Melissa joined the Boom Towne team in October 2007. She has been involved with training dogs and animal rescue/rehabilitation for over eight years. Her focus is pet training and behavior work with companion animals so they fit happily in our lives and home. She was a Guide Dog Instructor and the Director of Training of Upstate Guide Dog Association for 5 years. Her experience as a Guide Dog Instructor reached into many areas some of which include:
• training guide dogs, teaching students how to use and continue training with their guide dog
• problem solving for existing guide dog teams
• teaching Guide Dog staff various methods of training dogs to becoming successful guide dogs
• working with both the public and volunteers on a regular basis
She then worked for over a year at Farm Sanctuary where she dealt with large and small animals in a rescue and rehabilitation environment. Her work there focused on healthcare and behavioral issues in a natural & friendly environment.
She worked as the Shelter Services Manager for Chemung County SPCA where she gained a large amount of experience working with aggressive, fearful and difficult dogs. She started many programs at the SPCA to teach volunteers and staff dog handling skills that would benefit and improve the lives and adoptability of dogs while they spent time at the shelter.
Melissa has many animals of her own, including three dogs, one horse, two goats and many cats .
aaaa
Melissa & Dakota - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Melissa & Sydney
