Dogs have always been a passion of mine. I grew up in a small town surrounded by farm animals. Throughout my childhood, we always had a traditional farm dog. Slept outside but got all the loving from the active farming family.
My family was active with animals. My dad was the person in charge of collecting stray animals for the town. We helped quite a few strays find their way back home.
I had a special moment with a German Shepherd that my dad had trouble luring in. The dog was getting into all sorts of trouble and the whole town was getting irritated. My dad was going to try once more before drastic measures were going to be taken. I offered if I could go with. He agreed.
We found the German Shepherd not far from home. My dad tried to catch him but failed. He told me it was my turn. I got out on my hands and knees. The dog was only a short distance away from me, and I had to move carefully. I ended up crawling right up to the dog and putting my hand in front of his nose.
His nose pressed into my hand.
I stood up slowly, holding him against my legs. I could feel how skinny he was. My dad attempted to get out of the truck and leash him up. The dog tried to run. I told my dad that I can walk him home. Just give me the leash.
The German Shepherd let me leash him up and walk him home. For just a few minutes, it was just me and this stray dog that I've never met before. Him and I walking side by side. The crisp air exposing our hot breath. It was sureal.
It ended up that I had to be in the barn with the dog when someone new was trying to interact with him. Especially with my dad. The German Shepherd needed me to be there in order to feel safe. He wouldn't rest for the first couple days without me being there. I felt needed and important
I went to school knowing I wanted to do something in the animal field, Farm animals were fine, but I connected more with the companion animals. Of course, the only way you were told you could make a life for yourself in the companion animal field was being a veterinarian. And that was a challenge I was more than happy to take on.
I have always been a smart and ambitious woman. I enjoyed the challenge knowing everything will work out for me. So I went to college in preparation of going to Vet School. I never questioned it for a second.
As a part of preparing for vet school, you were required 300 hours of shadowing different experiences within in the animal industry. With an emphasis on shadowing professional veterinarians of course.
I began my shadowing early on and greatly enjoyed my veterinary shadowing experiences. I was able to see some incredible surgeries and help a lot of wonderful animals. I was a very curious girl. I wanted to see what other kind of help could be done for animals.
I talked to a professor of mine after one of my classes. She was an emergency veterinarian herself turned college professor. She was a strong advocate of finding other ways to make a living in the companion animal industry without going through the burnout that is the Veterinary Industry. I was looking for an internship to fulfill some of my credits. She introduced me to a wonderful animal physical therapist. It was exactly what I was looking for.
That internship introduced me to a holistic side of the companion animal industry. One with love, patience, and consistent positive results. And all it took was showing up and taking each day one step at a time.
It was a huge learning experience for me. About the same time, I had reached out to a dog training facility looking for an internship. It was a shot in the dark, but the woman offered me a job. Starting as a kennel hand for woman who worked with behavioral dogs.
My first day on the job, she showed me how to deal with a dog that had an aggression history. She told me to stand there and just let him go by me. She let him out and he stopped right in front of me and started barking. He was too afraid to touch me but definitely was waiting for me to run away from him so he could nip at my feet.
She didn't say anything as he was losing his mind. She just watched me. I just ignored him and stayed put. He ended up getting bored of me and walked out into the potty yard. She was impressed. It was exhilarating to say the least.
My world turned upside down. From that day forward my entire life changed. I found my true calling. I was able to help dogs in the way that I was truly called for. To be their advocate. Becoming a dog trainer has been my true calling and that wont be changing anytime soon. I have too much to give in this world.
I went to dog training school in California and learned a lot of what it takes to build an incredible bond with your dog. The human-dog bond is so complex, yet incredibly simple. The communication between human and dog is a beautiful dance. It can be quite frustrating at times, but ultimately is very rewarding.
I have been a dog trainer for almost a decade now. I have never been more convinced that I am exactly where I am meant to be in this lifetime. I have learned so much and have helped so many families have the best balanced life with their dogs.
I created Echo's Treats to further enhance my purpose of advocating for the enrichment of the Human-Dog bond. We have so many pup's that we can help. Even if it's just by putting a smile on your face. We look forward to helping you and your pup enjoy your amazing lives together.
All the paw-some love,
Colleen
Owner of Echo's Treats