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Meet Our Trainers

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Phillis F. Peppard

AKC Evaluator

AKC Achiever Dog

Certified Dognition Evaluator

TPU Therapy Dog Evaluator

Supporting Member International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants

Qualifications

  • Founded Bichon Frise Rescue of Virginia in 1988

  • Behaviorist and Trainer, BFCA Maryland and Virginia, 1989-2001

  • Bichon Frise Club of America (BFCA) Rescue effort in 1990

  • Bichon Frise Club of America 1991-present

  • Participant, Bichon Frise Club of America Specialties, 1990-2001

  • Volunteer, Superintendent’s Tent, Berks County Kennel Club Show, 1991-1996

  • Attendee, Berks County Kennel Club Yearly Seminars, 1991-1996

  • Treasurer of Woodbridge, Virginia Chapter of Owner-Handlers Association, 1992-1993

  • International Bichon Frise Congress, 1998

  • Began working with service dog and handler teams, 2009

  • Harmony Dogs of Virginia

  • Member of PSDS beginning, 2009

  • Attendee, Professional Advocacy Training by Soap Box Consulting, Sep, 2011

  • Lobbied Capitol Hill; follow-up letter campaign on bills affecting Veterans with Service Dogs, Sep, 2011

  • Founding Member PSDP, 2013

  • Moderator for PSDP to July, 2015

  • Leadership committee PSDP to July, 2015

  • Attendee, FAA SARA Conference to give input on relief areas that are Service Dog friendly

  • Led roundtable discussions for trainers at PSDP convention in 2014 and 2015

  • Co-evaluator for PSDP Public Access Tests, 2014 and 2015

  • Attendee, Veterans Administration Advisory Committee Representing IACP SD Committee, 2015

  • Course Certificate, Dog Emotion and Cognition taught by Dr. Bryan Hare, Duke University, 2015

  • Volunteer Member, TSA Disability and Multicultural Coalition

  • Chapter on SD Jolie and Phillis (pg 37) in Jamais sans mon chien, published 2015 by Marie-Claude Roy,

  • author of Canine Angels

  • Certificate, Diabetic Alert Dog Trainers Conference, 2015

  • Certificate, Debby Kay's Super Sniffer Workshop, 2015

  • Attendee, Service Dog Conference, Assoc. of Service Dog Partners for Military Veterans, 2017

  • Lobbied US Congress to support PAWS Act of 2017, July 2017

  • IACP Service Dog Committee, 2015-2017

Jolie was rescued from a shelter at 10 months old. I had been looking for two years for a service dog candidate and when I saw her knew she was the one.

At first, she was five pounds of terror!  My patient and amazing pack of Bichons taught her dog manners, while I began formal training and people manners. She was a quick learner and at two years old had passed her AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and her Public Access Test (PAT). 

 

She went on to pass more tests, including qualifying as a Therapy Dog.

She loves to train and at 9 years old remains my primary service dog and dedicated sidekick. She is currently training for AKC Trick Dog Novice and Intermediate tests.

Certifications: SD, PAT, CGC, CGCA, CGCU, TADN

Lynda Streeper

AKC CGC Evaluator

"Dogs have been a part of my life since I was ten years old.  I started training at twelve with a puppy.  Then on to grooming and the show ring with a wonderful Afghan. Volunteering at age 19 with several Animal Control Shelters and Humane Societies showed me that pets need our help.  I started helping the fearful pups shaking at the back of the kennels to relax so they could find homes. This lead to a lifetime desire to help the fearful dogs in the world as they usually don't have a very good quality of life and many are killed simply because they are misunderstood and deemed aggressive.  I've been working with these types of dogs for forty years.

 

I've been owned by many breeds and mutts.  I've shown in the conformation ring, the obedience ring, and for fun I did drafting, agility and a variety of other activities with dogs.  I even used dogs on a farm to haul hay, cultivate a garden, and pull a wagon. Throughout the years, I have taught many classes and helped many people with their pets. I've raised puppies for rescues, teaching them basic house manners, trained search and rescue dogs, and currently train shelter dogs as service dogs for our military veterans.  A lifetime of working with easy, difficult, and puzzling dogs has shown me that patience, practice, and cookies can get most of them through anything.  Never underestimate the power of cookies when working with dogs!"

Ace spent his first four and a half years as a breeder dog for a backyard breeder. He ended up in a rescue from where I adopted him. Predictably, he was a “velcro dog” who attached himself closely to me for safety and security.

In his first 24 hours after adoption his world began to expand. He learned to walk on a leash, spent the night in a hotel, had breakfast eggs for the first time, and began a long road trip during which he had lunch on an outside restaurant deck.  He handled it all well and bonded with Jolie who was happy to be in charge of her new roommate.

Ace’s individual training began with short walks and 10 minute training sessions, during which unusual noises … and they were all unusual to him … frightened him. He still doesn’t like unexpected noises, but takes a passing bus, truck, and motorcycle in stride now.

Over time we worked to build his confidence and he was able to pass AKC and PAT tests. He also attended a certification program for Sniffer Dogs and Diabetic Alert Training that capitalized on his love of nose work.

Ace loves people, other dogs, and cats and at 8 years old often “pinch hits” for Jolie as my Service Dog.

Certifications: SD, PAT, CGC, CGCA, CGCU

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