HAPPY TAILS RANCH

KRISTINA

head trainer

Hello, everyone my name is Kristina Pomagier. I have been training dogs since 2014 and competing since 2016. I specialize in competition obedience, rally, reactivity, resource guarding, clicker training, shaping and amongst many other techniques that I have gathered from my many mentors. I continuously learn new techniques to help whatever team that is in front of me. I love training and inspiring others to work towards their dreams and encourage people to want to show what their dog can do in any sport.

I currently have a German shepherd named Bane. Bane earned he’s CD Companion dog title under 2 years with scores 190+, all first places and he made it to the top 10 of German shepherds in the USA for AKC novice dog titles for high scores. Bane and I obtained CDX companion dog of excellent with all placements and being recognized as the #1 Open A GSD in the US in AKC for 2018. Bane was invited to the National Obedience Championship 2x for Novice and Open. Bane and I went onto the Rally ring Earning RACH, RM2, RAE2 with over 30 High combines and High Triple Q’s multiple placements and awards. Bane and I have been invited every year since the rally novice title to the Rally National Championship. Bane was recognized as number 7 in GSDs by Front & Finish for the American Kennel Club Rally Master class earning 77 points on our Rally Master title and RACH title journey! Bane was recognized as 2nd GSD out of all, 7th in all herding breeds out of all in AKC Rally presented by Front & Finish! Bane and I are currently working towards the UD utility dog title and will see where the world takes us!

Bane: RACH Shewana’s Handsome King CGCA, CGCU, TKI, CDX, RM2. RAE2, TDI, RATN, TDI

Tessa, a conformation Boxer, is the newest member of our pack. Tessa has been a great addition with different challenges. Tessa who was 2 in August 2019 has currently earned her BN Beginner Novice title with all placements and is working towards her CD. Tessa was recognized as 3rd top boxer out of all in AKC Rally presented by Front & Finish! Tessa currently is working not only towards her obedience and rally, but she is working towards her conformation CH champion title.

Tessa: Cloud N Wilk’s Audacious Darling TDI, CGCA, CGCU, BN, RE, TKN

Alexie

General Manager, Trainer

My name is Alexie. I have spent the last 13 years working in the healthcare system in various fields and I finally decided to chase my dreams of being a dog trainer. I have been training dogs for 6 years. I have trained my own personal Service Dog for my heart condition. I have also trained service dogs for others, pet therapy dogs, reactive dogs, trick dogs, and hunting dogs. My dog Blue and I are working hard to earn titles in Rally and Competition Obedience.

My personal pack includes Dixie (5 year old chocolate lab), Nola (1.5 year old yellow lab), Blue (1.5 year old chocolate lab), Cascie (3 year old chocolate lab), Star (2 year old yellow lab), Foxy (2 year old fox red lab) and Gator (puppy fox red lab). 

I also breed Labrador Retrievers and concentrate on genetic health and temperament!

I am excited to now be a part of the Happy Tails Ranch family and be able to share my passion with others!

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My training specialties include puppy training, obedience, reactivity, behavior modification and service work.

Adriana

Kennel & Day Care Manager

My name is Adriana! Working with animals was all I ever wanted to do and I feel as if working with dogs is second nature to me. I love seeing the special bond between dogs and owners and the joy our pets bring to our lives.

At home I own one dog; a young cattle dog mix named Cooper. I am enjoying exploring training and different ways of working/bonding with him.

At Happy Tails I work very hard to ensure all dogs are safe and feel comfortable just like at home

jaci

obedience, nosework, Website Manager

My name is Jaci and I am a special education teacher by day and dog trainer by night! I have been training since 2016/ At home I have a German Shepard named Vera, and a Husky mix named Kain. I also regularly foster dogs for a local German Shepherd rescue. My Shepherd is therapy trained and loves to visit my students at school with me and my Husky is trying his paw at nose work and really enjoying it! Vera and I are working towards our rally titles and currently have our RN and RI with goals to achieve our RAE before the end of 2020! 

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I became interested in training when I discovered the behavior theory behind training dogs is the same behavior theory you study to teach children and they both have been an integral part of my life since! I began looking into becoming a trainer formally when working with my Husky. Kain was from a hoarding situation and came to me with a plethora of behavior issues including separation anxiety, dog reactivity and people selectivity. Since working with Kain he has become a functioning member of my family and his separation anxiety is a thing of the past! I am a firm believer that all dogs are capable of learning and training is an integral part of making any dog find their place within the workings and routines of your family.

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Vera IX CGCA, TKA, RI

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Kain CGCA, TKI, NC

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TIFFANY

obedience, conformation

My name is Tiffany Grap, and I am one of the trainers at Happy Tails Ranch.  I have worked here for almost 5 years and I absolutely love working with the dogs!!!  I also got my first Boxer from owner, Amy.  Jewel is a conformation show dog and a breed champion. I decided to start showing her in obedience and rally as well because I love working with dogs. Jewel has earned her CGC title, beginner novice obedience title, rally novice title, and she has two of three legs towards her rally intermediate title.

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I love teaching and training obedience because it builds such a wonderful bond between you and your dog!! I love working at Happy Tails and working with all different dogs.

Karen

nosework

My husband Larry and I have been in Dobermans for 20 years. Currently 3 of our Dobes are Grand Champions and have various titles in AKC and UKC Obedience, Rally, Agility, CGC, and Trick Dog, as well as AKC Scent Work and NACSW Nosework. Our youngest in training has AKC Rally, Trick Dog and CGC titles. My Dobe, Erin, who is 8 and I have been doing Nosework for 6 years! She fractured her hip at 6 months of age and after being confined to the crate and a lengthy rehab, her vet finally cleared her to do Nosework as a low impact sport. She was 2. We started our first class in the fall of 2012 and passed all 3 odors of the NACSW ORT test the same day in February, 2013. Her first NW1 trial was in May, 2013. She has her NW3 and we are currently trying to get 2 more NW3s for her Elite title. Erin went to her first AKC Scent Work trial in 2019 and is currently at the Excellent level in all 4 elements. Erin’s daughter Dani, who is 3, is just starting her Scent Work career and is showings signs of being even better than her Mom.

Sarah

Agility, Obedience, Kennel

My name is Sarah and I am so excited to be joining the Happy Tails Ranch family!

In 2017 shortly after starting my first semester of college at the University of Louisville I rescued my now three year old border collie named Lilac. Lilac is my medical service dog and together we completed a fifteen month service dog training program in Kentucky.

We currently train in obedience, agility, nose work, and barn hunt. We hope to attend our first show this spring and try our hand (and paw) at competition obedience!

Shortly after bringing Lilac home and beginning the numerous training programs we have done or are currently a part of, I discovered my passion for dog training and am looking forward to helping care for and train other people’s furry friends!

KarIn

Barn Hunt

My name is Karin Magnuson and I am thrilled to be joining the Happy Tail Ranch Family.  I trained my first dog when I was 16 years old. He was a shep / St Bernard mix my brothers and I found in the woods. As a teenager I spent the summer on my Uncle’s Horse farm, he raised Standardbreds for Harness racing trotters and pacers.  My job was to work the foals and years to halter leads and ground reining. I joined the Air Force after high school and spent a year at Lackland Air force base. In boot camp and tech school I volunteered to help with the military working dogs. I served 8 years between active duty and reserve time. 

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Upon returning home, I started working with the local animal shelter, as an adoption consultant/ admin. I did this for almost 3 years.  I left the shelter to become an Animal Control Officer and a Humane Investigator, which I did for 23 years. At the same time, I was working with a local trainer Marge Gibbs at collar and Leash.  Marge referred me to a local park district to teach classes there. I am still teaching classes today for over 25 year. My classes are Puppy, Basic and Advanced Obedience class, Beginner Agility, Intro to Nose work, Rally Classes, triball, Therapy dog, Trick dog, and a new class we call ruff and rally.

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I currently train my 3 Dobermans in conformation, obedience, rally, barn hunt, nosework, and have just started dock diving, and tracking with them.  My dogs have many titles and we enjoy going to trials most weekends.

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I am also a Judge and evaluator, for the Following, S.T.A.R Puppy, CGC, CGCA, CGCU, TRICK DOG, FARM DOG, AKC ATT TEST, and LURE COURSING ABILITY TEST (CAT). I am currently waiting for approval for TDI to be able to certify therapy dogs. 

Gena

Agility, Conformation, Obedience

I've been training and competing dogs in obedience for over 30 years. I've worked in shelters, dog kennels, animal hospitals and am a registered nurse.

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I started training and competing in AKC agility 13 years ago, titling 5 boxers to excellent and masters levels. It's a sport that I find passionate, rewarding and fun to share with your dog.

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I bred 4 boxer litters and show in conformation. I've taken many group wins as an Owner Handler. I also assist Professional Handler, Amy Bieri in the ring as well as ringside.

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Ch Happy Tail's Moment Of Trust CD BN RN OA OAJ NF ACT1

GCH JoKar's N Happy Tail's Blonde Moments DOM CD RE MX MXJ

Happy Tail's Blonde Ambition CD AX AXJ

Happy Tail's Bold Contender CD (2 CDX legs)

AX AXJ Bruin's Blizzard CDX (2 UD legs)