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 PMCT-1, 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 12 years ago at a DMV dog day care and has had multiple roles and experience since then. He has studied under Pat Miller at Peaceable Paws and most recently attended her Canine Cognition Academy. Ian focuses only on force-free training, and uses positive reinforcement to help people understand their dogs behavior and strengthen the bond between them. Ian specializes in on-leash reactivity and life skills. In addition to private lessons, Ian teaches in our Drop and Train, Enrichment 1:1, and Group Classes. Ian is also an AKC certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and offers CGC testing and preparation classes. 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.

Nikita P.

Patrick F.
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.

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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 12 years ago at a DMV dog day care and has had multiple roles and experience since then. He has studied under Pat Miller at Peaceable Paws and most recently attended her Canine Cognition Academy. Ian focuses only on force-free training, and uses positive reinforcement to help people understand their dogs behavior and strengthen the bond between them. Ian specializes in on-leash reactivity and life skills. In addition to private lessons, Ian teaches in our Drop and Train, Enrichment 1:1, and Group Classes. Ian is also an AKC certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and offers CGC testing and preparation classes.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.