What Makes Paws 2 Connect Unique?
Paws 2 Connect is a highly accredited canine training organization focusing on:
- Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) Specialists
- Facility Dog Training and Program Development for:
- Education/Schools
- Law Enforcement
- Nursing Homes
- Occupational/Physical Therapy
- Mental Health
- Medical Facilities
On top of therapy dog training, we also offer services and training for the public:
- Canine 101 (beginner)
- Canine 102 (advanced beginner)
- Therapy Dog Training
- Service Dog Training
With 3 trainers with a combined experience of over 60 years training animals. We only use positive science based training techniques to provide the best training, experience, and success for our dogs.
Please see our Class Descriptions page for the perfect class for you and your pup.
Meet Our Highly Trained Staff
Christine Miner
Christine Miner, KPA-CTP (Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner), AKC-CGC, AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy evaluator, MSW
Christine Miner is a NYS licensed master social worker who graduated from SUNY Albany. She is employed as an adjunct instructor for Siena College where she teaches Animal Assisted Intervention. She chairs the Rensselaer County Humane Outreach Team and received her Veterinary Social Work Certificate from the University of Tennessee. Chris is a certified training partner credentialed through Karen Pryor Academy.
Currently Christine partners with her 5 year old Golden Retriever, Memphis, a certified therapy dog.
Catherine Ricchetti
Catherine Ricchetti, KPA-CTP (Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner), AKC-CGC, AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy evaluator, LCSW-R
Catherine is a graduate of the elite Karen Pryor Academy dog training school. She has been training dogs and developing facility dog programming since 2003. She created a facility dog program in the Guilderland Schools, and has assisted other districts and nursing facilities in their development of canine assisted programming.
Catherine began writing and lecturing on how to create canine assisted programs in facilities. She teaches a class on AAI at Siena College. She supports social workers and other professionals to develop successful dog programs. She has written two books on the subject “Service Trained Facility Dogs” , previously published as “Dogs In School” and a children’s book titled “Miss Siggy Speaks”.
Her book "Service Trained Facility Dogs" is available either here and here.
Kathy Stevens
Kathy Stevens, SUNY Cobleskill Professor, Canine Department, CCPDT, (Certified Council of Professional Dog Trainers)
Kathy is certified as a Service Dog Training Coach and has been the lead dog trainer in the Guilderland Schools dog program for the last 18 years. She has assisted other school districts and nursing facilities in their development of canine assisted programming.
Kathy Stevens is a professional dog trainer, dog breeder, and horse trainer. Kathy is the owner and head animal trainer at Heldercrest farm. She has over 35 years experience working with and training dogs.
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CCPDT) 2008 Awarded by the Certified Council of Professional Dog Trainers
Service Dog Training Coach Certification May 2019
Paws 2 Connect's Accreditation & Philosophy
Animal Assisted Intervention
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Instructors
Karen Pryor Academy Certified
A rigorous training and certification for professionals working with a canine companion to help meet and support their clients goals by putting the animal first.
AAI can be used in the fields of mental health, education, medicine and law enforcement.
Also known as:
AAE - Animal Assisted Education
AAT - Animal Assisted Therapy (mental health, OT, PT, speech, nursing)
Karen Pryor Academy Certified
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Instructors
Karen Pryor Academy Certified
At Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behavior (KPA) the focus is on "force-free training" to encourage positive reinforcement between trainers and animals.
We're one of only 2,100 accredited facilities, and our subscribe to the Karen Pryor Academy philosophy to encourage collaboration and in discussion of training and behavior science practices and related issues between owners, pets, and training staff.
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Instructors
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Instructors
AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluators
American Kennel Club's STAR program is a competitive training program that help our smallest of canine friends become good community members.
This accreditation highlights the importance of responsible owners and their relationships with their dog to in turn train them to be responsible dogs.
AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluators
Certified Professional Dog Trainer Knowledge Assessed
AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluators
Our staff and organization are training in the AKC's CGC program to ensure our sessions provide the "perfect framework for your dog to become a polite member of society". We provide owners and pups with a CGC certificate at the end of their trainings.
Certified Professional Dog Trainer Knowledge Assessed
Certified Professional Dog Trainer Knowledge Assessed
Certified Professional Dog Trainer Knowledge Assessed
This annual exam allows for our staff to continue their education, ensure they're following the best practices for canine training, and reinforces the Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) Effective Behavior Intervention in our training sessions.
Cooperative Paws Certified Service Dog Coach
Certified Professional Dog Trainer Knowledge Assessed
Certified Professional Dog Trainer Knowledge Assessed
A service dog trainer certificate program for experienced professional pet dog trainers who would like to learn how to train service dogs. Successful graduates earn the respected SDC™ certification as our staff has.