Now that you have met our staff, click here to meet their dogs!

 


Think your dog may be aggressive! Click here.


For Lisa's full bio click here.
President, Lisa (Laney) Patrona, Dip. DTBC, CPDT, PDT, CBC, is a member of the following organizations:
  • Graduate of the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
  • Endorsed Professional of the Association of Animal Behavior Professionals (AABP)
  • Associate Member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Inc. (IAABC)
  • Professional Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT)
  • Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
  • Professional Member of the Applied Companion Animal Behavior Network

Lisa teaches Puppy, Intermediate and Advanced classes.
 


 

Jessica Muzzarelli, Manager

Jessica Muzzarelli is currently owned by a Spanish Galgo, Spirit, a Cocker Spaniel, Reggie and 3 cats, all of which are rescued. She is also co-owned by a Greyhound, Jade. 

Jessica started working with animals in 1999 when she began working at a veterinary hospital. That hospital is actively involved in Greyhound rescue and cat and kitten rescue so it didn't take long for her to become involved with the rescue work. She adopted her first Greyhound, Lightning, just 9 months after learning  about their plight. Her second, Pharaoh, quickly followed 7 months later when  she "failed" at fostering.

In 2001 she became involved in Spanish Galgo rescue, which led to Spirit, the Galgo, who joined her family as a 7-week-old pup.

Jessica began working with Trainers Academy in 2003. A few of the younger  Galgo's that came into rescue needed to learn some basic manners in order to make them more  adoptable. As she continued her rescue work, she realized that people were more likely to adopt a dog with some basic manners than those who had none. After seeing what a difference clicker training made, she was hooked; she began volunteer training with Trainers Academy.

She also helped train and place several dogs displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

In 2006 Jessica put her training skills to further use by joining the day care team at Trainers Academy and is now manager. Jessica can be found at Trainers Academy daily during daycare hours as well as training on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
 

Diane Nagy
 
Prior to working for Trainers Academy, Diane owned a ceramics art studio in Sterling Heights for 6 years and taught special art seminars in different parts of the country. She has also been a musician for many years and is currently working on a musical project.
 
She has had a long history of owning large breed dogs, such as Great Danes,  Mastiffs, German Shepherds and English Setters. She is currently working with her German Shepherd, Commander Dax, in obedience and hopes to put him into agility. Dax also attends daycare.
 
Diane aspires to become an instructor and just started training in January '09.
 
 
Pam Dybowski

Pam is the senior member of the Trainers Academy Daycare team. With her sense of humor, love for dogs, and her keen "dog sense", she is an invaluable member of the staff.
 
Pam's family acquired a new Brittany Spaniel puppy, Josie, last year after the passing of their previous Brittany. Josie is a regular attendee of daycare. Pam and her boyfriend also adopted an adult Rottweiler, Casey, from the Michigan Humane Society in '08.
 
Pam is currently studying archaeology at Oakland Community College. She also volunteers for the Michigan Humane Society on the weekends and aspires to become an animal cop
 

Kristina DuBois
 
Kristina is a very hard working member of the daycare team. In the time she has been at Trainer's Academy, like the rest of the staff, she has learned a great deal about dog socialization and positive reinforcement techniques.
 
Kristina and her family enjoy the company of their 3 dogs, Lexxie, Parker and the newest addition, Nala.
 
When not working, Kristina devotes her time to her two children, William and Alyssa.

 

Angela Cavanaugh

Angela is the newest member of the Daycare team, having joined us in January 2010. Her dedication to learning about and caring for the dogs here on a daily basis make her a great asset to our team. She can often be found singing to the dogs in the back room!

Angela has two sons, one of which is an active member of the US Marines, and a grandson.

Angela also shares her life with her newly rescued Labrador, Bing.