About Me
Jo – Dog Handler, Trainer & Groomer
Growing up on a dairy farm in the Midwest nurtured my lifelong love of animals. Every day was an adventure—milking cows, gathering eggs, feeding pigs, and, of course, cleaning up after them (a full-time job in itself!).
My siblings and I embraced the freedom of country life. Summers meant “makeshift” rodeos in the orchard: my older brother and sister rode the big horses bareback, while us younger two tore around on ponies. We’d pin numbers to our backs, twine lassos in hand, convinced we were roping calves—though truth be told, we weren’t very good cowboys at all.
Animals were always part of our home. My parents bred and raised German Shepherds, and I have fond memories of puppies sneaking into the kitchen, drawn by the smell of freshly popped popcorn. Caring for newborn pups and their mothers came naturally to me. My parents were active in the local kennel club, training their dogs for Canine Good Citizen and Obedience titles. My mom, especially, had the patience and skill of a gifted trainer—I like to think I’ve followed in her footsteps. Those early years imprinted on me a deep respect for animals and shaped the values I carry today.
Since those beginnings, I’ve been fortunate to travel and exhibit dogs at some of the most prestigious shows in the world, including The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden, the AKC Eukanuba National Dog Show, the Northern Ontario Working Dog Association (NOWDA) in Thunder Bay, and Crufts in England—the largest dog show in the world.
I’m living my dream.
And perhaps, I can be part of making your dreams come true too.
