Staff Profile

Maureen

Dog Trainer

I have earned my KPA CTP certification from the Karen Prior Academy

I have been a volunteer dog handler at Anti-Cruelty in Chicago since 2017. During this time, I have trained new volunteers in dog handling, helped pioneer new volunteer programs, and worked with the public to help them find their new forever family member.

My two dogs Fitz (Shih-tzu/Bichon) and Bingley (Shih-tzu/mystery mix) are named after characters from Pride and Prejudice – Fitzwilliam Darcy and Charles Bingley. Their personalities are a perfect match for their names, with Fitz tolerating people and Bingley in "a rage to approve of everything and everyone that he meets."

My dogs have attended a variety of training classes over the years, and have participated with me at the Karen Pryor Academy.

I love a mystery mutt where it’s completely unclear what they are a mix of, big-headed American Bullies, Yorkshire Terriers, and Shih-Tzu mixes.

I enjoy hiking, cooking, traveling, and exploring the city.

I am passionate about supporting people in bringing out the best in their four-legged family members, and I hope to work with dogs who have faced challenges in their lives and need extra help to find their place in their forever family.

Planning trips, even for other people. I love finding the perfect restaurants and activities for people to have the best time they can.

The University of Glasgow, with a Masters of Art in Literary Studies

Strathclyde University, with a Post Graduate degree in Secondary Education

For my birthday one year, I gave myself permission to try something I knew I wasn’t naturally talented at. I took up Aerial Silks classes and years later, these classes are one of my favorite parts of the week, I’m still not the best but I have a wonderful time. Do things for fun! Not because you think you’re already good at them.