Teachers Pet

 The Teacher's Pet program is so fortunate to have the world's best corps of volunteers. There is no way we could run a successful program without having this dedicated group of talented individuals spending their time with the kids and dogs. THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!

Meet our Team

 


AMY JOHNSON, MA, MAT, LLPC, NCC, TLS, CPDT-KA
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Teacher's Pet has changed my life. Working with the kids and the dogs and watching what they are able to accomplish is so humbling! Each day I think I couldn't possibly love it anymore...and then I do. By day, I work at Oakland University in the School of Nursing (marketing and research) where I also oversee the online Animal Assisted Therapy Certificate program and teach a course on the Human Animal Bond through the Honors College. I have a Master's degree in Teaching and a Master's in Counseling. I completed Level 1 Certification as a Trauma and Loss Specialist. I am also a certified pet dog trainer through the Council for Certification of Pet Dog Trainers.  

 

 

LISA RABINE, ABCDT
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR/MCJJC LEAD PROGRAM FACILITATOR
Since I was a little girl I’ve been bringing home stray cats and dogs, even a rabbit now and then.  As a kid I spent most my weekend at my Great Grandparents farm where there were several dogs and probably 20 cats to play with!  In high school I got my first job working at the Centerline Veterinary Clinic.  Since then I worked several different kinds of jobs trying to figure out what I was supposed to be doing with me life.  Then, about 5 years ago, I had an opportunity to go back to school and have since become a certified dog trainer.  I met Amy Johnson when I was trying to find volunteer work.  I started volunteering at Kamp K9.  During my first Kamp K9 I became a first time foster parent and quickly became a foster failure by adopting Lukas, a Siberian Husky. After Kamp K9 I was invited to help out at Kingsley Montgomery in Waterford.  I was hooked and knew I had finally found my destiny!  I am currently working at the Macomb County Juvenile Justice Center and absolutely LOVE it!  The kids there are amazing and we have met and trained some great dogs, all which have found their “forever homes”.  One of my newer students asked me the other day if I like my job.  I told her “It’s not a job, it’s a privilege to be here with you, the other kids, and the dogs, I couldn’t ask for anything better.”I also have three kids at home that are already great dog trainers!

 

NICOLE PAWLOWSKI-HERR
MCJJC LEAD DOG TRAINING INSTRUCTOR
 Simply put, I love animals. They add a richness to my life that is beyond words. I have always been interested in behavior and the “why” behind how people and animals behave. This led me to a degree in Psychology and Behavior and is my motivation for training and working with “not-so-perfect” dogs.  Once I moved to Michigan I started working with Silver Lake Animal Rescue League, and then in 2005 joined the Michigan Humane Society as part of the Behavior Helpline. Volunteering with these two organizations has been rewarding and has fed my desire to keep learning and studying cat and dog behavior. In 2008, we created Herr Pet Training and specialize in the needs of the not-so-perfect dog. We have become avid educators, doing what we can to help owners keep pets in their forever homes. I am blessed share my life with my dog-trainer husband Brian and our furry clan: Tully (pictured), Ebony, KittyPants and Bella (a Teacher’s Pet dog!). Teacher’s Pet has been an amazing experience for me so far …I learn so much about (and from!) these kids. Teaching them to give adoptable dogs the skills to shine is a great bonus! Nothing has been better than witnessing the moment when a kid and their dog truly connect, when the walls come down and they really begin to trust each other…
 
 

 

Patti Miottell

MCJJC PROGRAM COORDINATOR
I am currently the program coordinator for Macomb County teacher's pet at the Macomb County Juvenile Justice Center.  I work with Youth that have been adjudicated and placed into our treament programs in an effort to help them aquire the skills necessary to be successful in their communities.

 The Teacher's Pet program is so fortunate to have the world's best corps of volunteers. There is no way we could run a successful program without having this dedicated group of talented individuals spending their time with the kids and dogs. THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!

  

Kelly Barker, CPDT 
Program Facilitator, Oakland County
I am been involved with dog rescue for about 15 years and for the last 5 years have volunteered with K9 Stray Rescue League in Oxford.  I share my home with my husband and 5 rescue dogs.  Over time dog rescue can take a toll on your emotions so I decided  I needed to offset my rescue work with something positive.  When I heard about the Teacher's Pet Program and met Amy I jumped at the opportunity to get involved. I liked the program so much that I am now an instructor for Teacher's Pet at Kingsley Montgomery School.  I also have the privledge of picking shelter dogs to enroll in some of the programs.   To watch first hand how animal-assisted therapy really works for the kids and to see unruly shelter dogs turn obedient and highly adoptable is one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had.

 

Diane Shekell, ABCDT

MCJJC Program Facilitator

 

When I first started the Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) certification program at Oakland University, I had no idea what a positive impact it would have on my life. I was interested in taking my dog to nursing homes and thought it would be a good idea to learn more about the human-animal bond.

While working through the modules of the course, I learned about Teacher’s Pet- a program that pairs at-risk youth with shelter dogs. Curious, I asked Amy if I could come and observe a class at the Oakland Pet Adoption Center. Within fifteen minutes of being there, I knew that I really wanted to be a part of the program. It was so impressive to me watching all the kids train their dogs with such care and compassion. Every interaction was a positive one. The dogs were getting a lot of kind words, attention and treats from the boys. It was clear that both the dogs and the kids enjoyed being together. Along with training and having fun with the dogs, they were giving them a great gift- a much better chance of being adopted.

Since becoming part of the Teacher’s Pet program, I have received my AAT certification. With unending support from my husband, my three daughters and my son, I have also become a certified dog trainer. I have participated in a shelter dog practicum and am a volunteer at Almost Home Animal Rescue. My dog Trixie and I are also taking classes together so she can receive her Canine Good Citizen certificate. From there, I am hoping we can become a therapy dog/handler team!

I am so happy to have found a place where I can share my love of all animals in a classroom setting. I feel very lucky to be here!

 

 

 

 

Tina Serafini

Program Facilitator & Certified Dog Trainer, Oakland County

I have always had a great love for animals ever since I was very young.  I was always told “you are a natural”, at the time I didn’t know what people meant.  At 42 years old I decided to fulfill my dream and go back to school…I made the right and best choice of my life when I decided to become a Certified Dog Trainer.  I did my schooling with ABC, did my externship with Teacher’s Pet, and now I am a Facilitator for Teacher’s Pet, and also do In-Home Training.  Now when people tell me I am a natural, I totally understand what they meant.  I love what I do, and I know this is where I was meant to be!  The best feeling in the world, is when you get to do something you love every day!

 

 

 

 

Janet Benacquisto

Amazing Volunteer

 

 I have had an affinity for animals all my life but didn't have a dog until after I was married.  We enrolled in a puppy class and proceeded from there.  Even as my dog aged (at 10 years old) he and my younger dog (in the picture) took agility classes, yes you can teach an old dog new tricks.  I hold a bachelors degree in biology, am a Registered Nurse, have my EMT license and am an American Heart Association CPR Instructor.  I have taken my dogs to visit hospital patients on a number of occasions, they enjoy the attention and patients benefit from the visit too. 

When I heard about teacher's pet I couldn't wait to volunteer and as soon as I started I was hooked.  I love working with the kids and the dogs, the program is a win win for everyone involved.  I am not sure who enjoys it the most, the kids, the dogs or the staff and volunteers.  The dogs and kids learn together and have also taught me so much too.  Shelter dogs are like people, you just have to give them a chance and what a beautiful, rewarding relationship can bloom.