Dogs need boundaries and guidance in order to live harmoniously with us humans, and I teach humans how to guide and teach their canine companions in a safe, pain-free, fear-free manner. Dogs tell us what they need through body language and facial expressions. I have a particular gift for reading dogspeak (the body language of dogs). For
Dogs need boundaries and guidance in order to live harmoniously with us humans, and I teach humans how to guide and teach their canine companions in a safe, pain-free, fear-free manner. Dogs tell us what they need through body language and facial expressions. I have a particular gift for reading dogspeak (the body language of dogs). For dog owners willing to listen, I teach how to read your dog’s body language. I give you the tools to help teach your dog to be a well-mannered companion, while still being allowed to DOG.
I believe in the L.I.M.A. pledge, which is to use the least invasive, minimally aversive methods as a dog trainer.
I encourage enrichment activities, beyond just exercise, to keep your canine’s thinking brain engaged as well as giving your dog activities that help to reduce stress and encourage calm.
Opening a dog playground through Sniffspot is one more way I can help dogs.
I see and experience the world very differently as I am Autistic. My brand of Autism gave me the gift of being able to understand and communicate more effectively with animals; I am more 'In-Tune' with their body language, facial expressions, and other communications than most people.
Kimberly Simmons, CDT, is the Autistic owner and dog trainer at For P.E.T.S. based in Farmington, New Hampshire. She has been training dogs for over 40 years, starting out by helping to train scent-work police dogs, as well as focusing her early education on Animal Science through the Thompson School, at the University of New Hampshire. Due to the punishment-based nature of the training community in the early '90s, which she found to be abusive, anxiety-inducing, and damaging to the health and well-being of the dogs, Kimberly elected to become a Veterinary Technician, training dogs just for friends, family, and her own enjoyment. Being a Veterinary Technician gave Kimberly the opportunity to work with hundreds of dogs, increasing her skills and knowledge. When Kimberly began training (in the 1970s) and for much of her adult life, certification for dog trainers was non-existent. Times change and Kimberly is changing with them by obtaining her Certified Dog Trainer Certificate and working on additional certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. Kimberly is also taking full advantage of the many continuing education classes now available on the internet.
Kimberly has trained three service dogs for her own use, gaining valuable insight and experience in that specialized area of dog training. She is skilled with anxious dogs and rescue dogs that are having difficulty adjusting to home life.
When Kimberly is not working, she enjoys cuddling with her cats, walking with her 3 Huskies, riding and training her horses, photography, reading, writing, gardening, and kayaking.
Kimberly's Education:
Anatomy & Physiology of Domestic Animals
Small Animal Breeds & Behavior
Introduction to Animal Science
Small Animal Grooming
Fundamentals of Animal Health
Small Animal Production Techniques
International College of Canine Studies:
Associate Dog Trainer Certificate
Continuing Education:
Understanding Canine Behavior, Instructor Barbara Hendelman ME.D.
Basic Dog Training Skills & Theory Using Positive Methods, Instructor Jan Crary, CPDT-KA, CGC Evaluator
The 6 Week Dog Group Class for Trainers, Rachel Friedman MSW LISW
S.A.N.E. Solutions for Challenging Dog Behavior® Kathy Cascade, PT, International Tellington TTouch
Solving Separation Anxiety in Dogs, Instructor: Peggy O. Swagger
The Distracted Dog, instructor: Renea L. Dahms Dip CBST, CDTI, RMT
Learning Theory 101, Instructor: Kristina Spaulding, PhD, CAAB
Lessons in Fear and Aggression in Dogs, Instructor Peggy O. Swager
Pet First Aid & CPR Instructor: Sheilagh O’Sullivan (2016)
Animal First Aid and CPR Certification presented by PetTech (2019)
Service Dog Training Lecture: Self-Control Exercises for Service Dog Candidates Speakers: Dee Ganley, and Barbara Hendelman
Dog and Cat Nutrition, instructor Eleanor Kellon, VMD
Doggone Safe Dog Bite Prevention Educator, Presenter, Niki Tudge MBA, PCBC-A, CDBC, CDT
DIFFERENT NEEDS, DIFFERENT BREEDS: Dog Training the Different Breeds Instructor: Sue Alexander, CPDT-KA, CDBC
Working with Dogs who Guard Food and Other Resources, Speaker: Trish McMillan Loehr, MSc, CDBC, CPDT-KA
Public Access Behaviors and Service Dog Ethics, Speaker: Jeanne Hampl (and Barbara Handelman, Moderator)
Selecting and Training Service Dogs for Mental Health Disabilities-Part I. Cissy Stamm and Barbara Handelman, M.Ed., LCMHC, CDBC