I’m Melissa, and I have the best job in the world
I have always had a profound love for and connection with animals. Growing up in apartments in the Bronx, I was never able to have a dog as a kid. I had cats, mice, hamsters, snakes, parakeets.. and I would spend time with anyone’s dog in the neighborhood who would let me. In first grade, when we were asked to write about Our Hero, I wrote my paper about Benji. I dreamed of the special relationship I would have one day with a dog of my own.
As a teen, I began volunteering at my local animal shelter. I would visit the dogs every day, walk them, talk to them, play games with them. I knew then this was all I wanted to do.
I was in my early twenties when I got my very first dog, Tino. I vividly remember teaching my new pit bull puppy to Sit, Down, pick up his toys - and thinking to myself, “How awesome would it be if this were a real job?!”
My dream career as a trainer began in 2013 when I applied for a kennel helper position at an Assistance Dog organization in Westchester. I was thrilled when they offered me a job as an apprentice trainer! I spent 2 1/2 years under two amazing mentors with over 50 years of experience between them, and became an ADI-Certified Service Dog Instructor.
After ECAD left its Westchester location, I began working as a pet dog trainer in Manhattan. I worked for 4 years under two prominent Positive Reinforcement - based training and behavior companies in NYC. Working full-time with pets and owners in the uniquely challenging atmosphere of Manhattan was was an incredible education!
From 2015 to the present, I have been the Westchester/Fairfield Executive Trainer for the Good Dog Foundation. I train and certify volunteer Therapy Dog teams who go on to visit hospitals, assisted living, rehabilitation facilities, schools - anywhere that people can benefit from the healing power of these wonderful dogs. I certified and volunteered as a therapy team with my own dog Tino. (If you are interested in doing therapy work with your dog, ask me about it! I can happily talk about it all day).
Now with True Love, I am excited to serve Westchester and the surrounding area, where I’ve lived for the past 20 years and worked with so many devoted owners and their dogs. I know firsthand the amazing things that our dogs are capable of, and my goal is to help you experience a depth of relationship and communication with Your dog that you may not have dreamed was possible!
I am passionately devoted to continuing education in the field of dog behavior - presently and perennially furthering my formal education. I am an active advocate for standards of education and licensing requirements in the presently unregulated field of dog training.
In my spare time you can find me hiking with my dogs, practicing yoga (often joined by my dogs lol), and reading, studying, attending seminars and workshops to learn more about DOGS!
