Valerie's professional life began as an ICU/CCU. and Emergency Dept. registered nurse. A personal experience caused her to re-think the healing process, especially using dogs in the healing arts. She spent time observing therapy dog programs and researching with renowned hospitals in several states. This led her to develop Heeling Friends TM, a non-profit organization providing Animal Assisted Therapy and Animal Assisted Activities for her local hospital, the Yampa Valley Medical Center in Steamboat Springs, CO The hospital adopted its program and is an integral part of their Alternative Healing Services. Heeling Friends TM has broadened to include an R.E.A.D. Program in two elementary schools, as well as programs with other facilities.

Valerie's interest in canine training came about while mastering her own dogs' skills competing in AKC Obedience Competition winning titles with her Standard Schnauzer, Purple. She participates in dog agility, and volunteers, with her own dog, in hospitals, schools, and other venues. She received a masters certification in dog training from National K-9 School of Dog Trainers, accredited by the state of Ohio. Additionally, she qualified through Delta Society [Delta Society.org] to evaluate, teach, and prepare handlers and their pet dogs for therapy work. She established a successful dog training business in Steamboat Springs, CO. working closely with local veterinarians. Today, she is truly a skilled dog trainer.

Valerie is comfortable and competent with a variety of teaching techniques and equipment. She uses humane and efficient training to gain long lasting effective control. Her strategies are always sensitive to the owners preconceived training ideas. Although competent to teach sniff work, tracking, service dog skills, and protection, she specializes in solving behavioral problems and pet dog training. Bringing harmony and peace to the family is her primary commitment. "I am dedicated to obtaining each clients' goals."

Her training programs range from helping owners choose an appropriate dog or puppy for their lifestyle, through all levels of obedience/skills, (since you begin with ‘from’, you should have a ‘to’ in here).as well as assessing and developing programs for behavior modification. She will work dogs in cross training for competition and agility courses. Most importantly, her philosophy strongly persuades owners to build rapport and harmony between a pet and its family.