Meet Kimberly, founder of For P.E.T.S.

Kimberly Simmons, CDT, is the Autistic owner and dog trainer at For P.E.T.S. based in Farmington, New Hampshire. She has been training dogs for over 40 years, starting out by helping to train scent-work police dogs, as well as focusing her early education on Animal Science through the Thompson School, at the University of New Hampshire. Due to the punishment-based nature of the training community in the early '90s, which she found to be abusive, anxiety-inducing, and damaging to the health and well being of the dogs, Kimberly elected to become a Veterinary Technician, training dogs just for friends, family, and her own enjoyment. Being a Veterinary Technician gave Kimberly the opportunity to work with hundreds of dogs, increasing her skills and knowledge. When Kimberly began training (in the 1970s) and for much of her adult life, certification for dog trainers was non-existent. Times change and Kimberly is changing with them by obtaining her Certified Dog Trainer Certificate and working on additional certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. Kimberly is also taking full advantage of the many continuing education classes now available on the internet.

Kimberly has trained three service dogs for her own use, gaining valuable insight and experience in that specialized area of dog training. She is skilled with anxious dogs and rescue dogs that are having difficulty adjusting to home life.

When Kimberly is not working, she enjoys cuddling with her cats, walking with her 3 Huskies, riding and training her horses, photography, reading, writing, gardening, and kayaking.
Meet Kim's Furry family here.

Autism

Acceptance

Education:

Classes Completed at UNH Thompson School: (1991-1992)

Anatomy & Physiology of Domestic Animals
Small Animal Breeds & Behavior
Introduction to Animal Science
Small Animal Grooming
Fundamentals of Animal Health
Small Animal Production Techniques

International College of Canine Studies:
Certified Dog Trainer Certificate

Continuing Education:

Understanding Canine Behavior, Instructor Barbara Hendelman ME.D.

CEU Status:
18 CEU’s from the IAABC.
8 CBCC-KA,

7 CPDT-KA CEU’s from the CCPDT.

Basic Dog Training Skills & Theory Using Positive Methods, Instructor Jan Crary, CPDT-KA, CGC Evaluator (Prerequisite for the 6 Week Dog Group Class for Trainers)

CEUs:
CCPDT – 15 CEUs
IAABC – 15 CEUs
ABCDT-L2 – 15 CEUs

The 6 Week Dog Group Class for Trainers, Rachel Friedman MSW LISW

CEU Status:
IAABC CEU’s-14.5
CCPDT CEU’s-12
ABCDT-L2 – 12 CEUs

S.A.N.E. Solutions for Challenging Dog Behavior®

Instructor: Kathy Cascade, PT, International Tellington TTouch Instructor

CEU’s:
IAABC-10 CEU’s
CCPDT-8 CEU’s
NADOI-8 CEU’s
ABCDT-L2 – 9 CEUs

Solving Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Instructor: Peggy O. Swagger

CEU Status:
CCPDT – 9 CEUs
IAABC – 10.5 CEUs
NADOI – 9 CEUs
ABCDT-L2 – 9 CEUs

The Distracted Dog

Instructor: Renea L. Dahms Dip CBST, CDTI, RMT

Learning Theory 101