About Karen
Karen has dedicated the last 25 years of her life to teaching dogs and their people to develop healthy, respectful relationships. Now, Karen is focusing on puppies and the foundation of healthy balanced dogs from the beginning in an effort to keep more dogs in homes and out of shelters.
In the beginning, before actual dog training schools were easily available and easily accessible. I took control of learning the skills and knowledge required to help others with their dogs. Through reading and attending multiple dog seminars, dedication and hard work, I received multiple certifications. I was the first person in the state of Montana to receive her CCPDT-KA from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. I am also certified in Pet Partners, Touching Lives, Improving Health; the Animal- Assisted Therapy Skills and Coaching People to Train Their Dogs. I am an Avidog International Associate and a Professional Member of the International Association of Canine Professionals.
I started breeding dogs in 1998 with the goal of providing high quality, intuitive, balanced companionable animals for service organizations. In addition to providing excellent health benefits, the dogs provide opportunities for building trust, accepting care, and emotional healing. “Karen’s Dogs” as her pups are loving referred to by the non-profit organization’s trainers made the pups very sought after by these types of non-profit service dog organizations. Forme, watching the veterans and their dog partners, (my pups) at the graduation ceremonies touched my heart in numerable ways and brought me great pride and joy.
More to come about the program that I developed to live my life’s passion as a dog breeder and trainer.
Eventually, I began working directly with veterans in partnering with their dogs to assist them in their daily lives. While this is a large and valuable service, there was a piece of the puzzle missing. I soon realized that due to the complicated nature of Post Traumatic Stress, I needed to know more about trauma and sought out to become trauma informed. That same passion to learn dog training drove me to learn more about working through trauma with her dogs to help others. I started working with Melisa Pearce who in 2011 founded the Equine Gestalt program at Touched by a Horse. While working through the two year program with horses I realized daily how naturally this technique could be transferred over to dogs, so there it is, it must be done!
I see dogs as the original healers. The dogs provide non judgmental comfort and unconditional love. Through the Canine-Equine Gestalt techniques I learned, I now uses my skills and knowledge while coaching dogs and their people to see life from a different point of view. Dogs live in the moment and readily share their innate skills of healing to support humans to live a life full of new possibilities and blessings in a safe, confidential, wholistic way.
My Northern Cheyenne given name is , hesta ‘he mo’ enase
which translates as blessed animal heart woman
In a realm where love entwines,
Where dogs and horses set the lines,
There resides a soul, gentle and kind,
A spirit captivating, Karen, defined.
Her heart, a haven for paws and hooves,
She cherishes them, each creature she soothes.
With canines loyal, her love does bloom,
Their wagging tails erase all gloom.
In her presence, dogs find solace sweet,
Their playful antics at her feet.
From bounding joy to gentle snuggles,
Her love for them only deepens and doubles.
But horses, majestic, hold her gaze,
Their grace and strength her spirit amaze.
She finds solace atop their backs,
In the rhythm of hooves, her worries slack.
With reins in hand, she rides the breeze,
Through fields and forests, her soul finds ease.
In harmony, they move as one,
Bound by a bond, never to come undone.
Karen, a guardian of four-legged friends,
Her love for them knows no amends.
In their eyes, she sees pure devotion,
A love story etched in eternal motion.
So here’s to Karen, a woman of grace,
Whose heart’s symphony echoes in each embrace.
May dogs and horses forever bless her days,
As she continues on love’s noblest of ways.