My story
A passion for dogs
My journey into dog rescue and training started many years ago with a dog named Lucy—an American Staffordshire who would change my life forever. When I first rescued her, I had no idea what I was getting into. Lucy came from a veterinarian office that had been shut down by Animal Control for neglecting and abusing the animals in their care. She was found in a tiny crate, locked away in the back office—malnourished, terrified, and completely shut down. She had no idea what it meant to trust, and she struggled with the fear and trauma of her past every single day.
At first, I didn’t realize the depth of her struggles. She was full of energy, reactive to everything around her, and couldn’t even walk without panic taking over. The non-profit rescue organization had been unable to find her a home due to her challenging behavior. No one seemed willing to take on a dog like Lucy. But without hesitation, I brought her into mine. I’d always had rescue dogs, but Lucy was different. She was a challenge in ways I had never faced before.
I hired four different trainers, spent thousands of dollars, but nothing seemed to work. The last trainer I worked with told me there was nothing that could be done. But I couldn’t give up on her. Lucy had already been through so much—so much pain and suffering that it was clear she needed someone who wouldn’t walk away, someone who would really listen to her.
Lucy had something special—despite her fears, her trauma, and her anxieties, she was ready to love and be loved. I knew if I could just learn to communicate with her, we could work through anything. So, I started researching, reading, learning—and yes, making mistakes along the way (thankfully, she forgave me!). Over time, I began to see the dog I knew was always there. I learned how to give her the stability, the calm, and the confidence she needed.
Now, at 13 years old, Lucy is a completely different dog. She’s an incredible family companion—calm, loving, and deeply bonded with my children. She’s not just a pet, she’s family. She’s the dog who showed me what real transformation looks like and reminded me that no challenge is too great when you approach it with patience, love, and understanding.
Lucy’s story is the heart of my passion for dog rescue and training. Through her, I found my purpose: to help other dogs and families build the same kind of bond I have with her. Every dog has a story, and every dog deserves a chance to thrive. It doesn’t matter how tough the challenge seems—whether it’s fear, anxiety, or behavioral struggles—there’s always a path forward. And that’s what I’m here to help you find.
No dog is beyond hope, and every dog has the potential to be the loving companion we all dream of. If you’re struggling, know that you’re not alone. Together, we can create the connection your dog needs to live a happy, balanced life.
About Us
Athena - My last rescue
Another dog that was
mis-labeled. She was 4 years old.
Steven R. Lindsay (the founder of these practices) defines it:
Cynopraxic trainers should make an effort to conform their training interventions to the LIMA (least intrusive and minimally aversive) principle, by employing procedures that represent the least necessary intrusion upon the human-dog bond and cause the dog a minimal amount of discomfort, as is necessary to achieve the behavioral objective.
Further, training recommendations should do no harm to the human-dog relationship, to the dog, or to the owner, in the process of implementing them.
Rather than dictating a one-sided program that cannot be realistically implemented by the family, the cynopraxic counselor should work with the family in a spirit of teamwork, to find a common solution.
Toward achieving this aim, the counselor should listen to the family’s needs and be creative. Just as it is certainly true of dogs, people are individuals possessing unique strengths and weaknesses that need to be recognized and integrated into the training plan. Good cynopraxic counselors know how to work well with both people and dogs.
Training should be about deepening the bond between the human and the dog. I also believe in balanced training as long as it does not cause damaged to the bond, or the physical and emotional wellbeing of the dog. A dog should not live in fear but should be the best dog it can be at the helm of his owner. My goal is to have a well trained human and dog so they can live harmoniously together.
I train humans to speak dog
Welcome to The Dog Services –
More Than Just Training
At The Dog Services, we’re passionate about more than just training. We are deeply committed to rescuing abandoned, neglected, and abused dogs in need of a second chance. We understand the tough realities faced by many shelters—overcrowded spaces, limited resources, and the heartbreakingly high euthanasia rates. That’s why we focus on rescuing one or two dogs at a time, giving them the love, care, attention and training they deserve.
We don’t go for the easy ones—the cute puppies or the dogs everyone wants. Instead, we seek out the forgotten ones, the ones who have experienced trauma, neglect, and hardship. These dogs have stories that need to be told, and they deserve a chance to rewrite their narratives with a loving family.
Once we commit to a dog, we take it upon ourselves to rehabilitate, train, and assess their unique needs. We don’t do this for financial gain; in fact, the majority of our rescue efforts are funded out of our own pockets. While kind neighbors sometimes donate to support our work, the truth is that each rescue is a labor of love. Our goal is to ensure that every dog we rehome is in the best possible shape—physically, emotionally, and behaviorally—so they can thrive in their forever homes.
Every dog that leaves our care is up-to-date on vaccinations, microchipped, and spayed or neutered. We take the time to assess each dog thoroughly, so we can provide more detailed information than you’d typically receive from a shelter. Many of our rescues also receive basic training, and some may even undergo more intensive behavior work to help them adjust to their new lives.
Because we don’t charge adoption fees, we’re very selective about the homes we place our dogs in. We take pride in our ability to truly understand each dog’s needs, temperament, and quirks. This allows us to be matchmakers, ensuring that every dog finds a home with the right lifestyle, energy, and commitment. It’s not just about finding any home; it’s about finding the right home.
If you're interested in one of our rescues, please feel free to contact us directly. You can also sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on our latest rescues and hear more about our work. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of these dogs and the families who are lucky enough to welcome them into their homes.
Thank you for supporting The Dog Services, where we believe that every dog deserves a second chance at a better life.
Because my passion are dogs
Our Story
At The Dog Services, we try to remain on the cutting edge of animal behavioral science, always learning and challenging ourselves. We only use positive training to make the training time fun for the owner and the dog. If we cannot help, we will have no problem referring you to other local trainers. This is a passion and we want all animals to stay in their homes forever with happy owners.