About Us
Certified Training Partner of the Karen Pryor Academy (KPA-CTP)
Kelly Heskett
Kelly is a Montgomery County-based, Certified Training Partner of the Karen Pryor Academy (KPA-CTP). She is a 2015 graduate of excellence from the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior. In 2017 she earned her certificate for Better Vet Visits through Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) and earned her Fear-Free Certification in 2019. In 2021, Kelly earned her Puppy Start Right certificate through KPA. Before attending the Karen Pryor Academy, Kelly shadowed and assisted one of the leading positive reinforcement trainers in Delaware County for two years. In addition to Kelly’s training certification, she also attained a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Biochemistry from Marietta College in 2009.
Kelly’s love of animals, big and small, started at a very young age. She grew up with multiple dogs, cats, rabbits, and a pony. However, it wasn’t until after college that her current passion began to transpire. In 2010, Kelly and her husband Drew adopted their first dog, Doyle, from Finding Shelter Animal Rescue. A few months later, they took their first foster, Precious (aka Miss P), who needed a little extra TLC. Miss P was reactive to new people and dogs inside and outside of the home and it was quickly decided that training would be necessary to help her overcome some of her fears. Positive reinforcement training strengthens the bond between dog and person and as a result, Miss P became the second permanent dog in Kelly and Drew’s family. Miss P is credited with sparking the passion for dog training in Kelly’s life.
Today, Kelly has 4 adopted dogs and has fostered over 60 dogs for Finding Shelter since her first foster, Miss P. She gives back to the community as the trainer for Finding Shelter Animal Rescue where she offers her expertise through training support for the dogs looking for homes as well as providing a lifetime of post-adoption support for families adopting dogs from the rescue.
“If you actually want to train your dog with someone who is not only skilled but incredibly kind, call Kelly. I left her a message, and I told her my dog’s name was Satan. I thought she wouldn’t call back. I wasn’t kidding, my Golden Doodle is so bad. Thank God she did call back, and after only three training sessions, I’m calling her by her name, Sophie. Kelly comes to you and works both inside, outside, on leash and off leash in the yard. She’s just magic.”
“Kelly has been helping me train my dogs since she first became certified. Through her effective group classes and private instruction, my dogs and foster dogs’ behavior has improved dramatically. As the founder of Finding Shelter Animal Rescue, Kelly’s contribution of training support to our foster families and adopters has proved to be invaluable as she helps loving humans manage any issues that arise and that has directly resulted in dogs staying in their adoptive homes. I cannot recommend Kelly enough. She is smart, compassionate, professional, and a GREAT trainer!”
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