TRAINING DIVISION
CONNIE MOSS
IAABC-ADT, LFDM-W*
Connie studied learning theory, behavior, instructional skills, animal husbandry, training equipment, and ethology through Raising Canine School. She then began her professional dog training career by opening Strategic Paws Training in 2012 where she worked in behavior, taught private lessons, taught both in-person and online classes in pet manners, reactive rover, toy reinforcement for high-drive dogs, agility, obedience, rally, and scent work for dog enrichment. Connie is currently an International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants - Accredited Dog Trainer and a Licensed Family Dog Mediator in the Working Division.
Four years later Connie and her husband additionally opened Strategic Paws Boarding, a local award-winning* boarding kennel designed and operated with a focus on reducing stress in boarding dogs.
Connie continues her education by attending both in-person, live presentations, and on-line programs. Her past education includes learning from internationally respected leaders in the dog training and behavior industry including Ken Ramirez, Kim Brophey, Dr. Ian Dunbar, Dr. Susan Friedman, Dr. Lore Haug, Bob Bailey Sc.D, Suzanne Clothier, and Mike Shikashio.
She has studied dog sport foundation training extensively with many R+ competitors including such notables as Chad Byerly & Sarah Keegans (bite work and multiple marker system), Shade Whitesel (bite work, tracking, multiple marker system, and play), Denise Fenzi (play and obedience), Stacy Barnett (scent work), Lucy Newton (scent work theory), Sara Brueske (sport puppies and effective communication), Petra Ford (obedience).
Connie plays in various dog sports with her Chihuahua, working line German Shepherd, and working line Dobermann Pinscher. She has titled her dogs in agility, obedience, rally, and earned a mondioring obedience (OB1) certificate.
*Winchester Star Awards, Best dog day care/kennel 2021, 2022
*INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ANIMAL BEHAVIOR CONSULTANTS - ACCREDITED DOG TRAINER
LICENSED FAMILY DOG MEDIATOR - WORKING DIVISION
ANNA FETTER
CMAC-CT*
Anna's love for dogs started the moment she was able to speak and could express herself. Growing up she had a Rottweiler, Beagle, Lab mix, then two bench line Labrador Retrievers who all taught her a lot about training, and canine behavior. She worked under the mentorship of Dr. Topál, Assistance Dogs Hungary, from the Eotvos Lorant Science University(ELTE), a world class canine research institution, to write her high school senior paper about the training of service dogs in Hungary for different disabilities. She also conducted interviews with assistance dog users about their experiences. She presented a TEDx youth talk about the benefits of canines being present in more public spaces to support humans and help break down barriers.
While studying biology at Kalamazoo College she found herself getting back to animal behavior again. She worked as an accredited PetSmart dog trainer for over a year in Michigan. During this time she also enrolled in a program learning to train service dogs with positive reinforcement based training methods through the Center for Medical Assistance Canines and has completed their yearlong training program. She continues her work with service dogs through Medical Mutts and is also now offering help for people with disabilities in need of service dogs through R+K9. In addition, she trains pet dogs in R+K9's Day Camp, teaches classes and offers private lessons.
She is a service dog user for her disabilities and is dedicated to helping others experience the freedom and support assistance canines can offer. As a member of a service dog team, she has a unique understanding of the inner workings within a service dog and handler team.
She is dedicated to continuing her education by attending workshops and seminars with Academy for Dog Trainers, Fenzi Dog Sports Academy and Connie Moss. Anna is currently working toward her IAABC certification as an Accredited Dog Trainer.