Amanda Zavadil

It was at a very young age that I decided that I wanted to work with animals. I grew up surrounded by a variety of animals from dogs and cats, to smaller critters and even horses. In 2003 at the age of 16 I started volunteering with the local Humane Society and in 2009 was offered an employment position working in the dog department. I started off as a kennel worker, monitoring the care and health of animals and maintaining proper playgroups for the dogs. During my time at the shelter I also received various certifications, cross trained in the cat and isolation department as well as the office and was trained as a vet assistant, aiding in the spaying, neutering, and other various medical tasks including surgery assistance, vaccinations and care for the animals that were housed there. In 2011 I began studying canine behavior, body language and training where I went on to provide canine behavior and temperament evaluations. I later took on the role of lead trainer and canine behavior consultant at the shelter. I began creating a training and modification program at the shelter. to help provide aid and training to dogs that would otherwise be lost at the shelter due to undesired or dangerous behavior. In 2015 shelter management and myself reached out to HAWS and created Mod Squad, a volunteer driven behavior modification program. As the program manager, I oversaw the in depth work, training, and rehabilitation of at risk dogs in the shelter, including modifying behavior, using TTouch work, Obedience, and enrichment. During the creation of the program I attended Animal Behavior Collage to receive my certification as a dog obedience instructor and began my work at Dawgs in Motion after completing my externship. I also received my Canine Good Citizen evaluation certification and am now an ABC mentor trainer at Dawgs in Motion where I also utilize my certification in Pet Massage Therapy.