About our Trainers and Guest Speakers

Mary Keays Mary Keays has loved dogs and all animals since she was a child. When she learned of a sport she could participate in with her canine companions, she started taking agility classes and got completely hooked. She has trained four of her dogs in agility and competed with two. She presently owns two dogs, Abby and Lexi. Abby is a Brittany who competed in agility for about eight years. Abby earned titles from the United States Dog Agility Association, the North American Dog Agility Council, and the American Kennel Club. Mary is most proud of Abby's Master Excellent Jumper and Master Agility Excellent titles from the AKC. Abby is now retired from competition. Mary now competes with Lexi a Miniature Australian Shepherd. Lexi is competing at the highest levels of agility. In 2008, she was the 6th ranked Mini Aussie in NADAC Regular Agility and in 2009 she earned a Lifetime Point Award or 1000 NADAC points. Mary loved agility so much that she became a certified agility instructor at White Mountain Agility School taught by internationally renowned agility competitor Julie Daniels. She also attended Clean Run’s Instructors Conference, Karen Pryer’s Clicker Expo, White Mountain Agility School’s Competition Camp, and numerous other classes and workshops. She started teaching for the New England Agility Team (NEAT) over 10 years ago. She is also an active member of NEAT and has been succesfully been teaching Agility classes for the NHSPCA for several years. Click here to send Mary an email.

 

Terence Kirby Terence Kirby has been helping dogs and their owners to speak each others' language for nearly a decade. Using tried-and-true motivational training methods that emphasize relationship-building and clear communication between pets and their people, Terence Kirby, head-trainer and owner of My Dogs Mind has worked successfully with hundreds of dogs of all breeds, temperaments, and ages.

Terence loves dogs and is seldom seen without a dog by his side. When not working with clients he can be found at home or on-the-go with his wife Sandy, son Colin, and their own three dogs, Ike, Rugger and Finn. A lover of nature and the outdoors, Terence hikes, runs, and enjoys fishing and surfing. Some of the most rewarding work Terence does is through the Australian Cattle Dog Rescue Association. As an active member, Terence donates his time and resources to the rescue, rehabilitation and placement of these wonderful dogs into homes where they can thrive and bring joy to their new owners. Terence and his family make their home in Hampton, New Hampshire. Terence Kirby is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals (member no. 1468). He has apprenticed and trained under some of the most renowned dog authorities including Jennifer Vickery of The Pawsitive Dog Training Center in Boston, Mass. In addition to maintaining a rigorous schedule of self-education, you'll find Terence in attendance at several professional training workshops and seminars throughout the year. He is qualified and well studied in a variety of training approaches and philosophies. Click here to send Terence an email.

Dee Ganley For over 25 years Dee has taught training classes and advised individuals on how to create positive partnership with their dogs. In the mid-1990’s she began sharing positive reinforcement training with the deeply committed people working in the shelter world. From 1998-2004, she was the Training and Behavior Manager for the Upper Valley Humane Society in Enfield, NH. Dee's single most important goal was to create a shelter and training program that teaches the dogs self-control skills. She worked with the staff, volunteers and the public, helping them use positive reinforcement to change rude dogs into agreeable family members. Today, Dee is back in private practice, which now includes traveling to many wonderful places helping shelters, rescues, and other folks who want to learn her practical, humane techniques. She teaches people to change their dogs and themselves into friends and partners for life. More information on Dee is available on her website at www.deesdogs.com

April Begosh Healthy Pets NH is owned and operated by April Begosh. April is a lifelong pet owner whose pets have included dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, birds, turtles, and even snakes. For the past 15 years, April has owned and operated a private Massage Therapy practice in Concord, NH. She has been committed to providing her clients with the highest quality care and knowledge in holistic health practices. In addition to being a licensed Massage Therapist, she also holds certificates in Fitness and Nutrition. In 2008, April decided that she wanted to be able to provide the same quality care to her animal companions as she does for her human clients. She started taking classes in pet health and nutrition and in March of 2009 she became certified to teach Pet CPR, First Aid and Care by Pet Tech, Inc. Pet Tech is the first International Training Center for Pet CPR, First Aid and Care. Pet Tech Instructors worldwide promote caring, conscientious, responsible, and loving pet ownership. Pet Tech and their Instructors are committed to the safety, health and well-being of our pets, our friends, our companions. April has committed herself to carrying out the Pet Tech mission which is: “Improving the quality of pet’s lives, one pet owner at a time.”™

Susan Greenbaum Susan is the owner of Barking Hills Country Club in NJ. Barking Hills trains and handles dogs for film, commercials and television including ‘Saturday Night Live’. She is the Executive Director of Dogs In Service, Inc. (DIS) a not for profit company that trains a limited amount of Service Dogs for people with disabilities and runs a supervised, goal oriented and documented Animal Assisted Therapy program at St. Joseph’s Children’s hospital. One of the DIS service dogs and three therapy dogs have been given awards by the New Jersey Veterinary Foundation. Susan has run Animal Assisted Activity/Animal Assisted Therapy programs since 1990 at St. Lukes/Roosevelt Hospital - Pediatrics, Manhattan; Psychiatric Hospital - Adolescent/Adult, Children's Specialized Hospital (Mountainside) Susan was the training director for the Human Animal Relational Therapies group. She was the Therapy Dog Coordinator at Liberty State Park after the events of 9/11. Susan is one of the founding members of the Northeast Crisis Response Coalition- Animal Assisted Crisis Response. She has written articles which include: Introduction to Working with Animal Assisted Crisis Response Animal/Handler Teams (International Journal of Emergency Mental Health) Pet Therapy -Revisited and Animal Assisted Therapy - Using What You Know (For Ward National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors).