2020 Greatmats National Dog Trainer of the Year Contest

I am nominating Courtney Gluchacki because she works hard to bring her clients the absolute best training and care possible. She goes above and beyond for every owner and dog in need. She has dedicated her life to creating strong bonds between human and canine. She believes ALL dogs, no matter their behavioral issues CAN be saved. Her love of dogs shines through in all she does. Courtney has worked so hard to build and grow her business while offering affordable training for everyone. Courtney has a vision to guide dogs to become the best they can be and to teach owners the best way to work with their dogs to create lasting bonds and a strong working relationship to ensure lifelong success. I have never met a trainer as dedicated to her clients and their dogs as Courtney Gluchacki.

Angie Carroll has been great when working with Mia! She is the sweetest and you can tell she really does love her job. Angie has helped us in so many ways with our sweet dog. We are so thankful for her!

Randall Lewis - certified dog trainer and behavioral specialist demonstrating a group focus

Brandon Marquez has amazing experience working with military dogs in the Marine Corp. He has transferred those skills to helping people at home form the perfect family pet. With the help from Brandon, my wife and I have seen a drastic change in the behavior of our GSD.

Cara Fonteyne does a wonderful job with her training business as well as her doggie daycare and boarding facility. She not only is an outstanding trainer, but she also volunteers time for animal nonprofit organizations. Cara took a dumped, terrified stray who trusted no one and knew nothing and within one year, he now competes in agility courses and frisbee tournaments. Cara deserves every bit of recognition she can get!

Megan Brown is the training instructor for the Animal Assisted Therapy program at Hocking College. I haven't met a trainer that cares more about their students than she does. She loves coming up with new, creative solutions to problems and thrives on helping others learn. There is no one I can think of who is more deserving than her.

Megan Arey is an experienced and knowledgeable trainer who proactively seeks growth herself. She truly understands dog behavior and needs as evidenced by how well behaved my dogs are a few moments after she walks in the door (a crazy puppy and a middle-aged yapper). She makes training fun for the dogs and trains us humans to be patient, reasonable, and appropriately responsive. We are all having fun! I didn't think our yapper was trainable but after a session, we are experiencing the most quiet we have in 6 years. No kidding. Her class, training, and seminar options are varied and interesting. She's also just good person who is dedicated. She helped me find reputable dog breeders and has gone above and beyond providing training services and support in between sessions.

Sassafras Lowrey has over 20 years experience working with dogs. As a Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI) Sassafras teaches dogs and their handlers from around the world via her YouTube Channel in having more fun together through games, training, and activities. Sassafras has supported hundreds of people and their dogs achieve trick dog titles. Sassafras is the author of the award honored training books "Tricks In The City" and her activity book "Chew This Journal" releases in December 2020.

Marsha Tonkinson has been training dogs for over 15 years. She loves helping people build a strong bond with their dogs. She also believes in giving back by donating service dog training to veterans and kids. Also she will bring in other trainers to host special events like rattlesnake avoidance training, SAR tracking classes, to help bring people out with their dogs. --------------- Marsha is an excellent dog trainer! Always professional & caring when working with our pets! She takes time to explain behaviors we had with our SharPei mix and through training with her, our Daisy, is so much better walking, listening to us, and loves going through the agility course she has. When we adopted her at the shelter,she was afraid to walk down the stairs, among other fears. Daisy's 1st class with Marsha, started her on her way to gaining the confidence she was lacking. We are more than happy with K 9 Paws Behavior dog training and we refer her all the time! She's won numerous awards and has impressive certifications! She's now helping us with our new addition, a Border Collie/Australian Shepard mix! Little Piranha is a furbaby filled with lots of energy, that Marsha helps us on different things we can do at home, besides training, to get a handle on this high energy puppy! I can also call or text her with any dog issue and know that she'll get back to me with solutions. We can't say enough "thank you's for all the help we've gotten from her! Also, being from a military family, we are over thrilled with her passion & dedication to helping veterans train PTSD dogs.. . . And we've seen these dogs in action! ------------ Marsha is by far the best dog trainer in the Kingman/Golden Valley area. ------------ Marsha Tonkinson always has time for instruction and help with her clients. She also has time and information to help out in situations at a Dog Rescue and Adoption Center when we are faced with a behavior problem with one of the dogs. Always helpful and professional. Shows her love of dogs with her training and always wants the best for the dogs in training.

Amber Balweg - What a great, dedicated trainer!!

Roz Granitz is an amazing trainer who has helped me and and my dog, and continues to do so, thrive so much in our teamwork within agility, and on top of that, she's a great person and a great friend!

I have known Frances Dauster for many years. She has built one of the finest facilities on the Gulf Coast, offering only positive training techniques. Of course, Sunpaws uses Greatmats! Frances loves to support newcomers to business (any business) with tips and useful gifts, such as a grand opening banner or raffle/door prize item. In addition to her training business, Frances runs a successful in-home boarding facility. Over many years, Frances has supported active duty military and veterans in many ways. But more than anything, Frances has brought quality education to dog owners. Her professional affiliations include, but are not limited to: Pet Professional Guild Mobile Bay Dog Training Club, Mobile, AL Doberman Pinscher Club of America American War Dogs Association Alabama Animal Control Officers' Association & a variety of other animal and Veteran-related organizations Thank you for consider Frances Dauster!

I want to nominate Paul V. Anthony from unleashed Gibsonia for dog trainer of the year . Paul has been training dogs for over 25 years. He has competed with his Belgian Malinois Finn in Mondioring with 24 MR 3 titles, 3rd in the world. He trains from puppies to therapy dogs. He has dedicated his life making people better handlers and dogs better dogs. He rescues dogs from the pound and has trained them with inmates from the prison. Dogs are his passion. He offers so much more than dog training ,he is a compassionate Person and easy to talk to about any dog issue or anything. He has a nonprofit called Michael's Mission in memory of his son, that trains therapy dogs for autistic children and for veterans,or any one needing a therapy dog.