John has natural animal skills and is a very patient and nurturing dog owner. He enjoys all aspects of owning a dog and never forgets his responsibility as a owner. John has done an excellent job of training his shelter dog and teaches her obedience without pain and humiliation. Its evident that John enjoys interaction with dogs which brings on a sense of safety for the animal. Our black Lab who had an abusive youth, is socially dysfunctional and struggles with strangers. He makes a first bad impression with posturing and snarling which means no one wants to play with him. John has reduced his anxiety by repeated visits to dog parks where our dog is learning to socialize. John has a calming and quiet way with dogs which dogs sense and enjoy.

I was with John when he picked up his first dog, Bowie, from the Humane Society. From the first day of bringing her home, he has been dedicated to her well-being and manners. He is excellent at being consistent with her on a leash, in the car, and in the house despite her resistance at times. My family dog, Jack, has been a real handful for my family and I--he is awful on the leash and unpredictable at times, but with John, Jack is a delight at the dog park (we would have never had the courage on our own to take him there) and off the leash on various trails in the West Hills of Portland. John has a way with animals that not many people do.