Happy Tails

Although I have had a dog for the past 30 some years, it was only in the last 4 years that I truly understood how different canine culture is from my own and worked to train my dogs. Prior to meeting Ashley in 2003, I had completed three levels of obedience classes with my Sable and White Rough Coat Collie, Rocky. I had read countless books on training, and we were in the process of becoming a human-canine therapy team. Rocky and I had formed a bond that was unlike any I had ever experienced with a dog. Yet listening to Ashley give a lecture about

the human-animal bond one day, I realized that she offered something different. It was a way of truly partnering with my dog and understanding his communications while respecting his differences. I knew I wanted that.

Since then, I have worked with Ashley as needed. She was the one I called in a panic when I fell in love with a cute Tri-Color Rough Coat Collie (Jasper) at a rescue, and then was horrified that Rocky did not feel those same feelings of love when the pup moved into his house. Ashley has a way of calmly gathering information to understand the cause of the canine dilemma, and then prescribing a specific plan to remedy the situation and calm the human. She has come to our aid on numerous occasions, and each time I am so grateful that our paths have crossed.

Ashley has taught me that everything my dogs do is a reflection of something I’m doing. It has forced me to not only continue to work on my two dogs’ behavior, but to take responsibility for what I am doing that resulted in the problem. While humbling, it continues to have amazing results. Both dogs are now “employees” at a local health department as registered therapy dogs, and are described by friends and family as amazingly well trained. I continue to call Ashley each time one of my canine buddies do something that I just don’t understand. Each time, she patiently walks me through what’s in their heads, and tells me what to do. She’s an incredible resource and an invaluable advocate for my boys.

I first met Ashley in August 2006 about a month after adopting my Japanese Chin, Cassidy. I had been taking Cassidy to the dog park and after a couple of incidents, she was showing aggression towards other dogs in the park and during our neighborhood walks. Knowing I wanted to adopt a playmate for

her, I called Ashley to get control of the problem right away. Ashley met me at the dog park where I could demonstrate Cassidy's behavior, and she walked me through the procedures I needed to do to desensitize Cassidy around other dogs. I was determined to resolve the problem and worked for about two months with Cassidy following Ashley's advice. She helped me

through the bumps in the road along the way with an abundance of patience!!

Finally in November, Ashley met me with her dog, Odin, at the dog park and we got the green light to go ahead and get Cassidy a playmate. She also informed me that a dog very similar to Cassidy had just been brought to the Larimer Humane Society and she thought they might make a good match.

I I kept an eye on the Humane Society's website and a week later brought home Charlie, a Pekingese/Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Ashley's help in getting the two dogs adjusted was crucial. I followed her advice in

introducing and socializing them, and she came over the day we finally put them together and allowed them to play.

Cassidy and Charlie are now inseparable. They have their spats like any dogs do, but they spend hours and hours playing with each other and have bonded beautifully. I truly owe my success story to Ashley Foster. We

couldn't be the happy family that we are without her support!!!

Claire, Cassidy & Charlie Preston

I’m fortunate to share my life with two incredible Golden Retrievers, Tanner and Buck. In no small part, our relationship is due to the efforts of Ashley Foster. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ashley in the training of both dogs. Not only does Ashley relate extremely well to dogs, she also has unbelievable people skills. Ashley’s in depth knowledge of animal behavior and her ability to effectively communicate with pets and their owners make working with her both enjoyable and highly productive. Tanner and Buck have developed into well-behaved family members and are welcomed into hospitals, schools, and mental health facilities to offer their services as therapy dogs. My enthusiasm for Ashley is surpassed only by that felt by Tanner and Buck.