ANIMAL LEARNING SYSTEMS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Senior Caretaker, Kennel Supervisor
Although a graphic artist, Alex has a long love for animals and lives with a Jack Russell Terrier and a Terrier Mix.
Since joining us he has developed canine husbandry skills that make him an asset to our team. In addition to caring for the animals in our facility, Alex operates our shuttle service. If your dogs are coming or going, to and from our Urban Dog Campus, don't be surprised to see Alex at your door!
Carmelle spends most of her days spinning yarns as a creative editor for commercials and films in the dog-eat-dog world of advertising. After brushing off those canines, she looks forward to moonlighting with the lovable Fidos and Spots that come to Animal Learning Systems for guidance in our group training courses. As a full-time dog lover, she and her husband. Chris, have two rescue dogs, both proud graduates of our Family Training Courses.
Job Titles:
- Senior Trainer, Instructor
Evan began as a Caretaker at our Urban Dog Campus. A pre-veterinary student he quickly became drawn to the behavioral aspects of our work, changing majors to psychology and biology, and is a graduate of Oakland University.
Evan is our Senior Trainer and course instructor, and works as an assistant to Mr. Lessenberry in behavioral work with our client's companions.
He is well respected by our clients, their dogs, and his co-workers.
When he is not enjoying the company of dogs, Evan is an avid and competitive gamer, and film buff.
Job Titles:
- CEO, Clinical Animal Behaviorist
My first dog, born in 1973, was a Labrador Retriever, named Ebony. She was a cornucopia of behavior problems, yet I loved her. For five years I tried books, classes and tears all to no avail.
The books I used were poor at best; the classes I attended were cruel at the least. Because of her many problematic behaviors, she was not an acceptable house companion. Eventually, I was forced to make a decision. This animal didn't deserve to die because of her impractical behavior, but I didn't deserve to live with her behavior either. As a compromise, Ebony was moved to a large run in my yard, where she was well cared for living to the age of fourteen.
Memories of Ebony bring about much sadness and guilt. She was a victim of misunderstanding and misinformation.
Since Ebony I have enjoyed the companionship of many dogs: Retrievers, Shelties, German Shepherds, Spaniels, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, Terriers, and mixed breeds. I was always captivated by their common traits as dogs and their uniqueness as individuals.
Because of my experiences with Ebony I began developing my approach to training in the early 1980s, later earning a degree in the biology of psychology, motivation and behavior. I have been working professionally with pets and their families since 1986.
Today, in addition to a busy clinical practice, I am responsible for the oversight of our services and products, which are built on a solid academic foundation of biological and environmental influences on behavior, combined with over 30 years experience as an animal trainer and behaviorist. I look forward to educating and helping you.
Like most of our staff, Kim began as a Caretaker at our Urban Dog Campus. Her leadership skills quickly saw her rise from caretaker, to kennel supervisor, to administrative assistant, to Operations Manager, where she oversees staffing and operations in all our departments.
Kim is a caretaker in the fullest sense of the word. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Missions and Economics from Harding University, Searcy, Arkansas. She has worked with homeless people, at-risk children, and shelter animals in a variety of settings, including: Heifer Ranch, Flaming Pine Youth Camp, and Micah 6. Her work has taken her to Arkansas, Minnesota, Michigan, Mozambique, Dubai, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands.
Kim is all about improving the lives of people and animals through community education and programs, including: community gardens, livestock management and husbandry, special needs pet sitting, shelter volunteering, and work in spiritual communities.
Kim and her husband Zac enjoy a near purr-fect life at home with their cat, Rusty. All that's missing is a much dreamed about Welsh Corgi.
Rita brings a diverse background of business experience to our organization having responsibility for all aspects of our company's bookkeeping. Outside of the office she keeps busy at home as an accomplished gardener and exquisite cook. She and her husband, Mike, have enjoyed the company of two Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs - both alumni of our Off-Leash Programs.