Abby was one of the first people in CT to become a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) in 2021. She also competed in her first Rally competition that same year, where she won multiple classes. Since then, she has competed and placed on a national level in multiple disciplines, including AKC Rally and Obedience. Abby is the owner of The Exceptional Pet and the founder and director of The Exceptional Sidekick Service Dogs and Therapy Dogs, a nonprofit service dog organization providing psychiatric service dogs to teens and young adults struggling to complete their education due to their mental health.

Abby is a strong believer in continuing education and professional development. Each year, she travels to workshops and seminars with some of the leading trainers in the field. Over the years, she has taken courses from experts such as Dr. Ian Dunbar, Suzanne Clothier, Pia Silvani, Sue Sternberg, and Denise Fenzi. She regularly attends conferences and classes to learn new and exciting techniques, and she also values the lessons she has gained from the thousands of dogs she has trained over the years.

Donna is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, (CCPDT), is a CATCH Certified Dog Trainer, (CCDT), AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and a Service Dog and Therapy Dog trainer with The Exceptional Sidekick Service Dogs and Therapy Dogs.  She became interested in training after seeing and experiencing the devistation that comes along with having a reactive dog. That experience taught her about the complexities of the canine brain and the best way to communicate with dogs that do not feel safe in new situations. It is an experience that all dog trainers should have to go through to learn about the human side of training dogs and all the emotions that go along with it.

While supervising and working the daycare floor at Wags Doggie Daycare and Boarding, Donna was also apprenticing with The Exceptional Pet and learning about all of the different aspects of training from handling aggressive dogs to (her favorite) helping new puppy owners feel comfortable with their new family member.

Donna has been passionate about rescue for many years and is the loving mom to two wonderful rescue dogs, Kasey Ann and Wilber James, as well as her two cats, Boots and Leo.

Kristen began her journey with dogs in high school when she started working for a local kennel. Shocked by two dogs who had been permanently boarded because their families deemed them unsafe, she began researching ways to help them. This led to a love of dog training which has never subsided.

After college Kristen began working at Guiding Eyes for the Blind where she was lucky enough to learn from Suzanne Clothier, who was helping to revamp much of the way the puppies were being raised. Beginning her time there in the breeding and cryogenics department, she eventually transitioned to the role of Central CT Region Coordinator which among other things, teaches classes for all puppies placed in the region from 6 weeks to 18 months. She remained until having children, at which time she decided to stay home, but maintained her relationship with Guiding Eyes as a volunteer.

Kristen is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, CPDT-KA, through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, (CCPDT), and is a AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. She believes watching relationships blossom between people and their dogs through positive training is an amazing gift, and that learning should never stop. Kristen is a lifetime Connecticut resident who shares her zoo home with her husband, 4 kids, 3 resident dogs, 1 service dog in training, 6 chickens, 2 cats, and 1 fish.

Kristen has most recently been excited to help start the Exceptional Sidekick Service Dog Organization, right here in Newtown. She finds being a part of something that will change lives in our own backyard both humbling and inspiring.

Hi I’m Jess! I have been working with the Exceptional Sidekick program for the past two years, where I help train psychiatric service dogs using positive reinforcement, clicker training, and public access work.

I also have hands on experience working at a dog kennel and raising service dogs, which has taught me how to build trust, consistency, and confidence in dogs of all ages. I love watching dogs learn and grow, and I focus on creating clear communication and a positive training environment.

I’ve also had the opportunity to train alongside dolphins and sea lions through an internship with the U.S. Navy’s Marine Mammal Program, which has deepened my understanding of behavior and reinforcement-based training. I’m excited to use all of this knowledge to help train dogs!