Trainers Academy Grad Brags

Graduate Brags

Want to Brag about your Trainers Academy, LLC graduate? E-mail us

Trainers Academy, LLC Announces our New Canine Good Citizens!

Congratulations to our newest Canine Good Citizens:

Cheryl Miller with Abby, a 4-year-old Goldendoodle
JP Hayes with Angus, a 1-year-old Labrador Retriever
Tom Guibord with Misia, a 2-1/2-year-old Leonberger
Tiffanie Coe with Marek, a 7-month-old Leonberger (pictured, left)
Steve Wallace with Molly, a 2-1/2-year-old Labrador Retriever
Susan Dodd with Breeze, a 2-year-old Golden Retriever

These teams participated on Trainers Academy, LLC's July 2008 Canine Good Citizen Proofing Class. To find out more about this class visit our Calendar Page.

Trainers Academy, LLC Announces our New Canine Good Citizens!

Congratulations to our newest Canine Good Citizens:

Rhonda Shuster with Roxy, a Goldendoodle
Denise McGee with Trooper, a Doberman
Robin Pierce with Melody, an All-American
Lisa Rogers with Eva, a German Shepherd Dog
Jason Hoover with Hope, a Brittany Spaniel (pictured, left)

These teams participated on Trainers Academy, LLC's March 2008 Canine Good Citizen Proofing Class. To find out more about this class visit our Calendar Page.

Trainers Academy, LLC Grad Passes the Canine Good Citizen Test

Congratulations to our newest Canine Good Citizen:

Sher Walker with Molly, a Sheltie

Sher and Molly participated in our October 2007 CGC Prep class, where we first give a mock exam and then do exercises to address areas that need work. Mollie passed with flying colors and we look forward to seeing her as a Therapy Dog Superstar in the future!

Trainers Academy, LLC in the News
Trainers Academy, LLC trainer Liz Buchheister and her dogs Lucy (pictured at let) and Annabelle hosted a Therapy Dog Seminar at our Troy location in October 2007, and Fox-2 News was there. Click on Lucy's picture to watch the clip and e-mail us if you would like to be notified when we schedule our next Therapy Dog Seminar

Congratulations Zane!

One of our Troy DayCare players, Zane the Australian Shepherd, finished his Canadian Kennel Club championship on October 13, 2007. What a pretty boy!!

Molly Wallace, Trainers Academy Grad and Dock Jumper!

Molly graduated in Spring 2006 with Lisa. She started dock jumping this summer with a third place finish in Jr.division at Pet a Palooza 2 and an eleventh place finish in the Pro division at the Bark in the Park at Stony Creek. Her best jump this year was 15.2'. Molly is looking forward to come back this winter for a tune up.

Molly & Steve Wallace

Trainers Academy, LLC Grads Pass the Canine Good Citizen Test

Congratulations to our newest Canine Good Citizens:

Denise McGee with Maggie and Gracie, both Dobermans
Chris Banish with Emme, a Cockapoo
Rachel Greenwood with Toast, a Greyhound
Connie Fett with Daisy, a Greyhound
Kathy Siarto with Teagan, a Labradoodle

Clue, Greyhound-Only Graduate and now TDI certified!

Clue took the TDI test again last night (March26) and he passed ... he failed on his first attempt in January because he refused to sit (go figure!). And, although the SIT requirement is waived for greyhounds, the evaluator who administered the test the first time insisted that he sit anyway and he was just too overstimulated to pay attention that time. There were about 20-25 dogs of various breeds at the January test.

This time, however, we had a different evaluator, there were fewer dogs present (4, including Clue) and he got to take his test first, which helped a lot, since Clue gets distracted easily in the presence of a lot of other dogs and people. But, I am proud to say that he performed all of the commands (sit, down, stay, come and leave it) beautifully. Other components of the test included walking nicely on lead, supervised separation, greeting a stranger, remaining calm in the presence of children and when startled by a loud noise and exposure to a crowd and medical equipment (he was exposed to a person in a wheelchair and a walker), and being handled and groomed by the evaluator. Here's the link: http://www.tdi-dog.org/whatdo.html

Those of you who remember Clue when I first got him -- he was afraid of a variety of noises, including the ice maker, childrens' bicycles and the ice cream truck -- will understand why I am so darn proud of my one time bad boy for his wonderful accomplishment!

Lucy, Therapy Dog Extraordinaire!

Lucy, a big black furry Newfoundland is quite a celebrity for those who hang around the Rochester Hills Public Library (RHPL). Lucy is the Library Reading Dog*. Each Wednesday, you can find Lucy hard at work at RHPL. Lucy has her own corner of the library where she listens to the children read stories to her. Her "students" enjoy her enthusiasm (tail wags) and encouragement (big wet kisses) as they read. Her favorite author seems to be Dr Seuss.

Lucy also loves to do school visits where she gets to be the center of attention, while her two-legged mom, Liz reads a favorite Newf story. Lucy also visits local assisted living homes. The seniors enjoy having a dog around the house even if it is only for a visit.

Lucy began her training at Trainers Academy, LLC with Puppy, progressed to Intermediate, and then CGC class. Soon after passing her CGC, she tested and passed her therapy dog certification with Therapy Dogs, International (TDI). With almost 100 visits now, she holds a Therapy Dog Active title (TDIA).

In order to pass the TDI exam, Lucy and Liz had to use all the elements learned in class. Controlled walking, leave it, friendly greeting, sit, down, stay, and even stand are used in most every visit. Thank you to her teacher, Lisa!!!

Liz is currently working with Lucy's sister, Annabelle, enrolled in Trainers Academy, LLC's Advanced class. While doing "Sit, Down, Sit" exercises at home with Annabelle, Liz reports Lucy is in the background bobbing up and down. Never underestimate the power of a clicker!

*The "Paws A While to Read" program uses registered therapy animals and their handlers to help improve the literacy skills of children in an effective and unique manner. The children pick stories they want
to read, usually with an animal theme, and read them aloud to the dog. The premise of the program is that children will find reading to an animal to be less intimidating; it's a special time for them that is helpful and fun and will become a positive environment in which learning is facilitated. If you would like more information about the reading program or TDI, you can contact Liz through the Trainers Academy office. Call 248-616-6500 or e-mail us at trainersacademy@aol.com.

Piglet shown here in Best Friends Animals Society's Not Left Behind about the rescue efforts in the Katrina Region.

Trainers Academy Graduate AND a Cover Girl?!

Trainers Academy, LLC is proud to know Piglet, a wonderful dog that was saved from the Katrina Region by Best Friends Animal Society and Serenity Animal Hospital (in Sterling Heights, Michigan) last year.

Piglet is featured on the FRONT COVER of the book, Not Left Behind:
Rescuing the Pets of New Orleans. We urge you to take moment to look
at the picture taken during Piglet's rescue. It will warm your heart:

Not Left Behind

To read more about Piglet and her life since being rescued, please see the following articles:

Piglet Graduates from School

Piglet Finds her Forever Home