Dear Barbarann,

   Thank you does not begin to express the appreciation that my husband Richard and I have for the wonderful training our German Shepherd puppy, Heidi, received at Wilford Academy.   I researched obedience schools throughout the Northeast looking for the one that I felt would best suit our needs and from the moment I spoke with you; I knew you were the right person.   Your facility is not only a warm and welcome place to train dogs, but you are truly a professional in your field.    

   When I brought Heidi to you, she was unruly because of her abundant puppy energy that fueled her lack of concentration and rambunctious antics.  I left her with you, certain that Heidi Karlsson would go into the yearbook as “class clown.”

   To everyone’s complete and utter amazement, you returned to me a poised, well-behaved, and obedient young dog who is now more of a pleasure than ever!    You trained her and settled her down without taking away her loving demeanor and very silly sense of humor.   In fact, I hope that the Wilford Academy will consider making a new command for the soon-to-be-famous “Heidi Platz” way of going into a down position – head first! 

   Wilford Academy will certainly be highly recommended to others.   Your training methods are extremely effective, yet most impressive is the way you interact in a loving and positive way with the animals to implore them to please you.   I brought Heidi to you with reserved expectations, now we are already planning her advanced training at Wilford Academy in the fall!    Thank you so much for everything!

All the best!
Anne Karlson

Dear Barbarann:

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge your superb training techniques and facility in training my little “devil dog,” Kahuna.  As you know, I was not planning on obtaining a dog at the time when he came into my life and he came to me without any previous training.  He had various and numerous issues, including no socialization, training for basic commands, crate training, being an escape artist and separation anxiety to only name a few.  I was at my wits end and ready to totally give up as his issues were creating such a great deal of anxiety for me.   He was so bad that I was extremely worried that he may be the first one not to graduate and get kicked out the academy!  However, after several telephone conversations and meeting you, I felt extremely comfortable leaving Kahuna with you for the two weeks of training (I confess, I told him he was going to “boot camp”).

Before calling your facility, I had called several training academies within the State, but felt the most comfortable with your facility after talking to you, researching your website and reading the letters from previous clients and learning your methods of training. I had heard horror stories from acquaintances about training being fearful for the animal, but when I arrived with Kahuna and saw you with a few of the dogs, all I saw were tails wagging and training being done in a welcoming and loving environment.  I knew right away I had made the right choice

I cannot convey enough positive things about you, your facility and the extremely friendly and loving training methods you provide the dogs.  While telling friends and family Kahuna was at “boot camp,” I think he thought of the academy as a fun camp away from home.  He loved playing with all the other “houseguests” and running around the gated play area.

One thing that really caught my attention, besides your professionalism, was how much you love what you do, how you love each and every animal you train and it became apparent the love was reciprocated by the animals as well.

Additionally, I especially want to thank your for your intuitive nature in knowing that not only did Kahuna need training, but I did as well.  Through your gentle mannerisms and subtle ways, you provided me the insight to realize some of the reasons why I felt the anxiety I was feeling and provided me the confidence to allow me to break down barriers and come to terms with the fact that while Kahuna wasn’t the same personality as my furry best friend which I had lost several years ago, he was very worthy and needy of my love too.

You truly are a very special person and trainer.  I will always feel indebted to you for providing Kahuna a better and more structured life, returning to me a more calm, loving dog who knows his commands and for teaching us both that we were meant to be together!  You truly rock!

                                                                                                            Sincerely,

                                                                                                            Debbie & Kahuna