top of page
mountain dog mountain girl.jpg
Meet Val

Her Animals!

Hey Guys!

I am the owner and lady boss of Venture Doggie LLC and I was a dog owner just like you who wanted the very best for my cattle dog! So I really do get what the struggle is like!His name is Lewen and his past aggression and reactivity are what really lit a fire under me to become a trainer-

even though at the time I was planning on going to Veterinary school (which was a life-long plan, but that's another story!)

I have spent my whole life working with animals- at the vet clinic, at the shelter, at kennels, at the farm, on ranches... which means I have worked with a lot of dogs and horses over the years, so chances are I have met a dog similar to yours. 

I have a serious addiction to learning and can't get enough about dog and horse psychology and training, learning from other clinicians and trainers, reading everything under the sun, and taking every online course that helps me learn more and become a better human and dog trainer! Which means you are always going to get the most up to date training information, and hopefully feel my enthusiasm during our training sessions! 

I love to be hiking outdoors with my dog or riding my horses. Riding horses and training dogs is what keeps me sane, it's my meditation, my zen, and my life's purpose and I feel so grateful to share this passion with others. I am incredibly dedicated to developing a deep connection and partnership with all the animals I work with. Over the years I have found that the real lessons are in what animals have to teach us about ourselves, not what we have to teach them.

I really see all the animals I works with as guides in my life, and can't even explain how much they have taught me. I truly feel that every person, animal, and living thing has something valuable to teach, so I mean it when I say that I love my clients and appreciate all your wisdom as well! I really strive to always make my human clients feel valuable and empowered about themselves and their dog. I am so appreciative to have the privilege to work with people and their dogs!

​

​


RELEVANT EDUCATION
Valerie has years of formal behavioral dog training studying under Mark McCabe's Training Between the Ears System through her continued apprenticeship with Rhonda Bilodeau of VT Dog Pack.

She has completed additional courses and workshops in

  • Rhonda Bilodeau's year long dog trainers program

  • Service Dog Training with Victoria Warfel

  • Zero to CD Obedience with Hannah Brannigan

  • Obedience and Behavior training courses through Michael Ellis & Ivan Balabanov

  • Play is the Way with Jay Jack

  • Training Workshops with Linn Boyke

  • Positive reinforcement for horses with Madison Shambaugh (Mustang Maddy)

  • Horse Training with Stacy Westfall

  • Horse Training with Feather Light Academy with Yvet Blokesch

  • Horse Training with Amelia Newcomb Dressage

  • Weekly Riding and Horse Training Lessons with Jamie Leo

  • Bi-weekly lessons in The Academic Art of Riding with Bettina Biolik  


​

Meet Valerie's Guardians
IMG_5990.jpg

Lewen

Lewen is an Australian Cattle Dog and was most likely born in October of 2013. Valerie discovered him on a highway while living in Colorado, and it was love at first sight. She always says he is her guardian angel that was sent to her, because he has brought so many beautiful things into her life!Including starting a dog training business! It was really all because of him!

She likes to say he is her whole heart. 

He enjoys herding, biking, agility, running, and fetching frisbees!

​

967A3ABB-F8BD-4F00-A05E-2E1DF9DA352A.jpeg
Dusty

Dusty is an American Quarter Horse and the sweetest mare you will ever meet! She is yet another incredible animal guide, and teacher in Valerie's life. They focus on the Academic Art of Riding, Clicker Training, Trail Riding and long walks together with Lewen. Dusty is getting older, so the focus is on keeping her strong, flexible, and as mentally engaged as possible. She absolutely loves clicker training!

IMG_7293.JPG

Zara

Zara is a 5 year old off-thetrack Throughbred and Val's heart horse. She is another incredible animal guide, and teacher in Valerie's life. The star in her sky. Their focus is currently in dressage, the academic art of riding, groundwork, and in the future cross-country eventing! Together they make an incredible team, and enjoy bonding on the ground, in the saddle, over carrots, and just being around one another. 

bottom of page