Shannon: Training by Example through Relationship, Confidence Building, Communication and a Lifetime of Experience!!

Shannon has dedicated her entire life to animal welfare. From a young age, Shannon was bringing home stray cats in a cardboard box and lost dogs tied to the end of her jump rope. Shannon was raised with her family’s German Shepherd, “Bo” and remembers him from her earliest memories. Bo was Shannon’s inspiration to help as a volunteer for the German Shepherd Rescue in the eastern US, parts of the Midwest and even as far as California! Starting out as a volunteer for the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley in the late 90’s, Shannon later began organizing stray animal efforts in Blount County through fostering, rehabbing and rehoming as a one-person unit and paying medical needs out-of-pocket on a social worker’s salary. Through networking and social media, Shannon quickly became well-known in the German Shepherd Rescue Community throughout the United States after saving two death-row dogs, whose stories went viral in 2007. Shannon adopted one of those dogs, Ruth and had her as a companion for 13 wonderful years. For the next four years, Shannon became a Rescue “Point Person” in Knoxville for Death Row Shepherds in GA, TN, NC, SC, AL and FL. Shannon worked with Northern Rescue Organizations such as Brightstar GSD Rescue, Mid-Atlantic GSD Rescue, Big Dogs Big Hearts, All Shepherd Rescue, Echo Dog Rescue and German Shepherd Rescue & Adoptions. Shannon drove to the southern states to pull dogs off Death Row, temporarily foster them and obtain medical care, and prepare them for transport to their new destinations through the Northern Rescues.

In 2010, Shannon found her “Home” as the Tennessee Coordinator for Southeast German Shepherd Rescue where she helped to organize the rescue, rehab and rehoming efforts for German Shepherds in shelters throughout the Southeast. Shannon has driven many thousands of miles to save hundreds of shelter dogs throughout the eastern US. Shannon brings a valuable combination of life skills to dog training through a lifetime of rescue combined with 20+ years of Social Work experience. With her history as a social worker and special needs adoption coordinator for children and teens in state custody for over 20 years, Shannon understands what it takes to help those dealing with traumatic life experiences. Trauma not only affects people, but trauma can be a major source of dog’s behavioral responses to this big, scary world. Shannon understands how to observe and assess a dog and understands key indicators such as body language, expressions, positioning, movement and posturing and how that relates to a dog’s ability to process the environment around them and also how they are going to react to external stimuli. Assessment and Training of the dog is important, but education of the dog’s owner is the key element that many trainers do not understand. Shannon excels in communication with both clients and their dogs, and often serves roles outside of the standard “Dog Trainer” role such as “Cheerleader, Educator, Therapist” as she knows that dogs are unique, therefore no one training style is suitable for every dog. Shannon believes that the true foundation of training a dog is built through effective communication both verbal and non-verbal, building a trusting relationship, establishing confidence outside of the comfort zone, and utilizing a dog’s individual strengths to set goals for their areas of need. After that, learning and reliability with commands come easy!

Shannon is heading into her eighth year of dog training but has always been given the more advanced and challenging training work since her start as a professional dog trainer– including service dog clients, therapy dogs for funeral homes, dental clinic comfort dogs, PTSD and psychiatric support, mobility support, emotional support animals for children in transition to adoption, and more! Her compassionate approach to working with her clients has gained Shannon a serious following in Knoxville, while her ability to think “outside of the box” has also earned her a reputation as the go-to trainer in Knoxville for all dogs and clients that really need a fresh approach. While Shannon is currently “Rescue Retired” in the Dog Community, she still works to give back where she can and to special cases. Shannon continues to serve local rescue efforts as a volunteer and foster mom for Feral Feline Friends. Shannon is an AKC Evaluator for S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Community Canine Advanced (CGCA) and Urban Canine Good Citizen (CGCU). She has completed Pet Tech Training for PetSaver and Pet CPR & First Aid. She has received Certifications with the American Man trailing, Police & Work Dog Association (AMPWDA), AKC Scent Work Judges Education Seminars, Service Dog Specific Training and seminars through local area search and rescue Teams. Shannon has networks throughout Knoxville with numerous Veterinarian Clinics, Doggie Daycares, Groomers and everything dog-related. Shannon was born and raised in Maryville and planted roots in Knoxville in 1998. Shannon loves our Scruffy Little City and will always consider it “home.”