Melinda’s passion for training began at 9 years of age with her family dog, Hershey. Since then, Melinda has enjoyed training her own dogs for fun in agility, skills, hunting, tricks, and service dog work. In 2017, Melinda medically retired from law enforcement and began a new journey where she could turn her passion for dogs into a career. Melinda attended Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage in 2020 where she earned her Canine Massage Therapy license. Since then she has found a true passion for helping owners build the best relationship possible with their dogs. During her free time, Melinda trains and competes in dog sports and continues their never-ending journey of education. At Top Dog, Melinda teaches basic manners, puppy kindergarten, AKC trick dog & AKC Canine Good Citizen group classes!

 

Melinda has experience in:

- Multi-dog household

- Dog ownership with children in the household

- Small, medium, and large breed dogs - Service dog training

- Canine conditioning

- Canine enrichment

- Canine parkour

- Trick training

- Shed hunting

- Basic obedience training

- Behavior Modification

- Grooming

 

Melinda's Certifications:

- AKC CGC evaluator

- Canine Enrichment Counselor

- Pet Guru College

- Communication Skills for Pet Care Professionals

- Canine CPR and first aid

- Canine massage level 1: Therapeutic Massage

- Canine massage level 2: Advanced Massage with Focus on the Canine Athlete 4

- Canine massage level 3: Senior and Rehabilitative Dogs

- Advanced Massage for the Canine Athlete

 

Extras:

- American Kennel Club’s Dog Athlete of the Month (January 2021)