Meet the Trainers

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Emma T. | Ian K. | Joe R. | |
Specialty |
Montessori School & Group Classes | Life Skills for Adult Dogs & Canine Cognition | General Manager of Enrichment & Training |
Private Lessons |
No | Yes | Yes |
Virtual Option |
Yes | No | No |
Travels |
No | Yes | Yes |
Education |
Victoria Stilwell Academy, Peaceable Paws, Paragon School of Pet Grooming | Peaceable Paws | Victoria Stilwell Academy, Peaceable Paws |
Certifications |
CPDT-KA, VSA-CDT | FFCP | CPDT-KA, VSA-CDT, FFCP (Trainer) |
Philosophy |
Fear Free, Force Free, Pain Free | Fear Free, Force Free, Pain Free | Fear Free, Force Free, Pain Free |
Bio |
Emma is passionate about her work with dogs and pet owners and works to teach pet owners to understand and better communicate with their beloved pets. Her favorite moment in training is when a dog's eyes light up when he suddenly understands what he is being asked to do and she loves bringing that moment into the lives of the people and pets she teaches. That “aha moment” is priceless! Throughout her life she has always been around animals including growing up with chickens, dogs, cats and bees. Emma is the General Manager of the Montessori and Grooming program at Patrick’s Pet Care. She resides in Northeast DC and has worked at Patrick's Pet Care since 2018. | Ian is a lifelong Marylander who has been fascinated by dogs since childhood and has been training them professionally since 2019. He started in the pet industry 11 years ago at a DMV dog day care and has multiple roles and experience since then. He started in force-free dog training to help his misunderstood dog Wally, and he has always loved helping people understand their dogs and strengthen the bond between them. Although he loves all different breeds, Ian is a Pug lover! In addition to private lessons, Ian teaches the Mini Monday class, and co-teaching the Enrichment 1:1 Cognition class. | Joe is the General Manager of Enrichment and Training and Patrick’s Pet Care. He specializes in behavior modification with a focus on reactive and aggressive dogs and has studied under Pat Miller at Peaceable Paws and Michael Shikashio, a world-renowned aggression expert. Joe’s knowledge of canine behavior mixed with his force- and fear- free training philosophies puts him among the most sought-after trainers in the DMV area. He recently came in 6th (out of hundreds) in Sniffspots Best R+ Trainers of 2022 competition. Joe also works closely with nearby veterinary behaviorists to ensure the most efficient and effective care and training for his clients. In addition to force-free private training, Joe also manages our Enrichment 1:1, Drop and Train, and Daycare 101 classes. He currently resides in Silver Spring and has been a part of the PPC pack since early 2018. |
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Melissa W. | Nikita P. |
Patrick F. |
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Specialty |
Life Skills & Tricks for Adult Dogs + Fear Free Grooming & Dog Husbandry Montessori School | Life Skills for Puppies & Working with Families | Fear Free Grooming & Dog Husbandry |
Private Lessons |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
Virtual Option |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
Travels |
No | Yes | No |
Education |
Victoria Stilwell Academy, Peaceable Paws, Paragon School of Pet Grooming | Karen Pryor Academy, Victoria Stilwell Academy, Peaceable Paws | Karen Pryor Academy, Victoria Stilwell Academy, Peaceable Paws, Paragon School of Pet Grooming |
Certifications |
CPDT-KA, VSA-CDT, FFCP | CPDT-KA, VSA-CDT, KPA-CTP | CPDT-KA, CPACO, FFCP, PMCT-1, VSA-CDT |
Philosophy |
Fear Free, Force Free, Pain Free | Fear Free, Force Free, Pain Free | Fear Free, Force Free, Pain Free |
Bio |
Melissa is passionate about helping dogs lead rewarding and enriching lives. She is equally passionate about sharing how that process works with people. Melissa's interest in canine behavior and training go hand in hand with our Fear Free Grooming ProgramDog Montessori School and Day Care programs. Her favorite moments happen when pawrents exclaim “oh my god,you trimmed his nails and he didn’t try to bite you! I had no idea my dog could do that! Show me how?” Melissa resides in Maryland Northwest DC with her husband, two cats, and her Westie. She has worked at Patrick's Pet Care since 2017, where she began as a dog walker. | Nikita specializes in puppy socialization and training. Her passion is to help puppies get the best start in life and to deepen bonds between dog owners and their canine companions. In addition, she offers private lessons that cover basic manners, leash reactivity, family bonding and fun tricks and training to have fun with your dog. Nikita is originally from South Africa and now resided in Northwest DC. She has worked at Patrick’s Pet Care since early 2019. | Patrick is passionate about animal behavior, canine-human communication, and animal rights advocacy. He’s especially interested in creating a consent based, fear free, force free dog grooming standard of practice and regulation. Teaching dogs who “hate the groomer” how to enjoy it with trust and consent makes him very happy. Teaching people how to groom their own dogs with fear free practices is awesome, too! One day he plans to be an animal behaviorist. He lives in Northwest DC with his Carolina Dog, Daisy, as well as his Siamese cat, Yuki. Patrick founded Patrick’s Pet Care in 2012. |
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Emma T.
Specialty: Montessori School & Group Classes
Private Lessons: No
Virtual Option: Yes
Travels: No
Education: Victoria Stilwell Academy, Peaceable Paws, Paragon School of Pet Grooming
Certifications: CPDT-KA, VSA-CDT
Philosophy: Fear Free, Force Free, Pain Free
Bio: Emma is passionate about her work with dogs and pet owners and works to teach pet owners to understand and better communicate with their beloved pets. Her favorite moment in training is when a dog's eyes light up when he suddenly understands what he is being asked to do and she loves bringing that moment into the lives of the people and pets she teaches. That “aha moment” is priceless! Throughout her life she has always been around animals including growing up with chickens, dogs, cats and bees. Emma is the General Manager of the Montessori and Grooming program at Patrick’s Pet Care. She resides in Northeast DC and has worked at Patrick's Pet Care since 2018.

Ian K.
Specialty: Life Skills for Adult Dogs & Canine Cognition
Private Lessons: Yes
Virtual Option: No
Travels: Yes
Education: Peaceable Paws
Certifications: FFCP
Philosophy: Fear Free, Force Free, Pain Free
Bio: Ian is a lifelong Marylander who has been fascinated by dogs since childhood and has been training them professionally since 2019. He started in the pet industry 11 years ago at a DMV dog day care and has multiple roles and experience since then. He started in force-free dog training to help his misunderstood dog Wally, and he has always loved helping people understand their dogs and strengthen the bond between them. Although he loves all different breeds, Ian is a Pug lover! In addition to private lessons, Ian teaches the Mini Monday class, and co-teaching the Enrichment 1:1 Cognition class.

Joe R.
Specialty: General Manager of Enrichment & Training
Private Lessons: Yes
Virtual Option: No
Travels: Yes
Education: Victoria Stilwell Academy, Peaceable Paws
Certifications: CPDT-KA, VSA-CDT, FFCP (Trainer)
Philosophy: Fear Free, Force Free, Pain Free
Bio: Joe is the General Manager of Enrichment and Training and Patrick’s Pet Care. He specializes in behavior modification with a focus on reactive and aggressive dogs and has studied under Pat Miller at Peaceable Paws and Michael Shikashio, a world-renowned aggression expert. Joe’s knowledge of canine behavior mixed with his force- and fear- free training philosophies puts him among the most sought-after trainers in the DMV area. He recently came in 6th (out of hundreds) in Sniffspots Best R+ Trainers of 2022 competition. Joe also works closely with nearby veterinary behaviorists to ensure the most efficient and effective care and training for his clients. In addition to force-free private training, Joe also manages our Enrichment 1:1, Drop and Train, and Daycare 101 classes. He currently resides in Silver Spring and has been a part of the PPC pack since early 2018.

Melissa W.
Specialty: Life Skills & Tricks for Adult Dogs + Fear Free Grooming & Dog Husbandry Montessori School
Private Lessons: Yes
Virtual Option: No
Travels: No
Education: Victoria Stilwell Academy, Peaceable Paws, Paragon School of Pet Grooming
Certifications: CPDT-KA, VSA-CDT, FFCP
Philosophy: Fear Free, Force Free, Pain Free
Bio: Melissa is passionate about helping dogs lead rewarding and enriching lives. She is equally passionate about sharing how that process works with people. Melissa's interest in canine behavior and training go hand in hand with our Fear Free Grooming ProgramDog Montessori School and Day Care programs. Her favorite moments happen when pawrents exclaim “oh my god,you trimmed his nails and he didn’t try to bite you! I had no idea my dog could do that! Show me how?” Melissa resides in Maryland Northwest DC with her husband, two cats, and her Westie. She has worked at Patrick's Pet Care since 2017, where she began as a dog walker.

Nikita P.
Specialty: Life Skills for Puppies & Working with Families
Private Lessons: Yes
Virtual Option: Yes
Travels: Yes
Education: Karen Pryor Academy, Victoria Stilwell Academy, Peaceable Paws
Certifications: CPDT-KA, VSA-CDT, KPA-CTP
Philosophy: Fear Free, Force Free, Pain Free
Bio: Nikita specializes in puppy socialization and training. Her passion is to help puppies get the best start in life and to deepen bonds between dog owners and their canine companions. In addition, she offers private lessons that cover basic manners, leash reactivity, family bonding and fun tricks and training to have fun with your dog. Nikita is originally from South Africa and now resided in Northwest DC. She has worked at Patrick’s Pet Care since early 2019.

Patrick F.
Specialty: Fear Free Grooming & Dog Husbandry
Private Lessons: Yes
Virtual Option: Yes
Travels: No
Education: Karen Pryor Academy, Victoria Stilwell Academy, Peaceable Paws,
Paragon School of Pet Grooming
Certifications: CPDT-KA, CPACO, FFCP, PMCT-1, VSA-CDT
Philosophy: Fear Free, Force Free, Pain Free
Bio: Patrick is passionate about animal behavior, canine-human communication, and animal rights advocacy. He’s especially interested in creating a consent based, fear free, force free dog grooming standard of practice and regulation. Teaching dogs who “hate the groomer” how to enjoy it with trust and consent makes him very happy. Teaching people how to groom their own dogs with fear free practices is awesome, too! One day he plans to be an animal behaviorist. He lives in Northwest DC with his Carolina Dog, Daisy, as well as his Siamese cat, Yuki. Patrick founded Patrick’s Pet Care in 2012.
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Monthly Packages
Day Care Only | Day Care + Transportation | Day Care + Dog Walking | ||||||||||||||||
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Monthly Packages
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