Tiffany Holmes (she/they)
Dog Trainer & Behavior Consultant
petpro mentor & pet harmony content lead
Hi, hello, how are you?
Like a lot of dog trainers, I got into this field after bringing home a pup, who, unbeknownst to the humans he was about to live with, needed a lot of help to feel safe. Petey and I have learned many a life lesson together over the past eight years.
Caregiver burden for humans supporting pets with complex behavior challenges is a very real consideration in this job, and one that I understand intimately. I’m glad you landed here; you’re in the right place!
Force-Free Dog Training in Fort Wayne and Beyond
My journey into training and behavior began with building a team to support Petey the Wondermutt.
Cut to the pandemic years, when I found myself unemployed, learning the mechanics of training in group classes, and joining the original Pet Harmony Mentorship Program.
Now employed by my mentors (what is life?), I get to use my background in technical writing to help out around the blog and in PETPro (our current mentorship program).
As a trainer and behavior consultant I have the honor of helping families who, like me, are supporting their pets through behavior challenges and are looking for a more harmonious life together.
When I’m not at my desk, you might find me teaching a yoga class or two!
Certifications & Credentials
- Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Scientific and Technical Communication – Concentration on Biology, Bowling Green State University
- Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
- Fear Free Certified Professional (FFCP)
JUST FOR FUN
Q & A
Q: What’s one ordinary fact about you?
A: I’m married to a herpetologist. I probably have working in the herpetology lab at BGSU to thank for that! We met when I had an internship where he was finishing grad school, and I simply could not resist the “Worlds Greatest Grandpa” shirt he was wearing to look for snakes and get muddy in.
Q: We obviously need to know about your pets, give us the details!
A: Peter Leroy Holmes-Herbert aka Petey the Wondermutt is the scruffy menace bestie I also claim is my biological son. I also live with a Mexican rosy boa (Spencer), a ball python (Artie), and a plecostomus fish (Al G.).
Q: What’s one super cool fact about you?
A: I’ve never been cool even once in my life, but I grew up with quite a menagerie of pets as a kid. A racoon named Leroy (that’s him in the photo above) goat, pony, bunnies, chickens, hermit crabs, hamsters, lots of fish, a few (outdoor) cats, and a couple of dogs. I recently took my Dad’s slide collection so I can scan them, and I’ve seen many of my old friends!
Q: Do you have any hobbies? What do you do for fun?
A: I cycle through various movement practices, including yoga, weightlifting, steel mace flow, and mountain biking. I take a lot of silly photos with my phone and once in a while I get a good one. Sometimes I paint on things. I can knit but I take a long time. I have probably too many plants in my house. I like being outside with my husband (known here as Big Man) and Peter. I cook a lot, but I rarely bake. And somehow I wasn’t diagnosed with ADHD until I was 43!
