Amy Hunt
Amy has always had a passion for animals, her love for them began on her family farm. As a child she was always bringing home injured and stray animals to try to help them. Amy’s dog training journey began when she was sixteen years old and rescued a dog named Max. Max was an Australian Shepherd who came to live with her and her family when he was eight months old. Max had been purchased by a college student from a pet store. The college student left him alone for hours tied to the wall of her very small apartment while she worked, went to classes & hung out with friends. Max was wild to say the least and Amy spent all of her free time working and training Max. With a lot of patience and training Max became a wonderful addition to the family. Max was the spark that lit the flame of her passion to save dogs on a much larger scale.
In 2003 after graduating from The Ohio State University with double bachelor’s degrees, Amy started volunteering for various animal rescue organizations. In 2006 she founded Multiple Breed Rescue and began taking in puppy mill dogs. She worked with mill dogs to help them understand life outside of the mill. She worked primarily with Jack Russell terriers (JRT). Later she expanded to other breeds with behavioral or serious medical issues that were at the local pound.
In 2012 Amy was contacted by Cleveland animal control officers, who had disbanded a dog fighting ring and asked if she could help some of the dogs. She agreed to take four of the survivors and rehabilitate them. Through her dedication she was able to help three of the dogs and teach them that they did not need to be fearful or fight for their lives ever again. After some time, three of the dogs were successfully placed in loving homes in which they lived long happy lives with their families and furry siblings. The City of Cleveland gave recognition to Amy for her dedication and success with rehabilitation of the dogs.
Amy is a member of Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) and International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). She is a member of and is certified through the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP-CDT). She earned her Master’s Certificate in Dog Aggression, is a certified trainer through the International School for Certified Dog Trainers (CDT-C), Certified Trainer through Animal Behavioral College (ABCDT), Certified in Pet CPR, completed Fear Free Shelter Training, Certified as a Shelter Trainer, AKC Evaluator, Certified in Pet Massage, Reactive Zone Practitioner through Victoria Stilwell Academy (VSA), Certified in Pet Nutrition and is currently going pursuing certification through IAABC and CCPDT. She is also Least Invasive Minimal Aversive (LIMA) compliant. She continues to participate in seminars & workshops to further her education. She believes that there is always room for growth through education. She believes every dog is an individual who learns differently, the more tools she has the more success the dog will have. Amy customizes her approach for each dog she trains. Every dog she rescues, trains or owns is a learning experience and an opportunity to change their lives for the better.
Savannah Atchison
Savannah’s family jokes that her first word was “dog,” and anyone who knows Savannah believes it wholeheartedly. Savannah has always been passionate about animals, seeking out opportunities to work with them everywhere she could. From wrangling horses to grooming dogs to cleaning up after giraffes to rehabilitating raptors, she has worked with and learned from a wide variety of animals and people. But it was during her time at college that she realized her passion for animal training specifically.
Savannah currently holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoo and Wildlife Biology with a minor in Psychology, and graduated with Honors at the top of her class. While pursuing her degree, she took clicker training and positive reinforcement seminars to help improve the lives of shelter dogs she worked with at the Lynchburg Humane Society. She also completed a 45 page publication for her Honors Thesis detailing the behavioral theory that underlies the methods of dog training she uses, as well as how zoos are using these same training methods to teach the animals in their care.
Currently, Savannah is pursuing certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). She has completed the Fear Free Shelters training, and is continuing her education through curriculum provided by the Animal Behavior College, as well as by taking dog sports classes with her own dogs. She currently teaches private sessions, basic and intermediate obedience group classes, AKC Trick Dog Novice class, rally, agility, and nosework classes.
Savannah believes that within every dog is an intelligence and individuality just waiting to be revealed, if we would only take the time to understand their language. Then, the things we can accomplish together seem limitless.