Roanoke Dog Trainer in Roanoke, VA
Roanoke Dog Trainers
Karen Hough - Owner
Owning Field Of Dreams is a dream come true. Dogs have been a part of my life for a long as I can remember. My parents raised Schnauzers and my first dog was a stray we found in Las Cruses, NM at a dump site. As a young girl and into my teens I raised and trained horses. As I reached my 20's, I became interested in dog training. Pursuing my life's passion of dog training enticed me to explore some interesting paths and rewarding opportunities working with exceptional people and dogs. I am immensely grateful for those opportunities.
Since co-founding Star City Canine Club in 1995 and devoting four and a half years to the inspiring mission of Saint Francis Service Dog Foundation as Director of Training - developing the service dog training program, puppy classes, recipient training classes and the prison-pup-partnership - I discovered that miracles usually happen in unexpected ways! In 2005 I was provided an opportunity to pursue Field of Dreams on a full-time basis.
Another passion is education. I have attended many seminars and workshops in agility training and instructing. I have attended the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Annual Conference, Clicker Expo and the Clean Run Instructor Conference.
With Lee Anne's assistance, I helped the Roanoke Valley SPCA in their institution of the Open Paw program. This program is designed to help shelter dogs develop the skills to help them be more adoptable.
I share my life with my husband, my Australian Shepherd and Smooth Collie.
Roanoke Dog Trainer Karen Hough
Tina Gray
I'm an assistant dog trainer at Field of Dreams in Roanoke, VA. I've been working with Field of Dreams in some capacity since 2007. I began my dog training with the Animal Behavior College, which is an online course that focuses on training dogs using positive reinforcement methods. I completed 6 months of book study and tests, then I was sent to Field of Dreams to do 21 weeks of apprentice work. After passing my course with the Animal Behavior College, I was offered the opportunity to continue on with Field of Dreams as a dog trainer, and I gladly accepted.
On a personal note, I currently have one dog…an 8 year old pug named Capone. I also have a 5 year old cat named Kira and an outdoor goldfish pond. I live in Lynchburg, Virginia and spend my days working in a tiny cubicle at an insurance company, but animals are my passion.
Roanoke Dog Trainer Tina Gray
Lee Anne McAdam
I got my first dog shortly before I graduated from high school. Although my brothers had dogs when I was growing up, horses were my love for the first part of my life, and I made my living training horses for about 12 years after I got out of school. I became a court reporter in the late eighties and moved to Virginia shortly after.
Not long after I arrived in Virginia, I got a dog from the SPCA that became a certified therapy dog and was my introduction into the world of everything "dog." I became a charter member of Star City Canine Club and got to know Karen when I became a puppy raiser for Saint Francis Service Dog Foundation. With her guidance, I became a dog trainer for the foundation, but more than that, was introduced by her to the modern, positive theories of dog training.
I began attending seminars and workshops on training including ClickerExpo. With Karen, I assisted the Roanoke Valley SPCA in their institution of the Open Paw program designed to aid shelter dogs develop the skills to help them be more adoptable. Dogs in need are a passion and I am active with organized transports of rescued dogs through southwestern Virginia en route to their forever homes.
My husband says our two Labrador Retrievers, three rescue dogs, and two cats let us live with them.
Roanoke Dog Trainer Lee Anne McAdam
Ann Hogg
I am British and as long as I can remember I wanted a dog (German Shepherd Dog or Border Collie). This wasn't to be until I was 20 years old when I rescued two Afghan Hounds!
I moved abroad to work as a Midwife and didn't get my next dog until my husband, Ian, and I came to live in the USA almost 10 years ago. My dream came true and Petra our German Shepherd Dog joined us in 2000. I took her to puppy and obedience classes at Star City Canine Club of which I am now a very active member. Star City is where I began to learn about positive training methods and where I got my start in teaching by assisting and instructing classes for them.
Petra is a challenging dog and this encouraged me to start reading extensively about dog behaviour and training and also got me hooked on attending seminars and workshops.
I became a puppy raiser for the Saint Francis Service Dog organization in 2002. The first puppy I raised went on to become a successful service dog, the second puppy, Barley, became a wonderful companion for my husband and me. During this time I also helped write the Saint Francis puppy training manual.
After leaving Saint Francis I worked a short while for Field of Dreams and then went to work part time in a veterinary clinic. Working at the veterinary clinic was an important part of my learning experience but not a job I really enjoyed, so after two years I left to come back and work on a more permanent basis for Field of Dreams; a job I truly enjoy. I am also involved in working with the shelter dogs at the Roanoke Valley SPCA.
I am currently a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and have attended their Annual Conference. I have also attended a Clicker Expo Conference along with several Clean Run Agility Camps.
Ian and I share our home with Petra, Barley and our cat Tinker who truly is the lord of all he surveys!
Roanoke Dog Trainer Ann Hogg
Cate Helfgott
I rescued my first dog in June of 2006, and fell quickly in love with dogs. I enrolled in Animal Behavior College that same fall, and completed several months worth of book work and testing for that course. In 2007 I started studying through Field of Dreams, a period of time that involved participation in classes, observing classes and helping to teach a period of classes. I earned my certification in 2007, and became an assistant dog trainer for Field of Dreams in 2008. In the Fall of 2008 I graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Agricultural Science. One of my requisite minors was Animal Science, with which I was able to take several Animal Science courses such as Animal Training and Behavior.
I currently own two White Shepherd Dogs, and am active in the breed. I work them in various disciplines to include Schutzhund (a sport that involves Protection, Obedience, and Tracking) as well as Herding. I have also spent some time in the conformation ring, where both my dogs have earned their UKC Championships. I am very passionate about working with my dogs, and look forward to getting involved even more with them in the future as further opportunities arise.
Roanoke Dog Trainer Cate Helfgott
