Dukas, a rescue lab mix, joined the Dressler household in 1995 at age 4 months.  He earned his CGC (Canine Good Citizen) certification and participated in obedience and agility, as well as trick classes (which he loved).  We lost Dukas in 2009 at age 14 and still miss him dearly! 

Doris Dressler, CPDT-KA*, has over 14 years experience training dogs.  As a Canine Assistants staff trainer, she trained and placed over fifty assistance dogs for adults and children with physical disabilities and seizure disorders.  She did extensive work with their local volunteer program and has spoken nationally to raise awareness about service dogs.  As Canine Assistants after care coordinator, she worked with existing service dog teams addressing behavior issues and providing training assistance.
 
Doris has been doing private dog training since 2007.  She also volunteers her services as staff trainer for the Big Canoe Animal Rescue, a no-kill shelter located near Jasper, Ga.
 
Doris is a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and a member of the Georgia Dog Trainer Forum.  She also writes a monthly dog training column for Smoke Signals.
 
Her own dog, Drop, a yellow Labrador Retriever,  joined the household in 2009.  Drop is a tennis ball fanatic, and in typical lab fashion, loves to swim.  Drop earned his NTD (Novice Trick Dog Title) in early 2012.    He and Doris are also  currently active in agility, rally obedience and dock diving.  

*CPDT-KA, or Certified Professional Dog Trainers (Knowledge Assessed), are tested and certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.  Certified Pet Dog Trainers have earned this credential by demonstrating their knowledge and experience in dog training.  A Certified Pet Dog Trainer stays informed of current knowledge in the field, is familiar with the latest, most effective training techniques and equipment, and adheres to a strict code of ethics.  Doris became certified in March, 2007, and is one of less than 1,500 CPDT's in the world.