Matthew Wilson
M
y love of dogs began with my English Springer Spaniel, Nickie, the perfect nanny dog and a great hunter too. Abby the shepherd came next, a very sweet and anxious little girl. After pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and a Masters in International Development Studies, I moved back to my true passion and began working with dogs in a professional capacity in 2011. First working as a dog daycare attendant, I soon became involved with some local rescues and would foster different 'problem dogs' and try to get them ready for adoption. After several years of experimenting with different training methods, I decided to attend Starmark Academy's School for Dog Trainers, one of the highest rated dog-training schools in the country. I am certified by Starmark as a Canine Training and Behavior Specialist, and I am a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. Currently I specialize in behavior modification alongside basic obedience. I also work with Doggone Express' Big House to Your House program, which teaches inmates to train shelter dogs. I love helping dogs and their humans live happy lives together, and I look forward to working with your pack!
Sarah Dykshorn (Independent Contractor)
I’ve never known a home without a dog. As a kid who moved around too much to have any real stability, our pets were some of the only constants I could really rely on. When I went to college out of state, I was struck by how quiet it was. For the very first time, I had to make a home without the collars jingling and the nails clicking on the hardwood floor. And it was HARD. I didn’t realize it at the time, but for the next few years while I studied advertising, I was almost exclusively accumulating friends with dogs. I was like the self-appointed dog walker/sitter/trainer/groomer. And I loved it. After I graduated, I got a job writing commercial scripts for Ford and knew something was missing. When the COVID-19 Pandemic hit, Ford reduced their creative force and I was out of a job. I was stuck at home, and like many, I decided to bring home a companion. Unlike the dogs I grew up with, Wendy was deaf. The process of learning how to communicate with her was like putting together a puzzle. All of a sudden, that light I’d felt working with all my friends’ dogs in college sparked up again. Since bringing Wendy home, I’ve worked with a wide range of clients that need help with everything from basic potty-training to behavior modification and aggression. Wendy and I now do Search and Rescue, making her the first deaf pitbull to take on this kind of work. I have a particular love of scent work (SAR, medical alert, etc.) and behavior modification. But overall, I have a passion for helping owners understand their dogs. I look forward to helping you and your four-legged friends!
Cat Robertson (Independent Contractor)
My first dog was a Beagle mix named Sarah who spent the majority of her life trying to make her favorite hobby, counter surfing, a professional sport. She was sweet, and stubborn, and we all loved her very much. One of the things I love most about dogs is how dedicated they are to doing exactly what they want, and Sarah did that to an extreme. After her, I really thought I knew what it meant to love a dog who was more than a little wild. Then came Cooper, whose reactivity was truly humbling. I had to learn a lot about behavior modification, and quickly! When I moved back to New Orleans I decided to leave a career in Aquatics where I was teaching Lifeguarding Classes and Swim Lessons and put what I had learned with Cooper to work. I landed a job as a Kennel Tech at a local rescue to start building a career working with dogs. I got so much incredible experience learning about basic veterinary care, dog behavior, and I got to work hands on with so many different dogs who really need good direction to thrive. I realized that my previous teaching experience was perfect for helping people understand what their dogs needed, and how to provide that for them. Now, I’m specializing in basic obedience for adult dogs (who can learn new tricks), and puppy lessons, helping families to create a solid foundation for their new family members. I’m looking forward to meeting you and your pups!