator (CKO) through the American Boarding and Kennel Association, a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, and she is certified in Pet First Aid and CPR. |
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Ursula Kinley Ursula Kinley's experience in training dogs goes back over 12 years. She got more serious about training overall once she and her first border collie took the jump into the world of dog sports. There she found a new understanding of the bond between human and canine. Ursula believes that positive interaction through play, training and clear communication are the key to a long lasting bond between human and dog. Her skills and knowledge include a clear understanding of Operant and Classical Conditioning, Clicker Training, Canine Conditioning and Canine Behavior and experience in dog sports such as Flyball, Dock Diving and Agility for Fun!. She stays current and continues her education in training and behavior through study and seminars put on by the top trainers and behaviorists in the industry. She is working towards her CPDT, Certified Pet Dog Training certification, which she hopes to have by the end of 2007.
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Joyce Hao |
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Steffen Guy |
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Donna Medeiros In 2001, Donna began dog sitting her friend’s engaging Jack Russell Terrier (JRT). At the time, she had been dog sitting for over 15 years, but that friend's JRT was the spark that inspired her (and her husband) to share life with their JRT, Saffie. That was what started her on the path to becoming a modern-method dog trainer. And she never looked back. After acquiring her first JRT in 2003 (she now has two, Saffie and Tomi, plus a foster cattle dog, Lou), she decided to further pursue her passion for dog training by assisting with Nancy Weller, CPDT, beginning in July, 2006. Simultaneously, she has participated in and/or assisted in, numerous classes with various trainers. These classes include Puppy 1, Puppy 2, Puppy 3, Advanced Obedience, Agility, Freestyle, Multiple Dog Household classes, and Reactive Dog classes. Additionally, she has attended workshops and seminars by world-renown trainers Dr. Ian Dunbar and Jean Donaldson. Donna has also fostered almost a dozen dogs (from JRT’s to Foxhounds) for Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary and for Jack Russell Rescue. She graduated from UOP with BSEE in 1988 & since has worked at Intel in photomask and microprocess design, as well as technical customer support, and project management. She has taught classes in that expertise at San Jose College for several years. Donna formalized her dog training career by attending and graduating from the Marin Humane Society Canine Behavior Academy 1 & 2, receiving her certification in Spring of 2007. She is also a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. In her personal life, Donna enjoys training with her dogs, Flamenco music and dance, spending time at her Sonoma cabin, and enjoying good food & wine. |
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Diane Troup Diane was born and raised in the south bay area. After high school, she went on to obtain a Bachelor's Degree at San Jose State University. During college, she began working for a veterinarian and was hooked. She spent the next 7 years as a veterinary assistant, working with veterinarians ranging from general practitioners to specialists in oncology, radiology, and neurology. Though her choice of careers evolved over the years, her love of animals has remained strong. Diane is currently a firefighter for the City of Santa Clara as well as a certified American Heart Association CPR and Basic Life Support instructor. For over two years, Diane has also assisted distinguished dog trainer Nancy Weller, and most recently she joined the A Dog's Life apprentice program. She is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) and the South Bay Trainers (SBT) group for dog professionals. She is also a volunteer and foster parent for 'special needs' dogs at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley. Recently, Diane combined her experience and love of animals with her passion for emergency care and started her own company called CParf!. Through CParf!, Diane teaches classes in pet CPR, first aid, and general wellness. She created this company in an effort to give pet owners knowledge and confidence in caring for their pets, whether it's in an emergency situation or maintaining a high quality of life for their furry family members. Diane currently lives with her two dogs, Sunny and Daisy, and three cats, Roo, Zoey, and Calvin. |
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Joan Amaratti Joan was born and raised in northeast Ohio and spent much of her childhood volunteering with a local park participating in their education and animal rehabilitation programs. She earned her Bachelor's Degree at the College of Wooster and soon thereafter, adopted her dog Piper from the local animal shelter. Joan and Piper moved to California in the summer of 2003 and Joan was hired as an adoption associate for Humane Society Silicon Valley later that year. Much of her work with the shelter involved educating clients on positive training techniques, and it became very apparent to her that the best way to keep dogs out of the shelter was through thorough education of the pet guardians and proper dog training. Preventing the euthanasia or surrender of animals to shelters through training has since become Joan's passion in life. Joan began to educate herself on training techniques and learning theory, as well as developing an interest in dog sports. She started training for Petco in 2007. She was then introduced to A DOG'S LIFE at an event at Santana Row, and began attending Cecilia's classes at A DOG'S LIFE in 2007 with the aim of learning agility and passing the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, which she and Piper accomplished in August of 2007. Joan was invited to participate in the trainer apprenticeship program at the same time, and left Petco to begin as an assistant to both Cecilia and Nancy. She is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. When she is not assisting with classes or puppy socials, Joan works in the development office of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte. Joan currently lives in San Jose with Piper and two cats, Ollie and Pippin. |
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Mario Busalacchi Mario is a native of San Carlos. He graduated from Junipero Serra high school in June of 2007, and the very next day he left for Marine Corps recruit training. After that he went to S.O.I. and graduated in November 2007 and is now part of the USMC Reserve. Mario is currently attending Foothill Community College, doing general education. He plans on transferring to a University where he will get a degree in Microbiology, and then he plans to go to UC Davis to join their Veterinary Program to become a vet. Mario grew up with a Rottweiler and currently has another Rottweiler named Lupo that his family adopted at the SF SPCA. Aside from growing up with his own dog, Mario used to be a dog walker for his neighbors. Outside of work and school, Mario is currently restoring a 1951 ford truck. He also studies Jujitsu and Muay Thai kickboxing in Santa Clara. Mario says, "I have many favorite parts about working at ADL, however my top two are hanging out with dogs...OF COURSE!! And learning how to train dogs using modern methods!" |
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Vicki Hinton Apprentice Trainer Vicki comes to us with 27 years high tech experience, 19 years peer counseling work, 5 years dog care and training experience, and 2 years environmental non-profit work. She admits that as a young girl she wanted to be a Veterinarian when she grew up. So it is no surprise that she has cared for cats, birds, rabbits, mice, rats, snakes, lizards, fish and dogs. These days her animal companions include a tank of Barbs along with a female Betta, and Augustino (Augie), a happy Rat Terrier, who excels at warming Vicki's heart. Her love for learning sustains Vicki and brings her joy, as have her many interests; quilting, basket making, camping, bicycling, outdoor climbing, gardening, yoga and the mind-body-spirit connection. She's a "can do", hard-working woman with a love of life in all its forms. Vicki is studying to be a professional dog trainer. A DOG'S LIFE is the only daycare and boarding facility Augie has known. His attentiveness and great comfort with humans is the work of ADL's fine staff. ADL IS Augie's home away from home. |
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Jacquelyn England Jacquelyn graduated as class valedictorian from the San Francisco SPCA's Academy for Dog Trainers with a certificate in Training and Counseling. Directed by the renowned trainer Jean Donaldson, author of Culture Clash and Dogs are from Neptune, the Academy is dedicated to providing comprehensive and leading edge education to dog trainers and behavioral counselors and is known as the Harvard for dog trainers. Jacquelyn then completed an internship at the San Francisco SPCA with a concentration on curriculum building for group dog training classes. Jacquelyn has taught obedience classes in numerous locations around the Bay Area and also worked as the Shelter Manager for the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society. She has successfully trained dogs, cats, humans and even chickens. Jacquelyn currently lives with a Dalmation mix, Amy and a Sighthound mix, Studebaker Hawk (who can be seen gracing the cover of Dr. Ian Dunbar's latest book Before and After Getting Your Puppy). "Jacquelyn's lighthearted approach puts students at ease so that they're able to get the most from the experience for themselves, and their dogs. Both humans and dogs have fun while learning in Jacquelyn's classes." "Jacquelyn is an extremely perceptive and compassionate canine coach. I am impressed by her in-depth understanding of how dogs learn and her commitment to dog-friendly training methods. Jacquelyn's knowledge combined with her attention to detail, create the perfect recipe for a successful, fun training program for dogs and owners alike."
- Kelly Gorman, President of Open Paw. |
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