Teachers Pet

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Meet our Team

AMY JOHNSON, MA, MAT, LLPC, 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, teaching the first and fifth modules. I have a Master's degree in Teaching and recently finished a Master's in Counseling. Along with Angela, I am finishing up 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
MCJJC 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!

 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 
Kingsley Montgomery Program Facilitator
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.

 

Annie Aumann
My name is Annie and I have been in love with animals my entire life.  In 2003 I went away for school at MichiganStateUniversity in the PreVeterinary Program.  I loved the classes, but they have these strict rules about no pets on campus.  After a year and a half without any pets, I couldn’t take it and moved back home.  I am currently attending the University of Michigan-Dearborn finishing my pre-requisites for Veterinary School.  I have been working in veterinary hospitals for the last four and a half years teching, assisting, and being a receptionist.  Many dogs (and cats) have come and gone in the past few years, but only three babies (I mean dogs) stay permanently: Sapphire, Duncan, and Georgia.

My dad works with the MacombCountyJuvenile JusticeCenter and was the one that introduced me to the idea of volunteering with this new dog program they were starting.  At first I was hesitant – I am a very shy person that hated high school and the thought of being around all these teenagers kind of scared me.  I figured I would give it a try and now I can’t imagine a week without seeing “my kids.” Teacher’s Pet has been a part of my life ever since and I have love every minute of it.  Not every day is perfect, each kid has their ups and downs, but in the end they form a strong bond with their dogs and get the pride of seeing what positive things they can do.

  

 
SARAH CARLETON, MSW
My name is Sarah Carleton and I've had the privilege of volunteering with the Teacher's Pet Program since September of 2008. I met Amy and Lisa through an internship at Kingsley Montgomery School in Waterford, and was so inspired by the the dedication of those involved and the positive changes I witnessed in the kids that I have been hooked ever since! I'm a recent graduate of Wayne State University, where I received my Masters in Social Work. Currently I work as a social worker in the Taylor School District. Dogs have always been a big part of my life, and since volunteering with this program I have found that the link between animals and healing is undeniable.

 

KAYLA DEVER
For as long as I can remember dogs have always been my passion. I could recite every AKC-recognized breed from memory by the time I was 10. All of my favorite movies, books, and television shows revlolved around dogs. So it was only natural that I continue that passion and that my life revolves around it. I began training dogs when I was 11, raising puppies for a service dog organization. I got them when they were 7 weeks and trained and socialized them for their first year, after which they left me to become service dogs. Three of my five were placed as assistance dogs. My last pup, Quincy, was career changed for acid reflux,and so he became my dog forever. Quincy, a 2-year-old lab/golden retriever mix, and I stay quite busy in various dog sports and classes. I volunteer with For Better Independence Assistance Dogs and Quincy is my demo dog, meaning he knows lots of service dog tasks only he is used for educational programs and PR work. I am also very involved with Therapy Dogs International. Quincy is my second certified therapy dog in 4 years and I regularly visit hospitals with him. I truly believe that dogs are the very best kind of therapy. I also compete in dock diving with Quincy, where he has a personal best jump of 21'2", and we are also training for competition agility, flyball, and obedience. I have been involved with Teacher's Pet for over a year now. I have volunteered at both weeks of our summer day camp for the past two summers and am really thrilled to watch my first group of Children's Village kids graduate soon. Dogs changed my life, truly, and it is a blessing to watch them work that same magic in these kids.

 

 

JAMIE HARRIS
I'm Jamie Harris. I  started volunteering with Teachers Pet in the summer of 2009 at Crossroads for Youth.  I instantly loved the program! I have loved dogs since I was a little girl, and I also want to have a career working with youth, so this volunteer experience seemed perfect!  The bond the kids and the dogs form and the way they learn to open up to each other is really amazing.  Every time I am there working with the kids and the dogs, I feel like I learn and grow as well!  I am a student at Oakland University, and I am working on finishing up my undergraduate degree in psychology and criminal justice, so that  I can apply to graduate school for clinical psychology. I love this program so much, and I feel so lucky to be a part of it!

 

 
MARY HONEYMAN
Mary has been involved with dogs and dog training for 12 years, starting as a class instructor, at the Pet Education Center in Rochester Hills. She is a certified dog instructor through the Michigan Humane Society. Currently she volunteers with the Pawsitive Start, a program which trains shelter dogs to be more adoptable. She also teaches humans. For 19 years she has been a middle school teacher. Mary has been volunteering for Teacher’s Pet for 2 years. It is the perfect fit for her because it blends her love for kids with her love for dogs. She lives with her husband and 2- four pawed kids in Rochester Hills.

 

ANGELA LIJEWSKI, MA, LLP 
I'm Angela Lijewski and I have been a volunteer at Teacher’s Pet since early 2009.  I have helped out with the youth from Children’s Village and the dogs from Oakland County Pet Adoption Shelter. It has been a wonderful experience for me – watching both the kids and dogs grow and learn together! I received a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from University of Detroit Mercy and currently work as a therapist at Northland Clinic in Rochester Hills and Southfield. My specialization is in child psychology, which provides me with the background to help the Children’s Village youth from a therapeutic perspective.  I have training in child/adolescent trauma and am in the process of becoming a Certified Trauma Specialist, as well as receiving a certification in Animal Assisted Therapy.

 

 
Deb Monroe
Deb has been teaching dogs and their families since 2004 beginning as a certified instructor for the Michigan Humane Society’s PetEducationCenter. She is a team captain for the Pawsitive Start Program at the Michigan Humane Society working to build up the confidence and skills of dogs waiting in the shelter for their forever home. Training tips and advice are provided weekly by Deb to families about their pet problems through the Behavior Helpline. Deb conducts monthly seminars at the Pet Authority and especially enjoys counseling those on the journey with a new puppy.  Although her training business puts her mostly in contact with adults, it is the children in the Crossroads for Youth Program that reminds her how fun and exciting learning with pets can be.

  

GINNY NORVELL
I began my animal shelter volunteer career 10 years ago and favorite tasks include working with dogs needing extra help learning manners and social skills, thereby increasing their chance for adoption.  More recently  I've  volunteered with Teacher's Pet  and seeing the results of the program has been awesome!   Teens and shelter dogs work  together benefitting all involved.  I've witnessed increased  communication,  patience and attachments formed between dogs and kids.  In addition, we've had fun!

And me---I've been retired from a municipal code enforcement career for 5 years and prior to that was a social worker for the State of Michigan.  I love to kayak and participate in outdoor activities, especially with my two grandsons, aged 2 and 6.  I also like gardening and spending time with friends,  family and of course my companion pets;  Presley  (dog) and  Mr. whiskers, Opal and Stuart (kitties).