Training Directors
Melissa McCue-McGrath, CPDT-KA
Co-Training Director
Author Considerations for the City Dog
Melissa is the author of Considerations for the City Dog - a handbook for urban dog owners inspired by the unique hurdles her clients had owning dogs in Boston, including many cases of NEDTC students over the years. She is also a blogger for Car Talk’s F.I.D.O, a senior instructor at the MSPCA, and is one of the only disc dog instructors in Massachusetts, currently teaching that class (and other sports classes, like scent work!) at Everydog in Danvers.
More about Melissa, including upcoming presentations, webinars and a new book for aspiring dog trainers can be found on her website: https://melissamccuemcgrath.com/
Donna Culbert, CPDT-KA
Co-Training Director; Puppy Kindergarten
Donna started at NEDTC as an intern in 2005 and has served on the Board of Directors since 2006. As the Lead Puppy Instructor she was featured on WCVB’s Chronicle. See it here: https://tinyurl.com/y5f7mu55
She owns Donna’s Do Right Dogs, LLC in Norwell, MA, http://www.donnasdorightdogs.com/, where she teaches group classes and private behavioral consultations. She volunteers for several animal shelters and specializes and fearful and reactive dogs.
In her spare time, she competes in Nosework with her Tibetan Spaniel Mix, Sammy.
Competition Classes
Linda Holway, LCSW*
National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors
AKC CGC, Puppy Star Evaluator Behavioral Consultant
Trainer: Novice, Beginning Open/Utility Prep, Advanced Open/Utility, Special Classes, Step 5
Nancy Thompson
Rally, Novice, Open
Nancy has been a New England Dog Training Club board member for 20 years. She has taught Rally for the past 10 years as well as assisting in the competition ring. She participates in AKC performance events with her collies and has been actively involved in pet therapy work for the past 15 years.
Lead Trainers
Jessica Fry KPA-CTP *
NEDTC President, Steps, Special Classes
Jessica spends her days training undergraduates to be scientists in her position as a Biology Professor at Curry College. She has been training Great Pyrenees at NEDTC since 2005, when she started her obedience adventure with her grumpy first dog Tesla, who compelled her to apply her science knowledge to training, and many books, seminars and a certification later, she’ll help you work through problems with logic and persistence!
Angie Dunn - CPDT-KA
Angie was an intern with NEDTC from 2017 to 2019, and became a paid trainer with them the summer of 2019. She is the Lead Dog Trainer with Adventure Pups Cooperative as of 2020. Adventure Pups is the dog walking Co-Op that she co-founded with Anne and Tessa, who also intern with NEDTC!
Dog Trainer with Tails-a-Wagging: 2017
Petco Dog Trainer: 2015 - 2017.
Volunteered with the Alternative Humane Society: 2011 - 2017 where she learned she loved teaching people about dogs and dog behavior. She eventually adopted her senior dog, Bear, through them!
She also enjoys drawing cartoons and comics!
CPDT-KA certified, and is a member of APDT.
Nina Ragone - CPDT-KA
DogZ on Board LLC
I have been working with dogs for the past 15 years. First as owner of a dog walking service and now as a dog trainer. In 2017 I attended Victoria Stilwell’s Academy for Dog Training and Behavior, where the focus was on how dogs and humans learn from each other, recognizing behavior issues and most importantly how to find a way to implement changes to canine-human interactions.
I came to NEDTC through the VSA mentoring program. I began as an intern and have attained status as Trainer. I also assist with manners classes at Everydog LLC in Danvers. I am working towards my CPDT-KA certification.
I volunteer at Animal Rescue League in Dedham, and am a member of Massachusetts Animal Coalition and Pet Sitters Associates. I have attended numerous seminars and presentations on dog training and behavior management. I have 2 crazy Labradors Spirit and Hannah who keep me on my toes.
Interns
We couldn’t do what we do without the help of our volunteer interns.
Mirian and Marissa!
*Common Abbreviations:
KPA-CTP: Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner
CPDT-KA : Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed
APDT: Association of Pet Dog Trainers
AKC: American Kennel Club
CGC: Canine Good Citizen
IAABC: International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
CNWI: Certified Nosework Instructor
LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
CVT: Certified Veterinary Technician
ITC: Instructor Training Course
CSAMT: Certified Small Animal Massage Therapist
CBCC: Certified Behavior Canine Consultant
CSAT: Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer