Hi everyone, let me start with the headline first: I have decided to retire (again) and will no longer be offering professional dog training.
Now on to the back story and a bit of history. All my life I have wanted to be a dog trainer, but the universe guided me in a different direction. Little did I know many of the skills I acquired in my previous life would serve me well in my new endeavor. When I decided to hire a dog trainer for my rescue dog, Mercy, I stumbled across Cold Nose College. I met Brad and Lisa and I felt like I was meeting old friends. I also learned they had an apprentice program and as luck would have it, there was an opening. I took the plunge and applied for the apprentice position and was accepted. This was a lifelong dream and a big old check mark on my bucket list.
With that said fear not the Cold Nose College Blue Ridge Campus will continue with the same dedication and compassion for both ends of the leash. Details will follow in the not too distant future.
After Apprenticing for about two years with their encouragement and support, I applied to the Karen Prior Academy for Professional Dog Trainers. Upon completing the program, I was offered the opportunity to start the Cold Nose College Blue Ridge campus. Earlier this year I sat for and passed the Certification Counsel for Professional Dog Trainers Knowledge Assessment exam and obtained the professional designation (CPDT-KA). Again, I could not have achieved this without support and guidance from my dear friends and mentors, Brad and Lisa.
For the past two and a half years I’ve had the pleasure of offering private training and group class in the mountains of North Georgia. In that time, I have been blessed to meet some of the most amazing people and work with their awesome dogs. I also got to work with the Rescued Program at the Colwell Probation Detention Center in Blairsville, Georgia helping to save detainees and dogs one life at a time. Both have enriched my life beyond measure and I’m truly grateful for the opportunities.
Over the holidays I was discussing my past work and my current occupation with a good friend and former colleague. It was during this conversation I realized in the past 35 or so years I have spent more time away from home than I have at home. That’s when I made the difficult decision to retire from dog training. I am still going to continue to volunteer with the Rescued Program – it means too much to me to give that up and I still get to work with the Cold Nose College team, and new shelter dogs.
In closing, I would like to thank Brad and Lisa Waggoner for their support, guidance, mentorship and above all friendship. A special thanks goes out to Bonnie Ash for loaning me her dog, Brie, to take to the KPA workshops because my dog Mercy was not comfortable in that environment. I’d also like to say thanks to my fellow KPA teammates for the comradery and good times we shared together.
Each and every client, dog, detainee, member of the Rescued team and Cold Nose College team has left an indelible mark on my heart. Wags & Woofs, Jim
Meet Your New Trainer
Welcome, Bonnie Ash!
Bonnie is a familiar name to many of you who have either been her photography clients, her veterinary technician clients or perhaps her dog or horse training clients.
A woman of many talents, she’ll soon be joining us and stepping into operating the Cold Nose College Blue Ridge Campus.
It’ll be a few weeks before Bonnie will formally be taking on clients, so in the meantime you can reach out to Lisa Waggoner in regard to your training goals for your dogs or cats.
While we’ve suspended all in-person training for an indefinite period of time, we’re still seeing clients!
Thankfully much of our training is already done via distance consults using video conferencing.
For six years we’ve effectively worked with dog guardians throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia and it’s just like being there! The technology we use is quite easy and amazingly efficient. We can continue to help you reach your goals for your dog while maintaining social distancing and sheltering at home. Book Your Online Consult Now
