Growing up in New Jersey, as far as Patricia can remember, she had an abiding love for animals. She always brought home stray kittens, bunnies, and even turtles. After retiring from the Baltimore City Fire Department as a Paramedic, Patricia worked at the Maryland Zoo studying and recording animal behavior with several species, including polar bears, snow leopards and chimpanzees, along with the zoo's animal enrichment program.
Patricia also volunteered and worked at several animal shelters, including the Baltimore Humane Society, where she received dog training experience and certification in the Open Paws Program. This program is designed to reduce stress in a shelter setting, and it implements courses of socialization and puppy and dog play groups.
Patricia continues to train puppies and dogs at Off Leash K9 Training Maryland. She lives with two dogs, Gash, her retired greyhound racer and her shepherd, Spirit Gunner, along with her two cats.
When she's not at work, she attends both rally and nose work classes with Spirit Gunner, who earned his Level Rally 1 title. Patricia enjoys training clients' dogs and teaching classes. It's very exciting to watch as owners and their pups begin their journey together, building their relationship and strengthening their connection based on trust and respect.
