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Karen and Tom Palmer have created a business to benefit those they care for most: people and their dogs. Tom has worked with many people through his experiences in sales, his own small business, and through his evangelist work with the church of Christ. Karen has certification in professional pet grooming from the Paragon School of Pet Grooming in Jenison. She also earned a dog training diploma and certification from the Arizona Canine Academy, one of the top canine academies in the nation at that time. She is a former co-trainer and vice president of Pawfect Companions Canine Therapy Group, Inc., and is the owner of a retired registered therapy dog.
Karen has experience in shelter dog rehabilitation, pet adoption, boarding, daycare, grooming, and dog obedience training. Karen has presented wildlife rehabilitation programs and has been certified as an American Red Cross Pet First Aid instructor. She has also conducted educational programs for local schools and Girl Scout troops with the aid of her own dogs. She served as Chairperson of the International Association of Canine Professionals’ Canine Legislation Committee for three years. She also earned the honorable award of “Member of the Year” from the IACP for 2007, and the President’s Star award twice. She is a supporter of Protect MI Dogs, serving to protect responsible dog ownership in Michigan. She is a member of the Muskegon Lakeshore Obedience Training Club (UKC), Greater Muskegon Kennel Club (AKC), and the Michigan Association for Pure Bred Dogs (MAPBD).
Tom and Karen both have Toastmasters experience. Tom earned the Competent Communicator title. Karen has an Advanced Communicator Bronze title and Advanced Leader Bronze title through membership with Community Toastmasters Club #3009 in Muskegon. Karen has served in several officer roles, including that of club president. Karen has also served as a presenter at a Toastmasters District 62 Conference.
Karen and Tom believe that consistency, patience, caring and understanding are all essential to teaching and training dogs. Utilizing a balanced approach, they provide humans with the “tools” they need to improve their relationships with their dogs.
The Palmers have three dogs whose images are found throughout the website, in addition to previously owned dogs. All our current dogs were acquired through re-homing kennels, but we feel that responsible purebred dog breeders also have an important place in our society.
All the Palmer dogs have competed in obedience trials and won ribbons. Rocky Road earned two CD titles and one leg toward a CDX. Bindy earned a CD title. All our dogs have participated in dog obedience training classes and private consultations, helping Karen to evaluate other dogs and assist in obedience training in various ways. They are also an important part of our personal lives.
To learn more about Lucy, Bindy, Bubba Gump, Zippy (short for Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah!, now living with new local owners) and Zebedee (who now lives and works as a man trailer in PA), look for their photos and read the captions found throughout the site. You’ll also learn more about the special dogs of our past. Thank you for visiting!
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