TRAINING TEAM
NANCY WELLER
Director of Training & Programs, CTC, CPDT-KA
Nancy spent over 15 years in corporate administration, while simultaneously operating a Jazzercise franchise, before turning her passion for training puppies and 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 spent six years as one of the top trainers for Ian Dunbar's Sirius Puppy Training. In September of 2002, Nancy earned her Certified Professional 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 continues to further her education each year through conferences and seminars. She has also received a Certificate of Completion of CParf's Pet First Aid and CPR course.
In early 2007, Nancy joined A DOG'S LIFE to develop and implement a premier Puppy Training Program. Since then, she created a fresh, updated and effective program for Adolescent/Adult dogs. She has upgraded and expanded the entire training program, putting together a comprehensive set of class offerings and bringing in some of the most talented trainers in the business. Classes include Puppy and Adult obedience, Canine Good Citizen Prep, Tricks, Hounds On The Town, Agility, K9 Nose Work, Rally Obedience, Conformation, Multi-dog Household, etc., as well as Puppy Socials and a variety of seminars and workshops.
Nancy is a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), is the founding member of the Certified Dog Training Professionals, is a member of the Santa Clara Valley Kennel Club, and the Bichon Frise Club of Northern California. She has been a volunteer with the Humane Society Silicon Valley, training dog socializers and fostering numerous shelter puppies. Along with her husband and previous Delta Society-certified dogs, she provided pet-assisted therapy services to nursing homes and a children's shelter. Both of her Bichon Frises, Iniki and Makani, are International Champions. Iniki is also an AKC Champion and CGC certified. Iniki's four pups are all International Champions and Nancy is still involved with showing on the AKC show circuit.
In her free time, Nancy likes to experiment with new recipes, entertain friends, garden, go horseback riding, train her own dogs and travel when time permits.
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 Best Dog Trainer(2nd)Silicon Valley TAILS Magazine |
 Best Dog TrainerSilicon Valley TAILS Magazine |
 Best Dog TrainerSilicon Valley TAILS Magazine |
TRACEY LEE DAVIS
Director of Operations, CKO, Senior Trainer, CTC, CPDT-KA
Tracey Lee serves as the Director of Operations 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 in 2004. 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 became a Certified Kennel Operator (CKO) through the Pet Care Services Association in 2007. The CKO program is designed to raise professional standards and improve the practice of animal care and business management within the pet care industry. It provides special recognition to those candidates who demonstrate a high level of competence and commitment to ethical standards within the industry. Certification is based upon submission of all required documentation and successful completion of both a timed closed book written exam and oral exam conducted by a panel of CKOs.
Tracey Lee has been a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) since 2003. The APDT is a professional organization of individual dog trainers who are committed to becoming better trainers through education. In 2008, Tracey Lee became a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) though the Certification Council of Pet Dog Trainers (CCPDT). The CCPDT is an international testing and certification program for professional pet dog trainers. The CCPDT's certification program is based on humane training practices and the latest scientific knowledge related to dog training.
Tracey Lee is also an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator, a Member of the South Bay Trainers (a group of trainers and other animal professionals interested in the pursuit of humane and positive training), has attended many conferences, seminars and other continuing education programs on dogs and their behavior and has received a Certificate of Completion of CParf's Pet First Aid and CPR course.
Tracey Lee has a soft spot for Great Danes, as she has shared her life with two of them thus far, and plans to continue that pattern. Currently, she shares her home with 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 makes a point to take at least one major out-of-the-country trip a year, and has checked Aruba, Mexico, St. Martin and the Bahamas off of her to-do list, with future plans to go to the entire Caribbean and the Mediterranean.
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 Best Dog Trainer FavoriteSilicon Valley TAILS Magazine |
PEGGY McCARTY
Specialty Programs Supervisor, Senior Trainer, CTC, CPDT-KA, ADL Certified Class Instructor
A Bay Area native, Peggy has been a life long animal lover. She grew up in a large family and with various pets including dogs, cats, birds, hamsters and a few others. She began her "dog training" at a young age by tucking a string under the dogs collar to take her for a walk.
After working in restaurant management overseeing several locations for over 15 years, she decided to try a new venture. In 2004 Peggy began doing personal assistant work for individuals with pet sitting and dog walking as an added service. It soon became evident that the dogs were taking over. This gave her the itch to learn as much as possible about animal behavior and working with dogs. In 2007 Peggy formalized her dog training education by attending the San Francisco SPCA academy for dog trainers where she received her Certificate in Training and Counseling (CTC). She also attended the dogTEC dog-walking academy and is a Certified Dog Walker (CDW).
Peggy is committed to continuing her education and keeping up to date on animal behavior and positive training methods. She is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and the South Bay Trainers (SBT). Both APDT and SBT are organizations committed to providing continuing education in animal behavior and positive training methods to their members. She has also received a Certificate of Completion of CParf's Pet First Aid and CPR course. She attends various seminars and training workshops throughout the year to improve her knowledge and skills in canine behavior and training.
Peggy lives in Santa Clara with her dog Marley, a sweet but rambunctious lab mix. She does volunteer work at the Silicon Valley Animal Care and Control socializing and training dogs. She also loves to garden, take photos and spend time with friends and family.
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DONNA MEDEIROS
ADL Certified Class Instructor, CTC
Donna specializes in puppy training through modern-method animal training techniques. She formalized her dog training career by receiving certification from the Marin Humane Society Canine Behavior Academy 1 & 2. She graduated with honors from the SF SPCA Dog Training Academy, known as the Harvard of Dog Training Programs. Donna completed her Puppy Training apprenticeship with Nancy Weller, CPDT.
Donna also continues attending classes, workshops and seminars by world-renown trainers, such as Dr. Jennifer Hurley (Moss Landing Marine Labs), Dr. Ian Dunbar, and Jean Donaldson. She has participated in and/or assisted in, numerous classes with various trainers; including Puppy 1, Puppy 2, Puppy 3, Advanced Obedience, Agility, Freestyle, Multiple Dog Household classes, and Reactive Dog classes.
Donna has two JRTs, Saffie and Tomi, plus a foster cattle dog, Lou. Donna has fostered a dozen dogs (from JRT's to Foxhounds) for Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary, and for Jack Russell Rescue. She is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, and has received a Certificate of Completion of CParf's Pet First Aid and CPR course.. 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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JOYCE HAO
Specialty Class Instructor
Joyce has been teaching Flyball and Agility for a number of years. She competes with her dogs locally.
DIANE TROUP
Trainer, Pet First Aid and CPR Instructor, CPDT-KA
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.
After apprenticing under Silicon Valley's top trainer Nancy Weller for several years, Diane joined the A DOG'S LIFE Puppy Training team. She is a CPDT-KA, a member of the Certified Dog Training Professionals, and a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) which provides ongoing educational opportunities. Diane has been a firefighter for the City of Santa Clara as well as a certified American Heart Association CPR and Basic Life Support instructor. She has also been a volunteer for the Silicon Valley Humane Society.
Additionally, 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 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 dogs Sunny, Daisy, Dory, her "once-foster-now-niece" Tippy, and her very patient cat Zoey.
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LISA PERREAULT
Specialty Class Instructor, CTC, CPDT-KA
Lisa's love for dog training was sparked when she saw it transform her rambunctious puppy into a happy and well-mannered companion. She loves to watch the "ah ha" moment when dogs understand what's expected and humans realize how to get the behaviors we want. Lisa has a soft spot in her heart for shelter animals and their adopters. As a member of the behavior team at the Humane Society Silicon Valley, she worked with canine guests, adopters and volunteers. In her work as a contract trainer for HSSV, Lisa continues to get her shelter fix and keep her training skills sharp.
As a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) Lisa is committed to positive, science-based training techniques that are fun for people and dogs. She is also an honors graduate of the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers.
Lisa earned her BS in Psychology from Vassar College and a MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She lives with her husband and two dogs. Shelby is a lab/border collie who has the distinction of being a canine good citizen of both the US and the UK and Grover, a one-of-a-kind wonder mutt who joined the family as a short-term foster but used his charm and good looks to convince everyone that he should stay.
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JOSETTE KIMES
Specialty Class Instructor
Josette is a Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) with The National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW). She has been training and competing in the sport since 2009 with two of her dogs. Both have titled in the Nose Work 1 and Nose Work 2 Levels, and are currently training for the Nose Work Level 3 competition. She continues to train with the founders of The NACSW to increase her Nose Work knowledge. What she enjoys most about Nose Work is that it's always fun for her and her dogs, and they learn so much. It is great to see the dogs using their brain to solve scenting. She and her dogs love Nose Work and they can be found all over the continental United States practicing.
Josette has 3 Entlebucher mountain dogs, the smallest of the Swiss Mountain Dogs. She has owned several breeds and rescues. She is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (ADPT), South Bay Trainers (SBT), and is an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.
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RACHEL EVERS
Specialty Class Instructor
Rachel began her professional life as a dancer and K-12 educator, and has been
teaching workshops for children and adults since 1995. She made the leap to dog
training in 2006, and found a natural fit for her experience in dance, education,
and psychology. Helping students to develop an awareness of themselves and
their canine companions through movement and clear communication has been
a rewarding part of her work, and Rachel credits the success of her own dogs in
Agility, Rally, Canine Good Citizen, and Pet Assisted Therapy to the strong sense of
teamwork she has developed with them through ongoing training. She loves training
and competing with her dogs Kubby (All-American Mutt) and Chloe (Border Collie),
and recently welcomed a new puppy to the Evers team, Zimmer!
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LON ELSON
Specialty Class Instructor
Lon had a few different dogs growing up, but it was the border collie that picked him while he was in college that solidified his passion for dogs and the breed. In 2009 he started doing agility as something fun for his dog to do in between hikes and exploring california through a camera lens. Since then his life has gone to the dogs. Paxxton, his oldest, achieved his agility championship in about two years and was in the top 20 in three of four events last year. Gunner, his baby, has just started competing this year.
MELISSA CASTEEL
Specialty Class Instructor
