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Robin K Bennett, CPDT
Co-Owner |
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Robin Bennett, CPDT is the co-owner of All About Dogs, the largest
dog training company in Virginia. Since beginning her company in 1993 she has grown from a sole proprietorship to a Corporation
that boasts thirteen instructors teaching private lessons as well as numerous group classes and behavior modification lessons
for shy, fearful and aggressive dogs. Robin has an excellent working relationship with local veterinarians as well as the
Prince William Animal Control Bureau. She is regularly recommended by both groups to evaluate potentially dangerous dogs.
Robin successfully owned and operated her own dog daycare for many years. Her book, All About Dog Daycare: A Blueprint for Success is the number one reference on owning a daycare, and Robin is a highly sought-after speaker on numerous dog daycare and
playgroup topics around the country.
Her latest book, Off-Leash Dog Play is the leading source for those who want to learn how to keep dogs safe in playgroups. She is an active member of the
Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and has a B.A. degree from Roanoke College. Robin regularly attends dog training seminars,
has earned Level 1 certification through the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers (CCPDT), the first national certification
for dog trainers. Robin is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and is married with two children.
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| Keely Bovais |
Keely began working at
All About Dogs in October 2003. Keely and her husband Chris have a black Lab named Sabre that they adopted in January
'03 from the Lab Rescue of Potomac. Sabre and Keely have been visiting nursing homes in Maryland (Pets on Wheels) and Virginia
(Caring Paws) twice a week. Together, they have passed their TDI, Therapy Dog International test. They are looking forward
to the opportunities available to them as a certified Therapy Team. Keely has a Bachelors degree in Biology from Dana College
in Nebraska and is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). Keely enjoys spending time at her home in Southern
Maryland with her husband and Sabre and traveling whenever possible.
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| Diana Craig |
Diana began training with All About Dogs in April 2005. She was born and raised in Central Illinois and married
her hometown sweetheart (and husband of over 30 years) while he was serving in the Navy. The couple lived in Scotland
for almost 4 years, and their two children were born during their tour of duty. They’ve lived in Woodbridge since
1978. Being a stay-at-home mom allowed Diana the privilege of volunteering with the local schools for 14 years in various
capacities including 2 years heading PTO Volunteers Committee responsible for finding and scheduling other volunteers in various
capacities to aide the school, students, and teachers.
Diana’s love of animals
was encouraged by her parents. Her dad’s fondness for farming and animals has always been a big influence on her
love and gentle care of animals. This affection toward animals continued on with her caring for the neighborhood animals.
She is currently a member of the Professional Paws team and cherishes the moments with each little paw. Diana
is also a proud “doggie mom” and always eager to return home to Missy, a shy Pomeranian, who has thrived in her new home and recently achieved the
CGC award. They also share their home with their “grand-kitty,” Dakota, grey tabby kitten of their
daughter’s. Diana is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.
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| Pam Nashman |
Pam
joined All About Dogs
in 2006 and is simply “all about dogs”. Although her career plan led her into another genre, her passion for
animals, and dogs in particular, never subsided. Pam enjoys reading books and attending seminars related to animal behavior
and dog training. She is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). For the past ten years, Pam has spent a
great deal of time as a volunteer socializing parrots and exotic birds and educating children on bird handling and behavior.
Pam also worked as a volunteer in the Education Department at the National Zoo in Washington, DC for several years. Pam earned
a B.S. degree from George Washington University. She is a Human Resources Consultant who loves to work with both people and
animals. Pam is active in a number of non-profit community service organizations including those raising funds for AIDS,
affordable housing for low-income families in Washington, DC, and Darfur.
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| Vicki Gotcher |
Vicki
has trained at All About
Dogs since 2004 and joined the staff in 2007. After the great experiences and fun she had while training her two yellow
Labs, Nilla and Bodie, she decided to share what she has learned (and is still learning) with other dog lovers.
In addition to Nilla and Bodie, Vicki shares her home with another dog lover, her husband Scott, and two dog loving cats,
Sadie and Bagheera. Vicki is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She has earned a Bachelor of Music Education
from Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas and a Master of Music and a Certificate in clarinet performance from Northwestern
University in Evanston, IL. She is also a clarinetist with The "President's Own" U. S. Marine Band in Washington, D.C.
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Colleen Pelar, CPDT
Co-Owner |
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Colleen Pelar,
CPDT is All About Dogs' co-owner. She oversees
all of our training programs, which currently include group classes, private lessons, day school, off-leash playgroups, and
monthly Q & A sessions. Colleen has been teaching dog obedience classes since 1991 and has earned Level 1 certification
through the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers (CCPDT), the first national certification for dog trainers. Before
joining All About Dogs in 1999, she taught classes for the Fairfax County Park Authority and Animal Behavior and Training
Associates, Inc. Colleen enjoys attending the many high-quality continuing education seminars and conferences that are now
being offered for dog trainers; she goes to several each year. Colleen has a B.A. from Penn State. When she is not training dogs,
she's busy with her husband and three sons. She is also the author of Living with Kids and Dogs . . . Without Losing Your Mind, which won the Humane Society of the United States Compassionate Care Award.
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| Eileen Fulk |
Eileen
joined All About Dogs in April 2004. In a nutshell,
she simply loves dogs. Her 2-year-old Australian shepherd, Lucy, rules the household with iron paws. Eileen is training Lucy
to become a certified hearing and therapy dog. Eileen attended George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College.
She’s a program manager for the Defense Logistics Agency and devotes her free time to reading, making stained glass
creations for her family and friends, and spending time with her husband, Tony, and Lucy.
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| Victoria Shields |
Victoria began training at All About Dogs with her dachshund, Zeus in the summer of 2000.
She loved All About Dogs and positive training so much and was thrilled when given the opportunity to join the staff in the
fall of 2003. As the co-habitator with two independent dachshunds, Victoria enjoys working with the unique training challenges
presented to small dogs and their families. She also enjoys attending training conferences and is a member of the Association
of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT).
In addition to training, Victoria is the Minister of Music and Organist at historic Pohick
Episcopal Church in Lorton, Virginia. She earned her Bachelor of Music in 1997 from The Eastman School of Music, with concentrations
in Organ Performance and Music Education. Victoria is also an active recitalist in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
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| Martha Walker |
Martha joined the staff in May 2005. Having had 9 dogs in her life thus far, Martha found that All About Dogs has
given her a positive and successful way of training dogs. When given the opportunity to work with this staff, she was
thrilled to learn more and share that knowledge with others. Outside of training, Martha works for the US Postal service
as a carrier where she enjoys dealing with customers’ dogs on occasion. She also has a BS degree in Camping,
Recreation and Youth Ministries from Eastern Mennonite University. Martha shares her home with Chris and their dog, Montana, Smeagol the cat, and numerous fish. In her spare time, she enjoys flyfishing, kayaking,
and home improvement projects.
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| Chris Johnson |
Chris
has always owned dogs.
Right now Chris owns "Montana," a Mastiff mix. Montana led Chris to All About Dogs and she joined the staff in 2005. Chris
enjoys teaching other people how beneficial positive training can be. "I love to see a dog come through the training facility
that has issues with people or dogs and see them progress from our Rower Rover class into levels with everyone else. The look
on the owner's faces tell all. It's the way I felt when Montana passed the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test". Chris works for
the USPS NoVa District, as Manager for Safety and Health. When she's not with Montana and Sméagol, her cat who thinks he
is a dog, Chris can usually be found participating in her other passion...fly fishing.
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