Kasandra Fleury

 

Hi there everyone. I figured I would give you a little background information on myself. My name is Kasandra Fleury (you can call me Kas), and I live in Braintree, Vermont with my husband, Jason, 2 cats (Charlie - CVHS alumni, and Tilly), and our amazing coonhound cross, Radar. Many of you may get a chance to meet Radar in classes, as he often accompanies me as my trusty training assistant. Radar is a Canine Good Citizen, and he has received multiple Trick Dog titles. He loves to do Nosework, and he has become the perfect dance partner as we have fun learning canine freestyle.  Radar has also earned his patches for the VT5 (earned once he hiked the 5 highest mountains in Vt) and the Belknap 12 (the Belknaps are a mountain range in NH). He is currently working on his NH48 (the 48 highest summits in the White Mountains of NH), and his 52 With a View (another NH mountain list) lists. When we are not teaching, there is a good chance that Radar and I are exploring the mountains and trails of VT and NH. There is no place I would rather be than out in the woods with my hound dog at my side..... or rather, my hound dog leading the way because that is where he usually is! Hiking with my dogs is my passion, and I love being able to combine my love of the trails and the outdoors with my love of dogs and dog training. It's all about shared experiences with our dogs that help to strengthen our bonds.

Funny how I brag about my dog before I even fully introduce myself! My dog training experience began at a young age. Dogs have always been an important part of my life. My mom tells me that when I came home from the hospital, I had an Alaskan Malamute and an Irish Setter looking over the top of the bassinet at me. We have always had a dog or two in the family. I helped my family raise several dogs for Guiding Eyes for the Blind. I graduated from Vermont Technical College in 2004 with a degree in Veterinary Technology. In 2006, I graduated from the online college, Animal Behavior College, with my dog training certification. I worked as a veterinary technician at a NH animal hospital for 9 years before leaving to pursue my love of dog training. I previously taught group classes at the Upper Valley Humane Society in NH, and have now been with Central Vermont Humane Society since 2010. 

I love the feeling of being able to help an owner develop a better relationship with their beloved canine companion. Dogs are my life, and I have so much fun spending time with my own dog that I want to be able to share my experiences with others.

Bill Grant

In 1991, Bill took his very first dog, Jacob, an Akita, to a Puppy Kindergarten class at Canine Consulting in Rowley, Massachusetts.   Bill was enthralled with learning all he could about being a wonderful dog owner, and continued to participate in every class the training center had to offer, sometimes repeating classes simply to learn more and gain more experience.   The owner of the training center, Jen Kesner, quickly saw that Bill had both the passion and drive to teach others all he was learning.  She took Bill on as an apprentice and fostered his skills while helping him pursue canine education from a multitude of professionals in the field.  Bill spent 12 years teaching at Canine Consulting until he relocated to Vermont in 2002.

Bill uses his experience to help dog owners develop positive, loving relationships with their canine companions, and teaches people to work with their dogs in ways that encourage a partnership that lasts for life.  Bill is highly recommended by many well-known dog professionals, business owners, and veterinarians for his kind, knowledgeable, and gentle approach in working with all dogs.

 
Bill helps people explore how dogs think, thus unlocking the possibilities for effective communication and learning. He believes that many of today’s training issues are a result of “miscommunications” between dog and human. As these lines of communication are opened, many issues are solved.   Bill teaches his students to come from a place of mutual respect for our canine companions, drawing on compassion and empathy as opposed to “old school” methods that use force or dominance.  His classes are upbeat and fun for dogs and entire families.
Bill makes training a family process where all members are encouraged to participate. He focuses on teaching patience and consistency, thus creating an environment that allows dogs to flourish, and become a welcome addition to any home.
 
Bill teaches a variety of classes including Puppy Kindergarten, Good Manners, a recall class to teach dogs to come when called reliably, the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen class, and a class called Reactive Rover, for dogs that have specific challenges with other dogs and people.  Many of Bill’s students will tell you that his Reactive Rover class has had life changing effects on their relationships with their dogs.  Bill also works with people individually on specific behavioral issues, and offers in-home training. Bill is also a partner at Green Mountain Pet Stop, which is an underground fencing company.
He currently resides in southern Vermont with his husband Bruce and their two dogs: Lola, a French Bulldog, and Moses, an American Staffordshire Terrier.
Bill had been involved showing dogs in conformation for years, and has led numerous dogs to championship level. He has also been recognized as an Akita Breeder and advocate for the Akita breed. He has been involved in Canine Therapy Work and has a number of training articles published. He is often called on to consult with a variety of local rescue associations. Bill teaches at several locations, and also consults privately with dog owners, rescue organizations, breed clubs, and veterinary practices in Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
 

 

Lex Murphy, CPDT-KA

Lex offers dog training classes suitable for dogs of all ages and skill levels. She particularly enjoys teaching foundational skills such as polite greetings and cooperative care.

Like many professionals, Lex's journey into dog training began with her own soul dog, Gypsy, a black and white pocket pit bull. Gypsy presented some behavioral challenges that motivated Lex to learn how to best support her. Lex considers Gypsy her greatest teacher, and the inspiration for her career in helping dogs and their guardians build a stronger understanding of each other. Following the passing of Gypsy in 2024, Lex started fostering animals as a way to honor Gypsy's memory.

Lex obtained her CPDT-KA certification in 2021. She gained significant experience through shelter work where she trained dogs awaiting adoption, and assisted other professionals in dog training classes in the Chittenden County area. Prior to that, she gained extensive experience working in doggie daycares starting in 2013.  Additionally, she has been a pet sitter since childhood. Through these experiences, and through a lot of studying, she has witnessed firsthand the effectiveness of positive reinforcement and force-free handling with various breeds and species. As a dedicated animal advocate, she strongly believes that no breed requires a heavy hand. She would love to share with you the magic of positive reinforcement!

Outside of her work with the adoptable dogs at CVHS, and her private clients on weekend, Lex has a fondness for her three tank-dwelling pets: Velvet the ball python, Janice the jumping spider, and Spooky the curly hair tarantula. Her other interests include horror movies, Halloween, and the beauty of crisp fall days. She currently resides in Williamstown.