About Melanie, Emerald Coast Dog Behavior Training Experience in Santa Rosa Beach
I am a native Floridian and I have possessed an innate love for animals for as long as I can remember. I am a passionate, patient, and persistent pet-lover.
Before I wound up in the field where I was meant to be, I received my journalism degree from the University of Georgia and accrued a diverse background of many titles, including a tv reporter, newspaper reporter and photographer. Now I consider myself incredibly blessed to be able to do what I love every day...help dogs and their humans to live more balanced lives!
Initially, I researched holistic animal care many years ago to see what I could do to help out. I found the use of essential oils to help our personal dogs, and studied and received two certifications in Animal Aromatherapy.
Next, I trained as a Canine Aqua Therapist. I own the premiere dog hydrotherapy program in Northwest Florida, with the only pool designed specifically to be used for dogs. It is neither chlorine nor salt, but is treated with a copper-based line of products, that are environmentally friendly. I provide swim therapy for dogs with physical limitations, such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, post-surgery, degenerative myelopathy, strokes and other conditions. I have even found that swimming helps to build confidence in timid dogs.
I now teach others to learn how to swim dogs through a 5-day program to help them become canine aqua therapists in their cities.
I offer energy medicine treatment sessions to all animals, as I spent one year studying to progress through all 4 levels of the Healing Touch for Animals program, and then going through a 2-year certification process.
Throughout my years of working with animals, my clients would always ask me if I “trained” dogs, because they had issues they were dealing with. Although I didn’t train officially, I did have experience with my energy work, which helps with behavior modification. Finally, I decided to make it official and started researching types of training.
I was always a fan of Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer. Since I work with energy too, I really felt Cesar would be the perfect match for me.
In November 2016, I traveled to Ft. Lauderdale where Cesar associated with a facility. I trained under Cesar in his program Fundamentals I: Training Cesar’s Way. In this class, there were 38 students from all over the world! In fact, students from the US were the minority in our class.
In June 2017, I traveled to Orlando for the opportunity to shadow Todd Langston for three days. Todd is one of Cesar’s two lead trainers.
In September 2017, I traveled to Cesar’s ranch in Santa Clarita, CA to complete Fundamentals II: Training Cesar’s Way.
In June of 2018 I again traveled to California, this time to shadow Cheri Lucas, a dog behaviorist--through her Mentorship program. Cheri worked alongside Cesar 20 years ago, training dogs with him, and then designing his Training Cesar''s Way program.
October 2021 Cheri Lucas held a Learn to Lead workshop in Knoxville, TN, hosted at Balanced Paws K9 Training.
January 2022, I had the privilege to host Oregon Tails from Portland, at my dog training facility in Defuniak Springs. Approximately 20 people including myself were able to learn their Jentle Method to help more dogs in the future to make behavior changes!
Beginning in mid 2022, I will be offering spots for dogs to join me at our 5 1/2 acre farm twice a week to learn positive behaviors. Attendance is limited to 10
dogs at the Emerald Coast Dog Psychology Center. Dogs will be picked up in our company van and returned home at the end of the day. Cost of Farm Daze is $65/day. Participants are first come, first served.