Shanna Hoffer

Growing up at the edge of a small town, I was fortunate that I was able to go every day after school and most Saturdays to the farm just across the way. An older man and woman owned the farm and loved all the kids to come and spend time with the animals. We rode ponies and horses, groomed them, and helped do other various things on the farm and I think that is where my love for animals came. If one of the animals was not feeling well then I would take it home and between my mom and I, we would “fix” it. My mother, to my dismay, always made me take them back and told me someday that I would get a special one of my very own. I had cats, birds, mice and a horse, which I loved but the day my mom walked in with this little fur ball of a pup I know that is where my heart belonged.  Since that time, I have never been without a dog at my side.

During high school, I did my co-op at a vet clinic and was sure that would be the career for me. I realized after I had assisted in having to put a dog down that I did not have what it takes to do this. So after completing high school I worked in a factory for 12 years and then one day my husband got me to watch a show on the television  “At The End of my Leash “ and I realized that old feeling was renewed and that is what I wanted to do.  I took a few training sessions with Bernie Martin, one of Brad's CTEs, and really enjoyed it and I could not believe the difference in the behaviour of my dog Ajha.  Then I attended a few of Brad's seminars and saw how the dogs reacted to him. A few months later I found there was to be a training course for a CTE under the supervision of Brad and knew that I needed to do this.

Not everyone gets to fulfill their dream, but upon completion of my CTE course, I did achieve what I feel to be one of the greatest moments of my life. I now look forward to my future knowing that this new path I take will be with my best friend Ajha at my side teaching others that there is hope and everybody can have an amazing bond with their dog that they never thought possible!